The Sideline Live Podcast

On episode 189 I am joined by former Superleague winners Conor Meany and Mark Reynolds to preview the upcoming men's Superleague Basketball season for 25/26. This state of the game episode not only previews the 25/26 season as we also discuss the headline stories across Irish basketball including player development, transfers, Irish players and professionals, facilities and more. Tune in and g...

On episode 188 I am very excited to be joined by author of legacy James Kerr. James is a talented author with an exceptional eye for stories & finding purpose or meaning. His insights into elite sport are remarkable and is known world wide for his time spent following the most successful rugby team ever, the All Blacks and writing his award winning book legacy.  James and I had been in contact...

On episode 187 I am delighted to be joined by Richie Donnelly, 2021 All-Ireland winner with Tyrone and entrepreneur. Richie suffered a serious knee injury and at the time of the chat was in the middle of intense rehab. He is currently in the throws of a club championship with his club Trillick in one of if not the toughest competitions in the country. In 2021 he set up Natur & co, a social wel...

On episode 186 I am delighted to be joined by former Sligo Senior Football manager Tony McEntee. This episode was recorded prior to his appointment to the Down senior management team. We discuss his approach as an Inter-County manager, his work with Sligo, how he picks a backroom team, new rules and his honest approach with players. He also shares his thoughts on balancing sport and life at the in...

On episode 185 I am thrilled to be joined by one of the legends in Irish sport Lindsay Peat. An Irish underage international (in soccer), former Irish senior women's point guard, 2010 All-Ireland winner with the dublin senior ladies team and then took up international rugby at 35 years of age in 2015 Lindsay is a rare athlete in the world of sport, especially the modern age of specialisation....

On episode 184 I am delighted to be joined by David Clancy. David is a physio by trade, and is now focusing in Professional Development & Recruitment for NBA, NFL, Premier League. We discuss what separates the great athletes from the rest, how environment influences teams, why some performance staff make it to the elite levels, his book and his essential skills event coming to Dublin this Octo...

On episode 183 I am delighted to be joined by Galway and Kilmacud Crokes senior footballer Shane Walsh. We discuss what it means to be skillful, developing his skillset and locker, what he practices on the pitch, the art of kicking, and the importance of visualisation. This was a fascinating insight into the mentality and attitude of one of the most skilled footballers in the country! We dive into...

On episode 182 CJ Fulton returns as a guest to discuss his recent time in the NBA Summerleague and his college career.  We recorded an episode in 2021 while he was attending Winchendon Prep School in Massachusetts. Since then he has gone from strength to strength in college at Lafayette and college of Charleston and recently earned a summer league roster spot with the Minnesota Timberwolves.  The...

On this episode 181 I am delighted to be joined by Ronan Conway. An expert in team cohesion and connection with clients including sports teams, corporates and the irish prison system.   At one point, he had it all on paper — a degree from UCC, a promising hurling career with Cork, and a good job in the tech industry. But beneath the surface, he was drifting. We explore the journey from feeling los...

On this episode of The Sideline Live podcast, I sit down with Eileen Roche, Director of Basketball Operations at Stanford. We dive into her incredible journey as a multi-sport athlete, coach, and long-time leader behind one of college basketball’s most successful programs. Eileen and I met in September 2022 while I visited Stanford and clicked straight away. Growing up in Brooklyn she was an accom...

On episode 179 I am delighted to be joined by Alan O’Mara. Author of 'The Best Is Yet To Come' and founder of 'Real Talks' , mental performance coach  podcast host and wellbeing speaker. He is also a previous inter-county goalkeeper with Cavan and manager with New York in 2024. We dive deep into Alan’s journey from inter-county football to working with top athletes, coaches and tea...

On episode 178 I am delighted to be joined by former tennis professional, a former world top 130 player, the most successful Irish tennis player in the open era, Conor Niland. He is also known for his award winning book, The Racket, which was awarded the prestigious William Hill Sports book of the year in 2024, becoming the 3rd Irish author to win the award behind Paul Kimmage (Rough Ride in 1990)...

On episode 177 I am delighted to be joined by Shane McEntee. Former Meath captain, current St Peters Dunboyne senior footballer and GAA plus pundit.  (Note this episode was recorded the day before the All-Ireland quarter final win over Galway) 01:00 For the first 30 minutes Shane and I debate the current rules, inter county calendar, 7s, penalties, the minor and senior double header finals and mor...

On episode 176 I am delighted to be joined by All-ireland winner club football manager with Cuala, Austin O’Malley.  The former Mayo and Wicklow inter county footballer was involved in both the 2004 and 2006 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship finals with Mayo. O'Malley won the 2006 Dublin Senior Football Championship while playing for UCD and lined out with St. Vincent's in Marino. H...

On episode 175 I check in with one of Ireland’s biggest college signings and one of 9 Irish girls entering Division 1 college basketball Emma Tolan.  Emma recently signed with the University of Oklahoma, one of America’s most well known sports programmes they compete in the SEC and are ranked 7th in the nation. From Cavan to the SEC she learnt her trade at Cavan Eagles and Virginia College winning...

On episode 174 I am delighted to be joined by a legend of athletics and para sport Jason Smyth. The fastest Paralympian in history — a six-time Paralympic gold medallist and the only athlete to ever run 100m in under 11 seconds in the T13 classification for visual impairment he is a legend of the sport. But above all that Jason went unbeaten throughout his ENTIRE 19 YEAR CAREER. He dominated the g...

On episode 173 Off the Ball journalist Eoin Sheahan joins the podcast to unpack his captivating podcast series, Diverted, chronicling his travels across Latin America through the lens of sport, culture, and personal discovery.  We dive into the creative process behind crafting a documentary-style podcast on the move, exploring stories from Palestine football in South America, basketball in Guatema...

On this episode of The Sideline Live Podcast , Orla sits down with renowned Irish athletics coach Jeremy Lyons for an in-depth conversation on the art and science of coaching. From developing young talent at grassroots level to preparing athletes for the biggest stage in sport; the Olympic Games. Jeremy has been a key figure in Irish track and field for over two decades, bringing a wealth of knowl...

On this episode of The Sideline Live, Orla Keeling sits down with Irish boxer Gráinne Walsh for a powerful conversation on identity, mindset, and the craft of elite performance. From her early days in Offaly sport to competing on the international stage, Gráinne opens up about the moments that shaped her — both in and out of the ring. We explore the psychology of pressure, details that make a smar...

On episode 170 I am delighted to be joined by Sharon Madigan Head of Performance Nutrition at Sport Ireland Institute. Sharon also sits on the committee for the Olympic Games on nutrition for the Olympic village. She is a proven leader and innovator in the space of nutrition. We discuss her career from a part time role with the Irish boxing team to leading a department, making sushi and €300 melon...

On episode 169 I am delighted to be joined by Kilmacud Crokes chairperson Joan Kehoe. Joan is a successful business woman with experience across many roles from founding two companies, to a global leadership role at JP Morgan, to CEO, and more. Originally from Wexford she moved to Stillorgan and joined Kilmacud Crokes and filled a number of roles within the club before becoming chairperson. She is...

On episode 168 I am delighted to be joined by former international and professional footballer Julie-Ann Russell.  A talented all around athlete she recently retired from football at club and international level, however has refused to sit still and has returned to play basketball and Gaelic football with Moycullen (plus running a marathon and probably a Hyrox down the line).  Julie-Ann returned t...

On episode 167 I am delighted to interview athletics journalist Cathal Dennehy. This is the first episode of a brand new series called The State of the Game where we discuss current topics and events across all sports. In this episode we discuss the state of Irish athletics, the future, the funding pathways and reality of being a professional from Ireland. We also highlight those at the top of the...

On episode 166 I am delighted to be joined by sports psychologist and author Tony Óg Regan. a leading sports psychologist, author, and former Galway senior hurler. With a decorated playing career that included three All-Ireland final appearances and multiple Connacht titles, Tony Óg has successfully transitioned from the pitch to the performance space, where he now works with athletes, teams, and...

On episode 165 I am joined by Michelle O'Connor, mental skills coach and consultant. Michelle is a leading Performance Psychology Consultant, Elite Performance Coach and Therapeutic Specialist Michelle has worked with back to back All-Ireland winning Cork senior camogie team and spent time with Kerry Ladies team. She also supports individual athletes at elite and international level across mul...