Underdogs has proven to be compelling viewing thus far. The Tg4 programme has been a smash hit this year, returning to our screens after a 10-year absence. The premise of the show is to gather the top footballers in the country who have never played at senior inter-county level, to form the ultimate underdog team and take on one of top sides in the country.
Stars such as Kieran Donaghy and Pearse O'Neill have been unearthed in previous seasons, and hopes were high that we could see another diamond in the rough this time around.
Things have not all been plain sailing so far, however. Last night's episode saw the team take on Meath club Wolfe Tones, and the game did not go to plan.
Despite being on level terms at halftime, they would lost by 12 points. There was an outpouring of emotion from the players after the final whistle, with some players questioning the commitment the team had shown up to that point.
Former Kilkenny minor captain Stephen Scallan gave an especially heartfelt speech, in which he told his teammates how he desperately wanted to break the losing habit that has plagued his time in football. Scallan won the hearts of the public earlier in the series, and he had this to say after the loss:
You can't just turn around after loss and say fucking jack it in like. You can't just turn around and say 'oh I tried hard but we lost.' This when you fucking build up and you take it on the chin.
My football is all about fucking losing, I'm here to change that shit! Like I've lost fucking every football match I've played at home, it's a load of bullshit, it means fuck all. But I'm here bursting my balls for this like.
It's about time everyone rode in behind everything, and just gave it everything. Like there's no point giving out and saying 'this went wrong,' fucking change it!
"This is the turning point!" An mbeidh na #Underdogs réidh do @DubGAAOfficial ? @ballsdotie @SupermacsIRE @tickets_ie @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/nqKtbS7Kmt
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 12, 2018
After the penultimate episode next Thursday, the series will culminate the following night on Friday October 19th, when the Underdogs will take on All-Ireland champions Dublin in Parnell Park. The game will be broadcast live on TG4, with the players being given the chance to show off their talent against the best team in the country.
The post-match speeches from last night's episode are sure to have hit a few home truths amongst members of the panel, and hopefully it will lead to the team giving a good account of themselves on their big day.
