The popular GAA documentary series Laochra Gael returns with a new season to TG4 next week and it was launched in Croke Park this evening by GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail. Profiling the feats of Gaelic Games’ greatest players this series has lots in store for GAA fans around the country.

This new season’s batch of GAA legends includes Dónal Óg Cusack, who is synonymous with Cork hurling, one of Dublin’s finest goalkeepers, Cliodhna O’Connor, the heartbeat of one of Kilkenny’s most successful teams of all time, Tommy Walsh, Kerry senior and An Ghaeltacht club sharpshooter Dara Ó Cinnéide, Ferbane brothers, Brendan, Michael and Sean Lowry who all played on the winning Offaly 1982 team beating Kerry’s famous ‘five in a row’ chances.

Sligo’s best and one of the country’s finest midfielders Eamonn O’Hara, 1980’s tough and talented hurling wing back Galway hero Pete Finnerty, highest ever scoring centre back in hurling Championship history, none other than the Banner’s Seánie McMahon, Tyrone’s Owen Mulligan lit up the Gaelic football world with his skill, pace and flare in the 2000's. And finally, one of Tipperary’s deadliest ever corner-forwards Pat Fox.

The new Laochra Gael season will air on TG4 at 9:30pm on Wednesdays from March 15th with a repeat showing on Sunday evenings after GAA BEO.

GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail said: “Laochra Gael has become something of an institution in its own right capturing as it does some of the great exponents of our games, year-in, year-out. It is must-see television successfully capturing the excellence of so many stars of the games while reminding us of all of their exquisite skills and the fantastic matches they played in.” He added that, “Its success is a further indication of the strong relationship we have with TG4 promoting both our games and the language and I look forward to many more programmes and indeed series as seo amach.”

TG4 Ard Stiúrthóir, Alan Esslemont hailed the series Laochra Gael’s 15th season.  “This has become a landmark offering from TG4,” he said, “and one that followers of Gaelic Games have taken their hearts as it profiles the feats and enduring legacy of legendary players of the TV era,” He also acknowledged the close partnership that TG4 and the GAA have forged over the past 20 years and  the distinctive contribution that the channel’s coverage has made to the promotion of Gaelic games.”

The series is produced by NemetonTV, the independent production company from An Rinn in the Waterford Gaeltacht which has produced much of TG4’s acclaimed sports coverage.

LAOCHRA GAEL EPISODES

Dónal Óg Cusack, Cloyne & Cork -15/3/17  9.30pm  (repeat 19/3/17 5.55pm)

Dónal Óg Cusack is synonymous with Cork hurling, and played a key role as goalkeeper during a successful era in the late 1990's and 2000's. He speaks about the highs and lows he experienced.

Dara Ó Cinnéide, An Ghaeltacht & Kerry - 22/3/17  9.30pm (repeat 26/3/17 6.15pm)

Kerry's Dara Ó Cinnéide will be discussed in this programme. Kerry Footballers emerged from their longest ever barren period in the mid- 1990s. An Ghaeltacht Club rose from Junior B ranks to the biggest day of all- St Patrick's Day between the years 1991 and 2004.

Pete Finnerty , Mullagh & Galway - 29/3/17  9.30pm  (repeat to be confirmed)

Pete Finnerty was a teak tough wing back for Galway hurlers in the 1980s and he was part of their superb half-back line. They played in five All-Ireland finals between 1985 and 1990, winning two in 1987 and 1988.

Eamonn O’Hara, Tourlestrane & Sligo - 5/4/17  9.30pm  (repeat 9/4/17 5.55pm)

Eamonn O'Hara, who spent nearly twenty years playing football for Sligo, is the subject of this programme. He won eight county titles with his club Tourlestrane over this time, and became one of Ireland's best known midfield players.

Tommy Walsh, Tullaroan & Kilkenny - 12/4/17  9.30pm (repeat 16/4/17 5.55pm)

Tommy Walsh was the heartbeat of one of the most successful hurling teams of all time. He won 9 All Ireland medals, 7 national leagues, a hurler of the year and is the only player ever to win 9 All stars in a row.

Clíodhna O’Connor, Naomh Mearnóg & Dublin - 19/4/17 9.30pm (repeat 23/4/17 5.55pm)

Cliodhna O'Connor enjoyed a long career with Dublin's Ladies Footballers between 2003 and 2014, during which she played in five All-Ireland Finals, but only winning one, in 2010. She was one of the finest goalies in the game and she casts an honest eye back on her playing career.

Pat Fox, Éire Óg Annacarty & Tipperary - 26/4/17 9.30pm (repeat 30/4/17 5.55pm)

Pat Fox was one of the deadliest corner forwards in hurling, starring with his native Tipperary particularly between the years 1987 and 1993, when he won two All-Irelands.

**Na Lowrys, Ferbane & Offaly - 3/5/17 9.30pm (repeat 7/5/17  5.55pm) **

Sean, Brendan and Michael Lowry, 3 brothers from Ferbane, played with Offaly between 1972 and 1992. The brothers played on the same team that reached the All Ireland Final against Kerry in 1982, regarded as one of the greatest games of all time.

Seánie McMahon, St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield & Clare - 10/5/17 9.30pm (repeat 14/5/17 5.55pm)

Between 1994 and 2006 Seanie McMahon was one of the best centre backs in the country. He speaks about the difficulties when he first started to play with Clare as well as the highlights in his career, the All Ireland Championships in 1995 & 1997.

Owen Mulligan, Cookstown Fr. Rock’s & Tyrone -17/5/17 9.30pm (repeat 21/5/17 5.55pm)

Owen Mulligan won All Ireland Minor, under 21 and Senior titles with his native Tyrone. The Cookstown Father Rocks man was an integral part of Tyrone's march to their first ever All Ireland Senior success in 2003. He was widely known for his bleached blonde hair and outrageous skill.