The GAA Social

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.

We're back, and we're happy. We think?

It's been two months that's changed his life. In his first interview since making his debut in the NFL, Charlie Smyth discusses his breakthrough year. Doubts, not finishing the season in the way he hoped and what's next. At times, it's been lonely and there's the reality of when it goes wrong. The brilliance of Jude McAtamney dashed in an hour. The online abuse directed towards the Swatragh man at the New York Giants led to Charlie taking a break from social media. It's intense. We also discus identity. Being Irish, not Northern Irish. Requesting the New Orleans Saints to reflect his Irishness, in a respectful way. We listen to the efforts Charlie has made to reflect who he is and what's important to him. There's a steel and drive within the Mayobridge man and there's plenty more to come. The GAA Social is back and this is the brilliant story of Charlie Smyth

Seamus Birt is a championship winning player and manager for Bellaghy in Co Derry. He's a year into a Motor Neuron disease diagnosis. The former corner back believes he had it a year before doctors confirmed the condition. Four years of life is the average. There are exceptions and the mindset of Seamus would suggest he might be just that. He's different. Father of Séamus Óg & Éamon, Stella his partner and her son James- they're a tight bunch. The broader Birt family, along with a huge community in Bellaghy, Seamus has plenty of support. MND is rare, about 450 people in Ireland have the condition at any one time. Former rugby league player Rob Burrow and former Scotland rugby union forward Doddie Weir both died of the condition. Former Antrim captain Anto Finnegan also died from MND. Despite the subject, this podcast is fully inspiring. Fun, laughter and a special form of positivity instilled in Seamus "It's not a decision I had to make, it's just the way I am" This is a man who is living with disease, not dying from it. The end story is the same with MND, it’s brutal. The journey however, can be very different. Apart from a leg issue and fatigue, Seamus looks and feels great. His mobility is good and the body feels fine "I take each day as it comes, and I want to be like that. I've two choices and I know what i've picked"There are big laughs in this podcast. Gaelic football and big fights against Crossmaglen comes up often. British army helicopters were landing in and out of the Crossmaglen pitch when both teams were in playing against each other. Bellaghy manager Tommy Diamond had plenty of advice. Seamus marked Oisin's brother Jim in the infamous 1986 Ulster club game in Crossmaglen. Jim scored a goal, but Seamus won. He later managed his club against Crossmaglen in a famous rivalry both sides of the Millenium. Seamus also coached alongside Tyrone great Frank McGuigan, he even managed Thomas Niblock when in charge of Magherafelt. They’ve known each other for almost 20 years. Seamus has never lost his love for Gaelic football. It’s part of who he is. The GAA community has wrapped it's arms around one of their own. One of the very best people you could meet. Seamus Birt, MND and living a life with a glass half-full.

Immediate reaction from Croke Park- Broadcast on BBC iPlayer Live. The panel pick their team of the year and we also speak to the Kerry chairman and players about the future of Jack O'Connor. The BBC crew pick their player of the year too

Epic!

All the pundits and all the Tipp players join Thomas and team at Croke Park. An incredible pod to finish off the hurling inter-county season

Recorded in front of 2000 people at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Shane O'Donnell and Seamus Flanagan preview the All-Ireland hurling final. Shane confirms his intention of staying on with Clare for another season- as does Seamus with Limerick under the management of John Kiely. Seamus also owns and opens up around the incident with Niall O'Leary earlier this year. He owns it, but disagrees with the internal suspension given to him. With so many laughs and slagging, it's a great way to look ahead to the final- all recorded with a live audience. Also, BBC announce line-up for the final, including Jimmy Barry-Murphy or is it Jimmy-Barry Murphy?

The boys pick their winner for Sam Maguire

Rory O'Connor has made a new career out of comedy. A fun project making sketches in a GAA world is now a job. The first half of this podcast deals with mental health. It's an area where Rory has experience. ADHD, a gambling addiction, losing family to suicide and trying to keep the mind right. At times it's a challenge. The second half of this podcast is Meath. The love of the place and the pride in seeing his team in an All-Ireland semi-final. Trevor Giles, Tommy Dowd, Ollie Murphy and the class of this year. A genuine love of place. There's the odd Dub in there like Philly McMahon- but it's all green & gold. There's three big themes to Rory. Family, Meath and hoping to live a normal simple life- with some fun in-between

Can Tipperary beat Cork? Can they really?

This is a different but hugely honest insight into goalkeeping. The picture of the summer sits in Niall's living room- a first Leinster championship in more than 60 years- his photo summed it up. He'd like changes. Four points for a goal and believes goalkeepers should be allowed to take a return pass. Some agree, some don't. What is the culture in Louth- what can they go? Niall found out he was dropped by Mickey Harte because he was removed from the Whatsapp group. It was a low point and part of the rought & tumble of GAA- but he decided he decided to do something about it. He had to lose weight, and he did, facing that challenge head-on. This is great stuff. Louth begin the search for a new manager- this podcast shows what they're about, and where they can go. A brilliant listen

Croke Park delivered this weekend, but plenty to talk about

This is a remarkable podcast. Joe Diver had the world at his feet. A beautiful wife, family, talented footballer, successful job and drinking a bottle of whiskey at 10am in the morning. Wild. Ultimately, alcoholism could have cost Joe his life. He turned it around, returned to University and is a mental health counsellor. He doesn't drink anymore and hasn't for some time. Helping people is what he wants to do. Addiction is a growing problem and what Joe is finding out, people are presenting with the condition at a younger age. Teenagers! This is an incredible story into alcohol. Two nice cars, lovely home and a good job can mask what's going on inside. Being gracious is important and can be a reassuring tool into happiness. What comes across is the love Joe has for his wife Michaela, her love for him and his devotion to his family. Cuan Mhuire rehab facility played its part. "Stick with the winners" and the moment his eldest girl spoke to her daddy. Really powerful. Perhaps more than anything, Joe comes across as a brilliant human being, honest, authentic and deeply strong. Well done Joe Diver

Games reviewed and a look ahead to a wonderful weekend in Croke Park. The championship has burst into life. Poor Oisin though...

Kevin Mussen was the first man to bring Sam Maguire across the border. He still remembers the night and the customs posts. Different days. He and his Down team lit up the 60’s and Kevin remembers it all. Eamon de Valera, climbing the steps, bringing Sam to school and looking back on a truly historic moment for the GAA. Kevin is the oldest person we’ve ever had on the podcast- and full of craic. There's a devilment to this witty, kind man. Older people tend to say it how it is. There’s plenty of that. Living with cancer, surviving falls and despite coming 92- he’s determined to live. Live better! H names the two best players he's seen. One is from Kerry, the other from Derry. Kevin Mussen, an outstanding listen with one of the great people of our times

Oisin is in great form- wonder why? We look ahead to a big weekend of Gaelic Games in both the All-Ireland and Tailteann Cup

King of the celebration, a proper Dublin superstar who had to wait seven years for his breakthrough season. Wins, bringing Dublin back from obscurity and in 2002 finishing joint top scorer- but missing that crucial free v Armagh. What could have been. What is the ultimate embarrassment for any Gaelic footballer? Tommy Carr brought Ray Cosgrove on as a substitute in Croke Park, 1999 Leinster final. He was then taken off. Cruel. Their relationship pretty much ended and Ray couldn't play under Tommy again. Kilmacud Crokes is his club, but the children line out for Ballyboden now. Dublin players signing outside players is an issue "That's always been there" we also look ahead to the games this weekend, including Dublin against Derry.It's honest, funny and an illuminating account of one of the most recognisable Dublin footballers over the past 25 years.