TG4's Laochra Gael continues to deliver for GAA fans in lockdown and another cracking episode was aired tonight.
The focus this evening was on the hurling life of Offaly great Johnny Pilkington, the decorated former midfielder who starred in a trophy-laden era for the Faithful.
Pilkington reflected on his glory years with his county and his club Birr - during which he landed two inter-county All-Ireland medals and four All-Ireland club titles.
One viewer enthused: "Another great episode. Johnny Pilkington one of the most underated hurlers over the last 30 years. The game is missing characters like him these days."
Another tweeted: "There’s not many characters like Johnny Pilkington left in hurling and he was one hell of a hurler. Uibh Fhaili Abù #LaochraGael"
And another fan of the show said: "@SportTG4 great show again tonight. 3 weeks in a row. No need for Netflix. Johnny Pilkington some man. #laochrageal."
Viewers reflected on a memorable decade for hurling in the 1990s, an era which threw up its fair share of surprises and boasted a cast of colourful characters.
One Twitter user commented: "Loving the Johnny Pilkington #LaochraGael - mid 90’s is why I fell in love with hurling. John Troy, Jamsie, Ciarán Carey, Martin Storeys moustache. Great days. Brilliant shining a light on these fine men."
Another said: "They don't make them like Johnny Pilkington anymore. One of the greatest characters in the history of hurling #LaochraGael #BirrGAA #JohnnyPilkington"
The soundtrack of the programme featured songs from the era and people enjoyed the combination of hits and hurling, with one social media user saying: "Great stuff #LaochraGael Johnny Pilkinton go maith!! That Offaly group were unique and so talented. Brilliant team, brilliant show @SportTG4 and the soundtrack..Hurling and music go so well together #GAA #Hurling"
Comparing the hurlers of his era to those in the modern game, Pilkington said: “They seem to be the same kind of questions, same answers all the time.
“They seem too well-versed in the whole lot whereas in our time you just had lads that spoke their mind.
“Nowadays it just seems to be a little bit dull. There doesn’t seem to be those characters but no doubt there are, no doubt they are. But they’re just not coming across in the media really.”
Next week's episode features ex-Kildare footballer Dermot Earley - who opens up about his cancer scare and the passing of his famous father.
