Ten years later, TG4's Underdogs returned to Irish screens last night to widespread praise.
The premise of the show is to find talented Gaelic footballers around the country who have been overlooked by their county teams. The group will be overseen by a trio of selectors, Kerry legend Paul Galvin, Galway's Ray Silke and 10-time All-Ireland winner with Cork Valerie Mulcahy.
The show captures a complex reality of Gaelic football, simultaneously demonstrating the aspiration among club footballers to play for their county while also the crushing moment they are cut by the selectors.
It proved immensely popular on its return.
Thank you, @SportTG4. 🙌🏼 #Underdogs
— Lauren Nic Giolla Phóil (@LaurenGuilfoyle) September 6, 2018
Great to have Simon, Louis and Cheryl back in our lives. #Underdogs ⚫️🔶 pic.twitter.com/Pjs8gjoEmw
— Tommy Rooney (@TomasORuanaidh) September 6, 2018
@pgal10 calls it as he sees it - straight talking the only way #respect #Underdogs #TG4
— Dan O Shea (@DanOShea3) September 6, 2018
Just watched @SportTG4 #underdogs fair play to the lads who got through, looking forward to watching their journey over the next while, on a side note @pgal10 is a cool character 😂
— caolan mooney (@caolanmooney) September 6, 2018
Paul Galvin: "Aw lovely pass"
*realises he's on TG4*
"Ahhhh ana pass"#underdogs— Siobhán Doyle (@thekickart) September 6, 2018
#Underdogs looks like its going to be essential viewing! The ups and downs of sports and what it means to some people is just class. Hopefully see some ballers surface in the next few weeks 👌👍
— The JMac Podcast (@TheJMacPodcast) September 6, 2018
Galvins hat with the GAA gear 😂😂 #underdogs #TG4
— Damien Comer (@DamoComer) September 6, 2018
Looking forward to the next few weeks watching #Underdogs. Another top GAA show by @TG4TV and gives lads who never got the break a chance to show what they are made of 🏐🏐💪💪
— Patricia Lynch (@lynchpatricia92) September 6, 2018
"These players are all here to impress the selectors and achieve the same goal.... getting a free tracksuit."#underdogs
— Siobhán Doyle (@thekickart) September 6, 2018
It has been a particularly impressive year for GAA documentaries. TG4's recent 'Tír Eoghain: The Unbreakable Bond' was striking, while RTE's 'The Game' and Mick O'Dwyer documentary were equally impressive.
Underdogs adds another dimension to that. Last night was merely the beginning of the journey and viewers will no doubt continue to become immersed in the journey and show's progression.
