Laochra Gael – TG4 -on Thursday as at 9:30pm
TG4’s Laochra Gael series continues this Thursday with the story of Clare Hurler Tony Griffin.
In 2002 Tony Griffin joined the Clare hurling team, a team full of experience but in need of new players, and this young lad from Ballyea was just what they needed. But at the peak of his powers, Tony made the decision to leave hurling and travel across Canada and raise money for cancer care and also to honour his late father Jerome.
Tony’s cycle helped raised over 1 million euro for Cancer charities. Since retiring from hurling Tony has continued to help others and in 2012 he founded Soar, an organisation that supports and helps teenagers across Ireland to achieve their dreams.
The episode, which was directed by Cormac Morel, features Tony as well Maria Griffin; Seán Griffin ; Frankie Griffin; Keira-Eva Mooney; Anthony Daly; Paul Flanagan; Michael Rice; Diarmuid Lyng; Dónal O’Grady and Tony Kelly.
Ahead of the new Laochra Gael Series Uachtarán CLG, Larry McCarthy said: “Few could have predicted that when TG4’s excellent Laochra Gael series first aired, that in 2024 we would welcome the 22nd edition of what is an incredibly popular programme. To say that it has stood the test of time is an understatement.
While games lie at the heart of the allure, the personal stories of some of the biggest and most popular names in Gaelic sports adds immeasurably to the offering and it is a credit to the programme that so many former players have agreed to provide context to careers that have illuminated Irish sport. This series will see the 200 programme milestone passed. Here’s to the next 200.”
Along with Tony Griffin – this new season’s batch of GAA legends also includes Richie Power one of the most skilful forwards to ever play for Kilkenny, with 8 All-Ireland medals in his collection.
Tony Scullion who came from a family that struggled against poverty, but Tony made sure that his dream of playing football with Derry, came through. Lindsay Peat who reached elite levels in four different sports representing her country in soccer, basketball and rugby all the while playing intercounty football with Dublin.
Alan Kerins who holds the unique distinction of having won All-Ireland Club medals in both hurling and football and is the only man to ever do so with different clubs. Pat Critchley was a mainstay of the Laois GAA hurling team of the 1980s. He is often referred to as “Laois’s only hurling All Star”.
Ciara Gaynor, a player who won five All-Ireland medals and the player of the year award in 2003, Ciara and her team inspired a generation of young Tipperary girls to follow their dreams. Kevin Hughes along with his team mates, was naturally euphoric after magnificently bringing home the coveted Sam Maguire football trophy in 2003.
The series is produced by NemetonTV, the independent production company from An Rinn in the Waterford Gaeltacht which has produced much of TG4’s acclaimed sports coverage.
The new Laochra Gael season airs on TG4 at 9:30pm on Thursday evenings.