An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD will launch the new season of the popular Laochra Gael, documentary series at St Vincent"s GAA Club this evening (8 January).

The new TG4 series, the third so far, celebrates the greatest names in Gaelic games of the past fifty years. Each of the 10 half hour programmes blends archive footage, personal reminiscence and an assessment from team-mates, rivals, media commentators and family members.

Programme 1 - Sunday 11 January 2004 - Jimmy Keaveney

Programme 2 - Sunday 18 January 2004 - Joe Cooney

Programme 3 - Sunday 25 January 2004 - Colm O" Rourke

Programme 4 - Sunday 1 February 2004 - Frankie Walsh

Programme 5 - Sunday 8 February 2004 - Matt Connor

Programme 6 - Sunday 15 February 2004 - Nicky English

Programme 7 - Sunday 22 February 2004 - Billy Morgan

Programme 8 - Sunday 29 February 2004 - Gary Kirby

Programme 9 - Sunday 7 March 2004  - Tony Doran

Programme 10 - Sunday 14 March 2004 - Pat Spillane

Jimmy Keaveney  -  Programme 1  -  Sunday 11 January 8:00 pm

As part of Heffo"s Army in the 1970s, Jimmy marched with Dublin to three All-Ireland titles in 1974,1976 and 1977. An uncle introduced the young Jimmy to GAA and persuaded him to join St. Vincent"s, then the powerhouse of Dublin GAA. This is and was to become a huge love affair of Jimmy"s.

His early intercounty experience was not a happy one and Jimmy retired at the age of 28. In 1974, Kevin Heffernan was made Dublin Manager, Jimmy was invited back to the County scene and he returned. Thus was to begin one of Dublin"s most successful periods.  Jimmy was renowned for his free taking
ability and was the most accurate free taker of his time.

Jimmy retired in 1979. He is best remembered for his scoring ability and as a roaming full forward. He will forever be etched as one of the darlings of the hill.
(Repeated on Monday 12th January 10:15pm)

Joe Cooney  -  Programme 2 - Sunday 18 January 8:00 pm

As one of 14 children, growing up in Ballaun there were always plenty around to play hurling. It was Joe"s older brother Jimmy who first made the breakthrough and in 1980 he won an All-Ireland medal with Galway. The young Joe thought that he"d like one of those medals too.

Joe made his senior debut in 1984, a year after he won an All-Ireland Minor medal in what began a career that would mass two decades. He became a regular on the senior team and won an U-21 All-Ireland hurling medal in 1986. 1987 was to be Joe"s year. Galway won the National League title and went on to win a Senior All-Ireland title. Joe also won his third All-Star, was named Texaco Hurler of the year and won a Railway cup medal with Connacht.

Another All-Ireland medal followed in 1988 and Galway contested two more All-Ireland finals in 1990 and 1993. Joe gave an exhibition display in the 1990 All-Ireland final, scoring 1-6 in the first half but still ending up on the losing side.

Joe retired from Inter-County hurling in 2000. He is still very much involved with his beloved Sarsfields Club and continues to play with them.  Joe"s reputation as a hurler is best reflected in the mood of the public. His undeniable skill and freetaking accuracy is such that he will always be remembered as a true laoch.
(Repeated on Monday 19th January after the western)

Colm O"Rourke  -  Programme 3  -  Sunday 25 January 8:00 pm

One of the great Meath Stalwarts of his time, Colm O" Rourke was renowned for his tough physical and mental presence on the field. A skilled player, he has won many awards including 2 All-Ireland Football medals.

In 1976, the year of his senior debut he suffered a horrific cruciate ligament injury that almost marked the end of his football career but he came back to become involved in the golden Seán Boylan era. The Leinster football saga of 1991 will remain printed on peoples" minds as one of the toughest and exciting periods of Gaelic Football and it is fitting that this is reflected in Colm O" Rourke"s style of football.

He has successfully managed the International Rules Series in 1998 and 1999 and now spends his time managing schools teams" in St. Pat"s Navan and also is involved with Simonstown GAA. He is vice-Principal in St. Pat"s Navan.
(Repeated on Monday 26th January after the western)

Frankie Walsh  -  Programme 4 - Sunday 1 February 8:00 pm

Frankie was already a well known hurler with his club Mount Sion before he made his senior county debut in 1956. A horrific injury in his debut marked the end of that season but he bounced back and was ready for the All-Ireland campaign of 1957. He was not yet 21 years old.

In 1957, Waterford reached the All-Ireland final but allowed Kilkenny to come back and win by a point. It was a huge disappointment. In 1959, Frankie was captain and their All-Ireland Campaign got off to a great start with easy wins against Galway and Tipperary. The Munster Final saw the pairing of Cork and Waterford with the Decies getting the upperhand on the rebel county with the indomitable Christy Ring playing.

The All-Ireland was a tense and exciting affair, which saw Waterford getting a last gasp goal to earn them a replay with Kilkenny. In the replay, Waterford totally dominated with Frankie scoring 8 points. In 5 games of the Championship, Frankie had scored 2-28. Frankie was to win a Railway Cup title in 1960 as captain of Munster and one national league title with Waterford in 1963.

He will best be remembered for his toughness as a player and his deadly accuracy in front of goals. His scoring exploits in both Club and County will continued to be talked about.
(Repeated on Monday 2nd February after the western)

Matt Connor  -  Programme 5 - Sunday 8 February 8:00 pm

Ask anyone who Matt Connor is and the answer is a legend. Matt Connor possessed all the attributes essential for a great athlete: speed, skill, power and accuracy. The Walsh Island man burst on the Senior County scene in 1977 during the National League while still playing at minor and U-21 level.  Eugene Mc Gee had taken over the Offaly job and was amazed at the skill young Matt Connor displayed.

Offaly won U-21 titles in 1977 and 1979 boding well for senior success. In 1980 they began an incredible progression from Leinster Final winners to semi-final losers, semi-final winners to All Ireland losers, to All Ireland winners in 1982. Matt was a key man in this success and he recorded some amazing scores.

On Christmas Day 1984, Matt was in a car crash that left him paralysed from the waist down. His determination that saw him succeed in football was now used in his rehabilitation. He is still very much involved with football and was invited by John O" Keefe to be a selector for the Irish team for the International Series.

Matt will best be remembered for his mesmerising skill and his freetaking ability that both crowds and players alike were privileged to see.
(Repeated on Monday 9th February after the western)

Nicky English  -  Programme 6 - Sunday 15 February 8:00 pm

One of Tipperary"s favourite sons, Nicky English made his Senior Inter-County debut in 1981 after winning a minor All-Ireland title in 1980. Born in Cullen, his club Lattin-Cullen was better known for football than hurling.

In 1987 Babs Keating became manager of the senior team and new changes were brought in. Tipperary won the Munster Hurling Final that year, the first time since 1971.  Tipperary made the breakthrough in 1989 when they claimed their first All-Ireland title in 18 years. Nicky scored 2-12 in that game a terrific individual performance.

Another All-Ireland would follow in 1991 but Nicky suffered a return of a hamstring injury in the final. This followed a litany of injuries endured throughout his playing career. He retired in 1995 at the end of the Munster Final replay. In 1998 he was asked to become manager of the Tipperary team and remained so until 2002. During his time as manager, Tipperary won 1 All-Ireland title and 2 National League titles.

Nicky has had a remarkable hurling career.  The winner of 6 All-Stars and hurler of the year in 1989 will undoubtedly be remembered for his great skill and potent scoring ability.
(Repeated on Monday 16th February after the western)

Billy Morgan  -  Programme 7  -  Sunday 22 February 8:00 pm

When one talks of Cork football the name of Billy Morgan undoubtedly crops up. A member of the hugely successful Nemo Rangers Club, he won two All-Ireland medals with the Club in 1973 and 1979 before going on to manage them to an All-Ireland success in 2003.

Billy made his senior debut in 1965 in goals in a challenge match against Offaly. It was in 1973 that things went right for Cork football. They beat Galway in the All-Ireland final and Billy had the honour of accepting the Sam Maguire Cup. Further success eluded them and Billy retired from the Inter-County scene in 1981.

In 1986, Billy was asked to coach the Cork team. Under his guidance, Cork won two All-Ireland titles back to back in 1989 and 1990. He has recently returned to the Cork set-up as manager.

Billy has had an outstanding career both as a player and manager with Cork. In addition to his All-Ireland titles he received an All-star and Player of the year award in 1973. His enthusiasm and commitment to the game has not diminished and will be remembered for his passion and dedication to the Nemo and Cork jersey.
(Repeated on Monday 23rd February after the western)

Gary Kirby  -  Programme 8  -  Sunday 29 February 8:00 pm

Gary Kirby grew up in Patrickswell where everything revolves around hurling. He made his senior debut in 1986 after having won a minor title with Limerick. In 1987 he added to this by winning an U-21 title.

In 1994, Limerick made the breakthrough when they took the Munster title. Gary was Captain that year and will never forget the colour and crowds when receiving the cup. Antrim were beaten in the semi-final and only Offaly stopped Limerick from a trip to Shannonside with the McCarthy Cup. With five minutes to go, Limerick were coasting but a last blitz from Offaly saw
the cup go to the faithful county. It was a huge disappointment.

Limerick had another chance for All-Ireland glory in 1996 but again it was not to be. This result was to prove even more disappointing as this was one that should have been one.

In 1997, Limerick won a National League title to add to the one already received in 1992. In 1999 Gary retired from the Intercounty scene. He still plays a pivotal role with Patrickswell. Gary will best be remembered for his accuracy in freetaking and his sheer class as a player, which is reflected in the four All-Stars that he received.
(Repeated on Monday 1st March after the western)

Tony Doran  -  Programme 9  -  Sunday 7 March 8:00 pm

The Youngest of four brothers, Tony made his senior county debut in 1967. Tony had already won a minor and U-21 All-Ireland title at this stage. Success came quickly for the young Tony when in 1968 Wexford won the All-Ireland final. Tony scored an important goal that day and he was only 22 years old.

Wexford reached three more All-Ireland finals in 1970,1976 and 1977. Success eluded them however and they lost to Cork on these three occasions. Tony won a Railway Cup title in 1977 and 1979 to take his total to 7 Railway Cup wins.

Tony and his three brothers had been central to Buffer"s Alley success. He won an All-Ireland senior club medal in 1989 just three weeks short of his 43rd birthday. It is fitting that he received such an award. Tony will be remembered for his great catching ability and his skill at getting great scores when needed.
(Repeated on Monday 8th March after the western)

Pat Spillane  -  Programme 10  -  Sunday 14 March 8:00 pm

When one thinks of football legends, Pat Spillane springs to mind. The eldest of three brothers from Templenoe, Pat graced the football fields in the 1970s and 1980s, as part of the historic Kerry team of that era, he won 8 All-Ireland  Senior medals.

A cruciate ligament injury in 1981 almost finished his career but his courage and resilience in coming back to win a further 3 All-Ireland titles is testament to his character.

He has been awarded many titles including Footballer of the year in 1986 for his display against Tyrone in the All-Ireland Final and has 9 All-Stars to his credit. He retired in 1991.

Today he is best known for his controversial comments in the media and juggles teaching and running the family pub in Templenoe.
(Repeated on Monday 15th March after the western)