TV sport: Cork V Limerick, golf, and the story of Gaelic football

Born out of necessity, Gaelic football was dreamt up by a nation in search of a social identity: an indigenous sport that could challenge the pre-eminence of foreign games.

A new five-part series, Hell For Leather – The Story Of Gaelic Football, tells the story of the game which is part of the Irish identity.

More than five years in the making, it is the first major TV history of the sport, exploring the evolution of Gaelic football from its inception to modern day, and the contribution it has made to Irish life.

Filmed in cinema-quality 4K, the series features the final TV interviews conducted with GAA icons Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Kerry’s Seán Murphy and Mick O’Dwyer, Dublin’s Jimmy Gray, and Mayo’s John O’Mahony.

It chronicles how the game has changed through more than a century of rebellion and revolution, bitter rivalries, triumphs, upsets and comebacks.

It is both a celebration and exploration of a unique arm of Irish life, a story told through the testimonies of players, managers and commentators, captivating archive and stunning visuals.

The game later took root in the northern counties and became a truly all-island proposition.

In the first episode on RTÉ1 on Monday at 9.35pm, Dublin great Brian Fenton fights back tears as he details his love of the game, Kerry legend David Clifford’s magical feet are revealed in slow motion, and Galway’s Shane Walsh kicks the paint off the gable wall at his family home.

The series is made up of more than 80 interviews conducted with, among others, Cork football greats Briege Corkery and Juliet Murphy, Joe Brolly, and Colm Cooper.

It also features contributions from managers past and present – Jim McGuinness, Padraic Joyce, Seán Boylan and Kevin McStay.

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In TV sport, the Munster Hurling Championship Final between Limerick and Cork is on The Saturday Game Live today at 6pm.

The Joe McDonagh Cup Final between Kildare and Laois at 1.45pm tomorrow, and Kilkenny v Galway in the Leinster Hurling final at 4pm, are on The Sunday Game Live on RTÉ2.

In soccer, Ireland men’s soccer friendly in Luxembourg is live on RTÉ2 on Tuesday at 7.45pm.

The URC rugby semi-final between Leinster and Glasgow Warriors is on RTÉ2 today 2.45pm.

The third golf major of the year, the US Open, begins on Thursday at Oakmont Country Club, with the action live on Sky.

In tennis, the finals of the French Open women’s and men’s singles today and tomorrow are on Eurosport and Amazon Prime.