Press
Star of the Sea - The Football, The Troubles, and the Aftermath
Broadcast date: Tuesday, 20 October 2026 - 9:30pm
19.10.26
Réalt na Mara – An Pheil, Na Trioblóidí agus An Iarmhairt is the feature documentary debut from director James Wynne and was produced with the support of TG4 and Coimisiún na Meán.
In 1960s Belfast, Star of the Sea was one of Ireland’s most successful youth football teams, bringing Catholic and Protestant players together at a time of growing division. But as the Troubles took hold, the team was torn apart and the lives of its players changed forever.
The documentary explores how sectarianism tore the team apart and examines the tragic aftermath from the perspective of players including Raymond McCord, Denis Sweeney, Geordie Hussey and Dessie Black, who, despite shunning sectarianism, were nonetheless impacted by the Troubles in profoundly different ways.
Réalt na Mara (Star of the Sea) tells the story of the extraordinary journeys of those former teammates, including Raymond McCord, who went from being a football prodigy who had trials with Manchester United to becoming one of Northern Ireland’s most prominent victims’ rights campaigners following the 1997 murder of his son, Raymond McCord Jr.
Three of their former teammates later became involved with paramilitary organisations. Bobby Sands joined the IRA and died during the 1981 hunger strike. Michael Acheson and Terry Nicholl joined the UVF and later served prison sentences in the Maze.
Denis Sweeney narrowly avoided becoming a victim of a pub bombing, an experience that influenced his decision to become a doctor. Tommy O’Neill, a close childhood friend of Bobby Sands, saw his life profoundly affected by the upheaval of the Troubles and died while still in his 30s.
Commenting on the announcement of the TG4 broadcast, the film’s director, James Wynne, said:
“I was fascinated by this story, mainly because the original ethos of the Star of the Sea Youth Club in the 1960s is what we are seeing more of today as Northern Ireland navigates a fragile peace. These players represented the ideal but were nonetheless massively impacted by the Troubles. Despite all of the chaos, violence, and darkness they endured, to see someone like Raymond McCord emerge as a leading victims’ campaigner is nothing short of inspiring. I hope this story compels us to do everything we can to always protect peace on our island.”
Réalt na Mara – An Pheil, Na Trioblóidí agus An Iarmhairt premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh in July of this year and will be broadcast on TG4 on Tuesday, 20 October at 9:30pm.