A three-part masterpiece. The final episode of RTE's hurling documentary 'The Game' aired tonight and it was superb.
Produced by Crossing The Line Films for RTÉ and with the support of the GAA and the BAI, the documentary charted the historical, cultural and social impact of hurling. Over the course of two years, the all-encompassing show spoke to a wide array of significant figures within the game and then intertwined their contributions with action from all grades and eras. The result was an exceptional programme which touched off the skills, science, systems and characters that has defined the sport.
#TheGame is just magnificent. What a testament to the sport we love. The joy of it.
— Dermot Keyes (@DermotKeyes) August 13, 2018
#TheGame Fantastic programme which not only tells the rich history of hurling but also provides plenty of social and cultural history also
— Patrick Treacy (@PatrickTreacy_) August 13, 2018
Anthony Daly getting emotional at the memory of a hurling match 23 years ago. Spine-tingling just looking at him. Jaysus you'd feel sorry for people with no interest in sport. #TheGame
— Brian Murphy (@BrianMurfie) August 13, 2018
RTÉ’s #TheGame is the best piece of TV that has been produced in years. It was always about getting to that Sunday in September and enjoying the journey along the way ⚪️⚪️🔷🔶 not forgetting the Sunday’s we enjoyed a bit too much over the years !!!
— Emma Connolly (@EmmaCon2010) August 13, 2018
Think one part of #TheGame not mentioned here is the music. Absolute class, always class sounds from @CTLFilms
— Paraic Collins (@ParaicCollins) August 13, 2018
#TheGame "Cork's rightful place was at the pinnacle of hurling." Imagine the power of that self belief. Wonderful.
— joan cooke (@joancooke5) August 13, 2018
First time tuning into #TheGame . What a well made doc with super archive footage. Loved Angela Downey's unreal skill and her descriptions bringing it all to life. Not to mention Anthony Daly reliving the raw emotion of that epic win! Great tv @RTEsport .
— Cliona Doyle (@clionadoyle) August 13, 2018
I could watch #TheGame every day of the week. Some show.
— Tara (@taramurphs) August 13, 2018
The Game is probably one of the finest pieces of television I’ve watched. Bravo @rte, makes you proud to be involved in a sport like this. #BestSportInTheWorld #TheGame 👏🏻👏🏻
— Pádraic Ryan (@PodgeRyan) August 13, 2018
What a great piece of TV by @RTEgaa #THEGAME
— Denis O'Donovan (@odonovandenism) August 13, 2018
Tonight's episode covered Camogie and its history, the Clare hurlers, sports science, the Cork GAA player strike and that great Kilkenny team.
All in #TheGame - Former Clare captain Anthony Daly recalls the summer of 1995, when his team won their first Munster Hurling Championship since 1932.The Game Episode 3 @RTEOne Monday 9.35pm #rtesport #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/xCeasj7MfY
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 10, 2018
As an entire three-part series, it emphatically delivered on its remit. A lesson in why the game is great for those who aren't familiar with it and a reminder why it is for those that are. The greatest joy and promise lay in the ending, as Ger Loughnane elegantly summarised; "The best is yet to come."
Part one and two are already available on the RTE Player and well worth your time if you missed the first showing.
