Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 31

It’s now make-or-break in the county adult football and hurling championships as coveted places in the knock-out stages and dreaded spots in the relegation series are now honing inexorably into view. Eoin and James undertake an extensive delve into both as a dramatic weekend of penultimate group stage football action is followed by the final round of three-quarters of the senior hurling groups.

The new adult soccer and ladies football campaigns also got underway at the weekend while we catch up on The Masked Predictor alternative senior championships in both football and hurling as big punditry reputations are put firmly on the line

0:00-4:40 - Intro;

4:40-39:07 - The well-travelled Kieran Madigan joins the lads to discuss a compelling weekend of adult football championship action that saw three teams secure their first victories and only Éire Óg and Kilmurry Ibrickane able to protect their perfect starts to this year's Jack Daly race albeit that the intermediate version is a little more clearcut after two rounds;

39:07-47:51 - The scores are in for The Masked Predictor updates as almost 30 club representatives from all over Clare go head-to-head for alternative County Senior Hurling and Football titles while Eoin and James also discuss the weekend’s ladies football openers;

47:51-1.28:55 - A mouthwatering series of final round showdowns takes place in the Canon Hamilton race this weekend, with all eight senior classes comprehensively debated and discussed by analysts Ger O’Connell and Kevin McNamara;

1.28:55-1.42:57 - Dean Russell returns as the domestic soccer season commenced in limited fashion at the weekend. Fingers crossed the unpredictable weather won’t affect the next round of midweek league cups in all four divisions;

1.42:57- Round Up of the Women’s Premier Division, the county adult camogie championships, International hockey, Munster Rugby’s return to the Women’s Interprovincial Championship Final with a game to spare, an update on the Ennis/Kilrush Women’s Rugby ‘Give it a Try’ coaching camps as well as Friday’s ‘Midnight Mile’ in the West Clare Sports and Fitness Track in Cooraclare.

Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 31

Intro: 00:00 - 04:30;

Ladies Football review/club preview with Derek Dormer: 04:30 - 23:13;

Camogie club championship (also with Derek): 23:14 - 30:27;

Clare Hurling championship round 2 review with Ger O'Connell & Kevin McNamara: 30:28 - 1:07:25;

Clare Football championship round 2 preview with Kieran Madigan: 1:07:26 - 1:28:08;

Clare Soccer is back! Dean Russell joins us with all the news ahead of the new season: 1:07:27 - 1:38:10;

Ennis/Kilrush Women's Rugby are back training & looking to recruit players to their team. Coach Gareth O'Hanlon joins us to tell us about the county wide 'Give it a Try' coaching camps & to look at Munster's first round win in the new Interprovincial Series that's just started: 1:38:11 - 1:49:53;

Roundup from around the county including Rugby, Soccer & LGFA fixtures, the Clare players in the North American GAA Championship in Denver this weekend & more: 1:49:53 - 1:56:39

'It's such a clichéd thing, but it is what you dream of...'

Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 30

This week, we look back at the heroics of the Clare Junior Camogie side who were crowned All-Ireland Champions in Croke Park on Sunday, while we look forward to the All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies' Football Final this coming Sunday. We also review Round 1 of the Senior Football Championship, and preview Round 2 of the Senior Hurling Championship.

intro: 00.00.00 - 00.04.45;

Camogie Captain Sinéad O'Keeffe: 00.04.45 - 00.08.50;

Clare v Tipp Camogie Final Review: 00:08:50 - 00:17:10;

Ladies Football All Ireland Preview (featuring Wayne Freeman & Aisling Reidy): 00:17:10 - 00:51:36;

County Football 1st round review: 00:51:37 - 01:19:15;

Champion Chatter Football Predictions: 01:19:16 - 01:23:31;

County Hurling Championship 2nd round preview: 01:23:32 - 01:39:18;

Rugby news, Fixtures Round-Up and final wrap: 01:39:20 - 01:46:20.

Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 29

A first ever All-ireland Camogie Final appearance for Clare’s second team who finally make their long-awaited breakthrough to the Premier Junior decider this Sunday against neighbours Tipperary (12.50pm). Eoin and James talk to players and management ahead of this landmark occasion.

Back in the Banner, it was a huge full opening weekend of senior, intermediate and Junior A hurling championship fare while there’s also a comprehensive preview of this weekend’s football equivalents.

The Masked Predictor hurling race also heats up while football representatives are sought for all 12 senior football clubs.

0:00-3:00 - Intro;

3:00-14:35 - Clare Junior Camogie Captain Sinead O’Keeffe has helped her side to finally reach the promised land of Croke Park this Sunday. The Kilmaley native outlines Clare’s second string’s journey to get to this lofty stage against Tipperary in the All-Ireland Premier Junior Final;

14:35-21:40 - The Clare Tipperary rivalry is most felt at the Killaloe/Ballina border where Clare Junior Camogie Coach Brendan Foley is accustomed to the banter and buzz at the bridge that divides the counties;

21:40-55:27 - The Clare Senior Hurling Championship got into full gear at the weekend, with the feats and consequences of each of the eight matches discussed in detail by analysts Ger O’Connell and Kevin McNamara;

55:27-1.03:42 - Derek Dormer weighs in on the winners and losers of the weekend's TUS Senior Hurling Championship action;

1.03:42-1.45:03 - All five Adult Football Championships commence over a busy August Bank Holiday weekend, with Kieran Madigan and Derek Dormer reuniting in studio to assess the chances of all 12 teams at senior level;

1.45:03-1.49:25 - The Masked Predictor results from from the opening round of the Alternative Senior Hurling Championship and a search for representatives for the senior football equivalent are sought by Eoin and James;

1.49:25-1.55:45 - Kieran Madigan stays on to delve into the groups and main candidates for the TUS Intermediate Football Championship race which also throws-in this Saturday;

1.55:45- Round Up of Ireland’s Women's World Cup conclusion, this weekend’s major fixtures along with a new chapter for Ailish Considine and athletics and swimming news.

Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 28

A double Croke Park date with destiny awaits for Clare in August after the flagship ladies footballers and the junior camogie squad bother prevailed in their respective All-Ireland Semi-Finals over the weekend. Eoin and James look back on both penultimate stage clashes along with delving deeper into a big seven days in the TUS Clare Senior Hurling Championship.

Dean Russell returns to commence the summer soccer speculation while the Clare Cricket's new home in Ballycasey in Shannon is featured as the club look to expand its playing base.

0:00-8:07 - Intro;

8:07-11:10 - Clare defensive wall Siofra Ní Chonaill gives her immediate reaction to Clare’s advancement to the All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Championship Final in a fortnight’s time following their semi-final victory over Antrim in Longford on Sunday;

11:10-26:10 - A first All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Final in seven years awaits for Clare after finally breaking their semi-final hoodoo against reigning junior championship Antrim. Derek Dormer looks back on a gritty victory as well as ahead to a rematch with Kildare in three week’s time;

26:08-34:00 - Clare supporters don’t just have one trip to Croke Park in August as the junior camogie side finally made it fourth time lucky at the penultimate stage to book their place in the All-Ireland Premier Junior decider against neighbours Tipperary on Sunday week. Derek ’the GLOAT’ Dormer reflects on a merited breakthrough;

34:00-1.04:55 - The 2023 TUS Clare Senior Hurling Championship couldn’t have gotten off to a more dramatic start with Kilmaley lowering back-to-back champions Ballyea. With a full eight match schedule to pour over this Saturday, Eoin, James and Derek assess the teams and the form guide for all 16 teams;

1.04:55-1.22:33 - Voted in as the County PRO at last Thursday’s CDSL AGM, Dean Russell returns to the pod to analyse Clare Soccer's annual gathering as well as some transfer speculation for both players and management. Eoin and James also converse about Ireland’s Women’s World Cup match against Canada in Perth on Wednesday;

1.22:33-1.42:35 - Now that the Clare senior hurlers are out for another season, the county needs another team to follow, with the Clare Cricket Club's Richard Morton joining Eoin and James to provide some awareness of the club’s structure, ambitions and their proud new home oval in Ballycasey in Shannon;

1.42:35- Round Up of this weekend’s TUS Senior, Intermediate and Junior A Hurling Championship Fixtures, the prospect of an All-Ireland Under 16A Shield Camogie title and upcoming national athletics and swimming championships.

Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 27

As the inter-county season draws to a close, there’s two more pivotal All-Ireland Semi-Finals at Intermediate Ladies Football and Premier Junior Camogie to look forward to this weekend while it’s also Christmas Eve for clubs, starting with the County Senior Hurling Championship lift-off this Saturday. Meanwhile Eoin and James have gone golf crazy since Aine Donegal’s inspirational US Open debut.

0:00-9:06 - Intro including analysis of Saturday’s All-ireland Premier Junior Camogie Championship between Clare and Armagh in Donaghmore/Ashbourne.

9:06-39:27 - Dual football and soccer star Laurie Ryan looks forward to Clare’s second consecutive All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Semi-Final against Antrim along with assessing Ireland’s hopes in the upcoming Women’s World Cup which commences in spectacular fashion with Thursday’s 80,000 capacity opener against hosts Australia.

39:27-1.20:08 - The much-anticipated Clare Senior Hurling Championship begins this Saturday as 17 clubs vie for the coveted Canon Hamilton Cup. Ger O'Connell and Kevin McNamara are joined by Ballyea’s three-time winning manager Robbie Hogan to analysis the groups and more pointedly this weekend’s opening two matches.

1.20:08-1.33:48 - Miltown’s Garry Cup victory, the weekend’s All-ireland Senior Football Semi-Finals and Champion Chatter’s diversion into professional golf were all on the menu as Kieran Madigan joined Eoin and James on the line.

1.33:48-1.45:05 - 2,500 cyclists will be participating in this year’s Ring of Clare sportive, with event organiser Mark O’Connell outlining the route, its appeal and the growing popularity of cycling in the county.

1.45:05 - The Clare District Soccer League AGM takes place this Thursday, individual accolades for Aine Donegan and Fidelma Marrinan, Clare’s latest achievements in athletics and an upcoming prediction competition for the County Senior Hurling and Football Championships are all discussed in the concluding part of this week’s pod.

Fresh off the plane from her unforgettable major golf debut in the US Open, Ennis native Aine Donegan graciously returned to the studio to speak with Eoin and James about an unprecedented experience as an amateur in Pebble Beach which included the loss and damage to her clubs ahead of the tournament, that scorching opening round and the vast media attention that her story generated over a memorable weekend.

Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 26

A weekend of All-Ireland Championship contrasts saw the Clare Senior hurlers suffer a heartbreaking semi-final exit to Kilkenny once more while there was much better news for the flagship ladies footballers, junior camogie and Under 16 sides who are now preparing for their shot  prestigious All-Ireland Final appearances.

0:00-4:06 - Intro4:06-38:22 - An incident packed All-Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-Final rematch with Clare and Kilkenny ensured that supporters experienced the full gamut of emotions before the Cats narrowly prevailed. Ger O’Connell and Kevin McNamara join Eoin and James to look back on all the major talking points and assess another agonising penultimate stage defeat;

38:22-1.12:00 - Quiz champions Kieran Madigan and Derek Dormer reunite to discuss all the weekend’s action from a dramatic hurling semi-final to five adult football league finals including Ennistymon’s first ever Cusack Cup triumph. They also preview the Garry Cup decider between Miltown and Doora/Barefield;

1.12:00-1.27:02 - Derek remained in the studio to celebrate All-Ireland Championship knock-out victories for Clare’s flagship ladies footballers as well as the junior and Under 16 Camogie sides who are all now preparing for last four ties in the coming weeks;

1.27:02-1.43:20 - One of Clare ladies football’s most inspirational players is Siofra Ní Chonaill who was once more instrumental in powering the county back into the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Semi-Finals following a home victory over Westmeath on Sunday. The talismanic St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield defender talked to Eoin and James about a new-look Clare’s path, her bueogning punditry career and the prospect of facing Antrim;

1.35:55-1.45:48 - Kieran Madigan returns to assess Friday’s Cusack Cup derby decider between holders St Breckan’s and Ennistymon in Corofin (7pm) along with the Division 3/4/6 and 7 Football League Finals;

1.45:48 - The pride of watching Aine Donegan’s US Open bow to big matches for Clare’s Under 16 (Camogie and Ladies Football), Minor (Camogie) and cricket sides, the lads also outline an upcoming prediction competition for the County Senior Hurling and Football Championships.