Episoder
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Pete McGrath is a Gaelic football legend. He won Sam Maguire in 1991 & 1994 with his native Down. A lifetime coaching at the great Down/ Armagh nursery St Colman's College, he's coached some of the best players to wear the red and black- from the early days to their biggest. He's had an incredible life. Totally devoted to football, no family, just devotion to faith and Down. He wasn't in the top ten picks for the Down job in the late 80's- but he got the job, on his terms. Success followed.
It wasn't all comfortable. A falling out with players, including All-stars Greg Blaney and James McCartan threatened to derail the Down campaign of 1994.
One of the more interesting elements of the podcast is how McGrath was forced to change when he was Fermanagh manager. Showing humility after being called out. It shows enormous strength. At 71, Pete McGrath is the senior football manager of Aghagallon and the minor manager of his native club Rostrevor. Modern players are different people now, are they less resilient?
In 1994 the UVF burst into a local bar in Loughinisland when the Republic of Ireland were playing in the World Cup. The killed six civilians, wounding five more. Down had an Ulster championship semi-final game the next day. Normality then, seems unthinkable now. It's a remarkable insight into one of the darkest times in our history.
There's the Meath/Down saga from 1991, crossing the border with Sam Maguire, 71 going on 41 and runs in the Mournes to clear the head!
Nothing off-limits. It's the iconic Mourneman Pete McGrath. Down legend. Forever young
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We know the quarter-finalists of the Tailteann Cup and we now know Limerick will win five All-Ireland titles in a row. Don’t we? They picked up a 6th consecutive Munster championship over the weekend, surely now the greatest of all time? Kilkenny may have something to say about that after comfortably picking up another Leinster title, beating Dublin.
Th All-Ireland minor semi-finals have now been decided. Derry will play Kerry, while Aidan O’Rourke’s Armagh will play Mayo. Are we underselling the minor product?
We also look ahead to the final football championship group matches. With so much on the line, it feels that championship summer may finally have arrived. We’ll see.
We also reflect on the phenomenal reaction to the Kevin McElvanna Podcast.
It’s the GAA Social, on a Monday with Thomas Niblock & Oisin McConville
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Mangler du episoder?
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It was a tragedy that rocked the Co Armagh village of Madden. Still does. Three of their own, killed in a road accident returning in a taxi bus after a 40th birthday in Dundalk. 2002 All-Ireland winner Kevin McElvanna lost his wife Ciara and their four children are now without mum. A life changing moment. Kevin is a surgeon and broke his neck in the accident. He's continuing to recover.
For the first time, Kevin explains what happened, how he's coped and what the future holds. It's a remarkable podcast- one of our most powerful. A deeply personal story told with strength and dignity. Perhaps strangely, It's also uplifting, inspiring and laced with moments of laughter.
The strength and power of Kevin McElvanna shines through. Madden as a community lost their of their best, but the community survives and thrives. Patrick Grimley, who also died on that November night, would have been proud watching his younger brother Niall tear Derry apart at Celtic Park on Sunday. GAA people. Decent people.
This is the story of Kevin McElvanna, on the GAA Social with Thomas & Oisin. A must listen.
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Is this Derry team at an end? How good are Armagh? Cork are back, Donegal will regroup and the Tailteann Cup prelim quarter-final draw
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This weeks is the fourth anniversary of East Belfast GAA. It all started with a tweet and now the club has more playing members than any other in Ulster. It's a remarkable story. The path, has been challenging. Pipe bombs, graffiti, oil poured on playing surface, threats and just this weekend past, another security alert.
The club has not just survived, but blossomed. With more than 1/4 of its players from a protestant background the club is challenging perceptions around the GAA. In a traditionally unionist area of Belfast, the establishment of the GAA club raised eyebrows. Dave thought it made sense in an area with the same population as county Kilkenny to have its own club. This podcast is very different.
Love, loss and the birth of Ulster's newest (and biggest) GAA club.
This is the story of East Belfast GAA, explained for the first-time in full, by co-founder Dave McGreevy
(Podcast recorded as part of BBC 100 anniversary at the Saint Patrick centre in Downpatrick, with a live audience) #BBCComesToTown
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Review of the games in hurling and football. Despite the amateur status of GAA- should the sport move to some Friday/ Monday games? Oisin McConville believes it should
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This is the remarkable story of Ambrose Rogers. The quiet man of Down, but cut from GAA Royalty. Ambrose is 39. His father Ambrose snr, died when he was 39. That death left a 14 year-old child, the eldest of four, without a dad. A hole that cannot be filled. Life goes on and young Ambrose blossoms into a brilliant young man, a superb young footballer. He captains his county to an All-Ireland final in 2010- but he cannot take his place on the team. The cruciate. Ambrose shocked a nation when he lined out that day- but the call didn't come and Down lost by a point. It's just one of a number of insights into this Down legend.
The podcast explores coaching, this current Down team and Ambrose reveals he would love to manage his native county, some day, but not yet.
Recorded in front of a studio audience at the Saint Patrick centre in Downpatrick, this is Ambrose Rogers.
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A brilliant sporting weekend reflected, plenty of football but Hurling still king
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This is a magnificent podcast. Thomas & Oisin have wanted a referee for some time, and the GAA Social landed one of the best. Maurice Deegan uncut and answers all the questions around referees and reveals his new role at Croke Park. The Laois man has joined BBC coverage of Gaelic Games over the past 15 months and the feedback has been awesome.
This is really, really good. The GAA Social with referee Maurice Deegan, a man Oisin has never really liked. Enjoy
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Louth smack a performance, nobody out side their camp predicted- but ultimately Dublin still win. An 18th title for Stephen Cluxton. We reflect on the most dramatic of days at Clones as Donegal come back, to win the Ulster championship. A truly remarkable occasion. What next for Armagh? Well, it's Tyrone!
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Steven McDonnell is one of the greatest Gaelic footballers of his generation. A former player-of-the year, three-time All-star, All-Ireland winner and seven-time Ulster champion. Success was a familiar path, and it’s perhaps no surprise that he made David Clifford’s dream 7’s team. Some man.
In this podcast, Oisin teams up with his old buddy to talk the good ole days, the constant challenge of Donegal and what we can expect in the 2024 Ulster final. The former Ireland player also calls on the GAA to reinstate the International rules series and has a plan how it can flourish.Behind the talented footballer is also a man who cared for his mum as she died from Alzheimer’s. It’s a cruel disease “We lost our mum before she died.”The illness paused his managerial ambitions but not his love of the sport and why he thinks most forwards are failing.Steven tries a Kieran Donaghy accent, reveals his ‘extensive’ weights programme and provides a brilliant insight on the famous Conor Gormley block in the 2003 All-Ireland final against Tyrone.The podcast also reflects on last week’s Colin Bell Podcast, someone McDonnell knows well and the day the Armagh legend tricked Stephen Cluxton into a red card.Stevie from Killeavy- the footballing icon, the finest of men. Our guest this week, on the GAA Social Podcast.
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It's a provincial title for Kerry and Galway on two very different occasions. Clare can take great encouragement from their final defeat in Munster- but the same can't be said about Mayo. Oisin believes they might not even make it out of their group. Galway found something from within and the scenes at the final whistle suggest this was something big for the Tribesmen.
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Colin Bell is one of those truly remarkable people you come across in life. Authentic, beautiful. Colin played with the great Sean & Kevin O'Neill for Newry Mitchel's. He also played for Down minors and U21's- he even played soccer for Newry Town. A teacher, married to the wonderful Eithne & a busy life with seven children under six years old. But life was good.
Then his son Kevin was killed in a hit & run incident in New York. Life would never be the same again. From that devastation, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust was born. The charity has brought home more than 1800 people, who've died abroad. In the ten years of the charity, that's one every two days- and becoming busier.
During the recording of this Podcast, it became apparent just how critical the charity is. The recording was interrupted on three occasions with emergency phone calls. Life has changed, but the impact of KBRT is immense. How Colin reflects on his son, what he was like and the legacy he's left behind is beautiful.
There's never been an arrest for Kevin's death. What would Colin say if those responsible reached out?
Despite the sensitive nature of this podcast, it's an hour of fun, laughs and the reveal that Colin "Has a left foot that could cut cake"
There's a remarkable revelation at the end, but the shining light is Colin, his son Kevin and the stunning impact they have on so many lives.
This is the remarkable GAA Social with former Down footballer, Colin Bell.
If you've a story on Colin, please reach out and let us know
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Ryan McHugh joins Thomas & Oisin on the GAA Social after Donegal qualify for the 2024 Ulster final. An insight into the Jim McGuinness world and a look ahead to the Ulster final against Armagh. But first, there's two very different semi-finals to reflect in Ulster and Leinster. Clare & Cork serve up a cracker and Antrim show they can do it- and do it well.
Lee Chin is an unbelievable hurler.
One last thing, and we know it's unlikely, but is it conceivable that Donegal could win an All-Ireland? The GAA Social on a Monday
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This podcast is among the most powerful the GAA Social has ever recorded. We accept that's a big statement. you can judge for yourself. Liam Hinphey played for Ulster and Derry in Hurling. He played football for his county and was the key player when Derry beat All-Ireland champions Tyrone in Omagh in 2006. He marked Sean Cavanagh that day, got the better of him too. So the focus of this podcast, was supposed to be the upcoming Ulster semi-final between Derry and Tyrone. Jim McGuinness had other ideas.
We ploughed on regardless and what a story. Liam has a young son, also called Liam. He has Dravet Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. It can be fatal. It's a constant challenge for Liam and his wife Clare. Liam also lost his father this year- an icon of Derry, Dungiven and Kilkenny hurling. He's also called Liam, apparently William III. A fine man. We explore grief, being better and challenging yourself. Don't be fooled, there are outrageous moments of laughter in this podcast, smiles, digs with nothing off limits.
It's an inspiring story of life, survival and being the best version of yourself. Being better. This is Liam Hinphey, approaching 40 and one of the best people you could meet. A great daddy
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Kerry and Galway win, Derry don't, Donegal do. Drama, epic entertainment and 17,000 talking points. Then, there's the clinker between Tyrone and Cavan. Cathal McShane joins Thomas & Oisin to reflect on the weekend, the GAA championship bursts into life
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Seamus Kennedy was captain of Tipperary hurlers, 6 days later he was taking on the All-Ireland champions Limerick when disaster struck. Cruciate gone, season over. In his first interview since injury last month, the talented dual player brings us into the devastation of injury. There is perspective. Dillon Quirke died less than two yeas ago, Tipperary are still recovering, knowing they'll never truly get there.
There is hunger within Tipperary to win Liam MacCarthy. To be better. 2023 was disappointing, failing to reach the All-Ireland semi-finals. Is there more in Tipp? This podcast dives into the Munster hurling championship. It's cut-throat, but it's beautiful.
Seamus comes from success. It's in the blood. One of the really interesting takes on this podcast is the discussion around life balance. The demands are almost impossible, but players want to drive standards. Are we asking too much? Injuries are certainly on the increase. Despite playing football for Clonmel Commericals, who are seeking three football championships in a row, Seamus can obtain a balanced life. He's still, the model pro.
Life, Arsenal, winning All-Irelands, dual-players and being in love with Tipperary.
One last thing, Why does everyone hate Tipp? Is it actually a thing? We ask Seamus
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Paddy Burns was brilliant against Fermanagh, in the running for man-of-the-match. He speaks brilliantly on this Podcast- it's utterly refreshing! Michael Murphy develops the players relationships with media and how that's changed. We reflect on the weekend action and start looking ahead to next weekend. So many big games, but there is one that stands out a little. Derry V Donegal. Mickey V Jim. Michael Murphy has his say and the podcast also reflects on an incredible run for Wicklow. Lost by one point to Kildare but will go into the Tailteann cup with confidence.
It's the GAA Social on a Monday, Murph replaces McConville.
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He’s the footballer everyone is talking about.It feels like Charlie Smyth has been everywhere over the past few weeks, but we haven’t heard a lot from him? In his first long form interview since signing for the New Orleans Saints, the former Down and Mayobridge GAA player, brings the GAA Social into his new world.
An avid listener to the GAA Social podcast, Charlie explores his new world with Thomas and Oisin. A new sport, new life and a drive that’s within to make in in the NFL. It’s a remarkable journey, so far.
A 3 year contract with one of the biggest clubs in American sport, Charlie moves to New Orleans this weekend. We discuss money, how much he will and can make, goals, challenging for the number one kicking position (currently held by Blake Grupe) and meeting some of the biggest names in American Sport ‘Bout ye Cam Jordan’“Money doesn’t drive me”
We discuss the pressure of the NFL combine, delivering and signing a contract- all after imaging himself as Kerry footballer Bryan Sheehan.Charlies story is unconventional. Struggling to make a school team, regrouping to star for Down in U20 Ulster championship glory. Then, the devastation. No more Down, and he wasn’t playing with his club Mayobridge. It was a real low, but that disappointment was harnessed in a positive way. Focus, drive and total commitment. Courage was clear and Charlie burst into life.
We mentioned it's Charlie's first long form interview- but not his first interview. The Late Late show on RTE was the destination on Friday, what was that like?
Some people laughed when a young recently qualified teacher wanted to make a career in the NFL. They’re not laughing nowIt’s Charlie Smyth on the GAA Social, with Thomas Niblock & Oisin McConville
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We look ahead to this weekend, the games and review all the matches. Michael Murphy explains where the Provincial championships should sit- and what their prize should be.
- Se mer