Sport ar TG4 – Nollaig 2009

Documentary which charts an amazing journey and fundraising efforts by one hundred Irish 66er bikers who travelled the famous American Road in aid of Temple Street Children’s University Hospital raising over €500,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis & Respiratory Unit. Produced by Fuel TV.
11:45am Rugbaí Gold

A classic rugby match from the archives with Wales taking on Ireland in Cardiff Arms Park in the 1995 Five Nations Championships on 18th March 1995. The Irish team included such players as Peter Clohessy, Eric Elwood, Paddy Johns, Brendan Mullin, a young Anthony Foley who had just made his Irish debut in January of that year and captained by Terry Kingston.

SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER

3:15pm Cluiche Leath-Cheannais Iomána Faoi 21 na hÉireann

Another chance to see what is regarded as one of the best hurling matches of the year – the Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Semi-Final between Clare and Galway at Semple Stadium, Thurles. At the end of an absorbing tussle that went to extra time, Galway’s young stars came up just short as the Munster champions won out to reach their first ever Under-21 Final on a scoreline of Clare 3-23 Galway 5-15. Clare’s victory came despite Joe Canning’s heroics (he scored 4-7 in all) but still ended up on the losing side. In the end the Munster champions deserved their victory with Darach Honan one of their heros scoring 2-4. Commentary by Brian Tyers.

8:00pm GAA @ 125: Opening Doors

The penultimate episode in this major television history of one of the world’s greatest sports organisations. As we reach the twenty first century, the shining new Croke Park was completed as the Irish economy boomed to unprecedented levels. In Northern Ireland, the Peace Process was bringing an end to the troubles that had blighted the region for over a generation. Public and media discussion on the GAA began to focus more on questions of funding rather than on the games themselves during this period. It may have been a coincidence but the new era of peace in the North seemed to herald a major renaissance of Ulster football too. Armagh and Tyrone each won All-Irelands and their mutual rivalry added greatly to the intensity and passion of their matches. The new “backdoor” system in football now meant that counties from the same province could meet in the culminating stages of the football championships. Croke Park was now one of Europe’s finest sports stadia and this led to an internal and external debate about the appropriateness of using it for non-Gaelic sports. After much discussion, that question was resolved and the highly-successful opening games in international rugby and soccer at Croke Park were applauded. Contributors include Seán Kelly, Mickey Harte, Christy Cooney and Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh.

MONDAY 21 DECEMBER
8:00pm GAA @ 125 The Future

The final programme in this absorbing television history of the GAA reflects on the social, cultural and sporting life of the country that the Association has made over the past 125 years. It has also succeeded in becoming the biggest and most successful amateur sports organisation in the world. Ironically, maintaining this very amateur status will prove one of its biggest challenges in the years ahead. The GAA, which has survived wars and economic depressions, has now to lead its people through an ever demanding 21st Century and attempt grow the organisation even stronger than before. Contributors include Nickey Brennan, Páraic Duffy, An Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Mickey Harte, Professor Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh and GAA Uachtarán, Christy Cooney.

 
THURSDAY 24 DECEMBER

2:40pm Cluiche Ceannais Iomána na Sraithe

Another chance to see the game that was both the climax to the National Hurling League but also a preview of the All-Ireland Final as Kilkenny took on Tipperary. Richie Hogan scored 1-10 as Kilkenny collected a 14th Allianz National Hurling League title in a gripping Semple Stadium decider against Tipperary. The Cats came from eight points down to force extra-time in Thurles and finished with a flourish to nail a first National League title since 2006 with three points to spare on a scoreline of Kilkenny 2-26 Tipperary 4-17 Kilkenny 2-26 in front of 17,087 spectators. In a gripping decider, the best league final since the Croke Park cliff-hanger between the two sides in 2003, Séamus Callanan bagged 1-7 for Tipp and teen sensation Noel McGrath added 1-5.

FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER

6:20pm GAA 2009 – Na Cúil

From early November the TG4’s discerning GAA audience has had the opportunity to view fifteen goals in both hurling and football, scored in various competitions this year and to vote for their selections. This programme will show them all and reveal the nation’s choice 1-15 of the top goals scored in this year’s feast of hurling and football.

11:40pm Top 50 GAA Iomáint

The Top 50 best ever hurling goals – from DJ Carey to Jimmy Barry Murphy; Joe Canning to Rory Jacob; Paul Flynn to Nicky English – a scoring spectacle from the giants of the ash.

SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER

3:40pm Cluiche Ceannais Iomána 2009

Another chance to see this year’s All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final between Kilkenny and Tipperary from Croke Park. With plenty of talking points and a great contest at GAA Headquarters, the Cats became the first team in 65 years to win four-in-a-row. Tipperary matched the champions in just about every department but couldn’t stop Kilkenny winning their 18th successive championship match and more importantly their 32nd All-Ireland title, a total that takes them two clear of Cork. Henry Shefflin scored 1-8, thus assisting to an extraordinary tally over the past decade – 7 All-Irelands, 9 Leinster Championships and 5 National Leagues in a decade. Commentary by Garry Mac Donncha.

SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER
12:45pm GAA 2009 – Na Cúil
The top thirty goals of 2009, divided between hurling and football, and counting down from 15 to 1, as voted by TG4 viewers. Prepare to be thrilled, pleased, devastated or exasperated, depending on where your team loyalties lie !
3:50pm Cluiche Ceannais Peile 2009

Another chance to see the All-Ireland Senior Football Final between Kerry and Cork from Croke Park. Kerry, under Jack O’Connor’s management were crowned 2009 All-Ireland Football Champions after beating neighbours Cork on a scoreline of 0-16 to 1-09. Over 82,000 spectators gathered at Croke Park for the 94th meeting of these titanic rivals with Cork hoping to land their first football title since 1990. And even though Cork got a dream start when a brilliant goal from Colm O’Neill left them leading by five points after 10 minutes, it was Kerry who went on to win their fifth All-Ireland of this decade and now have 36 All-Ireland titles. Commentary by Garry Mac Donncha.

 
MONDAY 28 DECEMBER

3:40pm Cluiche Ceannais Iomána F-21

Another chance to see the Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship Final between Clare and Kilkenny, played at Croke Park. Kilkenny’s hold on the Cross of Cashel trophy was relinquished as a determined Clare side captured their first All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling title by the slenderest of margins before an attendance of 25,924. It was a 60th minute point from midfielder Cormac O’Donovan which pushed the Banner County to a famous victory. Commentary by Brian Tyers.

TUESDAY 29 DECEMBER

3:30pm Cluiche Ceannais Peile na gClub

Another chance to see the 2009 AIB All-Ireland Club Football Final between Kilmacud Crokes and Crossmaglen Rangers. A crowd of 32,952 – up 1,706 on 2008 – turned out on a pleasant St. Patrick’s Day in Croke Park for the 39th AIB GAA Senior All-Ireland Club Championship finals and saw the football trophy head slightly south. The Andy Merrigan Cup remains in Dublin for a second successive year, only this time on the south of the Liffey after Kilmacud Crokes replaced St.Vincent’s as football champions. Kilmacud beat Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) by 1-9 to 0-7 in the final to win the title for the second time, having previously triumphed in 1995. They led by three points at half time and despite a spirited revival by Crossmaglen, Kilmacud, captained by Johnny Magee, finished strongly to emerge winners by five points. Commentary by Brian Tyers.

WEDNESDAY 30 DECEMBER

2:50pm Cluiche Leath-cheannais Iomána na gClub

Another chance to see the 2009 AIB All-Ireland Club Hurling Semi-Final between Portumna and Ballyhale Shamrocks. The two best club hurling teams of the past three seasons met in the All-Ireland Club Hurling Final semi final at Semple Stadium in a mouth-watering clash of the modern-day hurling giants. Portumna won out, however and qualified for the All-Ireland Final on St Patricks Day after they beat Ballyhale Shamrocks by 5-11 to 1-16 . Joe Canning was influential for Portumna finding the back of the net twice and along with his brother Ollie and a truly pulsating performance from Portumna, set themselves on their way to retaining their AIB club hurling crown. It was the first time that Henry Shefflin and James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick had suffered a club championship defeat since the 2005 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Final against James Stephens.
8:15pm Seó Spóirt – Súil Siar 2009

One hour special presented by Dara Ó Cinnéide looking back at highlights of the sporting year. Studio guests include Sean Bán Breathnach, Galway Football selector Sean Ó Dómhnaill and former Clare manager Ger Loughnane. Reporter Gemma Ní Chionnaith will be talking to Kerry midfielder Dara Ó Sé and Young Hurler of the Year and Tipperary star Noel McGrath. Kerry legend Jack O’Shea and Henry Shefflin will also be talking about being voted best hurler and footballer of the last 25 years in a recent TG4 poll (from a shortlist of the best 25 of the last 25 years had been compiled by legendary broadcaster Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh and a panel of experts). The programme will also include an interview with the Leinster and Irish Rugby star Luke Fitzgerald.

 
THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER

1:20pm Faoi Lán Cheoil: Andy Reid

A charming musical journey for Irish soccer star Andy Reid as he chases his dream go perform with his favourite traditional Irish group ‘Four Men & A Dog’. We track Andy’s progress as band member Gerry O’Connor invites Andy to his home in Garrykennedy, County Tipperary where Andy gets his banjo for the first time. While there he meets musicians of the locality including Gerrys uncle Dónal O’Connor, and father Liam O’Connor, both highly respected fiddle players. Andy returns the invitation the invitation to Gerry where he invites him to London and to where he gets an insight into the world of Premiership Footballer, with trips around Charlton Athletic’s Stadium, prior to his transfer to Sunderland FC. We get performances from Gerry O’Connor with Four Men & A Dog, Tim Edey, and Dublin balladeer Brian Furlong.
2:15pm Seó Spóirt

Repeat of last nights showing.

3:10pm Cluiche Ceannais Peile Faoi 21

Another chance to see the 2009 All-Ireland Under-21 Football Final between Cork and Down from O’Moore Park, Portlaoise. A dramatic 62nd minute injury time goal from Colm O’Driscoll stole the Cadbury’s All-Ireland U21 Football Championship from Down’s grasp as the Rebels claimed their eleventh title. Down were seeking a first success in this competition since 1979 but they were cruelly denied as a resolute Cork claim a last gasp win. Commentary by Brian Tyers.

8:45pm GAA 2009 – Na Scéalta

This programme is a neat compilation of all the main GAA happenings of 2009. The year started in a blaze of glory with fireworks in Croke Park, and from then until the end of the provincial club campaigns, it always enthralled, both on and off the fields, in its special 125 anniversary year.

 
FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2010

2:55pm Cluiche Ceannais Peile na mBan 2009

A chance to see the 2009 TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Final between Cork and Dublin at Croke Park. First-time title chasers Dublin pushed the Rebelettes all the way to the end in front of an attendance of 21,606. The experience of Eamon Ryan’s charges stood to them, as they played down the clock with a string of handpasses in the closing stages to ensure they took victory and a historic five-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles. The Brendan Martin Cup now continues to rest on the Banks of the Lee for the fifth year in a row. Will it be there on this day next year?

8:15pm Lámh Fhada Dan Donnelly

An hour-long documentary that looks at the life and times of Ireland’s greatest bareknuckle fighter, Dan Donnelly, and how for one fleeting moment, twenty thousand men and one fearsome right hand gave the British Empire a bloody-nose. Based on Patrick Myler’s book, Regency Rogue: Dan Donnelly his life and legends, it’s a gothic horror story laced with blood and intrigue. Set in an Ireland paying the price for a failed uprising in 1798; the film tells of grave-diggers, uprisings and tales of sexual and alcoholic excess, and of one unwitting hero whose bone crunching fists brought hope to the hopeless. Shot on location in London, Dublin and the Curragh and using extensive, previously unseen illustrations of his fights and dramatic re-enactments, this is first major documentary profile of boxer recently elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

SATURDAY 2 JANUARY

3:40pm Cluiche Ceannais – Corn Uí Ógáin 2009

A chance to see this years dramatic and entertaining Hogan Cup Final between Coláiste na Sceilge from Cahersiveen in Kerry and St Mary’s, Edenderry, played at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise. A 62nd minute goal from Éanna O’Connor saw St Mary’s, Edenderry denied a first All-Ireland Colleges Senior Football title as Coláiste na Sceilge captured the Hogan Cup for the first time. O’Connor, son of Kerry manager Jack, scored 1-2 for the Cahirsiveen outfit who turned a five-point interval deficit into victory after a determined second-half comeback. Commentary by Brian Tyers.

SUNDAY 3 JANUARY

2:30pm Albain v Éire – Shinty/Iomáint

Another chance to see Scotland v Ireland in this year’s Senior Shinty/Hurling International from Bught Park, Inverness. Commentary by Gearóid Mac Donncha. A Ronald Ross goal had given the Scots the edge in the first half but Offaly’s Shane Dooley, Kerry’s John Griffin and two points from Irish captain and Kilkenny star, Tommy Walsh kept the Irish in touch. The Scots led by three (8-5) at the interval but a late goal by Shane Dooley helped the Irish to their first victory in six years.