The Hard Shoulder

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the week’s action…

Over the weekend, US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward Walsh travelled to Conor McGregor’s pub, The Black Forge, with the Ambassador posing with McGregor’s fighting belts.The Dublin Rape Crisis have condemned the ambassador saying it normalises sexual violence against women and they are dismayed…Joining Ciara to discuss this is Ruth Coppinger, Solidarity TD.If you have been affected by this interview,...

US President Donald Trump has said that the US military will launch a fresh wave of strikes at Iran later tonight…Joining Shane to discuss this is Patrick Bury, Defence Expert at the University of Bath, former NATO analyst & Kevin McPartland CEO of Fuels for Ireland.Image: Reuters

Dynamic pricing at the World Cup has led fans to pay a minimum of one thousand dollars for a ticket. But, why is it allowed, and how are fans coping with the high prices?Henry McKean is just back from New York where the final will be held on Sunday the 19th of July at 8pm Irish time, and joins Ciara to discuss.

The Carlton Cinema site on O'Connell Street has been bought by Transport Infrastructure Ireland as it looks to transform the location into a central part of the Metrolink project.Joining Shane to discuss this is Sunday Independent Columnist, Conor Skehan.

In today's Irish Times, Columnist Kathy Sheridan wrote a piece on ID cards, noting that we are one of only 2 EU countries that don’t require citizens to carry ID cards. So, should we create national ID cards?Joining Shane to discuss is Antoin Ó Lachtnáin, Director at Digital Rights Ireland.

Every week for The Ultimate Guide on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world.This week, Fionn joined Ciara and Shane to give the ultimate guide to Stockport in Manchester!

Parents and teachers across Ireland are being asked to complete a new national survey which will be used to develop new guidelines for primary schools to best support families and children through separation, divorce and other family changes.The survey, which is conducted by One Family, The Separation Network and ‘WHAT WORKS’ aims to provide a broader picture of the best support that can be put in...

The National Lottery operator is rolling out a new campaign to reduce what its regulator has called an “unacceptable” number of retailers who are failing to implement rules around the sale of lotto products to children…Joining Ciara to discuss is Carol Boate, Regulator of the National Lottery.

A new proposal for the EU Common Agricultural Policy, or CAP, would allow farmers more room to take holidays and sick leave, with farmers getting an average of only 10.3 days of holiday a year, slightly more than the 20 an industrial worker gets. However, some farmers are still to be convinced about the viability of the scheme.Joining Shane to discuss is Hannah Quinn-Mulligan, an organic beef and...

The French courts have shortened Marine Le Pen’s ban ⁠on running for elected office after they upheld her conviction for embezzling European parliament funds. This could potentially open up a path for the far-right leader to run in the 2027 presidential race.Joining Ciara to discuss is David Herszenhorn, European Affairs Editor at the Washington Post...

Frances Fitzgerald, member of the Gender Equality Advisory Committee to the G7, former Minister, Tánaiste and MEP, joins Ciara and Shane to place her favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has announced he is resigning as an MP, triggering a by-election in Clacton.For more on this and Prince Harry losing his Daily Mail privacy case, Shane is joined by Adam Boulton, Political Commentator and former Sky News Political Editor...

New figures from the CSO shows data centres account for nearly a-quarter of electricity usage in Ireland, while electricity consumption rose by ten per cent last year alone…Leader of the Green Party, Roderic O’Gorman, joins Ciara to discuss.

As part of the press tour for their new movie ‘The Invite’ actors Olivia Wilde and Edward Norton were speaking with Sky News reporter Debbie Ridgard and Norton’s Irish ancestry came up, and he mentioned Limerick as ‘Stab City’.While some have found it funny, he’s upset others who feel it's an outdated stereotype and not representative of Limerick currently…Joining Shane to discuss is singer-songwr...

A vote will be held tomorrow on a non-binding motion that seeks to impose EU sanctions preventing the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Limerick from exporting to Russia.Fine Gael are voting in favour of the amendment, but Fianna Fáil are abstaining from the vote, believing sanctions would hurt Europe more than Russia.Joining Ciara to discuss this is Regina Doherty, Fine Gael MEP for Dublin and Cynthi...

Jude Bellingham told England fans to text your bosses and say you're not coming into work.Even though the Republic of Ireland didn't qualify for this World Cup, is your boss giving you some wriggle room to enjoy the weather and watch the late night matches in the tournament?Henry McKean in this report…

Junior Minister with Responsibility for Road Safety Seán Canney has said he is “not ruling anything out” when it comes to tackling road safety.One issue on our roads the Minister wants to tackle surrounds e-scooters. There has been an increase in incidents and injuries, with many hospital consultants warning about the dangers of them…Minister Canney says he wants to see mandatory registration for...

Former swimming coach George Gibney has been found guilty of the attempted rape of a girl in the 1970s. He was also convicted of abusing three other girls on various dates in the 1970s and 1980s.Joining Shane with the latest updates is Newstalk’s Courts Correspondent, Frank Greaney.

As Ireland transitions away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources, we are bound to see more on and off-shore wind turbines popping up around the country. But, one TD has taken issue with turbines around the country, saying the noise they emit is affecting the sleep of local communities…Joining Shane to discuss is Richard O’Donoghue, Independent Ireland TD for Limerick County, and Just...

Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes has returned to Ireland after representing Cape Verde in the World Cup. The team was eliminated by Argentina, despite a strong effort from the team.He was met with huge support in Dublin Airport, with Newstalk Reporter Maggie Chambers being able to catch up with him and his family.She joins Shane to discuss.

For this week’s Kids Clinic, Shane is joined by Iseult White, Psychotherapist and author, to discuss how you can maintain structure for your kids during the summer holidays.

Nigel Farage said he has "done no wrongdoing" after it emerged he did not declare benefits provided by an ally once convicted of fraud in the United States.For more on this, Shane is joined by LBC’s Shelagh Fogarty...

Controversy over the weekend as US President Donald Trump intervened in the World Cup by calling FIFA to review the red card placed on team USA player Folarin Balogun during their match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.Sports Writer Kieran Cunningham joins Shane to discuss why people are not happy over this interference…

Mark Cullen, who was shot dead on Sunday morning in Dun Laoghaire, had gone to a pre-arranged meeting before being wounded in the leg and bleeding to death, according to Gardaí. This was the country’s first fatal shooting since 2024.Joining Shane to discuss this incident is Social Democrats Spokesperson for Justice, Gary Gannon.