The GAA Social

Padraig Hampsey sits down with Oisin McConville and Thomas Niblock and discusses winning the Sam Maguire, crowning off the most remarkable sporting story in 2022. A camp in disarray after losing to Kerry, ravaged by covid, but somehow collected the ultimate prize in Irish sport. Hampsey discusses the captaincy, the moment he'll take to the grave, the season and challenges ahead in 2022- and the dream of winning back-to-back All-Ireland titles. Open and honest, Hampsey brings us inside the Tyrone wire, his family and what it's like to play inter-county football. Padraig also discusses the challenges of running his business through the covid-19 pandemic and explores the murky world of verbals and it's place in sport.

Fermanagh manager Kieran Donnelly & Oisin McConville both tell Thomas Niblock how they feel the decision at congress was “wrong.” The pair discuss what’s next and what the real problems are. Donnelly talks about Fermanagh plans and Rory Gallagher's earring!

Conor Meyler and Niall Morgan lift the lid on Tyrones All-Ireland winning season. They both talk openly about how covid affected them personally and the team. Conor opens up about asking for professional help, “I need to speak with someone” to help his journey to the pinnacle of Gaelic football- and life! Niall Morgan reveals how he was ‘tricked’ into playing for Tyrone and how the decision was made to pull out of the All-Ireland. Both speak emotionally about moment all their dreams came true- celebrations too!

Antrim manager and three-time All-Ireland winner Enda McGinley joins Oisín McConville and Thomas Niblock to discuss his first season in inter-county management. The highs and lows, the problems in Antrim and if the Saffron’s get out of division three.Enda discusses the mentality and dedication needed to become a successful county player and how that balances with club commitments. Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh also sits down with recently retired, three-time All-Ireland winning Tipperary hurling captain, Brendan Maher. Brendan talks about Liam Sheedy, his own retirement and how it is insulting to be known as just a hurler.

Three-time All-Star Conor McManus joins Thomas Niblock and former All-Ireland winner Oisín McConville to discuss how GAA players deal with the pain of defeat. McManus also pays tribute to the Monaghan Under-20 captain Brendan Og Duffy, who died in a car crash last month. They discuss their toughest losses and look ahead to the All-Ireland semi-finals.Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh also sits down with former Laois manager and Kilkenny hurler Eddie Brennan who looks back on the All-Ireland hurling semi-finals and gives his opinion on this year’s final.

Derry manager Rory Gallagher joins Thomas Niblock and Oisín McConville to discuss the art of management.The former Donegal coach opens up about his falling out with Jim McGuiness and recalls the secret to Donegal's All-Ireland success. Gallagher talks about how his approach had to change at Fermanagh and what his plans are for Derry.Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh also catches up with Keith Higgins after lifting the Nicky Rackard Cup. The Mayo man speaks about the challenges of competing at the highest level as a dual player.

The Championship, should it stay or should it go? How should it be restructured? Joe Brolly & Oisín McConville debate it and give their proposals on how the GAA should restructure the competition. The former All-Ireland winners also preview the 2021 Ulster Championship final.Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh catches up with John Heslin to get an inter-county player’s views on the current structure of the Championship.

Derry footballer Conor Glass sits down with Thomas Niblock and former All-Ireland winner Oisín McConville to discuss why he left a professional AFL career in Australia to return to play GAA. What could Rory Gallagher have possibly said on the phone to get someone to leave Melbourne for Maghera?Does Conor think he will win an All-Ireland, what rules need to be scrapped, should McGeeney stay on at Armagh? Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh also catches up with Meath dual player Mickey “The Honeybadger” Burke. How did he get that nickname, what goes through a sports person mind when their career is coming to an end & what is going on with Meath?

In his only interview since leaving Down, Paddy Tally chats with Oisín McConville and Thomas Niblock to exclusively reveal the truth behind many stories.Tally talks about the real reasons why he left Down and the truth behind the covid training ban. Oisín and Paddy discuss the art of management and what it is really like for an inter-county manager in the modern game.Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh also sits down with former All-Ireland referee Brain Gavin who is extremely outspoken on the current state of refereeing in hurling.

Former Tyrone footballer Connor McAliskey and Antrim’s Michael McCann join Oisín McConville and Thomas Niblock for a frank and open discussion about all things GAA. Connor talks about his recent decision to walk away from the Tyrone set up, the real truth why he did it, does he regret it and could he have been convinced to stay?Michael McCann who came back into the Antrim panel talks about the reasons why he left and returned. McCann also reflects on his side’s championship defeat against Armagh and reveals if he thinks Kieran McGeeney’s side are the real deal or not. The guys also discuss the biggest talking point in Gaelic football at the minute… the Stephen Cluxton mystery. Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh also sits down with the recently-retired, five-time All-Ireland Dublin ladies champion, Noelle Healy who has made an unusual transition with the team.

Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh speaks with GAA President Larry Mc Carthy in a wide ranging and fascinating interview. The president discusses the importance of club, the recent rule changes, will Ladies Football and Camogie come under the GAA and what will happen with the provincial championships? Former All-Ireland winners Oisín McConville and Peter Canavan discuss Larry McCarthy's views and give their thoughts on what should happen within the GAA, along with discussing the opening weekend of the championship.

Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney sits down for a rare in-depth chat with former team-mate Oisín McConville and Thomas Niblock. 'Geezer' tells us if Armagh are good enough to win an Ulster Championship and an All-Ireland. Whether he would like to stay on as manager and gives us honest thoughts on what is wrong with the Tailteann Cup. McGeeney, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt also reveals what Conor McGregor is really like.Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh also caught up with Jamie Wall who had interesting views on the future of hurling and shared his predictions for this year's championship.This podcast is a rare insight into one of the games most determined characters! A must listen for all sports fans!

Thomas Niblock and Oisín McConville travel to the heart of Kerry to meet arguably the greatest Gaelic footballer of all time, Colm 'The Gooch' Cooper! The Gooch talks about his own career & identity, what made him so good and does he still hold a grudge against Oisin?What is it about Kerry and football? How good is David Clifford really? What happened when the bone in Kieran McGeeney's finger came through his glove?A must listen for all GAA fans!

It was never going to be quiet! Joe Brolly and Oisín McConville join Thomas Niblock to discuss this week’s theme, punditry… Just like in the studio, it gets heated! They clash, they disagree and they tell each other what they think of each other’s styles! Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh also chats with Michael Duignan about some of things he has regretted saying and why being a pundit is not as easy as everyone thinks.Buckle up!

Former Tyrone All-Ireland winner Colm Cavanagh discusses the reasons behind his inter-county retirement with Oisín McConville and Thomas Niblock. Could he have been persuaded to stay on? What is his relationship with Mickey Harte really like? Does inter-county football hold you back in life?Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh also chats with All-Ireland winning camogie player Sarah O'Donovan. The former Cork and Dublin star discusses how retirement wasn’t her choice and why coaching isn’t an obvious or easy transition.

Graham Geraghty joins Thomas Niblick and Oisin McConville to give his first broadcast interview since he almost died late last year from a brain haemorrhage and aneurysm. He reveals to The GAA social he almost gave up on life, “If you’re going to take me, take me".The former double Allstar, All-Ireland winning captain & Oisin name their three most difficult defenders they ever faced.Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh also catches up with Roscommon Ladies footballer Rochelle Mullaney who details her battle with cancer and how she has ambitions of being back on the pitch soon.

It was a rivalry that defined a generation. Armagh against Tyrone in the noughties, Irelands two best sides. Oisin McConville and Peter Canavan join Thomas Niblock to pick their best Tyrone and Armagh teams they played in between 2001-2005. Both then create the best combined Armagh/Tyrone side, leaving out friends and teammates to replace them with sworn enemies!!There are arguments, but a combined dream team is eventually settled. We explore the rivalry, the personalities at the heart of a sporting movement and what made this period so special for both counties - while all of Ireland watched on.

Marc Ó Sé and Oisín McConville join Thomas Niblock to discuss what we can expect from the GAA in 2021 - all the winners and losers!Kerry legend Ó Sé tells us why ‘the Gooch’ is to blame for a softness in the Kingdom and why the mark has to go. Oisín and Marc debate who will win each provincial championship, why Tyrone will be contenders this year and Shane Lowry's involvement with Offaly. Ryan O’Dwyer talks hurling with Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh and discusses that move from Tipperary to Dublin, his brain injury and why Antrim will be a force to be reckoned with 2021.

Oisín McConville shares his memories from that 2002 All-Ireland final, from the agony of a missed penalty to the ecstasy of finding the net.