Over The Bar

It's All Ireland Football Semi Final weekend - so Ciaran O'Hara and Michael Foley are looking at a rare occurrence in a Dublin v Kerry semi final, Ciarán McDonalds record with Mayo in the final four and with Down and Wicklow meeting in the Tailteann Cup Final they run the rule over the Garden County's All Ireland Final experiences. For those who want more Gaelic Games History, you can join our Cai...

In this episode of Over The Bar , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara uncover one of the most surprising stories behind one of Gaelic football's greatest upsets. While Louth's victory over Cork is rightly celebrated, the road to Sam Maguire included an unexpected contribution from their Connacht rivals.  For those who want more Gaelic Games History, you can join our Cairde Club for less than the...

This week on Bitesize, Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara uncover the fascinating history behind this weekend's All-Ireland semi-finals. The lads explain why, when Cork meet Galway, history suggests it's better to arrive as the underdog. They also reveal why a championship meeting between Clare and Limerick has become almost as familiar as Limerick taking on Donegal, before turning their attention to...

When did Eamon Dunphy and Johnny Giles play against Galway in Tuam Stadium? In this episode of Over The Bar , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara uncover one of the most extraordinary cross-code exhibitions ever staged in Ireland, when two of the country's greatest soccer stars lined out against Galway footballers in the heart of GAA country. The lads explore why the match was organised, how it captur...

It's All Ireland Football Quarter Final weekend and the lads are looking back at Cork and Mayo's early rivalry, recounting Jack O'Shea's diary from 1986, and seeing what the history of Louth v Monaghan and Dublin v Galway tells us about their opportunities in Croke Park. For those who want more Gaelic Games History, you can join our Cairde Club for less than the price of a match programme for mont...

How did the Gaelic Athletic Association respond to 1990 FIFA World Cup? In this episode of Over The Bar , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara revisit the summer when Ireland came to a standstill. As Republic of Ireland national football team captured the imagination of the nation in Italy, the GAA found itself facing a challenge unlike any before. The lads explore how Gaelic Games adapted to the wave...

The biggest championship weekend of the year so far see's Michael Foley and Ciarán O'Hara reflecting on the Kingdom's record in Killarney, the centenary All Ireland final rematch we never expected, Down's dominance in the Tailteann Cup and how timekeeping altered Mayo and Meath history for ever more. For those who want more Gaelic Games History, you can join our Cairde Club for less than the price...

Who was the first player to appear in both an All-Ireland Football Final and an FA Cup Final? In this episode of Over The Bar , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara tell the story of Kevin Moran, the Dublin footballer who scaled the summit of Gaelic Games before forging a career at the highest level of English soccer with Manchester United. From Croke Park to Wembley, the lads explore how Moran navigat...

This week on Bitesize, Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara uncover the historical nuggets hidden in another packed weekend of championship action. The lads examine Mayo’s remarkable record against Tyrone, explain why Galway might be turning green with envy at a feat achieved by Westmeath, and reveal how no fewer than six counties will be facing a championship opponent for the very first time this week...

In this episode of Over The Bar , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara set out to answer a seemingly simple question about the origins of Sligo’s colours. What follows is a journey through local history, sporting tradition and a series of unexpected twists that take the story far beyond the boundaries of Gaelic Games. Along the way, the lads discover connections that somehow bring Leonard Cohen and Kim...

This week on Bitesize, Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara delve into the history behind three of the biggest games on the Hurling calendar. As Dublin and Galway meet in the Leinster Final, the lads uncover the historical threads linking the counties. There’s also a look at the latest chapter in the modern rivalry between Cork and Limerick ahead of the Munster decider, while the Joe McDonagh Cup final...

What happened in Kiltimagh in 1922, when the brother of one of Mayo’s most famous footballers became entangled in one of the most controversial episodes of the Civil War? In this episode of Over The Bar , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara examine the killing of two men in Kiltimagh and the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the case. Set against the turmoil of a country at war with itself, the...

This week on Bitesize, Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara dig into the stories and statistics hiding behind another huge weekend of championship action. The lads look at the historical edge to Armagh in the qualifiers, revisit the intriguing championship relationship between Mayo and Ulster opponents, and examine when Dublin last suffered defeat to Louth. There’s also a look ahead to the Nicky Rackar...

What did Mick Mackey say to Christy Ring in one of the most iconic photographs in GAA history? In this episode of Over The Bar , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara dig into the story behind the famous image of two hurling giants locked in conversation — a photograph that has sparked curiosity and speculation for generations. The lads explore the context of the meeting, the relationship between two of...

In the latest episode of Bitesize, Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara dig into the historical threads hidden within this weekend’s big fixtures. As Kerry prepare to face Donegal, the lads examine Jack O'Connor’s fascinating record against Ulster opposition. There are also some remarkable and unusual doubles on the line for London and New York, while the meeting of Corkand Clare opens the door to one...

How did Kilkenny come to wear black and amber? In this episode of Over The Bar , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara uncover the remarkable story behind one of the most iconic jerseys in Irish sport. From its origins and how it became a unifying symbol across the county, to its unexpected role in what may have been the GAA’s first image-rights controversy, the black and amber carries far more history...

Episode 2 of our bonus series as Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara uncover the hidden historical stories behind the weekend’s fixtures. In this episode, the lads explore Armagh and Monaghan's history in Ulster Finals, how rare a Clare and Tipp clash in Thurles is, just where Wexford's rivalry with Offaly comes from and the Dubs phenomenal record in Leinster Football finals. For those who want more G...

What ground has almost broken the Gaelic Athletic Association — twice? In this episode of  Over The Bar , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara tell the dramatic story of Páirc Uí Chaoimh, a stadium whose ambition, scale and cost brought the GAA to the brink on more than one occasion. From its original development to the financial turmoil surrounding its modern redevelopment, the lads explore how o...

Welcome to Bitesize, a brand-new bonus series from  Over The Bar , where Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara uncover the hidden historical stories behind the weekend’s fixtures. In the first episode, the lads explore the unwanted record the Cork footballers are hoping to avoid, why there’s something historically significant about Kildare facing Galway in the Leinster...

In this episode of  Over The Bar , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara chart the rise of a Meath side that transformed itself from contenders into champions during one of Gaelic football’s most intense rivalries. From a hardened mentality and relentless physical edge to key figures and defining moments, the lads explore how Meath closed the gap year by year — and turned the balance of power on it...

In this episode of  Over The Bar , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara dig into the history of Derry’s distinctive colours — and the surprising truth that, in many ways, their exact origin remains unclear. Tracing early records, changes over time and the evolution of the county’s identity, the lads explore what we do know, what we don’t, and how the red and white became firmly established despite...

In this episode of  Over The Bar , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara trace the origins of the GAA’s most iconic television programme — from its early days as a highlights experiment to becoming a central part of the summer for generations of supporters. The lads explore how RTÉ and the Gaelic Athletic Association combined to bring championship action into living rooms across the country, changi...

Why do London and New York play in the Connacht Championship? In this episode of  Over The Bar , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara explore how teams based outside Ireland — one just across the water, the other across the Atlantic — became part of the western province’s championship structure. For those who want more Gaelic Games History, you can join our Cairde Club for less than the price of a...

In this episode of  Over The Bar , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara explore the deep and often overlooked links between the GAA and the 1916 Rising. From players and officials who became Volunteers to the broader role the Association played in shaping national identity, the lads piece together the scale of GAA involvement in 1916. For those who want more Gaelic Games History, you can join our...

What was Limerick’s most important All-Ireland win? In this episode of  Over The Bar , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara make the case for 1973 — a victory that meant far more than silverware. Ending decades of waiting, it reignited hurling in the county and reshaped Limerick’s sense of belief and identity. The lads explore the context, the characters and the lasting impact of a triumph that di...