The GAA Social

This weeks is the fourth anniversary of East Belfast GAA. It all started with a tweet and now the club has more playing members than any other in Ulster. It's a remarkable story. The path, has been challenging. Pipe bombs, graffiti, oil poured on playing surface, threats and just this weekend past, another security alert. The club has not just survived, but blossomed. With more than 1/4 of its players from a protestant background the club is challenging perceptions around the GAA. In a traditionally unionist area of Belfast, the establishment of the GAA club raised eyebrows. Dave thought it made sense in an area with the same population as county Kilkenny to have its own club. This podcast is very different. Love, loss and the birth of Ulster's newest (and biggest) GAA club. This is the story of East Belfast GAA, explained for the first-time in full, by co-founder Dave McGreevy (Podcast recorded as part of BBC 100 anniversary at the Saint Patrick centre in Downpatrick, with a live audience) #BBCComesToTown

59 mins

Review of the games in hurling and football. Despite the amateur status of GAA- should the sport move to some Friday/ Monday games? Oisin McConville believes it should

32 mins

This is the remarkable story of Ambrose Rogers. The quiet man of Down, but cut from GAA Royalty. Ambrose is 39. His father Ambrose snr, died when he was 39. That death left a 14 year-old child, the eldest of four, without a dad. A hole that cannot be filled. Life goes on and young Ambrose blossoms into a brilliant young man, a superb young footballer. He captains his county to an All-Ireland final in 2010- but he cannot take his place on the team. The cruciate. Ambrose shocked a nation when he lined out that day- but the call didn't come and Down lost by a point. It's just one of a number of insights into this Down legend. The podcast explores coaching, this current Down team and Ambrose reveals he would love to manage his native county, some day, but not yet. Recorded in front of a studio audience at the Saint Patrick centre in Downpatrick, this is Ambrose Rogers.

48 mins

A brilliant sporting weekend reflected, plenty of football but Hurling still king

34 mins

This is a magnificent podcast. Thomas & Oisin have wanted a referee for some time, and the GAA Social landed one of the best. Maurice Deegan uncut and answers all the questions around referees and reveals his new role at Croke Park. The Laois man has joined BBC coverage of Gaelic Games over the past 15 months and the feedback has been awesome. This is really, really good. The GAA Social with referee Maurice Deegan, a man Oisin has never really liked. Enjoy

59 mins

Louth smack a performance, nobody out side their camp predicted- but ultimately Dublin still win. An 18th title for Stephen Cluxton. We reflect on the most dramatic of days at Clones as Donegal come back, to win the Ulster championship. A truly remarkable occasion. What next for Armagh? Well, it's Tyrone!

29 mins

Steven McDonnell is one of the greatest Gaelic footballers of his generation. A former player-of-the year, three-time All-star, All-Ireland winner and seven-time Ulster champion. Success was a familiar path, and it’s perhaps no surprise that he made David Clifford’s dream 7’s team. Some man. In this podcast, Oisin teams up with his old buddy to talk the good ole days, the constant challenge of Donegal and what we can expect in the 2024 Ulster final. The former Ireland player also calls on the GAA to reinstate the International rules series and has a plan how it can flourish. Behind the talented footballer is also a man who cared for his mum as she died from Alzheimer’s. It’s a cruel disease “We lost our mum before she died.” The illness paused his managerial ambitions but not his love of the sport and why he thinks most forwards are failing. Steven tries a Kieran Donaghy accent, reveals his ‘extensive’ weights programme and provides a brilliant insight on the famous Conor Gormley block in the 2003 All-Ireland final against Tyrone. The podcast also reflects on last week’s Colin Bell Podcast, someone McDonnell knows well and the day the Armagh legend tricked Stephen Cluxton into a red card. Stevie from Killeavy- the footballing icon, the finest of men. Our guest this week, on the GAA Social Podcast.

62 mins

It's a provincial title for Kerry and Galway on two very different occasions. Clare can take great encouragement from their final defeat in Munster- but the same can't be said about Mayo. Oisin believes they might not even make it out of their group. Galway found something from within and the scenes at the final whistle suggest this was something big for the Tribesmen.

29 mins

Colin Bell is one of those truly remarkable people you come across in life. Authentic, beautiful. Colin played with the great Sean & Kevin O'Neill for Newry Mitchel's. He also played for Down minors and U21's- he even played soccer for Newry Town. A teacher, married to the wonderful Eithne & a busy life with seven children under six years old. But life was good. Then his son Kevin was killed in a hit & run incident in New York. Life would never be the same again. From that devastation, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust was born. The charity has brought home more than 1800 people, who've died abroad. In the ten years of the charity, that's one every two days- and becoming busier. During the recording of this Podcast, it became apparent just how critical the charity is. The recording was interrupted on three occasions with emergency phone calls. Life has changed, but the impact of KBRT is immense. How Colin reflects on his son, what he was like and the legacy he's left behind is beautiful. There's never been an arrest for Kevin's death. What would Colin say if those responsible reached out? Despite the sensitive nature of this podcast, it's an hour of fun, laughs and the reveal that Colin "Has a left foot that could cut cake" There's a remarkable revelation at the end, but the shining light is Colin, his son Kevin and the stunning impact they have on so many lives. This is the remarkable GAA Social with former Down footballer, Colin Bell. If you've a story on Colin, please reach out and let us know

64 mins

Ryan McHugh joins Thomas & Oisin on the GAA Social after Donegal qualify for the 2024 Ulster final. An insight into the Jim McGuinness world and a look ahead to the Ulster final against Armagh. But first, there's two very different semi-finals to reflect in Ulster and Leinster. Clare & Cork serve up a cracker and Antrim show they can do it- and do it well. Lee Chin is an unbelievable hurler. One last thing, and we know it's unlikely, but is it conceivable that Donegal could win an All-Ireland? The GAA Social on a Monday

33 mins

This podcast is among the most powerful the GAA Social has ever recorded. We accept that's a big statement. you can judge for yourself. Liam Hinphey played for Ulster and Derry in Hurling. He played football for his county and was the key player when Derry beat All-Ireland champions Tyrone in Omagh in 2006. He marked Sean Cavanagh that day, got the better of him too. So the focus of this podcast, was supposed to be the upcoming Ulster semi-final between Derry and Tyrone. Jim McGuinness had other ideas. We ploughed on regardless and what a story. Liam has a young son, also called Liam. He has Dravet Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. It can be fatal. It's a constant challenge for Liam and his wife Clare. Liam also lost his father this year- an icon of Derry, Dungiven and Kilkenny hurling. He's also called Liam, apparently William III. A fine man. We explore grief, being better and challenging yourself. Don't be fooled, there are outrageous moments of laughter in this podcast, smiles, digs with nothing off limits. It's an inspiring story of life, survival and being the best version of yourself. Being better. This is Liam Hinphey, approaching 40 and one of the best people you could meet. A great daddy

70 mins