It's been two months that's changed his life. In his first interview since making his debut in the NFL, Charlie Smyth discusses his breakthrough year. Doubts, not finishing the season in the way he hoped and what's next. At times, it's been lonely and there's the reality of when it goes wrong. The brilliance of Jude McAtamney dashed in an hour. The online abuse directed towards the Swatragh man at the New York Giants led to Charlie taking a break from social media. It's intense. We also discus identity. Being Irish, not Northern Irish. Requesting the New Orleans Saints to reflect his Irishness, in a respectful way. We listen to the efforts Charlie has made to reflect who he is and what's important to him. There's a steel and drive within the Mayobridge man and there's plenty more to come. The GAA Social is back and this is the brilliant story of Charlie Smyth
Seamus Birt is a championship winning player and manager for Bellaghy in Co Derry. He's a year into a Motor Neuron disease diagnosis. The former corner back believes he had it a year before doctors confirmed the condition. Four years of life is the average. There are exceptions and the mindset of Seamus would suggest he might be just that. He's different. Father of Séamus Óg & Éamon, Stella his partner and her son James- they're a tight bunch. The broader Birt family, along with a huge community in Bellaghy, Seamus has plenty of support. MND is rare, about 450 people in Ireland have the condition at any one time. Former rugby league player Rob Burrow and former Scotland rugby union forward Doddie Weir both died of the condition. Former Antrim captain Anto Finnegan also died from MND. Despite the subject, this podcast is fully inspiring. Fun, laughter and a special form of positivity instilled in Seamus "It's not a decision I had to make, it's just the way I am" This is a man who is living with disease, not dying from it. The end story is the same with MND, it’s brutal. The journey however, can be very different. Apart from a leg issue and fatigue, Seamus looks and feels great. His mobility is good and the body feels fine "I take each day as it comes, and I want to be like that. I've two choices and I know what i've picked"There are big laughs in this podcast. Gaelic football and big fights against Crossmaglen comes up often. British army helicopters were landing in and out of the Crossmaglen pitch when both teams were in playing against each other. Bellaghy manager Tommy Diamond had plenty of advice. Seamus marked Oisin's brother Jim in the infamous 1986 Ulster club game in Crossmaglen. Jim scored a goal, but Seamus won. He later managed his club against Crossmaglen in a famous rivalry both sides of the Millenium. Seamus also coached alongside Tyrone great Frank McGuigan, he even managed Thomas Niblock when in charge of Magherafelt. They’ve known each other for almost 20 years. Seamus has never lost his love for Gaelic football. It’s part of who he is. The GAA community has wrapped it's arms around one of their own. One of the very best people you could meet. Seamus Birt, MND and living a life with a glass half-full.
Immediate reaction from Croke Park- Broadcast on BBC iPlayer Live. The panel pick their team of the year and we also speak to the Kerry chairman and players about the future of Jack O'Connor. The BBC crew pick their player of the year too
Epic!
All the pundits and all the Tipp players join Thomas and team at Croke Park. An incredible pod to finish off the hurling inter-county season
Recorded in front of 2000 people at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Shane O'Donnell and Seamus Flanagan preview the All-Ireland hurling final. Shane confirms his intention of staying on with Clare for another season- as does Seamus with Limerick under the management of John Kiely. Seamus also owns and opens up around the incident with Niall O'Leary earlier this year. He owns it, but disagrees with the internal suspension given to him. With so many laughs and slagging, it's a great way to look ahead to the final- all recorded with a live audience. Also, BBC announce line-up for the final, including Jimmy Barry-Murphy or is it Jimmy-Barry Murphy?
The boys pick their winner for Sam Maguire
Rory O'Connor has made a new career out of comedy. A fun project making sketches in a GAA world is now a job. The first half of this podcast deals with mental health. It's an area where Rory has experience. ADHD, a gambling addiction, losing family to suicide and trying to keep the mind right. At times it's a challenge. The second half of this podcast is Meath. The love of the place and the pride in seeing his team in an All-Ireland semi-final. Trevor Giles, Tommy Dowd, Ollie Murphy and the class of this year. A genuine love of place. There's the odd Dub in there like Philly McMahon- but it's all green & gold. There's three big themes to Rory. Family, Meath and hoping to live a normal simple life- with some fun in-between
Can Tipperary beat Cork? Can they really?
This is a different but hugely honest insight into goalkeeping. The picture of the summer sits in Niall's living room- a first Leinster championship in more than 60 years- his photo summed it up. He'd like changes. Four points for a goal and believes goalkeepers should be allowed to take a return pass. Some agree, some don't. What is the culture in Louth- what can they go? Niall found out he was dropped by Mickey Harte because he was removed from the Whatsapp group. It was a low point and part of the rought & tumble of GAA- but he decided he decided to do something about it. He had to lose weight, and he did, facing that challenge head-on. This is great stuff. Louth begin the search for a new manager- this podcast shows what they're about, and where they can go. A brilliant listen
Croke Park delivered this weekend, but plenty to talk about
This is a remarkable podcast. Joe Diver had the world at his feet. A beautiful wife, family, talented footballer, successful job and drinking a bottle of whiskey at 10am in the morning. Wild. Ultimately, alcoholism could have cost Joe his life. He turned it around, returned to University and is a mental health counsellor. He doesn't drink anymore and hasn't for some time. Helping people is what he wants to do. Addiction is a growing problem and what Joe is finding out, people are presenting with the condition at a younger age. Teenagers! This is an incredible story into alcohol. Two nice cars, lovely home and a good job can mask what's going on inside. Being gracious is important and can be a reassuring tool into happiness. What comes across is the love Joe has for his wife Michaela, her love for him and his devotion to his family. Cuan Mhuire rehab facility played its part. "Stick with the winners" and the moment his eldest girl spoke to her daddy. Really powerful. Perhaps more than anything, Joe comes across as a brilliant human being, honest, authentic and deeply strong. Well done Joe Diver
Games reviewed and a look ahead to a wonderful weekend in Croke Park. The championship has burst into life. Poor Oisin though...
Kevin Mussen was the first man to bring Sam Maguire across the border. He still remembers the night and the customs posts. Different days. He and his Down team lit up the 60’s and Kevin remembers it all. Eamon de Valera, climbing the steps, bringing Sam to school and looking back on a truly historic moment for the GAA. Kevin is the oldest person we’ve ever had on the podcast- and full of craic. There's a devilment to this witty, kind man. Older people tend to say it how it is. There’s plenty of that. Living with cancer, surviving falls and despite coming 92- he’s determined to live. Live better! H names the two best players he's seen. One is from Kerry, the other from Derry. Kevin Mussen, an outstanding listen with one of the great people of our times
Oisin is in great form- wonder why? We look ahead to a big weekend of Gaelic Games in both the All-Ireland and Tailteann Cup
King of the celebration, a proper Dublin superstar who had to wait seven years for his breakthrough season. Wins, bringing Dublin back from obscurity and in 2002 finishing joint top scorer- but missing that crucial free v Armagh. What could have been. What is the ultimate embarrassment for any Gaelic footballer? Tommy Carr brought Ray Cosgrove on as a substitute in Croke Park, 1999 Leinster final. He was then taken off. Cruel. Their relationship pretty much ended and Ray couldn't play under Tommy again. Kilmacud Crokes is his club, but the children line out for Ballyboden now. Dublin players signing outside players is an issue "That's always been there" we also look ahead to the games this weekend, including Dublin against Derry.It's honest, funny and an illuminating account of one of the most recognisable Dublin footballers over the past 25 years.
Hurling and football covered for the weekend.
In one of the most powerful and impactful episodes of the GAA Social, Johnny Glynn & Thomas Niblock lift the lid on their experiences of multiple miscarriages. Johnny and his wife Serena, along with Kirstie and Thomas have travelled similar paths. It’s difficult. This is a male perspective. One very rarely, told publicly. Why is that? Johnny has just captained his county to an All-Ireland in Croke Park. On Thursday before the final, he found out their last attempt at IVF, failed. It’s always a challenge. Oisin said it was a “privilege” to listen in as two men chat honestly and openly about fertility, pregnancy, loss and ectopic ruptures. In usual GAA Social style, there’s loads of light moments- including the regime Oisin maintained so he could have Freya- his baby girl. In perhaps the biggest reveal of human biology in 100 years, Oisin admits he knows how to conceive girls, rather than boys? 9 months later Freya McConville arrived to melt her daddy’s heart. The first half of this podcast however shows what the GAA really means, especially in New York. The effort, struggle and the drive to be better. They’re on the brink of something special and a large reason for the success, on and off the field, is Johnny Glynn. We know you’ll agree, he is utterly inspiring and the best of us. The only inter-county player who is vice-chair of his county board and a man Intune with Ireland, the GAA, his family and his wonderful wife Serena. The GAA Social with Galway hurling, and New York All-Ireland winner, Johnny Glynn
A massive weekend of action, reaction and Oisin pleads to the GAA - keep this format for the football championship
The surname probably gives it away. Yes related to Thomas, but if you're of a particular age- you will know of the exploits of Mickey Niblock. An All-Ireland winning minor and U21, Derry seniors flew him back to play for the team in the 70's, when New York was his home. The building sites of the Bronx was his home. Derry could win Ulster championships- but they couldn't beat Kerry. 50 years later and watching his son David play for Cork and Nemo Rangers, Mickey has a sheep farm in "Seamus Moynihan country" Glenflesk, Co Kerry. Love brought him to Munster and he’s been there ever since. He's played with icons, against the best and enjoyed every minute. A stint playing soccer led him to the New York Cosmos, playing striker. He returned to Ireland to play "Real football" and Pele replaced him as striker. Sliding doors moment. No regrets. A life well lived, and something a bit different for this week on the GAA Social Podcast
A football dominated weekend, plenty to chat about. Margaret McConville not happy
In 1997, less than a year before the Good Friday Agreement, Sean Brown was locking the gates of Bellaghy GAA club. He was abducted and killed by loyalists, his body dumped beside his burnt out Ford Sierra. 28 years later, the Brown family continue to search for answers. Bridie Brown lost her husband, she also lost her son Damian. The entire Brown family were flanked by 10,000 people in the Co Derry village recently, and their search for 'what' and 'why' continues. But who was Sean Brown? What was he like? Why was he so important to the broad Bellaghy community, a friend of Seamus Heaney and how has the family moved on? This podcast talks to his daughter Clare and his wife Bridie. It is, a powerful listen.
Tailteann Cup review and the opening round of the group stages of the championship. Plenty of talking points and hurling continues to soar
Life after inter-county GAA takes a period of time to adjust. When your a Cork hurler and footballer you've dined in two hotels- both five star. Life has now brought Aidan Walsh to West Kerry. He transferred to the home of the O'Se's An Ghaeltacht and life is good. Love can do that sort of thing. A beautiful wee boy (yes-wearing a Kerry jersey) has changed perspective. Living in one of the most beautiful places in Ireland- but he can't speak the language. In this podcast we discuss being dropped at 30, why Aidan struggles to go and watch Cork Hurlers but believes (and hopes) they will win the All-Ireland this year. He also makes Patrick Horgan's hurleys- his is a bit different. It's a great catch-up with an All-Ireland winning footballer, a gifted hurler and a man who is at home in Kerry-but always Cork.
A weekend that had just about everything. Football is beautiful.
Dara has turned 50- what does that mean? In this podcast we explore life in Kerry. A child star growing up- who made it! Now it's chairman of the club, helping out with the senior team, climbing mountains and digging into a very delicate question- what actually is Gaelic football, what does it say about us and what does it really mean? There's plenty of craic along the way, Kerry's chances in 2025, losing out to Oisin's Armagh in 2002, working in media and an insight into the great Páidí Ó Sé. Apart from anything else, this man has one of the greatest voices in broadcasting- and what a footballer too.
What could have been for Mayo in a frantic Connacht final. They had their chances but Galway came through- led by the superb Paul Conroy and Cillian McDaid. There were others. Their reward is the group of death. As for Kerry, it was more straight forward in Killarney- but Kerry look really good. In the camogie Leinster semi-final, both Kilkenny and Dublin players wore 'shorts' not 'skorts' and the game was almost abandoned. The game eventually took place, after the players changed into skorts. Are we looking at strike action next?
Jimmy Barry Murphy. One of the most successful GAA players of all-time. All-Ireland winning manager, the glory of Cork hurling and still involved at 70 years young. This was a brilliant sit down with JBM. All-star trips, the best he ever played against, dealing with the hurt of criticism, dog racing, dropping players, a son coaching in the Premier League, Denis Irwin as a footballer and hurler with St Finbarr's and being the best mate of Roy Keane (kind of)It’s a packed podcast with one of the most genuine people you could ever hope to meet. Is there a better accent in Ireland than Cork? The great Jimmy Barry Murphy on the GAA Social Podcast
Armagh v Tyrone was a mad day in Clones. It was also a mad day for Louth and perhaps a bigger one for Meath. Dublin lose in Leinster for the first time in 15 years. The GAA Social Podcast- recorded at Clones
Two men who really didn't like each other sit down in a room. This is some podcast. Conor Gormley won three All-Ireland's with Tyrone and when the Armagh rivalry was at it's height- he was the enforcer. He marked the dangermen and said the 2005 All-Ireland semi-final was the most intense game of his life. Gormley, quiet by nature explains being overlooked by Mickey Harte as a minor, exploding onto the scene because he marked Peter Canavan at club level and feeling almost bitter about saying goodbye to Tyrone. He struggled to watch them for years. Oisin named Gormley, Ryan McMenamin and Brian Dooher in his autobiography for 'verbals' we explore that touchy subject. Conor also explains the moment when his father took a heart attack during a club game. Conor jumped the wire and attached the defib. We talk ‘that block’ against Steven McDonnell in 2003. It was the moment, which secured a first Sam Maguire for Tyrone. On the week Tyrone play Armagh in an Ulster semi-final, we look ahead to that game from an iconic footballer. One, until now, we knew very little about. 15,000 eggs a day, a hurler, refusing drink, and the question he asks his kids after every game. It's Conor Gormley like you've never heard him before
