Kilkenny's Richie Power kicks off new Laochra Gael series tonight

Laochra Gael returns for its 22nd Series and it starts with the story of Kilkenny hurler, Richie Power. Richie was destined for success from a young age, gathering inspiration from his father Richie Snr who played for Kilkenny in the eighties.

Richie, One of the most skilful forwards to ever play for Kilkenny, with 8 All-Ireland medals in his collection.

Plagued by knee injuries, Richie spent a lot of his playing career rehabbing those injuries to get back time and time again.

With the whole community focusing on his playing career, no one knew that Richie was going through an upheaval in his personal life, and he felt separated from his fellow players.

But after speaking openly with his family about his struggles with a gambling addiction, Richie begins the road to recovery.

Director:  Sarah McCoy 

Participants: Richie Power; Richie Power Snr; Cathal Moore; Michael Rice; Jackie Tyrrell; Brendan Maher; Vincent Hogan; Maria Connolly; John Power; Jamie Power; Michael Comerford

Along with Richie Power - this new season’s batch of GAA legends also includes Tony Scullion who came from a family that struggled against poverty, but Tony made sure that his dream of playing football with Derry, came through. 

Lindsay Peat who reached elite levels in four different sports representing her country in soccer, basketball and rugby all the while playing intercounty football with Dublin. 

Tony Griffin at the peak of his powers, made the decision to leave hurling and travel across Canada and raise money for cancer care and also to honour his late father Jerome.

Alan Kerins who holds the unique distinction of having won All-Ireland Club medals in both hurling and football and is the only man to ever do so with different clubs.

 Pat Critchley was a mainstay of the Laois GAA hurling team of the 1980s. He is often referred to as “Laois’s only hurling All Star”. 

Ciara Gaynor, a player who won five All-Ireland medals and the player of the year award in 2003, Ciara and her team inspired a generation of young Tipperary girls to follow their dreams. 

Kevin Hughes along with his team mates, was naturally euphoric after magnificently bringing home the coveted Sam Maguire football trophy in 2003.

Ahead of the new Laochra Gael Series Uachtarán CLG, Larry McCarthy said: "Few could have predicted that when TG4’s excellent Laochra Gael series first aired, that in 2024 we would welcome the 22nd edition of what is an incredibly popular programme. To say that it has stood the test of time is an understatement. While games lie at the heart of the allure, the personal stories of some of the biggest and most popular names in Gaelic sports adds immeasurably to the offering and it is a credit to the programme that so many former players have agreed to provide context to careers that have illuminated Irish sport. This series will see the 200 programme milestone passed. Here’s to the next 200."