New Series of Laochra Gael 2020

Filleann an tsraith shuntasach CLG seo ar TG4 don ochtú bliain déag. Cuirfear sé chlár úr-nua i láthair, sa sraith is údarásaí CLG ar an scáileáin. Beidh seisear laochra a rinne gaisce ar an bpáirc agus a bhfuil scéalta agus saolta ar leith acu ar fad. Is fíor-laochra iad uilig agus a gcáil imithe rompu. Sa tsraith seo, gheobhfar léargas iomlán pearsanta orthu agus ar an ngaol lena spórt agus leis an saol mórthimpeall orthu. Insíonn an scéal spóirt na bun-fíricí a bhí i gconaí i gceist i gcláracha Laochra Gael síos tríd na blianta, ach téann an tsraith nua seo amach píosa maith thar na línte bána. Meallfaidh na scéalta pearsanta an lucht féachana ar thuras nua agus teilifíse CLG.

Dúirt Uachtarán CLG John Horan “ Is iomaí gaiscíoch a d’imir ár gcluichí thar na blianta agus tá TG4 le moladh go hard as ucht an aitheantais a thugann siad do na gaiscígh agus do na laochra sin tríd an tsraith teilifíse Laochra Gael. Tá na himreoirí seo i measc na n-imreoirí is fearr a d’imir ár gcluichí riamh. Is iomaí uair a chuir na himreoirí seo gliondar ar lucht a gclubanna agus ar lucht a gcontaetha féin, agus ar mhórphobail Chumann Lúthchleas Gael chomh maith dar ndóigh, lena gcuid gaiscí ar an bpáirc imeartha. Tá sé iontach go bhfuil deis ag na himreoirí seo a scéalta a inisnt tríd an tsraith teilifíse, Laochra Gael, agus go bhfuil deis ag glúnta nua daoine óga aithne a chur ar na laochra seo agus foghlaim faoina gcuid éachtaí. Cinntíonn an tsraith seo go bhfanfaidh oidhreacht na n-imreoirí móra seo i gcuimhne na ndaoine go ceann i bhfad.”

Dúirt Ceann Spóirt TG4, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha “go bhfuil an cainéal thar a bheith mórtasach as an gclúdach beo a dhéanann sé ar chluichí ach gur cuid thábhachtach chomh maith í an tsraith Laochra Gael i gclúdach cluichí Gaelacha TG4. Dúirt sé: “Tugann an tsraith Laochra Gael léargas ar an méid atá bainte amach ag na pearsana breátha spóirt seo agus ar an obair mhór atá curtha isteach acu. Is cuid lárnach den chlúdach a dhéanaimid ar Chluichí Gaelacha í an tsraith faisnéise seo ó cuireadh Laochra Gael ar aer den chéad uair sa bhliain 2001.”

Kieran Donaghy – Ar an Imeall

Filleann Laochra Gael leis an 18ú sraith, ag tosú le scéal pheileadóra Chiarraí, Kieran Donaghy. Bhuaigh Kieran 4 bhonn uile Éireann, 3 Ghradam All Star agus Peileadóir na Bliana le linn a shaothair. Agus is scéal faoi leith é seo faoin bhfear ar a dtugtar an ‘Star’. Ag briseadh tríd leis na Underdogs, an triail ina rinne lán tosaithe de, lámha na cispheile, an meath agus an athbheochan agus dar ndóigh, Joe Brolly. Agus sa chúlra, bhí caidreamh casta agus crua idir é féin agus a athair gaol go raibh tionchar aige ar gach rud a rinne sé ar an bpáirc. Seo Kieran Donaghy, a thosaigh amach mar Underdog, ach a chríochnaigh mar Star.

Stiúrthóir: Ronan O’Donoghue. Rannpháirtithe: Deirdre Donaghy, Paul Galvin, Micheál Quirke, Éamonn Fitzmaurice, Joe McMahon, Vincent Hogan, Michael Moynihan.

Diarmuid Lyng – An Crosbhóthar

Sa dara chlár den tsraith, insítear scéal Diarmuid “Gizzy” Lyng. Bhí sé mar chaptaen agus mar cheannaire ar fhoireann Loch Garman tráth a raibh gaisce á dhéanamh acu ag iarraidh an bua a fháil ar an fhoireann is fearr riamh, Chill Chainnigh, Ansin, agus é i mbarr a réime, bhain galar aisteach dó. Bhí ar éirí as an iomáint agus ba chosúil go raibh a shaol ag titim as a chéile. Thug Diarmuid faoi thuras domhanda sa tóir ar bhiseach don chorp agus don intinn. Agus ba in Iarthar Chiarraí, áit atá ghar dá chroí, a fuair sé faoiseamh sa deireadh.

Stiúrthóir: Cormac Morel. Rannpháirtithe: Eoin Quigley, George O’Connor, Ciaran Lyng, Tommy Walsh, Siobhán de Paor, Michael Moynihan

Alan Brogan – Saibhreas Clainne

Leanann an sraith le clár faoin pheileadóir, Alan Brogan. Bhí a athair agus a uncail mar laochra ag muintir Chnoc 16. Ach má bhí brú ar Alan dá bharr seo, ba bheag a chuaigh sé i bhfeidhm air. Réchúiseach mar dhuine, ach fíochmhar mar iomaitheoir, b’é Alan croílár foirne Átha Cliath ó bhí sé ina dhéagóir. Ach in ainneoin sár-thaispeántais Alan, bhí an cuma air ar feadh i bhfad nach dtabharfadh sé Sam ar ais go dtí an príomhchathair choíche. Ansin, leis na deartháireacha Brogan chun cinn, chas an taoide. Cuireadh tús leis an “Tonn Gorm”, agus tógadh an fhoireann peile is fearr a chonacathas riamh.

Stiúrthóir: Paul Jenkins. Rannpháirtithe: Bernard Brogan Snr, Bernard Brogan Jnr, Colm Parkinson, Paul Caffrey, Michael Moynihan, Éamonn Fitzmaurice, Lydia Brogan

Iggy Clarke – Corp agus Anam

Mheall Iggy Clarke (nó Fr. Iggy mar a bhíodh cáil air) lucht leanúna na hiomána ar fud na tíre, ach nuair a tháinig tost an tslua, chaill sé a chreideamh agus thosaigh saol nua ar fad do. Ba chrann taca é sa líne leathchúil, agus bhí sé ina cheannródaí in athbheochan iománaithe na Gaillimhe sna seachtóidí. Ach séanadh an sméar mullaigh air nuair a gortaíodh go dona é i gCluiche Leathcheannais na hÉireann i 1980. Ach le linn an bronnadh chorn is cáiliúla riamh, chualathas i ngártha molta an tslua an méid ghrá is a bhí ag lucht leanúna na Gaillimhe do Iggy. Tar éis éirí as an iomáint, dhein sé cinneadh i bhfad Éireann níos mó ná riamh agus thosaigh Iggy amach ar shaol nua, ar thóir sásaimh mar thuata.

Stiúrthóir: Jimmy Duggan. Rannpháirtithe: Mariel Forde-Clarke, Fr. Joe Clarke, Tom Clarke, John Connolly, Seán Bán Breathnach, Pat Fleury, Vincent Hogan

David Brady – In Aghaidh an Easa

Chaill David Brady Cluiche Ceannais na hÉireann ceithre huaire le Maigh Eo agus chruthaigh an pian agus an fearg a thagann leis sin duine de na tráchtairí is conspóidí i saol spóirt na hÉireann. Chaith sé a óige ar Ché Bhéal an Átha áit gur beag meas a bhí ann do dhlíthe na hiascearachta. Ní fear é David a d’imeodh le treo na gaoithe. Bhí sé trodach i gcónaí i lár na páirce, agus bhraith sé briseadh chroí Mhaigh Eo níos mó ná mar a bhraith éinne. Ach níor lig sé don síor-dhíomá cur isteach air agus níor lig sé do chlú na gcailliúntí dul lena ainm. Ina ionad sin, tá cáil anois air mar dhuine a dhéarfaidh, cibé scéal é, glan amach.

Stiúrthóir: Jimmy Duggan. Rannpháirtithe: Ger Brady, Alan Dillon, Seán Óg de Paor, Seán Bán Breathnach, Vincent Hogan.

Brenda McAnepsie – Thar Teorainn Amach

Rinne Brenda McAnepsie éacht do pheileadóirí Mhuineacháin, d’imir sí fiú i gCluiche Ceannais na hÉireann agus í ag iompar clainne, ach lasmuigh den pháirc is mó dúshlán agus tragóid pearsanta atá ina saol. Ba cheannródaí i bPeil na mBan í Brenda ón tús agus bhí sí chun tosaigh nuair a rug Muineachán greim daingean ar an spórt sna nóchaidí. Níor éirigh Brenda as aon rud riamh, agus d’imir sí fada go leor chun Craobh Chlub na hÉireann a bhuachaint lena hiníne. Ach bíonn an saol ar an teorainn cruaidh uaireanta agus níorbh fhada riamh trioblóid agus tragóid ó Brenda agus a clann.

Stiúrthóir: Hugh Walsh. Rannpháirtithe: Vincent McAnespie, Ciara McAnespie, Aoife McAnespie, Gráinne McElwain, Michael Morgan, Michael Ryan.

Léiriúcháin de cuid NemetonTV, comhlacht neamhspleách ón Rinn, i nGaeltacht na nDéise a léiríonn formhór cláir spóirt TG4.

Laochra Gael TG4 9.30 i.n. gach Deardaoin ó 5ú Márta. Tuilleadh eolais ag: Sarah McCoy, Nemeton – sarah@nemeton.ie, 058 46499

Sraith Laochra Gael

Clár 1: Kieran Donaghy, 9.30i.n, Deardaoin 5ú Márta

Clár 2: Diarmuid Lyng, 9.30i.n, Deardaoin 12ú Márta

Clár 3: Alan Brogan, 9.30i.n, Deardaoin 19ú Márta

Clár 4: Iggy Clarke, 9.30i.n, Deardaoin 26ú Márta

Clár 5: David Brady, 9.30i.n, Deardaoin 2ú Aibrean

Clár 6: Brenda McAnespie, 9.30i.n, Deardaoin 9ú Aibrean

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The definitive GAA sports series returns to TG4 this spring for a 18th series. The series hour-long format has proved a huge success, bringing each player’s personal stories to screen. The series features six Laochra with genuine star quality and 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. and “Laochra Gael” returns to the screen for an 18th series on TG4 on the 5th March 2020. Six brand new programmes, featuring six legends who performed heroics on the field and who each have a unique and extraordinary story to tell.

Speaking at today’s launch, Uachtarán CLG John Horan said: “Many great warriors have played our games down through the years and TG4 are to be praised for the tributes they pay to these great heroes through their series Laochra Gael. These players are among the finest to have played our games. They have given so much happiness and memories, not only to people of their own clubs and counties but to the GAA community as a whole with their exploits on the field of play. It is great that these players get to tell their stories through this television series and that new generations of young people can get to know them and to get to learn about their achievements. This series ensures that the legacy of these great players will live long in the memory.”

Welcoming the new series, TG4’s Head of Sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha says “the channel takes great pride in its live match coverage but the Laochra Gael series also plays an important part in TG4’s Gaelic games coverage.” He said: “The Laochra Gael series illustrates the achievements and the sacrifices of these wonderful sports people. This documentary series has become a key component of our Gaelic Games coverage since Laochra Gael began in 2001.”

Kieran Donaghy – On the Edge – 9.30pm, Thursday 5th March

Kieran Donaghy, The man called Star has an extraordinary story: breaking through with the Underdogs, the experiment that made a full forward out of him, the basketball hands, the decline and the revival, and of course, Joe Brolly. In his career, Kieran won 4 All Ireland medals, 3 All Stars and Footballer of the Year. And in the background, the complex and difficult relationship with his father that was tied up in everything he did on the field of play. Kieran Donaghy, who started out as an Underdog and became a Star. Participants: Deirdre Donaghy, Paul Galvin, Micheál Quirke, Éamonn Fitzmaurice, Joe McMahon, Vincent Hogan, Michael Moynihan.

DiarmuidLyng – The Crossroads – 9.30pm, Thursday 12th March

Diarmuid “Gizzy”Lyng was captain and leader of a Wexford team that performed heroics in their efforts to overcome Kilkenny, the greatest team of all time. Then, at the height of his powers, he was struck down by a mysterious illness. He was forced to give up hurling and it seemed that life was falling apart. Diarmuid travelled the world in search of physical and mental recovery. And it was in West Kerry, a place close to his heart that he finally found release. Participants: Eoin Quigley, George O’Connor, Ciaran Lyng, Tommy Walsh, Siobhán de Paor, Michael Moynihan

Alan Brogan – The Family Silver – 9.30pm, Thursday 19th March

Alan Brogan’s father and uncle were heroes of Hill 16. But if there was pressure on Alan because of this, he barely felt it. Laid-back as a person, but fierce as a competitor, Alan was the beating heart of Dublin teams from his teens. Despite Alan’s consistent excellence, it seemed that he would never bring Sam back to the capital. Then with the Brogan brothers to the fore, the tide turned. The “Blue Wave” had begun, and the greatest football team in history was built. Participants: Bernard Brogan Snr, Bernard Brogan Jnr, Colm Parkinson, Paul Caffrey, Michael Moynihan, Éamonn Fitzmaurice, Lydia Brogan

Iggy Clarke – Body and Soul – 9.30pm, Thursday 26th March

Iggy Clarke, or Fr Iggy as he was known, enticed hurling lovers across the country, but when the cheering stopped, he had a crisis of faith and embarked on a brand new life. A rock in the half back line, Iggy spearheaded the Galway hurling revival of the 70s. His greatest moment was cruelly denied with a horrific injury in the 1980 All Ireland Semi Final. But an unforgettable demand from the crowd during the most famous cup presentation of them all spoke volumes about the love of the Galway people for Iggy. His hurling retirement was followed by an even bigger life decision, as Iggy Clarke embarked on, and embraced life as a layman. Participants: Mariel Forde-Clarke, Fr. Joe Clarke, Tom Clarke, John Connolly, Seán Bán Breathnach, Pat Fleury, Vincent Hogan

David Brady – Against the Tide – 9.30pm, Thursday 2nd April

David Brady lost four All Ireland Finals with Mayo, and it is the pain and the anger that comes with this that informs one of the most controversial pundits in Irish sport. A childhood on the quay in Ballina, where attitudes to the fishing laws were liberal, indicated that David Brady was not interested in going with the flow. Always a combative presence in midfield, David knows more than most about Mayo’s well-documented heartbreak. But he remains unbowed by the many disappointments, and refuses to be defined by them. Instead, he has carved out a reputation for saying exactly what is on his mind, whatever that may be. Participants: Ger Brady, Alan Dillon, Seán Óg dePaor, Seán Bán Breathnach, Vincent Hogan.

Brenda McAnepsie – Beyond Borders – 9.30pm, Thursday 9th April

Brenda McAnespie was the rock of the Monaghan Ladies footballers, even playing in an All-Ireland Final when she was pregnant, but away from the field she has had plenty of experience with personal challenges and tragedy. A pioneer of the woman’s game from its infancy, Brenda became a bedrock of a Monaghan team that conquered the sport in the 90s. As a footballer, she truly did not know the meaning of giving up, and played long enough to win an All-Ireland club title with her daughters. But life on the border meant that trouble and tragedy were never far away for Brenda and her family. Participants: Vincent McAnespie, Ciara McAnespie, Aoife McAnespie, Gráinne McElwain, Michael Morgan, Michael Ryan.

Six outstanding Gaels. Six remarkable personal stories. Laochra Gael is back on TG4 at 9:30pm on Thursday 5th March 2020. The series is produced by NemetonTV, the independent production company from Ring in the Waterford Gaeltacht which has produced much of TG4’s acclaimed sports coverage.

Programme 1: Kieran Donaghy, 9.30pm, Thursday 5th March

Programme 2: Diarmuid Lyng, 9.30pm, Thursday 12th March

Programme 3: Alan Brogan, 9.30pm, Thursday 19th March

Programme 4: Iggy Clarke, 9.30pm, Thursday 26th March

Programme 5: David Brady, 9.30pm, Thursday 2th April

Programme 6: Brenda McAnespie, 9.30pm, Thursday 9th April