Laois sporting legend Pat Critchley is set to feature on the brand new series of the popular TG4 series Laochra Gael.
The series is an hour-long format and has proved a huge success, bringing each player’s personal stories to screen.
The series features eight 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.
Pat’s episode will air on Thursday, February 29, at 7.30pm and TG4 spoke about it in an announcement today.
They say: “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”, which is some distinction, picked up when he was a mop-haired midfielder when Laois made it to the Leinster final in 1985.
“During his playing days, coaching captured Critchley’s imagination.
“Critchley has given thousands an opportunity to develop and flourish on pitches and courts throughout Ireland – in football, hurling, basketball and ladies football at club and county level.
“Sport was an obvious outlet. But music was and remains a huge part of his life.
“For a while, he was part of The Mere Mortals, the Laois rock band managed by his friend and former Laois team-mate Séamus Cheddar Plunkett.
“A major part of his life is notably the tragic death of Paul Mulhare in 1985, the year of his All-Star, following a league match between Dublin and Laois. Mulhare suffered an accidental blow to the head from Critchley’s hurl, and later died in hospital.
“Critchley treats it sensitively and with tremendous humanity and care.
“There is a sense that writing offers him some helpful expression and an attempt to make sense of what were almost surreal experiences.”
The episode is directed by Cormac More and will feature Pat Critchley; Mick Critchley; Vincent Hogan; Dónal O’Grady; Pat Fleury; Séamus Plunkett; Patty Critchley; Elaine Fitzpatrick; Catherine Ashe; Angela Casey; Ollie Plunkett; Des Rigney; Paul Brophy; Paul Marron; John Bohan and Billy Bohan.
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.”
Eight outstanding Gaels. Eight remarkable personal stories. “Laochra Gael” is back on TG4 at 9.30pm on Thursday, January 25.
- Programme 1: Richie Power, January 25
- Programme 2: Tony Scullion February 1
- Programme 3: Lindsay Peat, February 8
- Programme 4: Tony Griffin, February 15
- Programme 5: Alan Kerins, February 22
- Programme 6: Pat Critchley, February 29
- Programme 7: Ciara Gaynor, March 7
- Programme 8: Kevin Hughes, March 14
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