The Sideline Live Podcast

THE CHAMP IS HERE! On episode 164 I am delighted to be joined by Olympic gold and bronze medalist Daniel Wiffen. We discuss his mentality, the reason behind his confidence, the importance of energy in his training group and the reason behind his signature walkout. It's not often an Olympic champion and 2 time medalist sits down for a 2 hour podcast, so we also delve into how he slept like a log th...

On this episode of The Sideline Live Podcast, I’m delighted to be joined by Jacqui Hurley—broadcaster, coach, and someone who has been a mentor to me in my own journey. Jacqui has paved the way in sports media, becoming RTÉ’s first female presenter of The Sunday Game, while also balancing her passion for coaching and leadership. In this conversation, we dive into: Identity in sport and career—how...

On episode 162 I am delighted to be joined by Eamon Devlin of Minute 9. Eamon is a lawyer by trade however left his role and pursued research on halftimes in sport. He suddenly realised there was very little research in on halftimes and set up his business Minute 9 (hear the reason for the name in the podcast!) to help coaches and teams manage their halftimes. That business has grown to 8 staff me...

On episode 161 I am delighted to be joined by Niall McDermott & Tony McGaharan two of the co-founders of The Courtside Collective. Tony and Niall set up the brand after Streetball Ireland online forums and with the help of many contributors grew a website, social media pages and a podcast covering Irish basketball. Not only that, the pair managed to get on to the NBA press mailing lists and in...

On episode 160 I am delighted to be joined by Team Ireland Chef de Mission Gavin Noble. We discuss managing and leading Team Ireland, the role of Chef de Mission and Head of brand. We also delve into his career as a professional athlete competing in triathlon, learning from the best in the world, how we can improve as a nation competing on the world stage, the reality of high performance sport in...

On this episode 159, I am joined by Claire Melia, one of Ireland’s top basketball talents. From her early days in Monasterevin to playing in the U.S. winning Super League and National cup titles, Claire has already built an impressive career. Now stepping into the top ranks of European basketball with with Baxi Ferrol in the top Spanish league and the FIBA EuroCup. She shares her own story, from h...

On episode 158 I am delighted to be joined by Irish senior men's international and professional basketball player Neal Quinn. Neal very kindly gave me 30 minutes of his time before the team travels to Switzerland for the World Cup Qualifiers. Straight out of the car, suitcase still in hand we discussed his career to date, NIL and college basketball, life as a professional, and more! A big thanks t...

On episode 157 I am delighted to be joined by 2021 Footballer of the year Kieran McGeary of Tyrone. Kieran is a top class inter county footballer and an absolute gent. We met at Steven Poacher's coaching seminar in Newry, where Kieran ran a pitch session with a young development squad. What struck me at the time was not only his knowledge and understanding of the game, but his infectious energ...

On episode 156 I am delighted to be joined by Galway and Corofin legend Gary Sice. One of the most decorated gaelic footballers of all time, there is no better way to wrap up the All-Ireland club championship than hearing from a 4 time All-Ireland senior club winner. His 4 celtic crosses sit well beside 14 galway county medals. We discuss all things performance. From understanding the body languag...

On episode 155 I am delighted to be joined by All-Ireland winning hurling coach Shane Hassett. Shane recently stepped away from the All-Ireland winning set up to pursue a PHD print Spike Biomechanics at the University of Limerick. Shane originally joined the set up in a strength and conditioning background and has been involved with the team since 2021.  We discuss the journey of winning the 2024...

On episode 154 I am delighted to be joined by one of the best S&C coaches in gaelic games Sami Dowling. Sami is the Strength & Conditioning coach with the Dublin Senior Ladies football team and played an integral part to Dublin claiming the 2023 All-Ireland title under Mick Bohan. He is currently working full time at SSC in Santry working with elite athletes including Irish international J...

Dr. Jo Brown is a High performance coach for Olympians and NBA stars. Most notably she has worked with Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles who claimed Gold in Paris over the summer. She has championed champions, from 18 different sports on the international stage, including the Jamaican sprint team. Dr Jo Brown lives and breathes high performance, and knows that being a performance physiotherapist an...

On episode #152 I check in with Steven Poacher, newly appointed Leitrim senior football manager. This interview was recorded in the St. Joseph's following the annual coaching event to raise money for the gaelic football teams. We discussed taking over Leitrim, the lessons and insights from the coaching events, and the school team.

On episode 151 I am delighted to be joined by the head of wellbeing at South Sydney Rabbitohs. Ian previously worked with the Gaelic Players Association in Ireland as Lead player development & wellbeing coach, to support inter-county players to develop their career and well being off the pitch.  Ian details his career progression from an internship to leading a core pillar of the GPA to being...

I had the pleasure of checking in with para swimmers Ellen Keane, Roisin Ni Riain, Nicole Turner live from the Paralympics Ireland office in Dublin. The interviews were recorded a few weeks before the European Para Swimming Championships in Madiera and we discuss all things swimming, 2024, pressure, nerves and so much more! During the first 2 days of the championships Ni Riain won both gold and si...

On episode 149 I am delighted to be joined by Head Coach at Team USA boxing Billy Walsh. From humble beginnings in Wexford to becoming a world renowned coach and mentor, Walsh's journey is a testament to his passion for the sport and pursuit of excellence.  Billy provides insights into managing an athlete in the ring, building the Irish High Performance boxing unit from sleeping on the floor o...

On episode 148 I am delighted to be joined Matthew Bell. An accomplished international player Matthew won over 100 caps for Ireland but experienced heartbreak as he was not selected to travel to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. At 26 years of age while pursuing his 3rd season of professional hockey in Germany, Matthew was diagnosed with a brain tumour the size of three golf balls. He underwent immed...

On episode 147 I am delighted to be joined by former league of ireland manager, UEFA Pro Licence Coach and current head of games at Laois GAA.  This episode was recorded during the 2023 League of ireland season while Shane was coaching at Cobh Ramblers. They finished 3rd in the Division 1 league and at the end of the season Shane stepped away from the team to focus on his full time position with L...

On episode 146 I am delighted to be joined by former Dublin Senior Football coach and current performance coach with Leinster Rugby Declan Darcy. Declan is a decorated player and helped guide Leitrim to the 1994 Connacht Senior Football Championship as captain. He later represented Dublin at senior level crossing paths with a young Stephen Cluxton during his final season in 2002. He is known for h...

On episode 145 I am joined by Head of athletic performance at Meath GAA Barry Horgan. Barry is an experienced coach and sports scientist working with the Australian institute of sport, brumbies rugby, and sport Australia before returning to the role as general manager with Meath GAA. Barry has since switched roles to Head of athletic performance with the senior footballers.  A big thank you to our...

On episode 4 of The Coaching Playbook series, host Adrian O’Sullivan chats with S&C Coach Conor Clifford. Conor and Adrian crossed paths in 2022 with the Dublin Senior Camogie team. Conor is now working with the Westmeath Senior Hurlers and has previously found success with Dublin U21 Football 2014 - 2016 (All Ireland & 3x Leinster titles), Shamrock Rovers FC first team 2015 & 2016, Du...

On Episode 141 I am delighted to be joined by Dublin and Cuala senior hurling goalkeeper Sean Brennan. We discuss his career to date from not being selected for any dublin underage set ups to becoming a starter, Cuala’s back to back All Ireland club titles,  finding balance away from sport, Staying sharp as a goalkeeper,  NFL quarterbacks and more! This episode was recorded on December 5th 2023  D...

On the latest National Cup Check-In I am delighted to be joined by Sean Jenkins of Eanna, Harry Scully of Dublin Lions and Basketball Ireland CEO John Feehan. This episode was recorded live at the media launch of the redevelopment plans for the national basketball arena. First up we check in with Sean Jenkins multiple underage cup winner and finals MVP with Neptune.  We follow up with Harry Scully...

On episode 137 I am delighted to be joined by Fermanagh senior footballer and online coach Darragh McGurn. We discuss perceptions as an Intercounty footballer, changing career path from Engineering to personal training, building an online business, creating a social media page, travelling and more! I hope you enjoy  Find Darragh here:  https://www.instagram.com/_mcgurnfitness/   https://www.tiktok...

On episode 136 I am delighted to be joined by Paralympian sprinter Orla Comerford. At 11 years of age Orla’s eyesight deteriorated due to a condition called Stargardt's disease.  She competes in the T13 category and competed in the 2016 and 2021 Paralympic Games. Off the track Orla is a visual Artist who recently graduated from NCAD. I originally heard Orla’s story at the Sport Ireland Women i...