Willie Anderson is a former Ireland rugby captain from a Protestant, Unionist background. Growing up in county Tyrone, marching on the 12th of July, Gaelic Games wasn't the jumper that fitted best. Life changes. Arrest in Argentina, threat of execution, before playing rugby in communist Romania changed his outlook on the place he calls home. In this podcast we hear the thoughts from a different background. Can the GAA evolve to attract more Unionists? Should they? Willie Anderson played Gaelic f...
Jun 14, 2023•1 hr 14 min
Hurling tops the bill as the roadtrip to Munster begins. Massive weekend of football coming up in Sam Maguire and Tailteann cup- we have all angles covered.
Jun 12, 2023•36 min
Sambo McNaughton is perhaps the most recognisable hurler in Ulster history. He scaled new heights with Antrim and Cushendall, managed both teams after retirement and continues to manage and coach today. His name is recognisable everywhere in Ireland- he doesn't even need a surname! Behind the man is a life struggling with a speech impediment, a troubled childhood and a society that was unforgiving to anyone that was 'a little bit different' In this podcast we explore a life where even answering ...
Jun 07, 2023•1 hr 9 min
All the games reviewed, the talking points and in general the state of Gaelic Football. It's the GAA Social Extra on a Monday
Jun 05, 2023•43 min
Philly McMahon has lived, and living a remarkable life. Under Pat Gilroy and Jim Gavin he thrived. We dig deep into both managers- what they brought and why they were different. Gavin is specifically interesting. Bringing the Dublin team to the Battle of the Somme in France and camping in an army barracks. The team to sleep outside and work life out for themselves. He was trying to pick his captain. Remarkable insight into Jim Gavin as a manager. Born in Ballymun, his Father joined the IRA, was ...
May 31, 2023•1 hr 19 min
The GAA Social with Oisin McConville & Thomas Niblock- Dublin won't win Sam
May 29, 2023•35 min
Kevin Hughes lost his sister Helen and brother Paul in two separate car accidents. He was on the pitch when Paul McGirr died representing Tyrone in an Ulster championship match. Cormac McAnallen was his captain and friend. It's a life of loss- but remarkably Kevin has found a way to survive, grow and cope. He was Man-of-the-match in the historic All-Ireland final of 2003 when Tyrone won their first All-Ireland. This is a story of loss, resolve, laughter and pain. Kevin Hughes is one of the most ...
May 24, 2023•1 hr 8 min
It's the GAA Social on a Monday, Oisin and Thomas review the GAA action over the weekend and preview what's to come. It's also time to reflect on the recent impact of the podcast series in the immediacy of recording, perhaps, our most powerful yet. (We know we have said that before) Down footballers enjoyed Thurles- on the pitch and slightly off it too? The GAA Social Extra- we hope you enjoy
May 22, 2023•24 min
We don't know how exactly it happened- but it has. Armagh legend Francie Bellew agreed to sit down and take part in his first and only sit-down interview. In a wide ranging conversation we dig into being shy, how he was bundled into a car and brought to Armagh training and his memories of playing in Orange. He's not a fan of modern day football, he hasn't been back at Clones since he retired but his kids are opening the lid on football again. He reveals his toughest ever opponent, battles with T...
May 18, 2023•1 hr 1 min
A first ever draw between Armagh and Derry, an Ulster final decided on pens, drama almost beyond words and a performance of a lifetime (another one) from Shane McGuigan. It's the GAA Social Extra on a Monday.
May 15, 2023•16 min
Tickets sold out in 6 minutes. A capacity Seamus Heaney HomePlace welcomed the GAA Social with a live studio audience. Two provincial finals to look forward to, questions from the audience & one lucky Castledawson boy managed to convince Michael Murphy back down the Glenshane and take his club for a training session. You don't ask, you don't get. Former Derry All-Ireland winner Eamonn Burns talks about his cancer journey, Teaching in Derry city, being dropped and calling Eamonn Coleman to ma...
May 10, 2023•1 hr 10 min
It's the GAA Social Extra, on a weekend of one sided Provincial finals- we hope for much more this weekend. A guarenteed sell-out Clones will be a day from the Gods- for the gods. Armagh will win (apparently) and wait for it.....Louth can do it!! It's the GAA Social with Oisin & Thomas.
May 08, 2023•38 min
In one of the most powerful GAA Social podcasts to date, former Armagh manager Brian Canavan joins Thomas and Oisin. He talks football, one of the most high profile shootings in his bar during the Troubles- weeks before the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. Brian also talks living with Cancer, refereeing and perhaps unusually, there's plenty of laughs too. In 1998, best friends Damien Trainor and Phillip Allen were killed in a shooting in Poyntzpass. The LVF burst into the Railway Bar and sh...
May 03, 2023•56 min
Greg McCabe is growing in the famous number 6 shirt that Kieran McGeeney made his own. An immense performance in the Ulster semi-final over Down, McCabe talks about the lure of an Ulster title, taking on Derry and brings us on the Armagh journey. He’s a player on top form. The podcast also talks Dublin, their escape from the clutches of Kildare and we ask a question- that doesn't seem as rhetorical as it once did 'Could Louth win the Leinster championship’ Mickey Harte hopes so. The Sligo expres...
May 01, 2023•26 min
Barry O’Hagan is a week out of career threatening surgery. A Triple reconstruction of knee ligaments, a procedure that was dramatically changed 30 minutes before operation. The Hilltown man is the marquee Down forward- until a Saturday night against Antrim in February! In this podcast we examine and dig into living with injury, processing it and beginning the long road to recovery. It’s a fascinating insight into the trauma of missing out. Football really is life. Barry is from Clonduff, rival p...
Apr 26, 2023•1 hr 7 min
With Oisin on championship duty, Michael Murphy jumps on the podcast with Thomas- joined by 1-3 Down hero Pat Havern. The Down full-forward talks expectations with Down, a big championship win, the inside track on Conor Laverty & taking a penalty he wasn't due to hit. Pat also looks forward to an Ulster semi-final with Armagh- can they win? We also reflect on some of the key talking points over the weekend and Michael predicts the 2023 Ulster final (Plaster it over the changing room walls) T...
Apr 24, 2023•23 min
Fr PJ McCamphill has spent more than 50 years in Africa as a missionary. He's survived murder attempts. All this, because he left Ireland and the sport he adores to help others less fortunate. Yet people in Africa, according to PJ, are the happiest on the planet- why is that? This podcast is a unique insight into life in Africa, spreading the Gospel of GAA, playing every trick in the book to get home for hurling and the day RTE scooped him for 'sneaking' a trip home to watch Dunloy in the All-Ir...
Apr 19, 2023•1 hr 9 min
Ryan O'Toole joins Thomas Niblock and Oisin McConville after a day he'll never forget. When the GAA world expected him to go for a point- O'Toole shocked everyone (except himself) and shot for goal. The reward is a place in the Ulster semi-final against Derry. In the immediate aftermath, Ryan reveals walking away from Monaghan, why he did it and how he came back. Mickey Harte joined Oisin and Michael Murphy in the BBC Studio and at half-time, pretty much dismissed the chance of a second-half com...
Apr 17, 2023•28 min
Fermanagh's Sean Quigley provides a fascinating and unvarnished insight into the mind of a leading Gaelic footballer on this week's podcast. Straight-talking Quigley bites back at the podcast, discusses the media's attitude towards Fermanagh and the state of modern inter-county football - are players too sensitive these days? He also explains why he wouldn't allow a nutritionist into his home and analyses the evolving role of the marquee forward. The Roslea man offers insight into the mind of Ro...
Apr 12, 2023•1 hr 9 min
What a night it was in New York, a first ever championship win in Connacht and a victory up there with the Yankees 1998 season (well, sort of) In '98, did the Yankees move off 1st base, risking a few yards, just like the NY goalkeeper? Should it have been spotted by the officials? It was however an amazing win for NY and as one tweeter told the GAA Social 'It's the best championship moment of the season- and it's only the first week' It wasn't a good week for Antrim. Their performance against Ar...
Apr 10, 2023•38 min
In March, Paddy McBride lost his sister Marie to suicide. In his only sit down interview, Paddy reflects on the journey his family have travelled since the tragedy and the pragmatic steps to heal their lives. It's a stunning listen. Paddy is also one of the top players in Antrim. 12 years playing senior, under seven different mangement teams- the podcast explores the challenges the county faces. Recovering from broken fingers, he's back fit again and will play this weekend in the opening weekend...
Apr 05, 2023•1 hr 6 min
It's Championship. Yes- it's April, but it's Championship. Here we go....
Apr 03, 2023•39 min
This is one of our best ever podcasts. Brendan Devenney led Donegal for years, but they couldn't get across the line- Armagh & Oisin were the main roadblock. However this podcast digs deeper into the life of Brendan Devenny. Success, failures, helping chirldren in Africa and beyond. It's an education into living life now- and not planning too much for the future. There's also tragedy. Brendan lost his father and sister within a day in 2022. Two coffins in one house. It's raw, it's funny, it'...
Mar 30, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Wicklow are promoted & Oisin McConville walks on water. Well, sort of. Fab Fermanagh
Mar 27, 2023•46 min
Three cruciate surgeries would finish most players- not Niamh McLaughlin! A professional footballer with Newcastle & Sunderland, a European championship final and a trip to the World Cup with Republic of Ireland shattered because of injury. Despite this, Niamh picks herself off the floor and earned the biggest individual accolade in Gaelic football- Player of the Year. It's a fascinating insight into drive, achievement and what makes her different? In her only broadcast interview, Niamh expl...
Mar 21, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Louth were in division four. Three short years later, they are one game away from promotion to division one. It's a tough one though- Dublin in Croke Park. We reflect on the Louth project and ask where can they go? Is Mickey Harte the greatest ever- where does he sit? We reflect on a weekend of drama across the Allianz Leagues and preview the final weekend of action- including a Tyrone/ Armagh clinker- and the game is live on BBC this Sunday. David Clifford, his new sock look, Armagh negativity-...
Mar 20, 2023•38 min
Shane Walsh is one of GAA’s biggest stars. The All-Ireland final shootout between him and David Clifford will go down as one of the greatest battles of all-time. The Galway star sits down with Thomas Niblock & Oisin McConville in a reveal all podcast, providing a rare insight into one Gaelic Games most influential sportsmen. There’s much to discuss. Shane transferred from his club Kilkerrin/Clonberne to Kilmacud Crokes after Galway's All-Ireland defeat to Kerry (although his mind was made up...
Mar 14, 2023•1 hr 8 min
It's the GAA Social Extra on a Monday. We look ahead to the key games across the divisions, and the #AskOisin element has grown. Will he manage Armagh someday? Thomas was stunned by his answer. Kingdom fears are tossed aside by Oisin (Good news for our Kerry listeners- bad news for everyone else) and we ask the question when will teams stop taking the Ulster championship seriously. Rian O'Neill pops in with a question, Niall Morgan kicking and Oisin could have been a rugby out-half? We talk divi...
Mar 13, 2023•25 min
It was the most controversial transfer in GAA history. Seanie Johnston decided to move from Cavan to Kildare. What followed was an precedented journey, reporters at home, camera crews following his every move and in July 2012, Kildare met Cavan in the championship. His parents left the country and during the huge story- there was drama at every turn. For the first time, Seanie lifts the lid on how dark that period was, why he moved and how he reflects on the drama- a decade later! What was he of...
Mar 08, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Monday has developed into #AskOisin- so we discuss the below: -Wicklow win promotion eliminator & Preview of Seanie Johnston podcast -Tyrone at their best when written off -Armagh still possibility of relegation- despite win. -Choke Tackle -Oisin picks who will win Sam. Top four teams. -Dublin/ Derry review -Oisin will remain as U12’s manager in Crossmaglen. Training starts on Wednesday. -Which Canavan will be the best? -United/ Liverpool -Cavan, could they make an Uster Final? -Are Down imp...
Mar 06, 2023•34 min
