The GAA Social

Wicklow are promoted & Oisin McConville walks on water. Well, sort of. Fab Fermanagh

Three cruciate surgeries would finish most players- not Niamh McLaughlin! A professional footballer with Newcastle & Sunderland, a European championship final and a trip to the World Cup with Republic of Ireland shattered because of injury. Despite this, Niamh picks herself off the floor and earned the biggest individual accolade in Gaelic football- Player of the Year. It's a fascinating insig...

Louth were in division four. Three short years later, they are one game away from promotion to division one. It's a tough one though- Dublin in Croke Park. We reflect on the Louth project and ask where can they go? Is Mickey Harte the greatest ever- where does he sit? We reflect on a weekend of drama across the Allianz Leagues and preview the final weekend of action- including a Tyrone/ Armagh cli...

Shane Walsh is one of GAA’s biggest stars. The All-Ireland final shootout between him and David Clifford will go down as one of the greatest battles of all-time. The Galway star sits down with Thomas Niblock & Oisin McConville in a reveal all podcast, providing a rare insight into one Gaelic Games most influential sportsmen. There’s much to discuss. Shane transferred from his club Kilkerrin/Cl...

It's the GAA Social Extra on a Monday. We look ahead to the key games across the divisions, and the #AskOisin element has grown. Will he manage Armagh someday? Thomas was stunned by his answer. Kingdom fears are tossed aside by Oisin (Good news for our Kerry listeners- bad news for everyone else) and we ask the question when will teams stop taking the Ulster championship seriously. Rian O'Neill po...

It was the most controversial transfer in GAA history. Seanie Johnston decided to move from Cavan to Kildare. What followed was an precedented journey, reporters at home, camera crews following his every move and in July 2012, Kildare met Cavan in the championship. His parents left the country and during the huge story- there was drama at every turn. For the first time, Seanie lifts the lid on how...

Monday has developed into #AskOisin- so we discuss the below: -Wicklow win promotion eliminator & Preview of Seanie Johnston podcast -Tyrone at their best when written off -Armagh still possibility of relegation- despite win. -Choke Tackle -Oisin picks who will win Sam. Top four teams. -Dublin/ Derry review -Oisin will remain as U12’s manager in Crossmaglen. Training starts on Wednesday. -Whic...

Darragh McGurn is one of the most impressive young footballers playing Gaelic football. During lockdown, he binned a career in Aerospace engineering to start-up an Instagram page aimed at fitness. It’s taken off. Over 80,000 followers across social media he created a business to compliment his commitment to Fermanagh Gaelic football. An active social media as an inter-county footballer is tricky g...

Oisin believes Tyrone "could" go down. It's a concerning time for Tyrone supporters after a heavy defeat to Mayo over the weekend. Armagh returned from Kerry empty handed but Oisin believes they deserved more. Westmeath limbo and Where are Dublin now the big guns are back in blue? Michael Murphy says Derry & Mayo are the two in-form teams in Gaelic football- Oisin agrees! We also reflect on th...

This is the most powerful episode of the GAA Social. Oisin McConville & Thomas Niblock take in the remarkable story of Armagh Gaelic footballer Aoife Lennon. The former NI soccer international explains how anorexia almost ended her life and continues to have an influence on her daily and sporting day-to-day. Afraid of pasta, anxiety and a menstrual cycle that's been missing for a decade. These...

Oisin McConville and Thomas Niblock reflect upon week three of the Allianz leagues. Big wins for Roscommon, Dublin, Mayo and Monaghan- Derry revival continues and a clinker between Down and Fermanagh. The Podcast also reflects on Jarlath Burns election to the Presidency of the GAA and what it means moving forward. Oisin doubles down on the differences between North & South!

Conn Kilpatrick opens the can on Tyrone and discusses one of the most asked questions in Gaelic Games- why does everyone hate Tyrone? Oisin McConville, Thomas Niblock & Conn try to work out the answer. That's the fun bit- Rocky IV is too! With Conn there's also a serious story. An accomplished footballer, an All-Ireland winner- an addict. recovering from gambling- and failing. It's been a chal...

Today’s GAA Social is something different. Omagh CBS Won their 5th MacRory Cup title on Sunday. Immediately after the game, players of the team and management join Thomas Niblock for a unique insight into the biggest sporting day for young Gaelic footballers. What it takes, why it means so much and immediate reaction, recorded just moments after winning the match.

In a revealing episode of the GAA social- Allstar and 2022 Ulster winning captain Chrissy McKaigue reveals he was going to walk away from the Derry squad- just weeks before a first championship title in almost a quarter of a century. In a personal and brilliant episode of the podcast, McKaigue believes Derry are good enough to win an All-Ireland, his relationship with other club players, how that’...

The weekend reviewed- and Oisin loses the battle of Crossmaglen Felt like championship in Armagh. Natalie McNally remembered on an extraordinary day with a remarkable comeback. Worrying signals for Monaghan and Donegal- Oisin make his call on who will drop from division one. Derry going well, a great win for Down (In perhaps a strange way) Cavan for promotion, Meath & O’Rourke’s comments and C...

Jarlath Burns is aiming to become GAA President. For 1 hour Thomas Niblock asks him about what changes he’d introduce, aims for the association and going again after failing to be elected three years ago. There are issues. Jarlath gives a unique insight into GAA thinking around the Glen-Kilmacud debacle. We talk about the forward mark, integration with the Camogie Association and the LGFA, amateur...

Emotional day in Ballybofey as the All-Ireland champions start 2023 with a defeat. There’s also no need for Tyrone to panic. When one Shane Walsh isn’t enough and the madness of modern day goalkeeping- it’s here to stay. We have all the analysis from the opening league games in the new GAA season. Also, In his first Allianz league game as manager Oisin McConville talks through his first game in ch...

Late last year Michael Murphy shocked the GAA world by announcing his retirement. Rumours circulated. In this episode of the GAA Social, the former Donegal captain sets the record straight. He's one of the most well-known, gifted footballers of a generation- but someone we know very little about. Michael joins Thomas Niblock & Oisin McConville to talk about drive, joining the BBC team as an an...

The GAA Social is back! Not one, but two episodes per week in 2023! The award winning podcast series, voted Irish Sports podcast of the year in 2022, will have Oisin McConville joining Thomas Niblock every week. The biggest names connected to Gaelic Games will be interviewed in an exciting 2023 schedule. First- it’s Michael Murphy. The former Donegal captain shocked just about everyone in announci...

From child prodigy to 'Hurling player of the year' Austin Gleeson is one of the sports biggest names and he’s on the GAA Social. In an open and frank podcast, the 2016 Player-of-the-year talks openly about mental frailties in Waterford, his doubts, what went wrong in 2022, Davy Fitzgerald as the new boss and his firm belief that he will win the All-Ireland- and it could happen in 2023. He speaks o...

Allstar nominee Rian O'Neill joins Thomas Niblock and Oisin Mcconville. Rian talks winning an All-Ireland, reputation for being bad, what is a main man and delaing with pressure. Rian brings us into the moment for the summer defining free-kick against Galway- was it better that Sean O'Shea's? Rian also brings us into the mind of a modern day top level gaelic footballer- the aspiration and winning...

Niall Morgan & Rory Beggan are two of the best goalkeepers in Gaelic football. Rivals, fiercely competitive and for the first time the GAA Social brings them both on a podcast to talk goalkeeping. Whats changed- where it’s going and why Niall Morgan believes teams will soon start playing without a goalkeeper. It’s a fascinating listen about the most talked about position in Gaelic football- an...

In a deeply personal and revelaing podcast, former Offaly All-Ireland winner Michael Duignan explains the loss of his wife Edel to cancer. The decade that preceeded it and letters written by Edel, to be read after her death. The "guilt" of moving on and faith of Edel, in Michael, and his ability to raise their two sons alone. It's moving, powerful and brutually honest. The podcast also examines th...

It's non-stop laughter!! When Oisin McConville is questioned is he the father of his daughter? (Yes you read that correctly) you know this podcast is going to be a bit different. Benny Tierney, a unique man with a brilliant football story. Is there room in the game for craic and fun? As we approach the 20th anniversary of the only time Armagh won Sam Maguire- we bring the band back together for th...

In one of the most powerful, honest and explosive episodes of the GAA Social yet- Former Meath manager Andy McEntee explains what it’s really like being an inter-county manager. There was an attempt to oust he former All-Ireland winning club coach in October 2021- but Andy survived and was backed ferociously by the clubs in Meath. This is his account of what happened, the trust that was lost, the...