Over The Bar - The Gaelic Games History Podcast

In this Episode Michael and Ciarán are joined by Joe Ó Muircheartaigh to discuss the fascinating journey of how a set of Cork Jerseys ended up in Dingle and went on to Croke Park, where Kerry donned Red and White for the 1939 All Ireland Final.

Part 3 brings the Offaly story full circle — beginning with the high point of their third All-Ireland final of the 1990s, when the county stood firmly among hurling’s elite. But what followed was a long, difficult descent. Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara trace how Offaly slipped from the summit, through years of struggle and soul-searching, down to life in the Christy Ring and Joe McDonagh Cups. T...

Part 2 of our 3 part series. From the breakthrough of the 1989 Minor All-Ireland final to the epic three-game showdown with Clare in 1998, Part 2 tracks the years when belief turned into bite. Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara chart how Offaly hardened through near-misses, momentum shifts and unforgettable battles — no longer plucky outsiders, but a county ready to take on hurling’s elite.

How did Offaly grow into a hurling superpower in the 1980s and 1990s? In Part 1 of this three-part mini-series, Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara trace a quieter, more organic revolution — driven not by sweeping reforms, but by people. This episode explores how a committed group of players, coaches and administrators gradually reshaped attitudes, standards and ambition within the county, bringing Of...

What’s the longest run ever to win an All-Ireland? The answer lies in Tyrone’s epic 2005 campaign. Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara are joined by Peter Canavan to relive a championship journey that went the distance — physically, mentally, and emotionally. A marathon season that redefined what it took to reach the summit.

After Dublin’s 1977 All-Ireland win, Tony Hanahoe became the biggest name in the GAA — but the seasons that followed were anything but straightforward. In Part 2, Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara uncover the pressures, setbacks and flashpoints that shaped Hanahoe’s post-glory years and tested the Dubs like never before.

In this edition of Over The Bar, Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara explore one of the most pioneering figures in the history of Gaelic Games — the first player-manager to guide his team to All-Ireland success. How did he command a dressing room while still lining out beside the very men he was managing? What kind of tactical mind and character does it take to lead from both the sideline and the fiel...

It's the root cause of the great Galway and Mayo rivalry, so how were both awarded Connacht's first All Ireland Victory in 1925 and why is it Galway who retain it on their roll of honour, Michael Foley and Ciaran O' Hara reveal all in this episode.

In the mid nineties Neil Jordan finally had the opportunity to bring the story of the Big Fella to screen, but how accurate was his depiction of Bloody Sunday. In this episode Michael Foley explains all in the company of Ciaran O'Hara.

Hill 16 is one of the best known and best loved parts of any stadium in Ireland, but how did it get its name? In this Episode Michael Foley and Ciaran O'Hara bust some of the myths about the name's origin and reveal it's complex history as a monument to the fallen.

Michael Foley and Ciaran O'Hara examine where the All Stars concept came from, how the first All Star teams were selected and how they came to play in San Francisco.

In this episode Michael Foley and Ciaran O'Hara look at the remarkable career of Dublin's Jim Stynes. They reveal how he was recruited, what he achieved and his lasting legacy in Australia.

In this episode Michael Foley and Ciaran O'Hara are joined by Cormac Moore, author of 'The GAA v Douglas Hyde' to reveal the complex story of how the GAA came to expel the first President Of The State.

In this episode Michael Foley and Ciaran O'Hara are joined by Historian, Author and Broadcaster Paul Rouse to discuss the basis of his book 'The Hurlers', that being the playing of the first All Ireland Hurling Final and the chaotic championship that preceded it.

The GAA wrestled for years with the issue of sponsorship and in particular Jersey sponsorship. In this episode Michael Foley and Ciaran O'Hara examine how that changed and ask who was the first GAA team to wear a sponsors logo, who followed and the impact that had on the association in the years since.

In this episode of Over The Bar – The Gaelic Games History Podcast , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara trace the origins of the Rebel County’s famous jersey. From unexpected twists in history to the lasting legacy of red, they reveal how Cork found its true colours.

As Croke Park prepares to host the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings in the NFL this weekend. Michael Foley and Ciaran O'Hara investigate the game's origin and when America's game was first played on Ireland's hallowed ground.

Why was the 1947 All-Ireland Football Final played in New York’s Polo Grounds? In the very first episode of Over The Bar – The GAA History Podcast , Michael Foley and Ciaran O’Hara are joined by Paul Fitzpatrick to uncover the remarkable story behind the only All-Ireland ever staged outside Ireland. From the politics and post-war backdrop to the players’ journey across the Atlantic, this episode d...