Offaly hurling legend to feature on new series of TG4's Laochra Gael
The captain of the first Offaly hurling team to win an All Ireland championship, Pádraig Horan, is to be profiled on TG4's popular and long-running Laochra Gael documentary series next month.
Laochra Gael is returning to TG4 for its 24th instalment, and the line-up for the eight-part series was announced this morning (Tuesday).
The show will resume on January 22, with a look back at the career of Monaghan football great Conor McManus, and the fifth programme in the series will focus on Pádraig Horan.
Pádraig's lifting of the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 1981 marked a turning point for Offaly hurling and cemented his place in the county’s sporting history.
"Admired for his determination and influence both on and off the field, he remains one of Offaly’s most respected hurling figures," said an outline of the Laochra Gael episode.
"He played the game fearlessly, doing everything he could to overcome any challenges that came his way on the field - but in recent years, off the field, he has been battling a much different challenge, Parkinson's Disease."
In addition to Pádraig himself, the programme will include contributions from Carmel Horan; Pat Fleury; Joachim Kelly; Vincent Hogan; Ger Coughlan; Damien Martin; Liam Fennelly; Shane Horan; Cathal Horan; Niamh Horan; Diarmuid Horan; and John Kennedy.
The programme on Pádraig Horan will be released digitally by TG4 at 10.30pm on February 12, and will be shown on TG4 television at 9.30pm thr following Thursday, February 19.
The eight former players featured in the upcoming series are: Conor McManus, Cyril Farrell, Grace Walsh, Marty Clarke, Pádraig Horan, Neil McManus, Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Kevin McManamon.
Ahead of the new Laochra Gael series Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns said: “Laochra Gael has become a mainstay on the GAA broadcasting landscape – a series that is eagerly awaited by those who play and support our games.
"Who could have imagined when the concept was first hatched that it would carve out such a special niche for itself, bringing the stories behind the games and the players to life in such a vivid and engaging way.
"If anything, the offerings in recent years have gone from strength to strength and it is testimony to Nemeton and TG4 and their love of our games and our language that the series continues to thrive. I wish them continued success and look forward the latest instalments," he added.