The autobiography of GAA star Donal Og Cusack has clinched a prestigious sports book award.

Come What May, which details Cusack's experiences of the GAA and publicly reveals the hurler's homosexuality, picked up the coveted Williamhill.com Irish Sports Book of the Year.

It beat off stiff competition from other top titles including the tale of a year with the Waterford footballers and a detailed account of basketball in Ireland in the 1980s.

The Cork GAA star said he has been overwhelmed with the response to the book.

"Taking the decision to write this book was a difficult one but once I decided, I knew it had to be an honest account of my life," Cusack said.

Written with journalist Tom Humphries the book details Cusack's life from his upbringing in Cork through his three All-Ireland successes, his role in some of the most groundbreaking decisions in Gaelic Games history and his personal struggles.

Tony Kenny, PR Manager for William Hill, said: "The quality of the award this year was outstanding, especially when you look at some of the books that didn't even make the shortlist.

"Donal Og's book is an excellently told story of a person with a huge dedication to their sport and someone who wasn't afraid to put themselves forward as a role model to many in sport and life not just in Ireland but across the world."

The book was also the public's favourite, attracting more than 5,000 online votes.

The award was established in 2006 to celebrate the quality of Irish sports writing. The inaugural prize went to Paul McGrath for his tale of the ups and downs of his professional football career in Back from the Brink.