Christmas Sport on TG4

SATURDAY 18 DECEMBER 11:10pm All-Ireland
Gold Another chance to see Cork v Galway in the
1986 All-Ireland Hurling Final. Introduced by
Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh.

SUNDAY 19 DECEMBER 8:30pm Laochra Gael
– Jack Lynch Jack Lynch is a true GAA legend,
the only player to win a Senior All-Ireland medal
six years in a row – five hurling, 1941-4 and
1946, and 1 in football in 1945. A true Corkman,
he was a pupil of North Mon and played hurling
for Glen Rovers and football for St Nicholas’.
He always acknowledged that hurling was the better
game by far! His skill on the field stood him
in good stead in his political career as TD, Fianna
Fáil leader and Taoiseach. He was a sweet singer
too. In this programme, contributors include his
brother, Finbarr Lynch, Con Murphy, Liam Ó Tuama,
Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Brendan Fullam and Dave
O’Brien. 9:25pm Cogar – Saol a’Mhadra The greyhound
racing industry is worth €240 million annually
to the Irish exchequer. This documentary examines
this phenomenon through the personal stories of
greyhound owners and looks at the astonishing
changes which have taken place regarding the training
of dogs. The documentary also looks at the measures
put in place by Bord na gCon to eliminate the
cruelty suffered by retired greyhounds in the
past.

MONDAY 20 DECEMBER 10:35pm Laochra Gael –
Jimmy Keaveney As part of Heffo’s Army in the
1970s, Jimmy marched with Dublin to three All-Ireland
titles in 1974,1976 and 1977. An uncle introduced
the young Jimmy to GAA and persuaded him to join
St. Vincent’s, then the powerhouse of Dublin GAA.
His early intercounty experience was not a happy
one and Jimmy retired at the age of 28. In 1974,
Kevin Heffernan was made Dublin Manager, Jimmy
was invited back to the County scene and he returned.
Thus was to begin one of Dublin’s most successful
periods. Jimmy was renowned for his free taking
ability and was the most accurate free taker of
his time. Jimmy retired in 1979. He is best remembered
for his scoring ability and as a roaming full
forward. He will forever be etched as one of the
darlings of the hill.

TUESDAY 21 DECEMBER 7:30pm Greyhound View
Highlights from the week’s racing including the
final of the Ted Hegarty Marathon Final at Harolds
Cross, the O’Grady Bar & Restaurant & Pallas Foods
525 Final from the Galway Greyhound Stadium, the
Comerford Cakes National Puppy Final and the Banbury
Bookmakers Open 550 Final from Shelbourne Park,
the Blackjack Tom Champion Bitch Stake 525 Final
from Thurles. Introduced by Tracy Piggott, Michael
and Ian Fortune. 8:00pm Saol a’Mhadra (Repeat)
The greyhound racing industry is worth €240
million annually to the Irish exchequer. This
documentary examines this phenomenon through the
personal stories of greyhound owners and looks
at the astonishing changes which have taken place
regarding the training of dogs. The documentary
also looks at the measures put in place by Bord
na gCon to eliminate the cruelty suffered by retired
greyhounds in the past.

FRIDAY 24 DECEMBER 6:05pm Film – Escape to
Victory In World War II, a group of Nazi officers
come up with a propaganda event in which an all
star Nazi team will play a team composed of Allied
Prisoners of War in a soccer game. The Prisoners
agree, planning on using the game as a means of
escape from the camp. Directed by John Huston,
starring Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone, Pelé,
Bobby Moore, John Wark, Co Prins, Mike Summerbee,
Laurie Sivell and Robin Turner.

SATURDAY 25 DECEMBER 4:55pm GAA Cúil 2004
A complete review of the 2004 Gaelic Year with
highlights and action from all the top games in
the past year. From Kerry’s All-Ireland title
win to Corks All-Ireland hurling triumph this
programme includes all the top goals and exciting
moments from the Hurling and Football Championships
as well as Ladies Gaelic Football and Camogie
– don’t miss this Christmas afternoon hourlong
special! Presented by Micheál Ó Domhnaill. (**Repeated
at 11:10pm) 5:50pm Ringy Hour-long documentary
on Cork’s Hurling Legend – the programme’s researchers
located colour film of Christy Ring scoring in
the 1954 All-Ireland final, black and white footage
from the 1947 All-Ireland, footage from a Cork
and Tipperary match and other interesting on and
off the field sequences. Christy Ring had a remarkable
lengthy career in senior hurling from his début
with Cork in 1939 to his final game with Glen
Rovers in 1967. He won 8 All-Ireland medals, 4
National Hurling League medals,18 Railway Cup
Championships and 14 Cork County Senior Hurling
championships with his beloved club, Glen Rovers.
Former Cork players Con Murphy, John Clifford,
John Lyons, Willie John Daly, Terry Kelly, Gerald
McCarthy and Jimmy Barry Murphy give their assessments
as do opponents like Jimmy Smith (Clare), Paddy
Buggy (Kilkenny), John and Jimmy Doyle (Tipperary),
Ned Power (Waterford) and Martin Codd (Wexford).
Others contributing to the programme are author
and columnist Eoghan Harris, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh,
historian John A Murphy and broadcaster Donncha
Ó Dúlaing.

SUNDAY 26 DECEMBER 12:00pm Grand Prix (Film
– 1966) American Grand Prix driver Pete Aron (James
Garner) is fired by his Jordan-BRM racing team
after a crash at Monaco that injures his British
teammate, Scott Stoddard (Brian Bedford). While
Stoddard struggles to recover, Aron begins to
drive for the Japanese Yamura team, and becomes
romantically involved with Stoddard’s estranged
wife. 4:30pm Cluiche Ceannais Iomána 2004 Corks
sweet revenge on Brian Cody’s Kilkenny who were
seeking a three-in-a row – this years All-Ireland
Senior Hurling Final between Cork and Kilkenny
from Croke Park. Commentary by Garry Mac Donncha.
9:55pm Curachaí i New Orléans The Currach Regatta
in New Orléans is the highlight of the currach
racing year, involving the Irish and US champions
pitted against one another for the world title.
This year’s october festival almost didn’t happen,
thanks to ‘Thunderstorm Matthew’ which lashed
torrential rain down on the Louisiana capital
during it’s traditional dry month. But determination
overcame the elements and the final was run, but
not as it was planned. This programme looks at
the festival and at the preparations before it.

MONDAY 27 DECEMBER 10.20pm Rásaí Capall 2004
Seán Bán Breathnach presents an hour long special
on the top ten races of the 2004 racing year.
The programme will highlight the biggest races
in England and Ireland including the Grand National
in Aintree, the Epsom Derby, the Irish Champion
Stakes and the Irish Derby. Featured races from
Cheltenham, Fairyhouse and Punchestown will also
be shown. We will see the following victories:
Amourallis in the Michael McNamara & Co. Builders
Handicap at Galway Racecourse Banasan in the Guinness
Kerry National from Listowel Vinnie Roe’s in the
The Irish Field St. Leger from the Curragh Hardy
Eustace in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle Challenge
Trophy from Cheltenham Florida Pearl in the Hennessy
Cognac Gold Cup from Leopardstown Beef or Salmon
in the Heineken Gold Cup from Punchestown Granit
D’estruval in the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand
National Chase at Fairyhouse Best Mate in the
Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase Grey Swallow
in the Budweiser Irish Derby at the Curragh Azamour
in the Baileys Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown
North Light in the Vodafone Derby Stakes at Epsom
Downs Amberleigh House in the Martell Cognac Grand
National H’cap Chase at Aintree

WEDNESDAY 29 DECEMBER 9:05pm Dubs! Mná
na Life The dramatic inside story of the Dublin
Women’s football team’s quest for the All-Ireland
title. Dubs! Mná na Life is an account of Dublin’s
2004 Championship campaign as they aim for their
first All-Ireland Senior Women’s Football title.
There is pressure on Dublin this year. They are
one of the favourites and much is expected of
them. Plus the fact that they have a new manager
– the legendary Dublin goalkeeper John O’Leary.
The makers of this documentary were given access
to training, match team-talks and to the lives
of the players themselves in a gruelling and uniquely
Irish sport that is every bit as competitive as
the men’s game. 10:05pm Cluiche Ceannais Peile
na mBan 2004 Another chance to see Galway v Dublin
in this years TG4 All Ireland Ladies Senior Football
Final from Croke Park. Commentary by Brian Tyers
with analysis by Kerry manager Robbie Ó Grifín.

SATURDAY 1 JANUARY 2005 9:00am Film – The
Story of Seabiscuit Horse trainer Shawn O’Hara
and his lovely niece, Margaret, come to America
to escape the memory of an accident involving
Margaret’s brother, Danny. Working with thoroughbreds
in Kentucky, Shawn takes a liking to a yearling
named Seabiscuit, and fights to convince the horse’s
owner that the tiny horse with big knees will
become a top-notch racehorse. Meanwhile, Margaret
begins a tentative relationship with jockey Ted
Knowles, but is haunted by her brother’s death
in a steeplechase spill. Starring Shirley Temple
and Barry Fitzgerald (1949 film).

SUNDAY 2 JANUARY 2005 4:30pm Cluiche Ceannais
Peile 2004 Kerry v Mayo in the 2004 All-Ireland
Senior Football Final from Croke Park. Commentary
and analysis by Garry Mac Donncha and Finín Mac
a’Bháird.

TUESDAY 4 JANUARY 2005 7:30pm FBD Milk Rás
Highlights from the 2004 FBD Milk Rás 8 Day International
Cycle Race, an excellent race, with the route,
the riders, the weather, the drama and the action
all making for a great spectacle. The race, sponsored
by the National Dairy Council and FBD Insurances
is now in its 52nd year. The Rás has developed
into a much sought after event by professional
and amateur teams from many parts of the world.
Ireland-Thornton’s Recycling rider David McCann
finished safely in the main bunch in the Phoenix
Park to win his first FBD Milk Rás, crossing the
line ninth in a mass sprint won by former Tour
of Spain sprint king Malcolm Elliott. Narrated
by Roy Willoughby.

More information: Ronan O Coisdealbha, TG4 SPORT
Tel: 087-2472841 E-mail: sport@tg4.ie www.tg4.ie