Club Matters

Tullaroan Intermediate hurlers won county, Leinster and All Ireland titles in 2019/2020 and for this episode we spoke to two of their players, Martin Walsh and Mark Walsh. Both of the lads contributed hugely to those wins and helped them return to the senior ranks. A really great chat and plenty is discussed about their club in this episode including the All Ireland win and there's also mention of Hail Marys and cows wandering around the roads of Kilkenny! 

We headed back to Tipperary for this episode and spoke to Timmy Hammersley from Clonoulty-Rossmore. Timmy hurls for the club's seniors and was part of the Tipp panel that won an All Ireland in 2010. We talk about his club and the development of their underage set up as well as the efforts they've gone to, to develop their grounds. Timmy also speaks about being part of an inter county set up, but as well as that, he talks at length about the self development that came with being let go from the Tipperary panel, and how that shaped him. He has many passions and sitting down and speaking to him about these was a great experience for us. We know you'll really enjoy this episode.   

For this episode we sat down with Clare Cooke from Naomh Barróg CLG on Dublin's Northside. Established in 1974, Naomh Barróg caters for both codes in the men's and ladies' game. Clare plays with the club's ladies football team and she is also heavily involved in coaching their juveniles. She has been involved with the footballers for a long time and we discuss many things about Naomh Barróg in the episode as well as the growth of the ladies game at all levels. A great chat with Clare and it was great to hear her about dedication to the development of her club both on and off the pitch. 

We went overseas for this week's episode to speak to the Chairman of Abu Dhabi Na Fianna GAA, Trevor Buckley. Originally from Co. Offaly, Trevor is currently serving his second term as chairman of the club and is living in Abu Dhabi since 2005. The club is celebrating its 25 year anniversary this year and Trevor has had a really big part to play in the success of his club, as well as the success of the GAA in the Middle East region through his involvement in the GAA World Games. A great chat with Trevor and fantastic to hear that Irish culture is alive and well in Abu Dhabi, with GAA clubs again being the focal point.  

We visit Tyrone this week and speak to Damian Casey from Eoghan Ruadh Hurling Club in Dungannon. Damian gives us a good insight into the club and hurling in general in Tyrone. It's interesting to hear about the work being done at underage by Eoghan Ruadh and also interesting to hear about the decision of their seniors to play in the Antrim leagues, which can involve plenty of long journeys to games. Damian also represents Tyrone seniors and he speaks about his long commutes over and back from the UK to make training and matches for both club and county. Also included in the episode is Damian's all time Eoghan Ruadh 7 a side team. 

For this week's episode we head to Connemara Co. Galway to speak to Cian Ó Griallais from Cumann Mícheál Breathnach. Cian has been a dual player for the club for many years and we discuss many things about the club both on and off the pitch. Cian also speaks with great pride about what it means to be a native Irish speaker playing for a club from the West of Ireland Gaeltacht. 

For this episode we visit Emyvale GAA club in Co. Monaghan and speak to Greg Devlin, a current player with their men's team,  There's plenty of football discussed in the episode and Greg fills us in on fixtures and plenty of other goings on in the club scene in Co. Monaghan also. 

For this episode we visit Newtownmountkennedy GAA in County Wicklow. I speak to Ciarán McGuirl who plays and coaches with the club, about goings on in Newtown GAA and we chat about the club scene in County Wicklow also.

For this episode we visit Ballaghaderreen GAA club in Co Mayo and chat to current player Joe Dillon. Joe talks at length about the club, the people involved and we chat about his own playing career also. We also chat briefly about the club scene in Co Mayo and he picks his all time Ballaghaderreen 7 a side team also.

For the first episode we visit my club, Silvermines GAA in Co. Tipperary. I talk to Ronan Sherlock, a current player and we chat about the club and his own playing career. We also discuss club hurling in Tipp, including championship structures and he picks his all time 'Mines 7 a side team.