Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 26

It’s Clare v Kilkenny Mark II in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-Final, a much-anticipated tie that is previewed from both sides of the divide as Brendan Bugler, Ger O’Connell and Kilkenny native Shane Walsh look ahead to the this rematch.

Revenge is also on the Banner’s mind in the All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Championship Quarter-Final showdown against Westmeath on home soil on Sunday at 2pm. Eoin and James canvas the views of Derek Dormer and Westmeath All-Ireland Intermediate winner Sarah Dolan while also reflecting on Clare’s mixed senior and junior fortunes at All-Ireland levels.

It’s not just inter-county on the menu though as the conclusion of the adult club hurling leagues last weekend allied to the upcoming equivalents in football are also featured as O’Callaghan’s Mills bridged a 28 year gap to their last Clare Cup crown while St Breckan’s and Ennistymon clash for northern supremacy this Friday in the Cusack Cup.

0:00-6:20 - Intro;

6:20-30:17 - Have Clare learned from their 2022 reverse to Kilkenny? Will injuries curtail Clare’s final hopes for the second successive season or is there a Banner backlash imminent? Questions that two-time All-Star Brendan Bugler joined Ger O’Connell to ponder ahead of Sunday’s penultimate All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship clash;

30:17-45:35 - It’s a first All-Ireland series for Derek Lyng’s new-look Kilkenny side who retained their Leinster championship and will be hoping to also replicate their semi-final victory over Clare. TG4 Sport’s Shane Walsh provides the Cats perspective;

45:35-1.20:48 - Bananaman Derek Dormer joined the lads in studio to review all the weekend’s activities including six adult club league finals, Clare’s exit from the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship along with looking ahead to Clare v Kilkenny (senior hurling), Clare v Cavan (Premier Junior Camogie) and Clare v Westmeath (Intermediate ladies Football);

1.20:48-1.35:55 - Former Westmeath star Sarah Dolan not only has an insight in her native county’s All-Ireland challenge but as part of the commentary team that covered Clare’s last outing against Tyrone, also knows all about the Banner, an unrivalled perspective that she imparts to weigh up Sunday’s All-ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Quarter-Final encounter;

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;

1.48:48 - Round up of inter-county fixtures, U-15 Football and Hurling Championship updates along with Éire Óg and Fergus Rovers’ semi-final finishes in the National Féile na nÓg Peil Finals and Clare’s successes in the National U-23 Athletics Championships.

Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 25

If only we could bottle this feeling as the Clare flagship hurlers and ladies footballers along with the Junior camogie squad advanced in their respective All-Ireland Championship campaign while Coláiste Muire's remarkable dominance at All-Ireland level in volleyball and Clare GAA's new online newsletter is also discussed by Eoin and James with a variety of guests.

0:00-6:55 - Intro

6:55-20:43 - Ger O'Connell looks back on another big win as Clare returned to a second consecutive All-Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-Final following a commanding triumph over Dublin while also peering ahead to a rematch with the Cats.

20:43-39:57 - A banana laden Derek Dormer joined Eoin and James in studio to reflect on a successful weekend for the flagship hurlers and ladies footballers along with the Junior Camogie side while it's turn of the senior camogie side this Saturday to try and reach the business end of their All-Ireland campaign

39:57-1.00:18 - Coláiste Muire are the foremost volleyball school in Ireland at the moment after sweeping the board at junior, cadette and senior A post-primary levels this year. Coach Jack Neylon and star player Aislinn Carey join the lads in studio to gain an insight into the dominance of the Ennis school.

1.00:18-1.17:24 - A new Clare GAA ezine 'The Dal gCais hit our screens recently with over 60 pages of reviews, interviews and profiles of all five gaelic games codes. Clare GAA Coaching and Games Officer Neil O'Brien and Clare GAA Games Manager Micheál Duffy are on the line to discuss this new initiative as well as the upcoming Cúl Camps and adult hurling league finals.

1.17:24 - Round up of inter-county fixtures, the final of the club adult hurling leagues and an update on previous guests Aine Donegan and Imogen Cotter's recent competitions as well as summers camps and fundraisers.

'I was able to cycle the World Championships in my sitting room which was great'

Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 24

In the aftermath of Colm Collins' decision to step down as Clare Senior Football Manager after a decade long adventure, Eoin and James discuss his legacy and what now for the flagship footballers.

Their female equivalents are through to the last eight in the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship, the senior camogie side require a final round victory over Cork to match that feat while Brian Lohan's hurlers are back to the Gaelic Grounds this Saturday to commence their All-Ireland Senior campaign against Dublin this Saturday.

Recommencing her National Cycling Championship bid following a two year gap Ruan native and professional race Imogen Cotter joins the lads in studio to discuss her path to a national title, her near fatal accident and her plans for the future.

0:00-4:57 - Intro;

4:57-30:40 - Colm Collins' departure, Clare's final championship display against Derry, the club championship draw and the semi-finals of the Cusack and Garry Cups are all discussion points for Kieran Madigan to assess;

30:40-1.06:17 - Clare native Imogen Cotter joins Eoin and James in studio to reflect on her remarkable rise, fall and return cycling story ahead of this week's National Cycling Championship return;

1.06:17-1.36:47 - Derek Dormer came into studio to look back on a dramatic weekend of inter-county action that saw the Clare footballers complete their All-Ireland campaign, the ladies footballers powered into the last eight of their intermediate campaign while the senior camogie side's first set-back against Galway tees them up for a winner-takes-all showdown against Cork in a fortnight's time. Colm Collins' decision and the club championships are also on the agenda;

1.36:47-1.49:29 - The Clare hurlers get back on the saddle this weekend but what can they expect to face in Dublin? RTE Nuacht Sports Correspondent and Dublin native Ruairi Mac Con Iomaire provides an insight into Micheál Donoghue's new-look side;

1.49:29 - Round up of inter-county fixtures, the knock-out stages of the club adult hurling leagues and Clare’s representation on Ireland underage rugby squads.

'There’s actually a real tiger on campus and his name is Mike'

Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 23

The agony of a second Munster Senior Hurling Final defeat is offset by All-Ireland wins for the Banner in the intermediate ladies football and junior camogie championships. In another major Clare success story, golfer Aine Donegan qualified for the upcoming US Open in Pebble Peach at the start of July and Eoin and James were delighted to welcome her to the studio during her first trip home since that news.

The flagship footballers and camogie squad face big tests this Saturday while there’s also plenty of club activity with Wednesday’s county adult hurling and football championship draw, the final round of the Clare Cup and the Cumann na mBunscoil Finals in Cusack Park on Wednesday and Thursday.

0:00-8:23 - Intro;

8:23-35:12 - Munster hurling Final heartbreak, a good start for the ladies footballers and championship outings for the senior and junior camogie side are among the topics to discuss with Derek Dormer who joined Eoin and James in studio;

35:12-46:45 - Clare’s final inter-county football action of 2023 sees Clare take on Ulster Champions Derry this Saturday. Kieran Madigan assesses their mindset, tactical learnings from previous displays and possibly finishing the season on a high;

46:45-1.26:15 - Clare golf was elevated onto an international stage last week when Aine Donegan qualified for the US Open. The Ennis star joined Eoin and James to reflect on that achievement, college life in America and how her career has developed;

1.26:15- Clare Cup final round ramifications, inter-county and Cumann na mBunscoil Hurling/Camogie Final fixtures and the upcoming Munster Under 14-19 Outdoor Athletics Championships.

Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 22

A historic weekend for the Clare minor hurlers has bolstered the county ahead of this Sunday’s Munster Senior Hurling Final showdown against Limerick while there was also further silverware for Newmarket Celtic, a fabulous final flourish from the flagship camogie side in their opening All-Ireland evaluation, the start of another All-Ireland Intermediate quest for their ladies football equivalents and a much improved performance from the senior male footballers in Monaghan.

0:00-7:13 - Intro;7:13-8:07 - New All-Ireland Minor champion Jamie Moylan speaks about his side’s historic breakthrough against Galway with Derek Dormer immediately afterwards in Semple Stadium;

8:07-37:05 - A major week for Clare hurling commenced in the perfect fashion on Sunday when the Under 17’s captured a first All-Ireland Minor crown in 26 years. One of those 1997 minors Ger O’Connell and Clare royalty Cyril Lyons reflect on that minor success along with looking ahead to the seniors derby Munster Final showdown with Limerick this Sunday;

37:05-38:18 - The ever-impressive Sean Arthur;

38:18-1.05:00 - Clare saved their best for last to snatch the opening All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship points from Down. Derek Dormer travelled to Liatroim Fontenoys for that tie and was also in Semple Stadium to witness the Minors’ All-Ireland triumph;

1.05:00-1.17:50 - Fidelman Marrinan, Roisin Looney’s doppelgänger, joins the lads to look ahead to the start of Clare’s All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Championship campaign this Sunday against Offaly in Clara;

1.17:50-1.30:23 - Kieran Madigan was in Clones to watch the Clare footballers finally spark into life in the All-Ireland Senior Championship albeit that they just came up agonisingly short against hosts Monaghan;1.30:23-1.37:47 - Dean Russell was at both big showdowns over the past week as the Clare soccer season drew to a dramatic conclusion on Saturday evening when Newmarket Celtic came from behind to pip chief rivals Avenue United and reclaim the Premier Division title;

1.37:47- Cusack and Garry Cup connotations, inter-county fixtures and a round up of Clare athletes success in the weekend’s All-Ireland Schools Athletic Championships.

'I remember we brought them to the back of the team bus at half-time and absolutely tore the heads off them for conceding a single point'

Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 21

It’s a big week of ultimate showdowns as first recently crowned Clare Cup winners Avenue United and FAI Junior Cup champions Newmarket Celtic lock horns in a Premier Division decider on Wednesday evening before three All-Ireland Championship ties at the weekend will decide Clare’s fate in three codes as the flagship camogie side travel north against Down in a crucial opener, their male football equivalents also travel to Ulster looking to get off the mark against hosts Monaghan while the minor hurlers seek to create further history when taking on neighbours Galway in the All-Ireland Final. Add in a Munster title for the Clare ladies footballers, Munster’s URC success, Clare’s excellent premier junior camogie start, further cup glory for Bridge United and promotion for the Ennis Dons and it proved an extended show for Eoin and James.

0:00-3:10 - Intro;

3:10-38:13 - Clare got off the mark in style in the All-Ireland Premier Junior Camogie Championship last Saturday and face another opening journey north this Saturday when travelling to Down in the senior equivalent. Members of the adult camogie manager Ann-Marie McGann and Brendan Foley joins in studio in an enlightening up and down interview;

38:14-1.00:40 - An intriguing derby All-Ireland Minor Final between Clare and Galway is unquestionably the highlight of the coming weekend, with Clare and Galway natives Derek Dormer and Ivan Smyth weighing up the match-up along with reflecting on a dramatic final Sunday of provincial senior hurling action;

1.00:40-1.14:24 - Silverware was secured by Clare’s flagship ladies footballers and Munster last weekend, with Wayne Freeman’s side garnering merited Munster Senior B glory over Limerick in Mallow while down in Cape Town, Munster soared to a first URC crown in 12 years;

1.14:25-1.31:00 - It’s another unmissable finale to the Clare soccer season with Avenue Utd’s second successive Clare Cup victory teeing them up to try and do likewise in the Premier Division when hosting leaders Newmarket Celtic in Roslevan on Wednesday. That showdown, Avenue’s Clare Cup Final victory, reaction from winning manager David Russell, Bridge Utd’s double double and Ennis Dons penalty promotion success are all discussed by Dean Russell;

1.31:00-1.46:40 - Kieran Madigan focuses in on the challenge of Monaghan as Clarelook to bounce back in the All-ireland Senior Football Championship when traveling to Clones this Sunday;

1.46:40 - James and Eoin outline the coming weekend’s Inter-county and soccer fixtures and discuss Clare’s recent athletics feats in a final sign off.

“Coming up to big games, I can hardly sleep and I’m not even playing"

Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 21

It was an unforgettable weekend for the county’s minor and senior hurlers, not so great for the flagship footballers while there’s a pivotal weekend on the way for Ennis rivals Avenue United and Lifford in a unique Clare Cup Final, not to mention a Munster Senior B Final for the ladies footballers. Just some of the topics discussed by Eoin, James and a host of new and returning guests

0:00-5:35 - Intro;

6:20-7:50 - Clare Minor star James Hegarty reflects on his side’s unprecedented All-Ireland Semi-Final victory over Kilkenny with Derek Dormer in Semple Stadium;

7:50-31;30 - The showpiece event of the Clare soccer season takes place this Saturday as the Clare Cup Final sees holders Avenue United take on town rivals Lifford for the first time. Respective managers David Russell and Adrian Walsh join us in studio to build up to this compelling match-up;

31:30-52:25 - Derek Dormer joins us to look back on a momentous weekend for the Clare minor and senior hurlers who both advanced to prestigious finals while the Clare ladies footballers are also through to the Munster Senior B decider against Limerick this Sunday;

52:25-1.09:55 - A new challenge but the same outcome for the Clare footballers who fell to a disappointing opening reverse in their All-Ireland Senior Football Championship opener at home to Donegal. Kieran Madigan dissects the performance and looks for a change of approach for the trip to Monaghan;

1.09:55-1.19:00 - Dean Russell is on the line as Bridge United maintain their Under 17 dominance, Tulla United and Shannon Olympic rise to the challenge to consolidate their league statuses while Newmarket Celtic and Avenue United remain on track for their league showdown on Wednesday week;

1:19:00 - James and Eoin look forward to a big occasion for Munster Rugby who are vying for their first silverware in 12 years this Saturday when traveling to Cape Town to take on holders Stormers in the URC Grand Final.

“Definitely the standards are rising all the time and Clare are right up there with the top underage structures in the country'

Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 20

Mixed results in a quartet of Munster Finals in three different codes are central to this week’s podcast that welcomes back a Toblerone along with its owner James to the studio alongside members of the triumphant Munster Minor Hurling winning management Damian O’Halloran and Fintan Leamy.

0:00-6:20 - Intro

6:20-8:58 - Clare star Cathal Malone reviews his side’s latest Munster Senior Hurling Championship victory against Waterford immediately afterward with Derek Dormer

9:00-29:25 - The Clare hurling buzz in Semple Stadium continued on Saturday when the seniors brushed off the challenge of Davy Fitzgerald’s Waterford. Ger O’Connell and Kevin McNamara reflect on an unusual but ultimately facile victory that tees up their final round showdown with Cork perfectly this Sunday.

29:25-49:57 - Damian O’Halloran and Fintan Leamy, members of the Munster Minor Hurling winning management join us in studio to discuss that triumphant night in Semple Stadium over Cork along with the upcoming All-Ireland Semi-Final against Kilkenny back in the same venue this Saturday.

49:57-1.08:38 - The Clare flagship footballers are eager to bounce back from their harrowing Munster Final reverse to Kerry when hosting Donegal in the opening round of the new-look All-Ireland Senior Championship this Saturday at 2pm. Derek Dormer and Kieran ‘Dr. Donegal’ Madigan comprehensively assess Clare’s chances.

1.08:40-1.20:50 - Clare were made to suffer a disappointing Munster Senior Camogie Final reverse to neighbours Tipperary on Saturday. Derek Dormer looks back on the Banner’s deflating defeat and the need to pick up the pieces for the upcoming All-Ireland series.

1:.20:50-1.31:40 - Newmarket Celtic’s double dream was agonisingly denied after penalties in Saturday’s Munster Junior Cup Final against Regional United. Dean Russell analyses that heartbreaking tie along with their return to Premier Division action while Shannon Town B’s First Division crown and Ennis Town’s National Under 12 victory are also featured.

1.31:40- - Round-Up of Clare’s advancement to another Munster Final, this time in the Senior B Ladies Football Championship. Eoin and James also outline the upcoming inter-county fixtures, Gort Community School’s Super 9’s Hurling Tournament and Munster's rare victory over Leinster.

’If ye could get them off the ground with a bit of silverware and maybe get the Clare crowd hyped up, it would be a great start'

Champion Chatter - Season 02 Episode 19

Clare's progress in all codes means that there are four Munster Finals to look forward to over the next six days, a hectic schedule that Eoin and his foreign exchange student co-host James look to run the rule over as Newmarket Celtic, the senior camogie squad and Minor and U-20 hurlers compete for provincial glory.

It wasn't so glorious for the flagship male footballers on Sunday but where there's life there's hope as the rewards of reaching a Munster Final means that there is still a redemptive All-Ireland series to come.

Add in rugby and the business end of the domestic men's and ladies' cup soccer and it was another lengthy edition, albeit this time on time for your Tuesday coffee break.

0:00-5:04 - Intro;

5:05-23:00 - Derek Dormer joins Eoin and James to discuss Clare's U-20 hurling semi-final victory over Tipperary and three more pivotal provincial championship ties back in Thurles this week for the minor and senior hurlers and flagship camogie team, not to mention Newmarket Celtic's latest cup final against Regional for the Munster Junior honours;

23:00-46:55 - A frank dissection of Clare's humbling Munster Senior Football Final reverse to All-Ireland champions Kerry is undertaken by Kieran Madigan, Derek Dormer and Kerry royalty John Kennedy as well as a look ahead to what's next for the provincial finalists;

46:55-1.08:40 - Clare Senior Camogie Manager John Carmody joins us in the studio to reflect on Sunday's Munster Intermediate Semi-Final defeat to Kerry and the possibility of prestigious Munster Senior Camogie silverware this Saturday when take on hosts Tipperary in FBD Semple Stadium at 3.30pm;

1.08:40-1.22:40 - Dean Russell is on the line to discuss Newmarket Celtic's remarkable bid for the perfect external cup season. Avenue Utd and Lifford will contest this year's Clare Cup Final while there's a huge final weekend in the First Division and Second/Third Play-Off;

1.22:40- - Round-Up of Clare’s upcoming inter-county fixtures, the ladies cup finals and Munster's latest challenge against Leinster in the URC

’The Lostcast: The miracle of Kevin Barry Avenue'

Champion Chatter: Season 02 Episode 18

There’s no doubt about it, you don’t miss things until they're gone as a bit like the Clare hurlers last week, there was a lot of soul-searching between Eoin and James as to what happened to this week’s podcast!

All seemed lost when they were told by experts that the files were unretrievable but there was a knight in shining armour in the form of Richard from Boot Systems who managed to resurrect the files and save the hosts’ bacon.

Therefore in an unprecedentedly bumper edition, the outstanding feats of Newmarket Celtic as well as the Clare hurlers and camogie squads In Limerick allied to another eagerly-awaited trip to the Gaelic Grounds this Sunday as we preview Clare’s first Munster Senior Football Final appearance in 12 years.

0:00-6:50 - Intro

6:50-7:50 - Diarmuid Ryan outlines his delight to get off the mark in style for this year’s Munster Senior Hurling Championship

7:50-22:00 - Derek Dormer joins Eoin and James to discuss a memorable weekend in Limerick in hurling, camogie and soccer as well as the ladies footballers continued Munster success.

22:00-37:05 - The Clare hurlers bounded back into the Munster Championship with a rousing victory over hosts Limerick on Saturday evening. Ger O’Connell and Kevin McNamara reflect on a season-altering victory along with upcoming semi-finals for the Minors and Under 20s

37:05-47:10 - Lifford's Hugh Kelly Cup triumph, big results in the First and Third Divisions and a huge cup week of Ladies Finals and the Clare Cup Semi-Finals with Dean Russell and Derek Dormer

47:10-1.06:15 - Newmarket Celtic’s newly-crowned FAI Junior Cup winning manager Paddy Purcell and the prestigious cup itself arrive in the studio to reflect on the biggest occasion in Clare soccer history as the club’s name has been carved into the roll of honour.

1.06:15-1.34:10 - Clare's first Munster Senior Football decider under Colm Collins is previewed with regular analysts Derek Dormer and Kieran Madigan along with John Kennedy, Kerry’s All-Ireland winning player and former Clare manager who led the Banner to their last championship silverware.

1.34:10-1.45:50 - A massive few weeks for Gort Community School and their Under 15 Super 9’s competition in both camogie and hurling are teed up by PR Committee Member Aisling Dolphin.

1.45:50- - Round-Up of Clare’s upcoming inter-county fixtures as well as an update on Munster Rugby and the Irish Women's team