The Hard Shoulder

As the 2025 camogie season is about to kick off, it raises the question of how to encourage and support young women to stay in sport. Young girls are significantly more likely to quit team sports during exam years compared to their male peers, but why is that, and how can we support our young girls to stay in sport? Joining Kieran to discuss is Donegal GAA player Abigail Temple Asokuh and Anna Gea...

Former Mayo footballer David Brady joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

New proposed asylum legislation would see the processing time for asylum seekers reduced from 18 months to just three months if passed. The Minister for Justice is seeking approval to progress legislation to address processing times. It would also restrict hearings and see the introduction of a new state body with responsibility for appeals. Officers will be given new powers to issue deportations...

The BBC does not have a “toxic culture” but there is a “minority of people who behave unacceptably and whose behaviour is not addressed”, that is according to an independent review published which comes in the wake of the scandal of disgraced former Newsreader Huw Edwards. Joining Kieran to discuss this is Alley Einstein, UK Journalist.

Spain and Portugal are still getting over the very sudden power outage that caused havoc across the countries yesterday. Power lines, phone coverage, water connections, trains, traffic lights - you name it, it all stopped at the same time putting the both countries to a standstill yesterday… Simon Hunter is a Spain-based journalist, and he joins Kieran to give the latest updates. Image: Reuters

The trial of Richard Satchwell has kicked off, with the Cork man being accused of killing his wife Tina Satchwell in 2017 in their home in Youghal, Co. Cork. Tina Satchwell originally went missing back in 2017, but her remains were discovered last year at their Cork residence in a makeshift grave under the stairs. With more details of the trial, Newstalk Southern Reporter Jamie O’Hara joins Kieran...

It’s almost been a year since Kieran’s guest became the first directly-elected Mayor of Limerick. How has the role been for him so far, and should the direct mayoral election be taken elsewhere? John Moran joins to discuss.

Hundreds of tonnes of dog poo end up in our bins every week, but are compostable or plastic dog poo bags the way to go? Henry McKean has been speaking to dog owners and vets, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Solo travel continues to grow in popularity, but what are the top travel tips if you are planning a solo trip? Joining Anton Savage to discuss is Joan Scales, Travel Journalist, Clare Dunne, Chief executive of the Irish Travel Agents Association and Rory King from Rory’s Travel Club.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. It will run from 8 May to 11 May, the Kremlin said on Telegram. It also comes following a much discussed meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelenskyy over the weekend. Bill Browder, Financier and Commentator, joins guest host Anton Savage to discuss. Image: Reuters

For this week’s Kids Health Check, guest host Anton Savage is joined by Dr. Iseult Sheehan Clinical Director at Allergy Ireland to discuss how you can support your teenagers while they are doing their Junior and Leaving Cert exams.

Electricity has returned to parts of northern, southern and western Spain, but the impact of a power outage across part of Europe today is still being felt. Guest host Anton Savage is joined by Newstalk Reporter Kamron Clarke to bring you up to date, and Travel Journalist at TravelExtra.ie , Eoghan Corry, joins to discuss.

Former Bishop of Ferns Brendan Comiskey, who resigned in April 2002 over failing to address allegations of clerical sexual abuse in the diocese, has died aged 89. The allegations resulted in an inquiry into child sexual abuse known as the Ferns Report. Joining guest host Anton Savage to discuss is Founder and former Director of One in Four, Colm O’Gorman…

Over 800 thousand people may have to wait longer for their pensions, as Cabinet is expected to further delay the auto-enrolment pension scheme until January 2026, instead of the original September 2025 deadline… Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary is expected to tell colleagues that more time is needed to deliver what is described as a “complex” system. Sinn Féin says the scheme has been prom...

A statutory maximum working temperature is among the proposals being put forward by the union Unite to protect workers in extreme weather conditions. Unite is proposing four days paid ‘climate leave’ for those travelling in hazardous conditions, along with a maximum working temperature, which they believe is dependent on the type of work. Joining Anton Savage to discuss this is John Barry, Founder...

Parking panic is sweeping Gen Z, with two-thirds of young drivers admitting they’ve asked parents or friends to park for them! New research from the UK shows that parking fears are so bad, many would rather walk further or avoid tight spaces altogether than attempting a tricky manoeuvre. Lara Lewis, Driving Instructor and Saoirse Hanley, Journalist at the Irish Independent join guest host Anton Sa...

The latest marriage statistics for Ireland have been released. The figures show the number of couples getting married in the traditional Catholic way is declining. The gap between marriages in a church compared to civil ceremonies is narrowing even more. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been examining the figures.

This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Ireland is set to land in Edinburg tomorrow for the last round of the Women’s Six Nations Championship against Scotland. Ireland will look to end the competition on a high but Scotland will hope to repeat their win against the girls in green when they last played in the country in 2023… Joining Kieran to discuss is Alison Miller, former Irish International and Megan Gaffney, former Scottish Intern...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to talk about how you can make meals that will get your kids to actually enjoy what they’re eating! Image: aislinglarkin.ie

Off The Ball's Mick McCarthy joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action… Image: @LFC on Twitter

Tesla boss Elon Musk has led the newly created advisory body - the Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE) - since last year; however, he has said his "time allocation to Doge" would "drop significantly" from next month, adding he would spend only one to two days per week on it after accusations he has taken his focus off Tesla… Joining Kieran to discuss is his father: Errol Musk. Image: Reute...

Holiday season is just around the corner, and while you’re booking flights and packing bags, there’s one thing you can’t afford to forget: travel insurance. Joining Kieran to discuss is Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent, Pricewatch Editor and Co-Host of the ‘In the News’ podcast.

A new Oireachtas committee focusing on artificial intelligence has been established headed by Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne. He joins Kieran to discuss what they hope to achieve.

Kieran is joined by Sarina Bellissimo, Entertainment journalist and John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime to talk through what to watch on the box.