RTÉ Factual's new 3-part series Secrets brings us behind the scenes of familiar areas of Irish life and puts us into the shoes of some remarkable people - watch a clip from Secrets from the Sidelines above, and watch the show here, via RTÉ Player.
The series delves into the world of dancers in Secrets from the Dancefloor, sports coaches in Secrets from the Sidelines and delivery drivers in Secrets of a Delivery Driver.
On a rainy Sunday afternoon in April, Ireland's best boxers are gathering at the National Stadium for a chance to become champion.
However, this is the 2023 National Boy and Girl championships and features kids aged from 12 to 16.
Two small kids are currently trading punches in the centre of the National Stadium. Their club vests, much too big for them, are tucked into their oversized shorts.
Under the blazing lights, they duck and weave. In the corners,their coaches mimic their tiny fighters, throwing phantom punches and cheering when a box lands. For some parents in the stands, it’s too much and they can’t bear to look.
A winner emerges, she hugs her opponent before taking on a swagger to the centre of the ring to celebrate. Somewhere in the stadium today, the next Katie Taylor or Kellie Harrington is just waiting to be discovered.
Secrets from the Sidelines is a new documentary that takes viewers behind the scenes of Irish amateur sport, capturing the extraordinary moments that normally happen off camera. RTÉ cameras follow managers and coaches as they prepare for battles against local rivals, relegation battles and kids dreaming of making it to the premier league.
To capture the intensity of boxing, RTÉ followed the journey of Jobstown Boxing Club and their team of boxers as they prepared for the national finals.
Amanda Spencer is the coach and is hoping her daughter Tiffany will retain her National Title. "It’s hard to see your child get punched" admits Amanda but hopes Tiffany’s dancing skills will limit any hits.
Amanda’s partner James is also a coach and is a bundle of nerves. "You can’t teach someone for when they take a proper punch. You either have it or you don’t, and that’s just the way it is," he says matter-of-factly.
To bring viewers ringside, RTÉ set up three cameras at the National Stadium to capture every moment. We hear James and Tiffany throughout the competition as they shout instruction to their boxers. "Go for the jab! That’s the shot! There you go!"
Away from the ring, 40 senior hurlers gather on a bleak February night in Wexford to prepare for the upcoming season that seems a long time away.
Of course, the reason why 40 of them are gathered here is the chance to represent their local parish. Some of the players will make a 200km round trip from Dublin to make the training session but as they all know, a place on the panel is something money can’t buy.
Manager Paul Carley knows what it’s like to play at the highest level, he’s won a Leinster Championship for Wexford. The season is few weeks ago but with a first match against local rivals Blackwater, he’s already feeling the pressure.
He puts the team through their paces as his team of mentors look on. It’s a professional set up but they are all volunteers. One of the mentors uses a break in training to check on the progress of his cows milking using a phone app.
We follow Manager Paul throughout training and critically, the opening match against Blackwater, capturing every utterance from the sideline.
Secrets from the Sidelines captures the sacred space where the devotion to hurling, football, boxing and basketball are seen in all their pain and glory.
The Secrets world brings audiences behind the scenes of familiar areas of Irish life and puts the viewer into the shoes of some remarkable people.
Secrets from the Sidelines, RTÉ 1, Monday, Oct 9th at 9.35 pm - catch up with Secrets via RTÉ Player
