Things to do when you retire
Practical ideas for staying active, connected, and entertained after work ends.
A SECOND CHANCE TO PLAY
Friendship, football, and laughter carry them forward. One match may change everything for these men.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MARK TUOHY
A retired part-time writer whose life has taken him from driving and office work to teaching technical English in Peru and, later, sixteen years with Libraries NI. A long-time Belfast resident, he previously wrote Belfast Celtic and Shoot Belfast. Inspired by a creative mother and a life shaped by family, travel, and football, he now writes with warmth, wit, and a deep affection for ordinary lives.
Our Blogs
Read heartfelt stories of retirement, lifelong friendships, unforgettable moments, and the timeless game that continues bringing generations together every day.
Lifelong Friendship
A look at the loyalty, humor, and comfort that keep old friends close.
Walking Football
Discover why this slower version of football still inspires competition and joy.
About
The Book
Walk the Ball follows six older friends who return to football through a walking competition that stirs old rivalries, hidden guilt, and fresh hope. With humor, heartbreak, and Irish wit, the novel explores redemption, brotherhood, and the stubborn refusal to let age define the spirit.
Audio Book
Experience the story like never before with our audiobook edition. Let the narration bring every character, emotion, and moment to life, creating an immersive listening experience you’ll truly enjoy.
Click the download button and start listening today. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the audiobook anytime, anywhere.
CHAPTER SUMMARIES
Follow the story from reunion and rivalry to hidden truths, family pain,
and hard-won reconciliation.
Chapter 1
Friends gather after a funeral, reminiscing about
age, memory, and loss.
Chapter 2
Charlie finds a walking football flyer and shares
his idea.
Chapter 3
The men agree to enter and begin planning
their comeback
Chapter 4
Practice against children reveals skill, humor, and
unexpected emotional tension.
Chapter 5
The team chooses its name and Sean visits
the doctor.
Chapter 6
More competition details emerge, and Charlie
adds to the squad.
Chapter 7
Sweet Alice’s death deepens the story’s
emotional weight.
Chapter 8
Charlie and Mickie reconnect, bringing old wounds
back to life.
Chapter 9
Training continues as football and family memories
build momentum.
Chapter 10
Charlie reveals the truth behind the friendship’s collapse.
Chapter 11
Paddy’s family research uncovers another painful
layer of the past.
Chapter 12
The team prepares as the competition moves closer.
Chapter 13
Mickie’s years away from Dublin are explored
in more detail.
Chapter 14
Charlie and Mickie face grief, history, and
unresolved feelings.
Chapter 15
The friends confront uncertainty while personal
ties remain strained.
Chapter 16
Charlie reflects on marriage, memory, and what
matters most.
Chapter 17
Training sessions test the men, but strengthen
their unity.
Chapter 18
The final match delivers tension, injury, and
emotional resolution.
Experiences
Shared by Our
Clients
A warm, funny, and deeply human story. The characters feel real, the banter is excellent, and the emotional moments land beautifully. It stayed with me long after I finished it.
Siobhan Kearney
Book Reviewer
This is exactly the kind of novel that reminds you why friendship matters. It balances comedy and sadness so naturally that every chapter feels alive and relatable.
Patrick Doyle
Literary Blogger
Charming, witty, and full of heart, Walk the Ball celebrates age, sport, and the complicated beauty of old friendships. A genuinely memorable read.
Eileen Byrne
Fiction Editor