Paul Kimmage has not been afraid to fall out with people for the sake of his work. However, the reasons for his parting ways with Brian O'Driscoll are unclear.
Former pro cyclist turned journalist and author, Paul Kimmage has quit as ghost writer of Irish rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll’s much anticipate autobiography.
The project had been in the pipeline for a number of years and was well underway, with an anticipated release date before the end of the year in time for the lucrative Christmas market.
Publication had been delayed when O’Driscoll decided to put off his retirement for a year and play again this season. He had said from the outset the work would only be published after he had hung up his boots for good.
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Kimmage’s departure was not anticipated in rugby or media circles.
However, the project will continue, with author and journalist Alan English stepping in to help Ireland’s best ever player get the book over the line.
English is the editor of the Limerick Leader newspaper and is currently working with Munster and Ireland rugby ace Paul O’Connell on his book.
English knows Kimmage well and interviewed him at a number of public interviews around the time the Lance Armstrong affair was coming to a peak.
O’Driscoll, a former captain of both the Lions and Ireland, confirmed the news of his parting ways with Kimmage in a statement this evening, Wednesday.
“I have enjoyed working with Paul over the last few years and it is unfortunate that we cannot complete this project together. However, I look forward to working with Alan.”
Publishers Penguin Ireland, with whom O’Driscoll penned the publishing deal two years ago, said in a statement it had regretfully accepted Kimmage’s resignation.
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The company’s managing director, Michael McLoughlin thanked Kimmage for his work to date.
“We are delighted that Alan English has stepped in to write what is the most eagerly awaited sports autobiography for many years.
“Alan is somebody we have worked with closely on two previous books and we are sure he will do Brian’s story justice.”
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The reasons for the surprise move by Kimmage are not clear. However, he published a number of tweets last week that were cryptic at the time but when judged in the context of today’s news may suggest he left because he believed he was about to be asked to go.
"Blessed are the meek for they shall be trampled on," read one. He followed that up with a quote from Brigitte Bardot which read: "I leave before being left. I decide."
However, it must be stressed it is not certain these tweets do indeed relate to the end of the relationship with O’Driscoll on the project.
Kimmage is currently back working for The Sunday Independent having lost his position at The Sunday Times two years ago.
He has a documentary nearing completion. Rough Ride will follow him through Armstrong’s downfall and the period in which he was at logger heads with Pat McQuaid before he lost his position as UCI president. The cameras also followed Kimmage back to the centenary edition of the Tour de France last year.
Initially scheduled for release late last year, it is unclear exactly when the project will be broadcast.
