'Underdogs' considers hurling

News: TG4's Underdogs programme, which finishes this Sunday with the match between the reality television team and Dublin footballers is set to turn its attentions to hurling next year.

The Irish language station is very pleased with the first series in which non-intercounty footballers from around the country trialled and trained for the team during a reality television series. Coached by former players Brian Mullins (Dublin), Micky O'Sullivan (Kerry) and Jarlath Burns (Armagh) the panel of 24 face their ultimate match against Dublin this weekend.

"We're feeling very happy," says Ronan O Coisdealbha of TG4 Sport. "It might have been a one-off but if things go well on Sunday we're considering doing hurling next year."

"We have plans," according to producer Evan Chamberlain, "and are hopeful that TG4 will go for this again. We have thought about hurling with - and this is just off the top of the head - someone like Ger Loughnane as one of the possible selectors." Chamberlain though has reservations about hurling not being "as nationwide" and doesn't believe that the potential of the football idea has been exhausted by the trawl that produced this year's crop of players.

"There could be even more capable footballers out there who will be attracted by the publicity surrounding this year's programme. Eleven hundred applied this year and went to trials. There's a good chance that a number of those didn't do themselves justice on the day and they would probably come back." Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Boyle Sports the bookmakers will be sponsoring Louth county teams next year. A meeting between the county and GAA president Sean Kelly, director general Liam Mulvihill and commercial manager Dermot Power - "to tie up loose ends," according to Louth county secretary Pat Toner - ended with the sponsorship confirmed.

Finally the draw for next year's Datapac Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups has been made. It has also been announced that Datapac will continue as sponsors for the next three years.

In the Sigerson, holders NUI Galway open their defence with a trip to Limerick to play UL. The final weekend of the competition takes place in Belfast, hosted by St Mary's College, on February 27th and 28th.

Fitzgibbon holders, Waterford, play the winners of the preliminary group consisting of only two teams, Mary Immaculate College of Education, Limerick, and DIT. The competition semi-finals and final take place in Athlone IT for the first time on March 5th and 6th.