The GAA Social - podcast cover

The GAA Social

BBC Radio Ulster•www.bbc.co.uk
Sports

The GAA Social brings to life stories from Gaelic Games. It features pundit discussions and wide-ranging interviews with the sport’s players, managers and officials.

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Episodes

Tony Scullion- The life & times of a footballing giant

Four All-stars. Tony Scullion has won everything. Full of devilment, joy and laughter this podcast looks at the life and times of Tony Scullion. What's next? who was the greatest he ever marked, a lifetime in coaching and being uncomfortable with being loved. The great Tony Scullion and a brilliant episode of the GAA Social with Thomas Niblock and Oisin McConville

Mar 11, 2025•1 hr

Coming out as a gay male Gaelic footballer

Kevin Penrose has come out as gay. Something quite normal, except it's not in Gaelic Games. in Ladies football and camogie, it's more common to be gay. In men’s football and hurling- it isn’t! Why is that? This is Kevin's story, how he battled with his sexuality, the fear of coming out and the reaction from his teammates and family. In truth, this podcast is perhaps more impactful on those of us who are not gay. Language, creating a safe space. Being better for others. It's a frank, honest and i...

Mar 04, 2025•1 hr

Mary Hulgraine. Surviving addiction & faith

Mary Hulgraine has a remarkable story. On Sunday she will line out for Kildare against Armagh, but her life could have been very different. Addiction issues with alcohol and drugs threatened to bring her life to a premature end. That didn’t happen. Mary recovered and blossomed. This podcast evolves into faith- what exactly does it mean? Recovery, making the most of life and Mary’s beautiful dog ‘Bails’ The GAA Social, with Kildare goalkeeper Mary Hulgraine

Feb 26, 2025•58 min

Jamsie O'Connor the hurler (and footballer)

Can Waterford or Tipperary win the All-Ireland? Jamsie finds it difficult to understand why nobody is talking about Waterford? Jamsie O'Connor who played football for Clare- before hurling? Mad the things you find out. Due to the tragic death of Brendan Stone, Wicklow U20 footballer and brother of senior full-back Malachy, Oisin didn't join us today. He'll be back on Wednesday. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Brendan, a brilliant young, talented and from one of the most decent loving ...

Feb 23, 2025•27 min

Eugene 'Nudie' Hughes. Living through setbacks

We all knew it was coming, but since Conor McManus retired the question has bubbled- who is the greatest Monaghan footballer? "Well I'd say Conor is greatest Monaghan finisher" it sets the tone of this brilliant insight into the great Nudie Hughes. He's a mural on the gable of the house he was reared, one of 14. All of them still living. Ulster championships, All-stars (in defence and attack) and an icon in Monaghan. In 2018 he was diagnosed with cancer- this week he begins a new treatment after...

Feb 18, 2025•59 min

Michael Murphy is back

Michael Murphy returns (so does David Clifford) it's all happening on the GAA Social. Does Oisin struggle to take off the orange tinted glasses?

Feb 16, 2025•33 min

Feargal Logan. Surviving a stroke, winning All-Ireland with Tyrone. Covid & gratitude

In February 2024, Tyrone were at home to Mickey Harte's Derry. It was a hugely significant game, for many reasons. Feargal Logan got up that morning, excited and ready for action. It was a big day. Until, he collapsed at the top of the stairs. The future was uncertain and he hasn't worked since. Feargal has thankfully recovered and on the 1 year anniversary of his stroke, he looks great and in superb form. Gratitude is his word at present. He's lost friends this year, good friends and many of th...

Feb 11, 2025•1 hr

Jude McAtamney- Making it in the NFL

This is the fascinating story of Jude McAtamney. From a talented footballing family in Swatragh, Co Derry, Jude played for inter-county U20 for three years- destined for senior football. Then covid hit and the beginning of a remarkable journey. Jude decided he wanted to become a kicker in the NFL. That journey brought him to Serbia, North Carolina, Australia, Rutgers before eventually signing for the New York Giants. When the Washington Commanders came to town, Jude got his chance and took it, n...

Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 1 min

Oliver McVeigh. Sports photographer & searching for my brother

Oliver McVeigh is known across the land. More than 40 years in sports photography and likely to turn up at any GAA event. The legendry 'Season of Sundays' annual is filled with his craft throughout the years. In this podcast, Oliver picks his favourite photos and explains why. Mugsy's arse, Henry Shefflin, the photo that led to the biggest ban in rugby and then there's the changing room shot. Joy that looks like sorrow. Halfway through, this podcast takes a different turn. Columba McVeigh is one...

Jan 28, 2025•57 min

First weekend of the league - NEW RULES

New rules, big omissions in playing squads (Dublin and Armagh specifically) and all the reaction to the opening weekend of the Allianz leagues

Jan 26, 2025•40 min

Jim Gavin - The new rules

The GAA Social is back and we have perhaps the greatest manager of all time. Jim Gavin. New year, new rules and the FRC chairman himself, to discuss how it all came about. Recorded in front of a live audience

Jan 21, 2025•59 min

Paul Conroy- Footballer of the year

For this year- he's the best. Paul Conroy is thriving in midfield and believes Galway are good enought to win Sam Maguire. This podcast is packed with insights into the mindset of one of the top performers in modern day Gaelic football. Breaking his leg against Sean O'Shea, his annoyance when people pick on teachers and what's next in 2025. One of the genuine great guys in Gaelic Games. *This podcast was recorded before Paul Conroy picked up 2024 Player of the Year

Nov 19, 2024•50 min

Jody Gormley- perhaps our strongest ever podcast

Former Tyrone gaelic footballer, Successful manager, but managing death as a young man. This is the remarkable story of Jody Gormley. As strange as it may sound, a hugely uplifiting podcast. Perhaps the most powerful we've ever recorded (we don't say that lightly). He revealed to his Trillick players he has terminal cancer after losing the county final on Friday night. Jody has three children and an amazing wife Deirdre. The night before recording this podcast, Jody had a living Wake in Belfast ...

Nov 01, 2024•1 hr 14 min

Shane O'Donnell. Winning the All-Ireland with Clare, image rights, what's next

Shane O'Donnell is expected to be named Hurler of the Year 2024. His performances this year, one of the main reasons why Liam MacCarthy resides in Clare over the winter. Shane considered giving up the game after a serious concussion in 2021. He didn't, Clare thrived and there's more to come. This podcast is hugely insightful into O'Donnell, his thinking, the thorny issues of image rights and he explains very clearly who the greatest player in Clare history is. It's another facinating conversatio...

Oct 29, 2024•56 min

Niall Grimley. Winning an All-Ireland. As powerful as it gets

Sometimes podcasts just stop us in our tracks. This is one of them. Niall Grimley from Madden county Armagh. He didn't play a minute in Ulster championship and League- yet is now in the running for an All-star. It's a remarkable sporting journey that reached its climax on Sunday winning his first All-Ireland- and he's been crucial. Niall also broke his neck and tore his MCL. Unfortunately, there’s more. In November last year, Niall lost his brother Patrick and his wife Ceira in a road traffic ac...

Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 4 min

Ronan Clarke. Winning an All-Ireland at 18

Ronan Clarke- a former teammate of Oisin and a previous housemate with Thomas at University. Three great friends, sitting down for a chat on the week of the All-Ireland final. Memories flooding back. Ronan was 18 when he got the better of Kerry great Seamus Moynihan and collected an All-Ireland. He also won 'Young Player of he year' at the GAA All-stars. Ronan Clarke was some footballer- an even better person Injury, then a collision that had serious consequences. It's a packed life, family, coa...

Jul 23, 2024•57 min

Davy Fitzgerald. Everything on record. A brilliant Podcast

We look ahead to the All-Ireland hurling final this weekend with an icon of the sport. Davy Fitzgerald will be in Croke Park as a supporter, in an All-Ireland final this weekend- for the first time! There is so much great stuff in this podcast and Davy answers the questions around his future- it is interesting! He's on of the greats, enjoying life, valuing health and driven to be the best. Liked or not. Davy Fitzgerald on the GAA Social Podcast with Thomas & Oisin

Jul 16, 2024•1 hr 5 min

Aidan O'Shea. 90 minutes Special. Uncut. Mayo

Where do you actually begin with Aidan O'Shea? He’s one of the biggest names in Gaelic games- but many, don’t seem to like him? He’s one of the greatest footballers in Mayo history, maybe even this generation, but he’s never won an All-Ireland. Mayo have failed in their quest for Sam Maguire for more than half a century, but the embodiment of that failure, for some, is Aidan O’Shea. Why? In a revealing episode of the GAA Social, Thomas & Oisin dive into who is Aidan O’Shea. 8 Connacht senior...

Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 33 min

Mickey Harte steps down as Derry manager

Less than a year into the role, Mickey Harte has stepped down as Derry manager. It was a controversial appointment in September 2023 and after a successful league- Derry in championship fell apart. Thomas & Oisin are joined by Aidan O’Shea on The GAA Social Podcast- Wednesday edition, but the boys took some time to discuss the news of Mickey Harte’s departure and who will replace him

Jul 08, 2024•13 min

Niall Devlin. Tyrone star, losing my brother in March

Niall Devlin is one of the top performers for Tyrone this season. He's only 22. He captained his county to an All-Ireland U20 title two years ago and has made the successful step up into senior level. It's his third season with the seniors. We reflect on Tyrone and look forward to the Tyrone Elclassico with the first round championship meeting of Clonoe and Coalisland. Niall won't be playing. He's learned his lesson. Progression, studying, family and football- life was great for Niall. It change...

Jul 02, 2024•1 hr
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