Laochra Gael on TG4 tonight features Offaly hurler Michael Duignan. For over a decade Michael Duignan was a key member of the talented Offaly team that took the hurling world by storm in the nineties with their skill, flair and never say die attitude, winning two All Ireland medals and five Leinster titles. 

Michael got his first taste of success with Offaly in 1986 with victory in the minor All Ireland final over Cork. The emerging young team quickly gained success at senior level in Leinster winning the provincial title in 1988, 89 and 1990 but after losing three All-Ireland finals semi-finals in a row doubts began to set in.

1994 however bought new hope in the form of new manger Limerick's Eamonn Cregan but as both Michael and Eamonn admit it was a rocky start to their relationship as Eamonn struggled to deal with the fun loving Offaly lads, "He (Eamonn) would have been struggling…we had a fairly laidback attitude we'd a couple of lads who partied a good bit. The fun we had I say a lot of county players were looking in from around the country saying they'd love to be on the Offaly panel and they were right!'

Their partnership bought success however and they reached the 1994 All Ireland final against Limerick. But Michael was dealt a hard blow when he wasn't picked for the starting fifteen. His presence was still needed however and with victory for Limerick looking certain Michael joined the fray in the second half. What followed were some of the most memorable moments of any All Ireland final as Offaly shocked Limerick with an onslaught of scores to claim a dramatic victory.

Michael had regained his starting place by 1995 but Offaly couldn't overcome a hungry Clare in the decider. By 1998 Babs Keating had been installed as manager but it would prove to be a tumultuous year for Offaly; Babs was gone after the fallout from their Leinster final trashing to Kilkenny and then the semi-final replay against Clare was blown up minutes early leading to a re-fixture.

Duignan reveals what really went on behind the scenes in Offaly that summer from his experiences with Babs Keating to what happened in the camp after the controversial semi-final. Despite all the upset Offaly seized their opportunity and beat Clare on the third day out and in the 1998 All Ireland final they defeated their Leinster opponents Kilkenny to win Michael a second All Ireland medal.

Frank and entertaining Michael Duignan opens about life with one of the most intriguing teams of recent times and he also speaks of how the GAA community helped him through the loss of his wife Edel to cancer in 2009. The programme also features interviews with fellow Offaly teammate Brian Whelahan, former Offaly manager Eamonn Cregan,  Clare's Cyril Lyons and Pat Fleury.

Michael's programme is the ninth of ten in the new series which will feature Ryan McMenamin of Tyrone in the final episode

Catch the programme every Tuesday at 20.00 on TG4 with a repeat broadcast every Sunday evening after GAA BEO.

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