Former Ireland international Grace Davitt & reporter Fiona Tomas join Kathleen McNamee & Colm Boohig on the line to look ahead to Ireland’s upcoming Six Nations campaign! Off The Ball Breakfast w/ Optimum Nutrition | #unlockmoreyou Catch The Off The Ball Breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app. SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join Off The Ball Breakfast is live weekday mornings from 7:30am across O...
Mar 20, 2025•25 min•Season 25Ep. 213
Meghann Scully was in Belfast on Saturday as Ireland were defeated 15-27 to France in the opening round of the Six Nations. She spoke with head coach Scott Bemand as well as squad captain Edel McMahon, and players Erin King and Niamh O'Dowd following the match. Rugby on Off The Ball w/ Bank Of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting
Mar 20, 2025•13 min•Season 25Ep. 221
On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has the latest injury news ahead of the start of Ireland's Women's Six Nations campaign, and it's fair to say France have the worst of it. France men's head coach Fabien Galthié continues to moan about Ireland, despite their Six Nations title. Two more Leinster backs have extended their stays with the province. Another England winger has his Lions hopes dashed. And the RFU want a relaxation of the licensing laws around Twickenham....
Mar 19, 2025•7 min•Season 25Ep. 212
On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack checks in with Ireland's preparations for the start of the Women's Six Nations. Defence coach Hugh Hogan believes Ireland can ask questions of France in Belfast on Saturday. Three Leinster players have extended their stays with the province, and we hear from Jacques Nienaber ahead of their double bill in South Africa. There's also contract news from Connacht today, with assistant coach Colm Tucker providing a squad update. Georgia head coach Richard Coc...
Mar 18, 2025•13 min•Season 25Ep. 208
This is Tuesday's OTB Breakfast Bite, your FREE bitesize sample of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast . On this morning's show, we got the full Six Nations debrief from Alan Quinlan, while OTB's Dara Smith-Naughton provided his team of the tournament. Barry Murphy looked ahead to Thursday's Nations League playoff with Bulgaria, and assessed the League Of Ireland Premier Division after half a dozen games. Plus, OTB’s GAA Correspondent Tommy Rooney rounds up the weekend’s Gaelic football a...
Mar 18, 2025•11 min•Season 25Ep. 207
On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has the latest from the Ireland camp ahead of their Six Nations closer away to Italy tomorrow. We hear from Ronan O'Gara on the enemy of complacency, and Alan Quinlan discusses those Jack Crowley links to Leicester. The Six Nations is set to remain on free-to-air television. Connacht lock down an out-half to a new two-year deal. The World U20 Championship is going back to Italy for the first time in a decade, and the draw's been kind to Ireland. Plus, Ro...
Mar 14, 2025•10 min•Season 25Ep. 202
This is Friday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast . Former Republic of Ireland winger Keith Treacy was in the co-presenter's chair alongside Shane Hannon this morning, and they were joined by both Ronan O'Gara and Alan Quinlan to help look ahead to Ireland's game away to Italy. Ex-Ireland full-back Chris Hughton walked us down memory lane with the 35th anniversary of Italia 90 on the horizon. We previewed day 4 of the Cheltenham Festiva...
Mar 14, 2025•12 min•Season 25Ep. 199
On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the final batch of team news from this year's Six Nations. Jack Crowley is back in the Ireland no.10 jersey for Saturday's game away to Italy, and we hear Simon Easterby's explanation behind the changes he's made. The interim Ireland head coach has also fired back at France boss Fabien Galthié. Matt Sherratt's made a couple of tweaks to his Wales team as they look to extinguish any lingering England hopes of the title. Plus, Gregor Townsend ...
Mar 13, 2025•16 min•Season 25Ep. 197
This is Thursday's OTB Breakfast Bite, your FREE bitesize sample of this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show we looked ahead to Ireland's Six Nations game away to Italy with former Azzurri back turned truck driver, Mirco Bergamasco. Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival was previewed from Prestbury Park by John Duggan. Leitrim senior men’s football manager Steven Poacher chats about his first season in charge of the team. And we were joined by European Indoor gold medalist Sarah ...
Mar 13, 2025•12 min•Season 25Ep. 195
On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of Romain Ntamack pouring more petrol on the fires of last week's clash of Ireland and France at the Aviva. Andrew Porter defends himself after Fabien Galthié attempted to get him cited for his part in the injury sustained by Antoine Dupont. Rabah Slimani is among the Leinster players extending their stay at Leinster. And Ronan O'Gara's refresh of the La Rochelle squad continues.
Mar 12, 2025•13 min•Season 25Ep. 192
On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from the Ireland camp as attentions turn to Saturday's trip to Italy. We hear from attack coach Andrew Goodman and loosehead Andrew Porter as the inquest into the defeat to France continues. There's Premiership interest in Jack Crowley. Munster and Leinster have both been signing members of their existing squads to new contracts. And New Zealand Rugby secure the services of one of their top prospects....
Mar 11, 2025•11 min•Season 25Ep. 188
Welcome to Tuesday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast . On this morning's show, we were honoured to be joined by European Athletics bronze medalist, Kate O'Connor. We continued our inquest into Saturday's Six Nations defeat to France with Mike Sherry. John Duggan set the table for the first day of the Cheltenham Festival. Newstalk's Jess Kelly joined us to discuss her involvement in the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon, which is supporting the...
Mar 11, 2025•12 min•Season 25Ep. 187
On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest on the health of an Ireland squad still licking their collective wounds after Saturday's defeat to France. FFR president Florian Grill seethes over their treatment at the hands of match officials. England's Ollie Lawrence is now a doubt for the Lions tour this summer. And Richie has the latest on Rabah Slimani's status as a Leinster player.
Mar 10, 2025•11 min•Season 25Ep. 184
Welcome to Monday's Off The Ball Breakfast Bite - your FREE bitesize sample of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. You can listen to that here . On this morning's show, Alan Quinlan joined us for the post mortem on Ireland's Six Nations defeat to France. Football writer Jonathan Wilson reviewed the weekend's Premier League action, and the further dwindling of Arsenal's title hopes. Sarah O'Donovan and Jamie Wall looked back on the weekend's hurling. And John Duggan began our coverage of ...
Mar 10, 2025•11 min•Season 25Ep. 183
On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack completes your build-up to tomorrow's titanic battle between Ireland and France at the Aviva. We speak to Caelan Doris and Simon Easterby at today's captain's run, plus Antoine Dupont piles further pressure on tomorrow's referee Angus Gardner. Ronan O'Gara, Alan Quinlan and Andy Dunne all have their say on tomorrow's crunch clash. Plus Italy make half a dozen changes for their test with England on Sunday.
Mar 07, 2025•13 min•Season 25Ep. 179
Welcome to Friday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your bitesize, and FREE, taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast . On this morning's show, we've a bumper preview for Ireland v France in the Six Nations with both Ronan O'Gara and Alan Quinlan. Former Kerry player, and ex-Laois manager Mike Quirke joined us to discuss football's new rules. Plus, football writer Mark Critchley reflected on last night’s 1-1 draw between Man United & Real Sociedad in the Europa League. This morning's Bite b...
Mar 07, 2025•12 min•Season 25Ep. 177
As we approach the Guinness 0.0 Six Nations showdown of France V Ireland, OTB's own Brian O'Driscoll joined us for an exclusive event at the Open Gate Brewery, where we previewed the big game as well as looking back on his last ever game for Ireland - against France 11 years ago! He was joined by his former team mates, Mike Ross, Gordan D'Arcy & Devin Toner, who recounted their memories in the green jersey. Settle in is brought to you by Guinness 0.0.
Mar 07, 2025•58 min•Season 25Ep. 178
On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has your team news ahead of that huge meeting of Ireland and Scotland. Mack Hansen is out of that game, and Simon Easterby explains why. He also discusses his bench composition, Tadhg Furlong's progress and more. Fabien Galthié has begun piling the pressure on Saturday's referee Angus Gardner + he discusses Thierry Henry's visit. And we hear from Gregor Townsend and Matt Sherratt on Saturday's meeting of Scotland and Wales.
Mar 06, 2025•13 min•Season 25Ep. 173
Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to discuss the disappointing defeat to Edinburgh in Cork, Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray's impending departures and Ireland v France.
Mar 06, 2025•19 min•Season 25Ep. 174
Welcome to Thursday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast . On this morning's show, we were joined by the one and only Danny Dyer for a very special edition of 'You Had To Be There'. We previewed the Six Nations clash of Ireland and France with Les Bleus legend Philippe Saint-André. And Jean-Philippe Leclaire reviewed Liverpool's smash-and-grab win away to Paris Saint-Germain. And this morning's Bite has a distinctly French flavour as we c...
Mar 06, 2025•10 min•Season 25Ep. 170
On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from the France camp ahead of their departure for Dublin. And there's an update on the fitness of Gregory Alldritt. We hear from Mack Hansen and John Fogarty on France's deployment of a 7-1 bench. Marcus Smith has been sensationally dropped by England for the visit of Italy to Twickenham. And Rassie Erasmus addresses chatter that Felix Jones was sent to 'spy' on England.
Mar 05, 2025•12 min•Season 25Ep. 166
On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from the Ireland camp ahead of Saturday's showdown with France. We hear from scrum coach John Fogarty on Tadhg Furlong's battle to be fit, plus Mack Hansen on the desire to send Ireland's retiring trio out on a high. France have injury concerns over an experienced member of their scrum. Les Bleus have reopened old wounds ahead of their trip to Dublin. Connacht have a new senior assistant coach. And we hear from Jamie George as he c...
Mar 04, 2025•14 min•Season 25Ep. 164
On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of two players moving to IRFU central contracts in the summer. There's an update on the health of the squad ahead of Saturday's crunch with France. The FFR have made contact with World Rugby over the discrepancies in the bans of Garry Ringrose and Romain Ntamack. And could Ronan O'Gara be given a new voice in the La Rochelle coaches room?
Mar 03, 2025•10 min•Season 25Ep. 161
On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you team news from the three provinces in action in the URC tomorrow. It's a Soroka family affair for Leinster who welcome Cardiff to the Aviva, and we hear from Leo Cullen. Ulster centre James Hume outlines the extent of his injury lows as Ulster prepare to entertain the Scarlets. And Connacht's Paul Boyle provides insight into the challenge posed by Benetton this week. We hear more from Conor Murray following his decision to retire from internat...
Feb 28, 2025•13 min•Season 25Ep. 159
On a PACKED edition of Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you reaction to the news that Cian Healy, Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray are all retiring. We hear from Murray himself, who still has road to travel on the club front, as well as Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell. Alan Quinlan and Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis react to the appointment of Clayton McMillan as the next Munster head coach. There's team news for Ireland's Six Nations showdown with France, including the latest on Tadhg Furl...
Feb 27, 2025•17 min•Season 25Ep. 157
OTB's Ger Gilroy, Adrian Barry & Richie McCormack react to the news that Cian Healy, Conor Murray & Peter O'Mahony will retire from international rugby at the end of the Six Nations. Rugby on Off The Ball, with Bank of Ireland.
Feb 27, 2025•27 min•Season 25Ep. 156
Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to discuss the appointment of Chiefs boss Clayton McMillan as their new head coach from July. There's also a preview of the clash with Edinburgh at Virgin Media Park, as the Reds look to maintain their decent URC form.
Feb 27, 2025•20 min•Season 25Ep. 152
Brian O'Driscoll speaks to Off The Ball's Alanna Cunnane as Guinness partners with Field of Vision, the pioneers of fan inclusivity, to bring a revolutionary sensory experience to visually impaired fans at this year's Men and Women's Six Nations Championships. "Thanks to a cutting-edge device which uses a touch-based technology and a bespoke haptic language, visually impaired fans can now feel every tackle, try and kick instantly, as well as knowing precisely where the play is happening on the p...
Feb 26, 2025•11 min•Season 25Ep. 151
On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest regarding Mack Hansen's new deal. We hear from Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins regarding Hansen's return to form, and the process of tying down his out-halves to new deals. Hugo Keenan has given an insight into Brian Fenton's influence on Ireland's win in Cardiff. Brian O'Driscoll has his say on Garry Ringrose's 20-minute red card. And English plans to cap a South African-born centre look to have been scuppered....
Feb 26, 2025•10 min•Season 25Ep. 150
On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has the latest on Garry Ringrose's disciplinary hearing. Munster count the cost of that ill-fated Ireland 'A' game at Ashton Gate, and we speak to John Ryan. Pete Wilkins also has injury concerns at Connacht, and he's provided an update on their out-half depth chart with JJ Hanrahan departing. Rob Russell is back for Leinster, and we hear from their attack coach Tyler Bleyendaal. And Ma'a Nonu is back in top level rugby at the age of 42....
Feb 25, 2025•10 min•Season 25Ep. 148
