A new documentary exploring the GAA in Ulster will start this Sunday evening on BBC 2. 'Níos Mó Ná Cluiche' - More Than A Game, is presented by former Armagh captain Jarlath Burns and explores the grassroots commitment in clubs and counties in Ulster.
In a two-part Irish Language series, Burns delves into the 'untold story of the evolution of the Gaelic games in Ulster and the role the games played at the heart of community life. It is a story about people, passion and place, of parish and province, and a story of identity'.
It will look at the history of the GAA in Ulster and how it grew to be one of the most prominent forces in football despite the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
It features Cavan's Cill Dalláin, the first club in Ulster to be founded, and follows successful clubs like Slaughtneil on their road to success.
It will also showcase the GAA's progressiveness, highlighting Mansoreh Abolhassani, a hijab-wearing Gaelic footballer.
Speaking to Conall Ó Máirtín on BBC Blas, Burns described the filming process. The series took over a year to make and encompasses county in the province.
For the director, Damian McCann one of the best memories from filming was from the Ulster final last year which saw Tyrone take a two-point victory over Donegal - the first Ulster win for the Red Hand county since 2010.
One of the things I enjoyed most, maybe the same thing as Jarlath there, but in Clones for the Ulster Final. It was a really hard day for the whole crew. It was a really warm, hot day and we had to record with the cameras. At the end of the day, we said to Mickey Harte, ‘Can we go into the team changing room?’ I just saw this little nod from him and he said alright. We could go in then and see them celebrating. I will never forget that, and the pieces we got. We had two cameras in there, and we got some really brilliant stuff.
Níos Mó Ná Cluiche premieres Sunday night at 10.30pm on BBC 2.
New ILBF series explores the history of Gaelic games in Ulster. Níos Mó ná Cluiche (More Than a Game) begins Sunday 10.30pm @BBCTwoNI pic.twitter.com/AECIxMSLbu
— NI Screen (@NIScreen) June 8, 2017
