Derry's Tony Scullion to feature in Laochra Gael series tonight

Derry Legend Tony Scullion will feature in this season's Laochra Gael Series, with his episode being aired tonight, February 1 at 9:30pm on TG4.

Growing up in a rural area of Derry, football was always at the heart of Tony's life. Despite the beauty of the area around them, the Scullions had a hard life and it was often difficult to keep hunger at bay. As a young teenager Tony's dream was to play football for his county and in 1987 Tony Scullion won his first Ulster championship.

He also earned his first All-Star award and by this time Tony was a cornerstone of the Derry football team. By 1993 Derry were one of the best teams in the country, but disaster struck when Tony broke his ankle in a league game. With the team steadily improving Tony was focused on winning back his place on a team that was destined for glory, and that he did so when he won his All Ireland medal in 1993.

Scullion is certainly hoping the current Derry team can go on to emulate the achievement of 1993, and is confident they can do it soon.

"I experienced it as a player in 1993 and now before the man above takes me, I would love to be sitting in Croke Park, like all them spectators in 1993, witnessing my county lift the second Sam Maguire Cup," he said.

"I think we can. Mickey has been trying a number of players in the McKenna Cup and lads are stepping up. I think we need more depth in our squad. And that's what Mickey is trying to find. So I would say we're in the (All-Ireland) talk but let me tell you, we have a long way to go before we think about Croke Park.

Along with Tony Scullion - this new season’s batch of GAA legends also includes Richie Power one of the most skilful forwards to ever play for Kilkenny, with 8 All-Ireland medals in his collection.

Lindsay Peat who reached elite levels in four different sports representing her country in soccer, basketball and rugby all the while playing intercounty football with Dublin.

Tony Griffin at the peak of his powers, made the decision to leave hurling and travel across Canada and raise money for cancer care and also to honour his late father Jerome.

Tony Scullion lifting the All-Ireland title back in 1993. (Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile)

Alan Kerins who holds the unique distinction of having won All-Ireland Club medals in both hurling and football and is the only man to ever do so with different clubs. Pat Critchley was a mainstay of the Laois GAA hurling team of the 1980s. He is often referred to as “Laois’s only hurling All Star”.

Ciara Gaynor, a player who won five All-Ireland medals and the player of the year award in 2003, Ciara and her team inspired a generation of young Tipperary girls to follow their dreams. Kevin Hughes along with his team mates, was naturally euphoric after magnificently bringing home the coveted Sam Maguire football trophy in 2003.

Ahead of the new Laochra Gael Series Uachtarán CLG, Larry McCarthy said: "Few could have predicted that when TG4’s excellent Laochra Gael series first aired, that in 2024 we would welcome the 22nd edition of what is an incredibly popular programme. To say that it has stood the test of time is an understatement.

Tony Scullion of the Derry 1993 All-Ireland winning team who were honoured prior to the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final at Croke Park back in 2018. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

"While games lie at the heart of the allure, the personal stories of some of the biggest and most popular names in Gaelic sports adds immeasurably to the offering and it is a credit to the programme that so many former players have agreed to provide context to careers that have illuminated Irish sport.

"This series will see the 200 programme milestone passed. Here’s to the next 200."