It has been a year like no other but, where there is love and community, there is hope. AIB's The Toughest Summer aired on Tuesday night on RTÉ One and it brought some much-needed joy and optimism to GAA fans around the country.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker, Ross Whitaker, the documentary featured a host of personalities, ranging from players to supporters and commentators, including the likes of TJ Reid, Caitriona Cormican, Ann Downey, David Brady and Roscommon's number one fan, Paddy Joe Burke.
It gave us a glimpse into how the wider GAA community dealt with the challenges posed by the pandemic but each of their stories also gave unique perspectives on the last five months. Those watching were engrossed by the narrative.
We’ve just thrown in here on @RTEOne! Take your seat and enjoy @AIB_GAA’s #TheToughest Summer 🙌 pic.twitter.com/x8L31TjNuK
— AIB_GAA (@AIB_GAA) August 25, 2020
#TheToughest on @RTEOne would make your heart happy! 😍 There really is something special & unique about being apart of the @officialgaa! Privliged & grateful to be apart of it💙 #GAA
— Aideen Naughton (@AideenKnocky) August 25, 2020
This is an excellent programme and shows what the GAA means to the majority of people here in Ireland #TheToughest.
— Karl Keohane (@KarlKeohane) August 25, 2020
#TheToughest illustrates perfectly why @officialgaa is one of the greatest organisations not just in Ireland but in the world. Throughout Covid from top to bottom they been the essence of community- urban & rural. @OfficialWexGAA
— George Lawlor (@cllrglawlor) August 25, 2020
The tar definitely isn't melting and we're not eating '99s but it's good to see Paddy Joe back on the tv 🤭 Feeling incredibly proud of @D9BMayo 😊💚❤💪#TheToughest
— Denise Biggins (@DeniseBiggins) August 25, 2020
#TheToughest on @RTEOne is so lovely, although I think I've cried three times already. Beautifully done. 😭🤗
— Denise (@deniseaoc) August 25, 2020
#TheToughest is reeling in the years: 2020 through a sports lens. Amazing work by @AIB_GAA and @rosswhitakertv to tie in every aspect of Irish society through sportspeople
— Joanne O’ Riordan (@JoanneOR_Ox) August 25, 2020
The GAA and their communities were always the best in people.... it just took all this for us all to realize just how special they really are and how much they mean to everyone. Makes you proud to be part of it all 👏🏻#TheToughest
— Shane McGrath (@Shaneytweet) August 25, 2020
Marvellous work, @rosswhitakertv. I wouldn’t wish this illness on any family. Truly, it was a terrifying time. Still is. And we were the lucky ones. Lovely to reflect in a positive way now. 🙏🏻 #TheToughest
— Ciara Reilly (@PrimEdTeacher) August 25, 2020
Excellent @AIB_GAA 👏🏻 where would we be without it, favorite line Anne Downey “were ya not listening” classic 🤣 #Thetoughest
— Becca Croash (@BeccaCroash) August 25, 2020
Well Done @rosswhitakertv & the @AIB_GAA team. That was a real emotional rollercoaster. Some great characters featured, covering all elements of our communities. #TheToughest
— Killian Whelan (@Killian_Whelan) August 25, 2020
Special, absolutely special. Ye nearly had me in tears lads 🤣 Top class production from start to finish, hats off to all involved in the making of the Toughest Summer 👏👌🙌 @AIB_GAA @D9BMayo @MartyM_RTE #GAA
— John McMahon (@John_Mc_Mahon) August 25, 2020
Great documentary on @rte really got the fire in the belly for @officialgaa later this year please god🙏#TheToughest pic.twitter.com/y3UNoWh8dt
— Bernard Brogan (@bernardbrogan) August 25, 2020
Anyone for an 11.30pm trainin sess after watching that?! Followed by a haircut in Paddy Joe's tomorrow! 👏 #TheToughest
— Alan Malone (@Sta1one) August 25, 2020
Outstanding television, well done to everyone involved #TheToughest #GAA
— Shane Dunne (@Shane_i_am) August 25, 2020
Director Ross Whitaker has a number of other acclaimed documentaries to his name, including Katie and The Boys In Green. The Toughest Summer series included five online chapters in the buildup to the feature-length documentary. They can be watched AIB's YouTube channel right now and the full documentary will also be available on their channel from 1pm on Thursday 27 August.
