Dogs to tackle Cats in reality TV show

REALITY television show The Underdogs is to follow the fortunes of a hurling side this season.

The show, made by Adare Productions for TG4, previously charted the selection of a side of gaelic footballers, who had never played senior inter-county, and their meetings with teams such as Cork, Dublin and Kerry.

The producers are now turning their attentions to hurling - with a final with Kilkenny already finalised for December. That fixture is already being dubbed The Cats versus the Dogs.

All-Ireland winning manager Eamon Cregan, Offaly legend Pat Fleury and Galway hurler Cathal Moore have been confirmed as the management team.

“They are very excited about it” said Adare’s Production manager Evanne Ní Chuilinn. “We meet them on Friday and the planning is already at an advanced stage.

“The playing criteria is simple - anyone who hasn’t played hurling at senior county level is eligible to apply. Details will appear on www.tg4.ie later this month.

“We are going ahead with the hurling trials in June in Semple Stadium and from there the squad will be whittled down. It will follow much the same format as the football.”

Rónán Ó Coisdealbha, Head of sport with the Irish language broadcaster, is hoping for continued success of the series which has run for the past two seasons.

“Last December the game against Kerry under lights in Tralee did very well in the ratings and we will be aiming for more of the same in this new format,” he said yesterday.