TG4′S LEGENDARY GAA series ‘Underdogs’ is set for a return to screens after a ten-year hiatus.
The show follows unknown players, as they’re trained and managed by some of the biggest names in GAA in preparation to face one of the country’s top inter-county sides
Just like before, the search is on for a brand new team of footballing hopefuls, with players selected by a panel of experts as they gear up to face one of the country’s best teams.
Underdogs is fondly remembered for launching many present inter-county stars and All-Ireland winners’ careers — Kerry’s Kieran Donaghy and Cork’s Pearse O’Neill for example – and this series aims to do likewise.
Both Donaghy and O’Neill were on the Underdogs side that beat Kerry in 2004.
An cuimhin libh Kieran Donaghy ar na Underdogs i 2004?
— TG4 (@TG4TV) October 31, 2016
Anocht tá TG4 20bliain ar an bhfód bígí linn ó 9.30pm #TG4XX pic.twitter.com/SxKvKlPUaY
In previous series, big names like Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Brian Mullins and Mickey Ned O’Sullivan have been managers.
TG4 and Adare Productions are now calling for applications for the new series of Underdogs. They’re inviting male players over the age of 18 who have never played Gaelic football at senior inter-county championship level to come forward, with nationwide trials taking place this month.
Apply before the 23rd May at www.tg4.ie/underdogs.
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Good article, thanks Garry. Besides the strength in depth and consistently good results, the pleasing thing for me is the style of play. They get the ball out wide quickly and into the hands of Balaucoune, Stockdale and Lowry etc. Burns is underrated outside Ulster, he plays a massive role in launching the attacks. As for the Ireland call ups, I’ll say nothing.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: I’m happy seeing Burns stay at Kingspan. Every player we send to an extended squad session in Dublin seems to come back injured. Bobby B is the latest.
@Trevor Johnston: the 2017 game in which Zebre beat Ulster was a strange game. Ulster played almost the whole game with 14 players and had a couple of tries disallowed.
@Trevor Johnston: The downside of Ulster players being overlooked by Ireland is that the likes of Cooney might be tempted by a payday in France. McCloskey would be in demand over there too.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: That’s the danger. If JC goes to France I would fully support him. He has been a great servant of the Ulster Rugby and certainly owes nothing to the IRFU.
@Trevor Johnston: 100% agree regarding Cooney. Anyway lads pretty certain that our big name signing for after the WC is PSDT, now that is an exciting addition.
@Kingshu: on top of Kitshoff?
@Patrick Breen: yeah Kitshoff wasnt the big name signing another one in lock/backrow was rumoured to be it.
@Patrick Breen: Vermuen and Carter’s replacements apparently.
@Trevor Johnston: in squad strength terms DV replaced by PSDT, Carter replaced by Roux, and Kitschoff a bonus.
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@Niall Daly: two points well made.