The definitive GAA sports series, Laochra Gael returned to TG4 this spring for a 19th series. The hour-long format has proved a huge success, bringing each player’s personal stories to screen. The series which already featured six extraordinary Laochra with genuine star quality took a break from our screens in early February but is now returning with the remaining six exceptional Laochra.
The series reveals deeper, fresh and sometimes unexpected insights into the lives of these icons. While their sporting careers continue to provide the backdrop to the story, the series travels well beyond the four white lines. Gripping personal storylines will compel viewers to travel towards territory unique to the GAA television landscape.
Week by week the series continues with hour-long episodes featuring some of the greats of the Gaelic Games scene. Throughout April Pete McGrath, Briege Corkery, Bernard Flynn and Seán Cavanagh will be featured, before former Wexford manager Liam Griffin brings the season to a close.
Pete played football in the North in the seventies, a time when Gaelic Games was a dangerous pursuit. As a teacher and trainer, he instilled in young people that sport was the best way to express their nationalism. As manager of Down, he brought the Sam Maguire across the border for the first time since the sixties, inspiring an Ulster Takeover in football. The cloud of violence was always present, but for a time Pete McGrath and the Down footballers united the province, and the country.
The Laochra Gael season returns on TG4 at 9:30pmon Thursday evenings starting 25th March
Programme 1: Eoin Larkin, 9.30pm; Thursday 25th March,
Programme 2: Pete McGrath, 9.30pm, Thursday 1st April;
Programme 3: Briege Corkery, 9.30pm, Thursday 8th April;
Programme 4: Bernard Flynn, 9.30pm, Thursday 15th April;
Programme 5: Seán Cavanagh, 9.30pm, Thursday 22nd April;
Programme 6: Liam Griffin, 9.30pm, Thursday 29th April