All-Ireland winning manager with Galway in 1980, 87 and 88, Cyril Farrell is to feature in the new series of Laochra Gael which returns to TG4 this spring for a 24th series.
The series hour-long format has proved a huge success, bringing each player’s personal stories to screen.
This series features eight Laochra with genuine star quality, revealing 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 a territory unique to the GAA television landscape.
This year, each programme will be released digitally after the previous programme has aired, as shown below.
Programme Date Early Release
Programme 1: 22 Eanáir - Conor McManus Cyril Farrell at 10.30pm
Programme 2: 29 Eanáir - Cyril Farrell Grace Walsh at 10.30pm
Programme 3: 5 Feabhra - Grace Walsh Marty Clarke at 10.30pm
Programme 4: 12 Feabhra - Marty Clarke Pádraig Horan at 10.30pm
Programme 5: 19 Feabhra - Pádraig Horan Neil McManus at 10.30pm
Programme 6: 26 Feabhra - Neil McManus Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh at 10.30pm
Programme 7: 5 Márta - Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh Kevin McManamon at 10.30pm
Programme 8: 12 Márta - Kevin McManamon
Conor McManus
The Series opens with Conor McManus, one of the modern greats of Gaelic football and one of the greatest ever to wear a Monaghan jersey — A player for the big moments, the pressure points, the impossible scores.
But greatness demands more than talent. It demands sacrifice — and a price. A step ahead is where McManus lived for so long.
It’s a story of what it truly costs to give everything for your club and your county.
Participants: Conor McManus; Vinny Corey; David McCague; Cahair O’Kane; Dara Ó Cinnéide; Ronan McNamee; Hannah Gallagher; Mary McManus; Frank McManus; Kathy McManus; Laura McManus; Bernie Boyle; Patrick Duffy; Annette Ní Thuathail. Director: Cormac Morel. Editor: Cían O’Halloran.
Cyril Farrell
Cyril Farrell is known to many for his incredibly successful time with Galway hurlers in the 1980's but he is also a household name through his time on the Sunday Game, where is wit and catchphrases became known to all.
In 1980, Cyril took over as manager of the Galway hurling team. Fifty-seven years had passed since their first All-Ireland win. He managed the Galway senior team on three separate occasions, winning the All-Ireland Final three times during those spells. When he retired as manager, his influence on the game did not fade, he continued to coach various clubs, county teams and school teams in the years that followed... and for hurling fans across the country, his unique perspective on hurling emerged on The Sunday Game, where he displayed the same passion and expertise he had as a manager.
Participants: Cyril Farrell; Pat Fleury; Donal O’Grady; Tomás Mulcahy; Vincent Hogan; Joe Hayes; Pete Finnerty; Michael “Babs” Keating. Director: Cormac Morel. Trainee Director: Lia Nic Craith. Editor: Yvonne Weafer.
Grace Walsh
A three-time All-Ireland and All-Star winner, nominated for player of the year in 2020, one of the most decorated and respected former camogie players from Kilkenny, Grace Walsh was renowned for her versatility all over the pitch.
Hailing from the Walsh hurling dynasty, her tactical thinking & versatility has resulted in her name entering the conversation as one of camogie’s greats. Grace burst onto the scene in 2011 and, after a long and stellar 14-year journey with Kilkenny, balancing club, county and her nursing career in Dublin, she stepped away from inter-county camogie in 2025, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, leadership and dedication — not only through her trophies and honours, but as a role model for younger players coming through the ranks
Participants: Grace Walsh; Tommy Walsh; Micheal Walsh; Frankie Walsh; Paudie Walsh; Shane Walsh; Martin Walsh; Daragh Ó Conchúir; Amy O’Connor; Aoife Prendergast; Laura Murphy; Jack O’Connor. Director: Moira Sweeney. Editor: Seánaí Mac Craith.
Marty Clarke
Marty Clarke became a household name in Ulster long before he put on a senior jersey for Down. He won a Minor All-Ireland in 2005 and caught the eyes of Australian Football scouts, moving to Melbourne to play for Collingwood at just 17 years old.
He returned to Ireland in 2009 and played a key role in Down’s run to the All-Ireland Final in 2010, picking up an All-Star for his efforts. Marty went back Down Under in 2011 but towards the end of his 3 year contract, he discovered that he was suffering from Addison’s disease and would no longer be able to play professionally. It was a trying time for Marty as he returned to Ireland once again and settled back to life in Down.
Participants: Marty Clarke; Anna Clarke; Rose Clarke; Louis Clarke; Ava Clarke; Thomas Clarke; Eileen Clarke: John Clarke; Danny Hughes; Conor Laverty; Dara Ó Cinnéide; Tomás Ó Flatharta; Cahair O’Kane; Noel O’Leary. Director: Miriam Fitzsimons. Editor: Cían O’Halloran.
Pádraig Horan
Pádraig Horan was captain when Offaly won the All-Ireland championship for the first time in 1981 - an achievement that marked a turning point for Offaly hurling and cemented his place in the county’s sporting history.
Admired for his determination and influence both on and off the field, he remains one of Offaly’s most respected hurling figures.. He played the game fearlessly, doing everything he could to overcome any challenges that came his way on the field......but in recent years, off the field, he has been battling a much different challenge, Parkinsons Disease.
Participants: Pádraig Horan; Carmel Horan; Pat Fleury; Joachim Kelly; Vincent Hogan; Ger Coughlan; Damien Martin; Liam Fennelly; Shane Horan; Cathal Horan; Niamh Horan; Diarmuid Horan; John Kennedy. Director: Cormac Morel. Editor: Ray Kirby.
Neil McManus
Neil McManus is one of Antrim’s most distinguished hurlers, widely admired for his power, consistency, and leadership over a career that spanned more than a decade and a half.
A prolific scorer and commanding presence in the forward line, he became a central figure for both the Antrim senior team and his club, Ruairí Óg Cushendall. Known for his exceptional work rate, accuracy from placed balls, and commitment to the promotion of hurling in Ulster, McManus helped inspire a new generation of players while representing Antrim with pride. His influence extended beyond the pitch as well, where he has been an articulate advocate for developing and strengthening the game across the province.
Participants: Neil McManus; Hugh McManus; John McManus; Dorothy McManus; Maria McManus; Aileen McManus; Aoibhín & Páidí McManus; Arron Graffin; Richie Hogan; Cairbre Ó Cairealláin; Pat Fleury; Cahair O’Kane; Paddy McGill. Director: Sarah McCoy. Editor: Ray Kirby
Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh
Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh is widely considered one of the greatest ever ladies footballers.
Her career is studded with individual honours: she earned five TG4 All-Star Awards and was named TG4 Senior Players’ Player of the Year in 2023. Her crowning achievement came in 2024 when she helped Kerry end a 31-year wait for the Brendan Martin Cup, delivering a standout performance in the final and finally claiming the All-Ireland senior medal she had long sought. Beyond the accolades, Ní Mhuircheartaigh became a symbol of dedication, resilience, and leadership — someone whose influence transcended the pitch and inspired a new generation of players across Kerry and beyond.
Participants: Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh; Colm Ó Muircheartaigh; Nóirín Uí Mhuircheartaigh; Diarmuid Ó Muircheartaigh; Liam Ó Rócháin; Dara Ó Cinnéide; Lorraine Scanlon; Declan Quill; Darragh Long; Mary-Kate Lynch; Máire Ní Bhraonáin. Director: Aisling Ní Fhlaithearta. Editor: Seánaí Mac Craith.
Kevin McManamon
Kevin McManamon - a key figure in the Dublin senior football team during their dominance across the 2010s.
McManamon’s claim to fame came in the 2011 All-Ireland final when, coming off the bench, he scored a critical goal that helped end Dublin’s 16-year wait for the Sam Maguire Cup. Over a 12-year inter-county career, he amassed eight All-Ireland titles. Although often labelled a “super-sub,” McManamon’s impact was far greater than that tag suggests — many of his goals came at crucial moments, and his ability to change games from the bench is widely celebrated. Since Retiring, he has remained active in sport — using his background in sports-psychology and high-performance coaching to support athletes
Participants: Kevin McManamon, Brendan McManamon, Josie McManamon, Seán McManamon; Cian O'Sullivan, Dara Ó Cinnéide, Conor McKeon, Tom Parsons, Vincent Hogan; Ciara Losty, Steph Conlon. Director: Edel Fox. Editor: Cían O’Halloran.
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.
The new Laochra Gael season will air on TG4 at 9:30pm on Thursday evenings starting January 22nd.
Ahead of the new Laochra Gael Series Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns said: “Laochra Gael has become a mainstay on the GAA broadcasting landscape – a series that is eagerly awaited by those who play and support our games. Who could have imagined when the concept was first hatched that it would carve out such a special niche for itself, bringing the stories behind the games and the players to life in such a vivid and engaging way. If anything, the offerings in recent years have gone from strength to strength and it is testimony to Nemeton and TG4 and their love of our games and our language that the series continues to thrive. I wish them continued success and look forward the latest instalments.”
TG4's Director General, Deirdre Ní Choistín said “TG4 is delighted to broadcast the 24th season of Laochra Gael, recognising the talent and sporting excellence of GAA, Ladies Football and Camogie heroes. I would like to congratulate all of the players featured in this new season and to thank Nemeton for the consistent quality, trustworthiness and entertainment they bring to the telling of these stories. Year on year Laochra Gael is one of TG4’s most popular series, both on television and on the TG4 Player, holding a special appeal to audiences at home and abroad. This year, for the first time ever, TG4 viewers and sports fans will have the opportunity to watch the following episode on the TG4 Player ahead of broadcast, reflecting TG4’s ambition to be a platform-neutral content provider.”
