The GAA Social

In the eyes of many- Jack O'Shea is the greatest player of all time. It's a huge claim, his roll of honour is staggering. Seven senior All-Ireland titles, three U21 All-Ireland championships, a minor All-Ireland, six All-stars, three Leagues and 4 time Footballer of the Year. He's ten Munster championships. But there's so much more to Jack. His father had an accident in his early 30's. Growing up was tough- but he'd a home full of love and joy. The way Jack talks about his mother and his siblings is stunningly beautiful. Living in Leixlip, Co Kildare he drove the car every weekend to play for Cahersiveen. Bryan Sheehan lived across the road, Maurice Fitzgerald the next street over. Home is always home. Management in Mayo followed his playing days, John Egan is a man reading the paper 10 mins before playing an All-Ireland but 'Jacko' insisted on playing pitch & putt before every All-Ireland final. Hunting with the dogs rared him in fitness and Micháel Ó Muircheartaigh fine tuned things in the absence on Micko. In truth, the former RTE commentator was so much more. It's such a shame he's gone. Jack is a fan of the new rules, well most of them and regularay attends games of all counties in Croke Park. Golf is his thing now, the best courses reside in Kerry (apparently) The Great Jack O'Shea. A living legend, and a sound man. The plumber from South Kerry who dreamed about marching behind the Artane band on the big day. And he did.

Philly McMahon, Conor McManus and a 'kinda’ special guest, join Thomas Niblock and Oisin McConville for this special recording of the GAA Social. The BBC Live championship games in 2026 is announced, with some of the punditry team. The lads pick their talking points, provincial winners, Tailteann Cup champions and who will win Sam Maguire. This episode is also on YouTube, where there's previously unseen shots of Ulster final and our filming venue. It's worth a watch.Craic, laughs, serious analysis, Philly McMahon in lambing season and everyone looking ahead to championship 2026. We can’t wait.

Everyone in Gaelic football knows Matty Forde. For Leinster, Ireland, his club and Wexford he was different class. Winning an All-star in a team that didn't have much success, cemented his status as one of the best in the sport. In many ways, Wexford are the story of 2026 with two consecutive promotions. Next year they will travel to Tyrone, Derry, Dublin and Monaghan. What's happened? Matty reveals who he feels will win Leinster, Sam Maguire and his toughest opponent. He's sound too! There's also the meetings with Francie Bellew. Colourful! He'd love to be playing now and was rared on two players being the best, Peter Canavan and Maurice Fitz. Where does David Clifford fit in? When Matty sat down with Thomas and Oisin, he revealed his father died, just five weeks ago. Paddy Forde, a great man. Grief is different for us all, but talking helps. We also send our congratulations to St Joseph's Donaghmore who won the Dalton Cup. When you listen, you'll know why!

We dig into the four league finals at Croke Park, hope the hooter is sacked and review the standout talking points in a brilliant league. We're now officially in Championship season

This was a lovely hour with one of the most recognisable faces and voices in Irish sport. Anthony Daly is a former Clare captain, manager, leader of Dublin and has also managed in Limerick. He's a familiar face to us all as a pundit, columnist and now podcaster! He guides the ship and reinvented himself into something different. Behind the smiles and the craic is a touch of anxiety and how he's managing it. Regular health check-ups after losing his father (48) and brother (40) at a young age. Real life hits us all. But this podcast is just a brilliant hurling man- a footballer too believe it or not- enjoying life, hurling and proud of his place, county Clare. Plenty of laughs, 'the wand' and the race for Liam MacCarthy is a "Two horse race and i'm leaving out the All-Ireland champions." Early days. The great Anthony Daly on the GAA Social with Thomas & Oisin

All the football covered. Are Wexford the story of the year so far? Conor McManus joins the podcast. Recorded at the Armagh- Kerry game. We're struggling to think of a better game of football- it really was that good

This podcast meandered into a subject we didn't expect to explore- professionalism! Anthony Cunningham is a top class coach, winning provincial titles in football and hurling. He's also a double All-Ireland winner with Galway. Growing up in strict hurling country, but developed into a fine football manager. It started by working with John O'Mahoney and a career that navigated through inter-county and club. Anthony addresses the rumours around his health, questions the split season and this conversation explores professionalism in the GAA. Cunningham believes it will happen...

All the games and leagues reviewed and we begin our look ahead to the final weekend. There's quite a bit of Louth chat. What's the glass ceiling?

Liam Sheedy managed Tipperary to two All-Ireland titles. He famously stopped Kilkenny winning five-in-a-row. Driven, passionate but in touch with his place. A stunning bond with his mother who raised four boys alone. She sung at the Tipperary homecoming in 2010, a very special moment. Concerns for today's young people, getting the best out of people and the possibility of managing again. We discuss full-time managers, his belief that Antrim should have their own Director of Hurling and how hurling can develop. We also chat through his attempt to become Director General of the GAA. This is a beautiful conversation, centered on family, faith, the GAA and Portroe. The brilliant Liam Sheedy

Hurling games reviewed and a look ahead to the penultimate weekend in league football. Will Armagh stay up? Also, should we have Friday night games?

All the games analysed on a brilliant weekend of Gaelic football. Oh, and happy birthday Martin O'Neill. 74 years young

Ahead of Railway Cup final, Down great Sean O'Neill was lining up the coke bottles at dinner "I want you there, him there and you back there." Tactics in the 70's. It Blew the mind of Eugene Young. Different phrases, keeping wide, shape. From then, the former Ireland basketball player tuned into coaching. At 66, he retired last month from his role within the GAA as Director of coaching and Games development. 25 years at the coalface. It's changed, massively. This podcast concentrates on coaching. What makes a good coach? How do you improve? Is it too much? Eugene represents a lifetime involved in the sport- learning from outside the tent. From Mickey Linden to John Morrison and the great Páidí Ó Sé. He would like to see the Railway Cup reintroduced and believes the Sigerson Cup should be played before Christmas. It's the best place for it, where teams can access their players. How did a man destined to become a car mechanic, become one of the great thinkers in Gaelic Games. Dr Eugene Young on the GAA Social

All the games reviewed on a significant weekend of Gaelic Games

We don't say this lightly, but this podcast sits with the very best on the GAA Social. "Moving forward" that's what John McAreavey calls it, not "moving on." There's a difference. In his mid-twenties the world of John McAreavey collapsed after his wife Michaela, daughter of All-Ireland winning manager Mickey Harte, was murdered on honeymoon. The search for justice continues. Hope flickers dimly at times, but it remains alive. This podcast is about moving forward with life after something unspeakable. How do you do that? Can you meet someone? Will people judge if you do? How do I tell my friend Mickey Harte that i've met someone else? John McAreavey is married to Tara now. They have two beautiful children. Happiness has smiled at them both. Their journey started at a point, most of us just couldn't possibly contemplate. “I’m lucky.” This is John's story. Life 15 years after the death of Michaela, struggling with guilt but knowing the importance of making the most of time. It’s an extraordinary story of resilience, faith, struggles and love.

All the games reviewed, plenty happening in the company of Thomas & Oisin. Can you win the All-Ireland from division two?

This felt like the quickest ever hour. The great Jamsie O’Connor. Player of the Year, four Allstar's, double All-Ireland winner and a teacher. Clare to the bone.We talk phone calls to Kerry great Maurice Fitzgerald, The influence of Ger Loughnane and a surprising one from Tipperary. We talk Cork, are they just not liked? And his run-in with Ronan Curran, now with Ben O’Connor in charge. Teaching Tony Kelly and now working alongside him. Clare “won’t be far away” this year and we also talk punditry, really interesting. The Sky Sports years, how RTE has changed and now enjoying life with the BBC (we think)Colum Flynn passed away two weeks ago, a physio but so much more. Lovely tribute to a great man.Speaking of great men, Hurling, life, Jamsie.

Three-time All-Ireland winner Ciaran Gourley along with his Centre half forward Aodhan Quinn Joined Thomas and Oisin on the Podcast. Former Down great Kevin McKernan and the Abbey full-back Conor Laverty also joined the lads after one of the great MacRory Cup finals. 8,000 people in the Athletic grounds for one of the most incredible comebacks. Everything left on the pitch and it finished a draw, the replay will take place on Friday night. It's a great insight into young people driving the sport forward. The boys also reflect on a weekend of hurling (And one league football match, Oisin had an eye on) Ben O'Connor calling it how it is for Cork Hurlers.

This is great stuff. A dive into the life of an inter-county captain. Aidan Forker missed much of 2025 and is on the brink of returning to play for Armagh soon. They're as good as anyone. There's a deep thoughtful side to Forker. He's married with a third child just arrived, a career change and has always enjoyed leadership. He's been reared in the blue of Maghery and the orange of Armagh. It's in the blood. There's fun in there too. Forker is now able to laugh at the Michael Murphy incident last year calling it a "silly act" in Ballybofey. Kieran Donaghy has left Armagh to return home, but he will always remain a "Friend for live" and there's a debate into the allegiance of Kieran’s children. Do they support Armagh or Kerry? There remains ambition, in life and football. Faith plays a key role. Andrew Murnin continues to light up football, he's one of the best Forker has ever seen. The MacRory Cup final this weekend, his old school. Paddy Burns dedication, the best bit about winning the All-Ireland and the importance of good coaching- even at the lowest of times. There's Kieran McGeeney too. Aidan Forker on the GAA Social

All the talking points covered on a busy weekend of Gaelic Games.

Danny Quinn is one of those special people you come across in life. Kind, respected and loved. He's the Principal of Anahorish Primary school, where Seamus Heaney was taught how to read and write. He won an All-Ireland with Derry in 1993, captained Bellaghy to Ulster club success and Croke Park. He also won a Sigerson with St Mary's, living with the now Tyrone Manager Malachy O'Rourke for a period of time. There's quite a bit of chat around for Armagh goalkeeper Benny Tierney too. Great times.Danny's wife Catherine died in May 2011 after a double lung transplant. Hope turned to despair. She was 42. Catherine is from the well-known and respected Murray family of Ballinascreen. Rivals of Bellaghy in football, now connected always. This is the story of a man, losing his wife and raising three kids by himself. Amy, Conor and Dara are all grown up and life is good, just a different upbringing.Organ donation is important to Danny, he doesn't want pity- nor needs it. "I'm very lucky. Lucky to come from the GAA, lucky to come from Bellaghy"The glass is always half-full, but he's not a great fan of Crossmaglen. Boxing (legal and illegal) paints much of the Bellaghy/ Crossmaglen story. Two clubs with huge respect for each other off the pitch. From an intimate portrayal of getting on with life, to boxing the head of Jim McConville, this is an outstanding podcast.PS- Danny though we had stopped recording, twice. We didn't.