Famed Galway hurler Iggy Clarke is a Galway hurling legend, and hius eventful life on and off the pitrch will be the subject of TG4’s Laochra Gael programme tonight (Thursday ).
Iggy Clarke, or Fr Iggy as he was known, enticed hurling lovers across the country, but when the cheering stopped, he had a crisis of faith and embarked on a brand-new life.
A rock in the half back line, Iggy spearheaded the Galway hurling revival of the late 70s and early eighties. His greatest moment was cruelly denied with a horrific injury in the 1980 All Ireland Semi Final.
But an unforgettable demand from the crowd during the most famous cup presentation of them all spoke volumes about the love of the Galway people for Iggy. His hurling retirement was followed by an even bigger life decision, as Iggy Clarke embarked on and embraced life as a layman.
Iggy’s story is told through the eyes of his proud brother Fr Joe Clarke, former Galway hurler and friend John Connolly, former Offaly hurler Pat Fleury, broadcaster Seán Bán Breathnach, his adoring wife Mariel Forde-Clarke, and Irish Independent journalist Vincent Hogan.
The series is produced by NemetonTV, the independent production company from Ring in the Waterford Gaeltacht which has produced much of TG4’s acclaimed sports coverage.
Laochra Gael will be broadcast on TG4 tonight Thursday March 26 at 9.30pm on TG4 and repeated tomorrow Friday March 27 at 10:45 pm.
