The GAA Social

BBC Radio Ulster

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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.

hace 2 días

Gregory McCartan- Brutal honesty, pure craic, Red & black of Down

We didn't know what to expect when Gregory McCartan sat down in front of us. Iconic midfielder for Down, All-star and double All-Ireland winner. It turned into one of our favourite podcasts of the year. Once we felt it was going one way, another right hand turn. Then again, and again. The accent, the brutal honesty, the transfer, not liking Pete McGrath, but later understanding it. Ultra dedication towards winning Sam Maguire, but sitting in the car with a bottle of vodka "60 Halfins between us" Growing up in rural Co Down "Alone but not lonely" helping his younger brother Ronan through cancer, and using that to drive him into the superb footballer he became. His daughter Sorcha is now a double All-Ireland winner with the Cork camogie team and feels right at home at St Finbarr's- the club of the great Jimmy Barry Murphy. “If I had money, I would retire to West Cork” There’s more, like marking Brian McGilligan in the iconic 1994 game against Derry, to living in London and taking Fulham Irish. The Loughinisland killings in 1994 killed six people, on the night Ray Houghtons goal helped Ireland beat Italy at the World cup. Down played an Ulster semi-final the following day “I’ve never been involved in a day like that, anytime in my entire life” Gregory is back in Castlewellan, but Ballymartin will always "raise the hairs in his arms." An absolutely smashing podcast. We LOVE the accent!!!

59 min
hace 4 días

Louth stun Armagh & Cork do the same in Donegal. Tyrone beat Mayo

A spectacular weekend in Gaelic football! Louth stun Armagh, Tyrone beat Mayo, Monaghan & Meath make it through- what next for Derry and Roscommon? Galway into quarter-finals, Kerry too. Dublin into next round, and Cork, glorious Cork. Are Donegal overrated? Tailteann Cup heroics.

41 min
9 jun

Darragh Ó Sé. Kerry. One of the greatest players of any generation.

Six All-Ireland titles, one more than his brothers Tomás & Marc, although Fergal was the trailblazer! He’s enough medals, that you need both hands to count them. It makes you part of Gaelic footballs most exclusive club. Bursting onto the scene in the mid nineties, Kerry seemed a million miles from winning the big prize. Darragh led that change. He defined midfield and for many, is one of the greatest players of all-time. Four All-stars, nine Munster titles and part of what many believe, to be the most famous Gaelic football family in Ireland. His uncle Páidí, an iconic player and manager “I miss him everyday” Although Darragh rarely does any broadcast interviews, he has a column in the Irish Times and received plenty of push back when he criticised Kerry last year after the Meath game. He also had interesting things to say after the league final with Donegal. He looks at things differently. He believes the Kerry players don’t really care about what he says. Darragh doesn’t regret anything written in good faith at the time. What does come across, is a 51 year-old who still bleeds green and gold. The county and the football is part of his identity. An auctioneer in Tralee now, but the wonderful world of An Ghaeltacht is always home, and it’s always there. A place apart. Growing older, reflecting back, plenty of fun and laughs and what the great Jack O'Shea perhaps really thinks of Brian Fention...a brilliant story! A great man. Darragh Ó Sé on the GAA Social with Thomas and Oisin

58 min
7 jun

Fermanagh, Down, Wexford, Wicklow & Sligo through. Munster hurling glory

All the talking points covered. Can't believe Oisin isn't going to Katie Taylor. Derry v Meath & Tyrone v Mayo feel the hardest games to call. Are they?

36 min
2 jun

Frank Diamond- Leaving the priesthood and winning an All-Ireland

Winning an All-Ireland club with Lavey, captain of all his school teams, Sigerson leader at Maynooth and at one stage the only Priest, playing Gaelic Football. Times have changed, but at 40 "Fr Frank" decided the priesthood wasn't for him anymore. A big call, He now works for mental health charity ALPS, connecting with young people is his thing. Dromantine retreat outside Newry was the spot where Frank connected with young people, perhaps first, leaving a lasting impression. He spent most of his ministry in Africa, with some of the world’s poorest people. But, with guitar in hand and singing his favourite Christy Moore songs, Africa became home. Malaria almost killed him, more than once- but he kept going back. Life has moved in a different direction. Frank now has two daughters. Carina is six, Laoise is 11. Laoise has Down syndrome and brings "absolute joy to my life and everyone around her" This is his story, a nomadic existence and still making a difference.

52 min
31 may

Louth wait is over, Monaghan comeback short. Armagh & Westmeath wins. Ger Brennan

A wonderful weekend of Gaelic football, hurling and now we're ready for the draw on...Tuesday?

30 min
26 may

Tommy Walsh. Kerry in the blood. Football, life and loss

When Tommy Walsh burst onto the Kerry scene, he was the talk of the country. A similar trajectory to the David Clifford journey in those early days. Talented, physically developed and a year after playing in an All-Ireland minor final, he was with the seniors and Kerry won Sam Maguire. In 2008 there was an All-Ireland final against Tyrone "The Twin Towers of Donaghy & Walsh." The Kerins O'Rahilly's clubman, left Ireland for a career in the AFL. First with St Kilda, then Sydney Swans. Walsh returned in 2015 and finished with three Munster titles, two All-Ireland's and lifted Sam Maguire with his brother Barry-John. Tommy's father Seán Walsh is the holder of seven All-Ireland medals. It's in the blood. Life after football has generally been good. He still resembles the big Russian out of the film Rocky IV “I get that a bit.” He's married to Dawn, they’ve a beautiful young daughter but in September 2025 their lives were hit hard. Tommy and Dawn lost twin boys and it's been a tough journey since. Blessed with good families and friends, Tommy is moving forward and comes across spectacularly well in this podcast. Coaching might be down the line, but for now it's enjoying life as best he can and reflecting on a successful career. Sport transported him to Australia, but "My mind was always in Kerry" The magnificent Tommy Walsh on the GAA Social

59 min
24 may

War in Killarney, Cork, Tyrone & Galway through. Tailteann Cup

Kerry 0-16 Donegal 2-20. Where do we start? Oisin believes the GAA have backed themselves into a corner with Ger Brennan, and Jim McGuinness will face a suspension. He doesn’t believe David Clifford should have been sent off. “We could chat about this game for 9 hours there’s that much stuff.” It feels like we’re now in real championship, a huge win for Donegal in Killarney. Cork beat Meath with lots of love for Steven Sherlock and equal reverance for Rob Finnerty in what he’s doing at Galway. Tyrone weren’t brilliant, but found a way, on an emotion day for the county. Frank McGuigan passed away this weekend, we did a spectacular podcast with him two years ago, we reflect on his life and response since his passing. He was the King. Tailteann Cup games, surprise for Down against Offaly, while Waterford, Limerick, Carlow and Clare say goodbye to the football championship. Cork play Clare in the Munster hurling final and Kilkenny are out! Their earliest elimination since 1996

44 min

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Thomas Niblock

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Oisín McConville

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Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh

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Emma O'Byrne

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Gabriel Bannigan

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Cameron Dowd

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Conor Whelan

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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.