“It’s a bit strange for me.”
Former Kerry captain Paul Galvin was not the only one that did a double-take at the sight of him with a full tracksuit on and with a clipboard in hand.
The Kingdom legend is one of three coaches/mentors for the new season of TG4’s ‘Underdogs’ show and, as always, he proved a compelling watch.
Galvin joined Galway’s Ray Silke (a two-time All-Ireland winner) and Valerie Mulcahy (10 All-Irelands with Cork’s footballers) as the coaching trio for the show and episode one rollicked along at a nice pace.
The concept of the show, returning to our TV screens after a 10-year gap, is simple. As Michael Corry wrote:
‘The panel is tasked with finding a new team of footballing hopefuls that will come together to take on an inter-county side. The team is made up of club footballers who have never represented their county at senior level, so you can imagine they will be out to prove themselves to those in charge of their respective county.’
Sporting a natty cap with his Underdogs gear, Galvin admitted being on the other sideline of the sideline was an alien experience for him.
Once the premise was explained to viewers, we got straight to action as larger try-outs were held and half dozens, threes and fours were kept on.
There would be more whittling but, for the early lads picked, time to soak it in. Blake Forkan was the first name to be called out by the coaches.
There was another trial game and, at one stage, Galvin had his head in his hands as Mulcahy broke the bad news to one unlucky player.
Some real prospects, and characters, were found in the first episode and we’ll definitely be tuning in for more in the coming weeks.
With Galvin, Silke and Mulcahy good value for a watch, there was a resounding, positive reaction to their debuts.
Hey Paul Galvin,
Hannah Montana rang, she wants her hat back. #underdogs— Siobhán Doyle (@thekickart) September 6, 2018
Paul Galvin: "Aw lovely pass"
*realises he's on TG4*
"Ahhhh ana pass"#underdogs
— Siobhán Doyle (@thekickart) September 6, 2018
Tá Paul Galvin ag cuir ocras orm #Tasty 😂😂😂 #underdogs
— Katie Bán Uí Chonghaile (@KatieBanB) September 6, 2018
Did Paul Galvin lose a bet or what is with that hat? #Underdogs
— David Teague (@daveyteague96) September 6, 2018
‘I am the Underdog’ MAKE MARK THE MASCOT Underdogs2018 #Underdogs @pgal10 @BrighidBB @TheGothamite 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Mary Kingston (@MollthePoll) September 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/leanbanB/status/1037800469958156288
Looking forward to seeing more.
