The Hard Shoulder

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the rest of the weekend action…

Today, RTÉ said it had previously excluded Mooney from its yearly published top 10 highest paid presenter list, as he has been considered a producer since 2020. RTÉ Chief Executive Kevin Backhurst justified the broadcaster’s decision, while some have called out the parallels with the scandal which rocked RTÉ almost three years ago, after it was revealed that the national broadcaster had under-decl...

Tommy Fleming is a household name for many across the country and this week he has been thrown into the limelight once again, but this time for a very personal reason. Tommy Fleming and his wife Tina have ended their marriage and news of that broke when Tina issued a statement to the Sunday Independent. This marked the end of a 20 year marriage. Since that announcement, there have been a few thing...

While most of us have been brought up to believe that more exercise is the key to seeing the quickest and sustainable results, researchers from the University of Galway have just made a breakthrough that proves the opposite. A study observing the body’s reaction to cycling exercises identified that short bursts of intense exercise was overall more beneficial to see long-term results and for one’s...

Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and David O’Callaghan from the Here and Back Again podcast joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

Senator and Disability Rights advocate Nikki Braley is due to have her leg amputated after she tried a rotationplasty and had a prosthetic leg. She was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, at 16. She has survived multiple surgeries, including a tumour removal, two hip replacements, a femur repair, and an amputation. She joins Ciara to discuss relationship with loss, and how...

Walk into any petrol station, grocery shop or locker room today and you are likely to find a colorful tin of nicotine pouches. They are small tea-bag-like sachets containing a strong amount of flavoured Nicotine. There's no smoke, it's absorbed straight into the bloodstream. These pouches have become increasingly popular amongst young people but what are the dangers and how addictive are they? Joi...

Athlete Sonia O’Sullivan joins Ciara and Shane for this week’s Thursday Interview!

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the rest of the week’s action…

Today, Wes Streeting resigned from the UK Government, with many now expecting him to mount a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Streeting might not be the only challenge though, as former Deputy Prime Minister and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham aims to run in a local election to get back into Westminster. But, what’s the current state of events? Joining Ciara to give the late...

AIB's latest economic outlook is warning that inflation could peak at the higher rate of 7% if the Strait of Hormuz blockade continues for the rest of the year. This is in comparison to its initial case forecast of 4%. So, what does this actually mean? Joining Shane to discuss is Deloitte’s Chief Economist, Kate English.

Talks between the representatives for the National Ambulance Service and the Government in the Labour Court have concluded today regarding pay increases to end the recent ambulance strikes, but what’s been agreed? Joining Ciara to discuss is Eoin Drummey, the Waterford Regional Officer at the UNITE trade union.

Researchers say prolonged sitting is linked to everything from back pain and poor circulation to high risks of heart disease, diabetes, and even early death. But here’s the twist, it’s not about whether you exercise. Even people who are in the gym regularly can still be affected if the rest of their day is spent mostly sedentary. So how bad is sitting all day, really? Joining Shane and Ciara to di...

The Domestic Violence Charity, Sonas, is calling on the Government to amend Irish domestic violence legislation to explicitly recognise pet abuse as a distinct form of coercive control within abusive relationships. According to Sonas, concerns about pets are a significant barrier preventing some women from leaving abusive homes… Joining Ciara to discuss this is Fiona O’Malley, CEO of Sonas.

Gaelscoil waiting lists are at an all-time high. There is so much demand for them they now have a point system where children who come from Irish-speaking homes are favoured for enrollment ahead of children with one or less parents who speak Irish. Families across the country are frustrated over the waiting lists and enrollment processes. Now, parents from Dunshaughlin in County Meath have taken t...

A record number of evictions have been issued by landlords during the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 2025. The data, collated by the RTB, overlaps new rental rules which were introduced two months ago, on March 1st. Marian Finnegan, Sherry Fitzgerald Managing Director, joins Ciara to discuss.

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about. This week, Simon joins Shane and Ciara to discuss how you can be punctual!

If you are a music fan, but unsure if you should take your children to a festival, our next guest has all the tips. The Night and Day music festival is taking place in Lough Key Forest Park in Roscommon from the 29th to the 31st of May. The festival is family friendly with musicians such as The Saw Doctors, Imelda May and the Boomtown Rats playing. There are also activities to keep the kids amused...

The European Commission has confirmed that Brazilian beef and other products will be banned from the EU from 3 September unless Brazil complies with EU rules on antibiotic use in animals throughout their lifetime. The IFA welcomed the move as "an important first step”. Joining Ciara to discuss is Adam Woods, Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal and Francie Gorman, President of the Irish Farmer’s As...

Laura Guckian, Motherhood Coach and host of ‘Momfessions Podcast’, decided to go into a psychiatric hospital when her first baby was 10 months old… She joins Shane to share her story, and discuss why mothers need more support.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Shane and Ciara to discuss why an Oireachtas committee has published a report on why they are not recommending a social media ban for under 16s, and what they are recommending instead…

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the rest of the week’s action…

McAuley Park in Artane in north county Dublin was subject to an arson attack on Monday night. Locals had spent a number of years campaigning for the children's park, and it had been in use for around 12 months. Joining Ciara to discuss is Barry Heneghan, TD for Dublin Bay North.

Social Democrats Leader Holly Cairns has said opposition to her abortion law reform legislation from the Minister for Health is shocking and disappointing… The legislation calls for the removal of the three-day wait period and would remove the need for women to travel abroad for an abortion. Holly Cairns, Social Democrats Leader, joins Shane to discuss.

Ireland’s newest bathing area, Dún Laoghaire Baths, is off limits to swimmers this season because of water pollution. It's advised for swimmers not to get into the water. It was designated a bathing area in 2025 after a new jetty and access steps were built. The bathing area was found to be polluted from sewage overflows and dog poo… Newstalk’s Henry McKean visited, and he sent in this report.