The GAA Social

This podcast takes a turn around the 30 minute mark. The Kerry Golden years, the evolution of goalkeeping, dropped because of injury and never really making it back. It's all interesting reflections. Scratch a little, then the brutal impact of sitting on the sub bench becomes clear. It's not an exaggeration to say being a sub, contributed heavily to Paudie O'Mahony becoming an alcoholic. It cost h...

Cork gone, Clare out but it doesn't even come close to telling the story....

Three time All-Ireland winner and last years champion Jason Forde from Tipperary, sits down with Thomas, Oisin and five-time winner Seamus Flanagan to discuss everything from the semi-finals this weekend, the future of the game and whether we'll see both in their county colours again. a great hour- all ahead of this weekend semi-finals. Both games live on BBC television

Where do you even start? Louth beat Monaghan, Kerry creep past Tyrone challenge, Dublin come back to stun Galway & Mayo overcome Cork. We have the draw for the All-Ireland semi-finals, officiating drama, loads! A stunning weekend of football

In December 2022, Armagh GAA supporter Natalie McNally and her unborn child Dean were murdered by her ex-partner. The details of the killing, shocked everyone and continue to reverberated in all communities. The level of deception was mind-blowing. The perpetrator was convicted and sentenced to a minimum of 31 years in prison. Who was Natalie? What was she like? This podcast, free from any restric...

We've reached our final eight. Wonderful sport of football

We didn't know what to expect when Gregory McCartan sat down in front of us. Iconic midfielder for Down, All-star and double All-Ireland winner. It turned into one of our favourite podcasts of the year. Once we felt it was going one way, another right hand turn. Then again, and again. The accent, the brutal honesty, the transfer, not liking Pete McGrath, but later understanding it. Ultra dedicatio...

A spectacular weekend in Gaelic football! Louth stun Armagh, Tyrone beat Mayo, Monaghan & Meath make it through- what next for Derry and Roscommon?  Galway into quarter-finals, Kerry too. Dublin into next round, and Cork, glorious Cork. Are Donegal overrated? Tailteann Cup heroics.

Six All-Ireland titles, one more than his brothers Tomás & Marc, although Fergal was the trailblazer! He’s enough medals, that you need both hands to count them. It makes you part of Gaelic footballs most exclusive club. Bursting onto the scene in the mid nineties, Kerry seemed a million miles from winning the big prize. Darragh led that change. He defined midfield and for many, is one of the...

All the talking points covered. Can't believe Oisin isn't going to Katie Taylor. Derry v Meath & Tyrone v Mayo feel the hardest games to call. Are they?

Winning an All-Ireland club with Lavey, captain of all his school teams, Sigerson leader at Maynooth and at one stage the only Priest, playing Gaelic Football. Times have changed, but at 40 "Fr Frank" decided the priesthood wasn't for him anymore. A big call, He now works for mental health charity ALPS, connecting with young people is his thing. Dromantine retreat outside Newry was the spot where...

A wonderful weekend of Gaelic football, hurling and now we're ready for the draw on...Tuesday?

When Tommy Walsh burst onto the Kerry scene, he was the talk of the country. A similar trajectory to the David Clifford journey in those early days. Talented, physically developed and a year after playing in an All-Ireland minor final, he was with the seniors and Kerry won Sam Maguire. In 2008 there was an All-Ireland final against Tyrone "The Twin Towers of Donaghy & Walsh." The Kerins O'Rahi...

Kerry 0-16 Donegal 2-20. Where do we start? Oisin believes the GAA have backed themselves into a corner with Ger Brennan, and Jim McGuinness will face a suspension. He doesn’t believe David Clifford should have been sent off. “We could chat about this game for 9 hours there’s that much stuff.” It feels like we’re now in real championship, a huge win for Donegal in Killarney. Cork beat Meath with l...

Eoin McNicholl, 41, is a former Derry goalkeeper. More importantly, he's one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. He’s always been that guy. He played in the All-Ireland winning team of 2002, won a MacRory & Hogan Cup with St Patrick's College Maghera and he progressed into the Derry senior setup. He now works for the GAA in sports science, specialising in statistics. He's just been diagnos...

Beautiful provincial madness

He's hit the net more than any Kerry player in history. His accolades are outstanding. Clifford is chasing him down, but hasn't caught him yet. With club and County, Mikey Sheehy achieved it all. One of the greatest Gaelic footballers of all time. This is his life, his story and and what he's learned along the way. The Ups of success, the downs of missing a penalty in the 1982 All-Ireland final ag...

It seems the Provincials still have much to offer....

Catriona McGahan was a superb Gaelic footballer for Tyrone. In July last year, she fell and broke her back, leaving Catriona in a wheelchair. There will always be hope, but in the meantime there's huge positivity. The authentic kind.  This podcast is about facing adversity and living life. Through Catriona's wit and fun, the glass is always half full. Gaelic games has transported her all over the...

A mad weekend in Gaelic games as we figure out all the provincial finalists.

Three Ulster championships as a player for Tyrone and starring on the biggest day. The 1986 All-Ireland final in Croke Park, didn't work out after the break against Kerry, but Noel McGinn was pure authority in a defence filled with hard men. He was a successful player, school principal and someone respected in gaelic games and in life. He managed Dromore to their first ever county championship- bu...

It was earned and it was deserved- but it’s the shock of the championship season (outside the Down camp) and it was beautiful. 10 consecutive days in each other’s company and Down knock Donegal out of the Ulster championship. It’s only the second time Jim McGuinness has lost an Ulster championship match. Where do they go from here? Armagh v Down in Clones- could the Mournemen make an Ulster final?...

This one is very different, and hugely important. Talking periods, fertility and challenges for female athletes is tricky, especially with two men in the room but Emma O'Byrne displays a maturity way beyond her 26 years to engage in this powerful conversation. Emma has Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), most managers in womens Gaelic games are men. So, are we in tune to have these conversations? Ho...

Westmeath land the biggest shock of the weekend, and that means Down may miss out on Sam Maguire football. We'll see what Kildare have to say. Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan and defender Cameron Dowd join Thomas, Philly & Darren Hughes on the GAA Social. Recorded live on BBC iplayer after the Cavan game and you can watch it on YouTube. We thought Wicklow did well, only losing by two. Turns...

Conor Whelan will take the field this weekend as Galway begin another championship campaign. It seems, a two horse race for the big prize, and that doesn't include the current All-Ireland champions. Where does that leave Galway? Conor Whelan is different. A talented hurler and if Galway are to beat Kilkenny this weekend he'll be needed. He's different because he looks upon things, differently. Bef...