‘Rise and fall’ of Derry footballer Johnny McGurk to feature on Laochra Gael series finale

The series finale of Laochra Gael on TG4 will tell the story of the rise and fall of Derry footballer Johnny McGurk.
Johnny McGurk.Johnny McGurk.
Johnny McGurk.

Johnny will always be remembered in his home county as the man who kicked the winning point against Dublin, on the way to the first and only All-Ireland win in Derry’s history. When he retired from playing, though, Johnny’s life fell apart. In the grips of a gambling addiction, Johnny stole over £500,000 from his employers. When he was found out, his marriage ended, he faced public shame and finally he was sent to prison.

The definitive GAA sports series is on TG4 for a 20th series. The series hour-long format has proved a huge success, bringing each player’s personal stories to screen. The series features six Laochra with genuine star quality and reveals 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.

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Johnny McGurk’s story will air this Thursday, February 17 at 9.30pm.

Along with Johnny McGurk - this new season’s batch of GAA legends also included Terence McNaughton who became the heartbeat of the team that pulled off the biggest shock in the history of Gaelic Games, a team that will be remembered forever, Michael Darragh Macauley who overcame personal tragedy to become the beating heart of the greatest team in history. Sue Ramsbottom a Solider, footballer, mother. Joe Quaid who bore his family legacy with distinction in the face of sporting heartbreak and personal tragedy. And Kieran Fitzgerald who emerged from the darkness of grief and found rejuvenation with the Corofin football team.

Ahead of the new Laochra Gael Series Uachtarán CLG, Larry McCarthy said: “TG4 has made a major contribution to Irish life since it first launched 25 years ago, and from its earliest days, it has carved a niche in the excellence of its GAA coverage and of club games in particular. “Aside from the matches, the Laochra Gael series has become a staple of the GAA supporter’s TV diet. Season after season they produce magnificent programmes that not only relive glory days but bring us inside the dressing room through their iconic player profiles. “I look forward to seeing the latest batch of heroes being brought to our screens and wish the programme and the channel continued success.”

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.

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