The second episode of this year’s AIB sponsored documentary series The Toughest Trade will air tonight 10th March on RTÉ2 at 10:35pm, directly after the coverage of Ireland against Wales in the RBS 6 Nations.

Hopefully there will be a big legacy audience from that carrying in to what is must watch television for any sports fan. Then again a win for the boys in green might prompt everyone to press record and go out to celebrate.

If that happens it will be in keeping with Lee Chin’s experience swapping Wexford hurling for Vancouver Ice Hockey where the culture of drinking is much more firmly rooted.

AIB are going global with promotion of #TheToughest

“Players are sometimes encouraged to go out and let off steam and it seems not unusual to go out for beer even the night before a game,” said Chin speaking to media in Dublin yesterday.

That’s a far cry from the modern almost ascetic approach to preparation at senior level in the GAA though it is perhaps a throwback to days when a less scientific approach was the order of the day.

Created by the long-time GAA Club Championship sponsors AIB as part of its #TheToughest campaign, The Toughest Trade explores how professional sports compare to the amateur GAA games.

Michael Murphy’s switch to Rugby was a Multi-media feast

Chin flew to Canada for tonight’s show to join the Vancouver Canucks – an ice hockey team in the National Hockey League. Retired goaltender Alex Auld spent 12 years as a professional in the NHL and came in the opposite direction swapping the ice for the ash as he joined Chin’s local club in Wexford, the Faythe Harriers.

“We’ve long believed that the GAA Club players are among the toughest athletes in the world, rivaling any professional athlete,” said Mark Doyle, AIB Head of Group Brands.

“The Toughest Trade gives us platform to test out our theory. This is the third year of the documentary and will probably be the most physically challenging. We’re really excited to see how viewers react to Lee and Alex’s experiences both here and in Canada.”

Read what Alex Auld thought of the Hurling Life

Last week’s episode featuring Michael Murphy and Shane Williams, as well as all previous series, are available to view in full on AIB’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/aib.

For exclusive content and behind the scenes action from The Toughest Trade follow AIB GAA on Twitter and Instagram @AIB_GAA and facebook.com/AIBGAA.