BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - July 7, 2026 - Retired writer Mark Tuohy has released his first novel, Walk the Ball, a literary fiction work centered on friendship, memory, and emotional reconciliation among a group of retired amateur football players.
Set decades after a defining Junior Cup Final in Dublin, the novel follows six former teammates now living in retirement. Though their playing days are long behind them, unresolved emotions, shared history, and long-standing friendships continue to shape their lives.
At the center of the story is Charlie Farrell, a man who has carried private guilt for decades following the breakdown of a close friendship on the eve of the team's most important match. When Charlie discovers an opportunity to participate in a walking football competition, he persuades his former teammates to reunite, setting in motion a return to the game that once defined them.
What begins as a recreational activity quickly becomes a deeper emotional journey as the group is forced to confront themes of aging, regret, reconciliation, and personal loss. The narrative explores how shared history can both divide and heal individuals over time.
Author Mark Tuohy said the novel reflects lived experience, friendship, and the emotional complexity of later life.
"I wanted to write about men who are ordinary in every way except for the weight of their memories," said Tuohy. "Even in retirement, people are still working through the past, still connected by friendship, and still trying to make sense of what they've lived through."
Born in Arequipa, Peru, and a long-time resident of Belfast, Tuohy has worked across multiple professions, including teaching, driving, office administration, and library services. Prior to retiring in 2022, he spent 16 years with Libraries NI, where his engagement with literature and storytelling continued to grow.
Tuohy previously authored Belfast Celtic, published by Blackstaff Press in 1978, a historical account of one of Northern Ireland's most iconic football clubs. The book was widely received and sold out its first print run shortly after publication. He also wrote Shoot Belfast, a photography guide produced during the Troubles and distributed by the Northern Ireland Arts Council.
Walk the Ball marks Tuohy's return to long-form fiction, combining themes of sport, humor, memory, and emotional reflection. The novel examines how friendship evolves over time and how shared experiences can remain powerful even decades later.
Since its release, early reader feedback has highlighted the novel's balance of humor and emotional depth, as well as its portrayal of aging men navigating identity, purpose, and unresolved personal history. The walking football setting serves as both a symbolic and physical space where past and present intersect.
The book is expected to resonate with readers of contemporary literary fiction, Irish cultural narratives, and character-driven stories focused on aging, reconciliation, and the enduring power of friendship.
Walk the Ball is now available through the author's official platforms and selected book retailers.
About the Author
Mark Tuohy is a retired writer whose work spans sports history, photography, and literary fiction. His previous publications include Belfast Celtic and Shoot Belfast. His novel Walk the Ball explores friendship, aging, humor, and redemption through the lens of walking football and lifelong bonds.
For media inquiries, interview requests, review copies, or promotional opportunities related to Walk the Ball, please contact the author through the official website https://marktuohy.com/ or send an email via info@marktuohy.com. All correspondence will be reviewed directly by the author or his authorized representative.
Media Contact
Company Name: Mark Tuohy
Contact Person: Mark Tuohy
Email: Send Email
Country: Ireland
Website: https://marktuohy.com/
