This is Monday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast . On this morning's show, Alan Quinlan reviewed a fine weekend in the Investec Champions Cup for both Munster and Leinster. We looked back on yesterday's Allianz Hurling League final with Sarah O'Donovan and Ryan O'Dywer. Plus, football writer Dan Bardell talked Premier League. But this morning's Bite takes us first to a huge evening for Munster at the Stade Marcel Deflandre, and then we...
Apr 07, 2025•11 min•Season 25Ep. 265
On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has team news from all four provinces - and their opponents - ahead of a busy weekend of Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup action. We hear from Dan Sheehan and Alan Quinlan on Leinster's last-16 encounter with Alan Quinlan at Croke Park, a game you can hear live and exclusive on Off The Ball on Saturday. Ronan O'Gara speaks exclusively to us as his out-of-form La Rochelle side prepare to host Munster. Rob Herring will win his 250th Ulster cap in S...
Apr 04, 2025•16 min•Season 25Ep. 262
This is Friday's OTB Breakfast Bite, your free Bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, Ronan O'Gara took time out from La Rochelle's preparations for their Investec Champions Cup tie with Munster to speak to Shane and Colm. Alan Quinlan helped set the table for the rest of the weekend's action. We previewed the start of the Football Championship with Mayo legend David Brady. And Former Ireland international Méabh De Búrca looks ahead to this afterno...
Apr 04, 2025•12 min•Season 25Ep. 261
This is Thursday's Rugby Daily, in which Richie McCormack brings you the latest on Munster's push to see Alex Nankivell included in their squad to face La Rochelle. The prospect of a Middle East World Cup has gained a very powerful ally. And the Wallabies star that's won an NFL contract.
Apr 03, 2025•8 min•Season 25Ep. 258
On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Jack Crowley on his own future. Ronan O'Gara has also come out swinging ahead of La Rochelle's Investec Champions Cup last-16 tie with Munster, and he's also given an injury update. The coaching staff for Ireland's summer tests has been revealed. And Courtney Lawes fancies a third Lions call.
Apr 02, 2025•7 min•Season 25Ep. 255
Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to discuss a much needed win for the Reds over Connacht, and to look ahead to the huge Champions Cup clash with Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle.
Apr 02, 2025•18 min•Season 25Ep. 254
On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Munster ahead of their blockbuster Investec Champions Cup last-16 tie away to La Rochelle on Saturday. We hear from Tadhg Beirne on his role in Antoine Dupont's recent ligament injury, plus Mike Prendergast addresses being overlooked for the head coach's job. A season to forget for Rob Baloucoune continues at Ulster. We hear from stand-in coach at Connacht Colm Tucker as they prepare to play Cardiff in the Challenge Cup....
Apr 01, 2025•10 min•Season 25Ep. 252
On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest on Jack Crowley's future at Munster. We hear from Dan Sheehan and Robin McBryde as Leinster switch their attentions to Croke Park and an Investec Champions Cup date with Harequins. That Leinster-Quins game will be live on Saturday's Off The Ball. There's reaction to a 'statement' win for Ireland in the W6N in Parma. The Middle East is hoping to bag the World Cup. And Rugby Australia have won over another recruit from League....
Mar 31, 2025•13 min•Season 25Ep. 250
This is Monday's OTB Breakfast Bite, your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast . On this morning's show, former Ireland internationals Alan Quinlan & Hannah O’Connor joined us to discuss Munster’s victory over Connacht and Ireland’s emphatic win over Italy in the Women's Six Nations. OTB’s GAA correspondent Tommy Rooney rounds up the weekend’s football finals in Croke Park. And Ger, Colm and Arthur kicked things off with the Performance Rankings, running through...
Mar 31, 2025•12 min•Season 25Ep. 249
Jackie Shiels debriefs Ireland's record-breaking, bonus point win against Italy in the second round of the Guinness Women's Six Nations Championship. #Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank Of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting
Mar 30, 2025•20 min•Season 25Ep. 247
On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you team news ahead of Ireland's W6N game with Italy in Parma on Sunday. We hear from Scott Bemand and Neve Jones on that Azzurri test. Leinster have been linked with a big-name replacement for Jordie Barrett. Conor Murray to reach 200 Munster caps in Castlebar tomorrow. Paul Gustard will not be Leicester coach next season, and Bill Beaumont calls for unity with the RFU.
Mar 28, 2025•16 min•Season 25Ep. 245
This is Friday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast . On this morning's show, Ronan O'Gara helped us preview a huge interpro at MacHale Park in Castlebar, as well as an update on the progress of his own La Rochelle side. Alan Quinlan also dropped into studio and helped look ahead to Ireland's W6N clash with Italy in Parma. Mike Quirke set the table for the Allianz Football League finals, with former Monaghan footballer Kieran Hughes previ...
Mar 28, 2025•11 min•Season 25Ep. 244
OTB’s Dara Smith-Naughton looks ahead to Ireland’s clash with Italy in the Women’s Six Nations alongside Shane & Colm. 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 Off The Ball
Mar 28, 2025•12 min•Season 25Ep. 243
Leinster and Munster coaches combine as Tania Rosser and Fiona Hayes join Eoin Sheahan for this week's Six Nations Show, looking back on a frustrating defeat to France, the issues with the Celtic Challenge, and what to expect against Italy. The Six Nations Show with Bank Of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting
Mar 27, 2025•36 min•Season 25Ep. 240
On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has the latest - and pretty significant - contract news from Leinster, and we hear from Leo Cullen on the influence of their NIQ players. Rob Baloucoune is back for Ulster, who hand a 200th cap to Stuart McCloskey. Andy Farrell's left the door open for his son to be part of the Lions tour of Australia. And Ellie Kildunne reaches as landmark for England this week in the Six Nations, as Scott Bemand previews the Italian test.
Mar 27, 2025•15 min•Season 25Ep. 239
Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to look back on a disappointing night in Glasgow, and to preview a huge clash with Connacht in the novel surroundings of MacHale Park.
Mar 27, 2025•17 min•Season 25Ep. 238
Former Ireland international Grace Davitt joins Ger Gilroy & Colm Boohig on the line to look ahead to Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Italy in Parma this weekend! 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 Off The Ball...
Mar 27, 2025•20 min•Season 25Ep. 236
On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you details of Andy Farrell's Lions coaching staff, and what it means for Ireland's tests with Georgia and Portugal. We hear from two of Farrell's deputies - John Fogarty and Andrew Goodman. Gabrielle Vernier has learned of her punishment following the 20-minute red card she received in Belfast. Niamh O'Dowd explains the 'Green Wave'. Abdelatif Benazzi has landed a decent consolation job after missing out on the chairmanship of World Rugby. And...
Mar 26, 2025•10 min•Season 25Ep. 233
This is Wednesday's OTB Breakfast Bite - a FREE bitesize sample of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast . On this morning's show, we speak to former Dublin footballer and now health & performance nutritionist Kate McDaid. Football writer Jonathan Wilson proffers the theory that there is too much football. We talk to former Munster hooker Mike Sherry ahead of a huge fixture for Munster at MacHale Park this weekend. And today's Bite checks in with Mike Sherry first, as we ponder the pros...
Mar 26, 2025•10 min•Season 25Ep. 232
On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest ahead of Saturday's novel interpro in Castlebar. We hear from stand-in Connacht coach Colm Tucker, as well as Munster skills coach Mossy Lawler and their former Connacht man Sean O'Brien on that game at MacHale Park. Sam Prendergast's signed a new deal at Leinster on another busy day for the province's biro. Rob Baloucoune's injury nightmare is finally at an end. And France centre Gabrielle Vernier faces a ban after her 20-minute r...
Mar 25, 2025•10 min•Season 25Ep. 230
This is Tuesday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, former Leinster and Ireland hooker James Tracy on a lacklustre week for the Irish provinces in URC action. OTB's Dara Smith-Naughton picks his top three performers from Ireland’s opening Women's Six Nations game vs France. Tommy Rooney gives his latest updates to the Football Power Rankings. Finally, Matthew Brennan of Team OTB explains the brand new ‘Baller Lea...
Mar 25, 2025•11 min•Season 25Ep. 229
OTB’s Dara Smith-Naughton shares his top three Irish performers with Ger & Colm from Ireland’s opening Six Nations game vs France. 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 Off The Ball
Mar 25, 2025•12 min•Season 25Ep. 227
On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you reaction to Ireland's W6N loss to France at Kingspan Stadium, as we speak directly to head coach Scott Bemand. Richie has the latest on the stories linking Irish coaches to the Lions staff, and what that means for Ireland's summer Tests. The latest too on Antoine Dupont's knee injury. Plus, tributes are paid to an All Black (and Clontarf) great.
Mar 24, 2025•13 min•Season 25Ep. 224
Ireland's number 8 Aoife Wafer joins us to talk about the beginning of the Women's Six Nations, the defeat to France, and preparations going forward. Rugby on off the ball with Bank of Ireland #NeverStopCompeting
Mar 24, 2025•17 min•Season 25Ep. 223
Aer Lingus ambassador and 42-cap Ireland international Linda Djougang speaks with John Duggan on the eve of the Women's Six Nations, with a crucial clash in Belfast against France first up on Saturday. Rugby on Off The Ball w/ Bank Of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting
Mar 21, 2025•22 min•Season 25Ep. 219
On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack puts the final touches to Ireland's Women's Six Nations preparations. We hear from Linda Djougang and Fiona Tuite on the test that awaits in Belfast against France. RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett are back to reinforce Leinster in Pretoria. Ulster are getting stronger as they prepare to slay the Dragons. While Connacht shuffle their pack for their trip to the Ospreys.
Mar 21, 2025•15 min•Season 25Ep. 220
It's Fiona Hayes and Anna Caplice on the #SixNationsShow this week as they preview Ireland's opening round of the Women's Six Nations against France this Saturday. From rising stars like Aoife Wafer and new captain, Amee-Leigh Costigan, to dark horses across the tournament, they name the players to watch out for, analyse the French team, and give insight into the Irish camp. #Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank Of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting
Mar 20, 2025•43 min•Season 25Ep. 218
On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has the team news ahead of Ireland's Women's Six Nations opener with France in Belfast. Eve Higgins discusses what success looks like for Ireland in this year's tournament, plus head coach Scott Bemand shares his reasons for picking a new captain. Munster have rung the changes for their URC trip to Glasgow. Peato Mauvaka has received a ban for his headbutt against Scotland. And former Ulster lock Jeremy Davidson has a new job....
Mar 20, 2025•13 min•Season 25Ep. 217
Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to look ahead to a huge clash away to reigning URC champions Glasgow Warriors.
Mar 20, 2025•16 min•Season 25Ep. 216
This is Thursday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, Nathan Murphy joined Kathleen and Colm from Plovdiv where he previewed the Republic of Ireland's Nations League playoff with Bulgaria. They, of course, aren't the only international teams in action this week, and football writer Graham Hunter examined the state of play elsewhere. We previewed the Women's Six Nations with former Ireland player Grace Davitt &...
Mar 20, 2025•13 min•Season 25Ep. 214
