An Ulster theme to a third season of Scéalta na gCorn

THERE is Ulster theme to the third series of Scéalta na gCorn that comes to your screens on Thursday night.

Hosted by Monaghan native and GAA broadcaster Gráinne McElwain, the series looks into the cups that have formed part of the GAA’s rish history down the years.

The series, produced by Imagine Media and with support from NI Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund, Scéalta na gCorn resumes Thursday at 8pm.

This third series of Scéalta na gCorn sees Gráinne hit the road once again, as she travels around the country visiting local GAA communities, to hear about the silverware on offer and the special people that they are named after. She learns about some of the older trophies named after Irish patriots, such as the Daly Cup, as well as listening to stories about more recent stalwarts of the GAA – like Jim McGuigan – and the cups that their names now adorn.

The series starts with Gráinne in the Orchard County, where she meets the current GAA president, Jarlath Burns. She hears about the William McKillop Cup, a retired football trophy in Armagh that bears the name of one of the founding fathers of Celtic FC. Gráinne travels to Clann Éireann to learn about the annual 7s tournament that is named after Marie Hoye, one of the main drivers behind the establishment of the ladies’ football team, and Catríona McKeag, a former player of the club. Gráinne goes south, to Crossmaglen, to hear about the work of Cardinal Ó Fiaich, and the trophy that he named – in his brother’s honour.

Episode two sees Gráinne visit County Meath, home of the ancient Tailteann Games. Here, Gráinne visits the Crossakiel Handball Club to hear about the cup named after a dedicated player of this lesser-known Gaelic game, Hughie Reilly. She travels to Ratoath to find out about Garda Seán Eiffe, a talented member of the local GAA club who was tragically killed in the line of duty, and whose name is now inscribed on a piece of Leinster football silverware. Set against the historical backdrop of the Hill of Tara, Gráinne hears about the annual poc fada competition held by Kilmessan GAA, and the over 40s trophy that is played for two former clubmen, Joey Horan and Pádraic Curtis.

The next stop on Gráinne’s journey is County Carlow. Here in the Dolmen County, Gráinne calls to the Carlow County Museum to see a wealth of Gaelic games silverware on display. Aingeal Uí Dhálaigh shows her the retired cups of the Carlow Senior Football Championship, and the Nationalist Cup that now takes their place. Gráinne takes a trip to Gaelscoil Eoghain Uí Thuairisc to meet Bríde de Róiste and hear about the Cumann na mBunscol competition that is named after her. She rounds off her visit to Carlow in Myshall, where she hears about the camogie cup that is named after a local politician, Tom Nolan, as well as learning the story of a few lost pieces of silverware that have subsequently been found.

In episode four, Gráinne heads to Limerick, where she visits the county’s home grounds to learn about John Daly, an Irish patriot whose name adorns the Limerick Senior Hurling Cup. At Mary Immaculate College, Gráinne hears the story of Noreen Lynch, the much-loved former lecturer who has a ladies’ football trophy named in her honour. Gráinne couldn’t leave Limerick without taking a trip to Mick Mackey’s homeplace; to hear more about this hurling legend, whose name is on the Munster Senior Hurling Cup.

The green and red of Mayo is next up in Gráinne’s travels. She learns about the coveted Senior Football Cup named after Paddy Moclair, a hero of the 1936 All-Ireland winning Mayo team. Gráinne travels out to the home of current All-Ireland rounders champions, Breaffy, to hear about the trophy that is named after former Taoiseach Charles Haughey. She also learns about the O’Mara Cup and its association with the former bacon factory in Claremorris.

The series finishes with Gráinne back on the road north to Derry. She visits the Maiden City to hear about the club and trophy that are named after Brian Óg McKeever, a young player who has left a lasting impression within the GAA community in Derry. Gráinne journeys to The Loup to learn about one of the Drumboe Martyrs, Seán Larkin, as well as travelling to Dungiven to meet current Derry kitman Colm McGuigan, who tells her about the Ulster trophy that is named in honour of his late father, Jim McGuigan.