Fair Game

In this episode of Fair Game, we tackle Endurance Sport. You know the feeling of doing something for the first time - you signed up for a daunting 10k or half marathon and trained for something you thought was beyond your limits. And then when you achieve that goal, your limits move further and further away. Well, our two guests today are here to talk about endurance for a journey that is without limits - always further, always longer, on foot and in water, we’re talking about ultra-marathons and that fabled distance, Iron Man.

In the first Fair Game hot seat we’re joined by an Olympian, who competed in the 2012 London Marathon. She is a regular top finisher in marathons including the 2017 Dublin SSE Airtricity Marathon, when she was second Irish woman over the line with a time of 2:36\. Catriona Jennings is the current Irish record holder in the 50k ultra-marathon distance – winning the Donadea ultra-marathon with a time of 3:24 and has represented her country in endurance sport with the Irish Ultra Marathon team (GOALZ). Caitriona, you’re very welcome to Fair Game.

Also joining us is a woman for whom mastery in one sport is simply not enough – oh no, excelling in her craft she has excelled in swimming the 2.4mile distance, the 112 mile cycle and THEN running a full marathon distance – Aileen Flynn is an IRON MAN. A two time Iron Man World Championship Finisher which take place every year on the Hawaiian Island of Kona – she was the only woman flying the flag for Ireland 2017\. Aileen, welcome to Fair Game

It’s PRIDE. Cities across the world are draping themselves in the rainbow flag and LGBT+ communities are taking to the streets in celebration and protest, in acts of affirmation and demonstrations of the communities visibility. We’re joined by two sporting powerhouses to talk about PRIDE in SPORT…

Firstly, the stick wielding wonder-woman, Captain of the Pink Ladies, Dublin’s answer to Beth Porter; Rachel Barry. And in the other FAIRGAME hotseat is a woman whom we could introduce as a vital member of the Dublin Ladies Football panel who won an All Ireland in 2010 and scored two goals in the 2014 Final, the ex-captain of the Irish Women’s Basketball Team, who first donned the green jersey as a nipper when she played for the U-18’s Irish Women’s Football team. HOWEVER, she made the switch to the oval ball at the ripe old age of 35 when she joined the Irish Rugby XV’s squad as a FIERCE member of the front row, playing in two Six Nations campaigns and making her mark in the 2017 Women’s World Cup and winning 2017 Women’s Player of the Year; the one'n'only Lindsay Peat.

On this episode, we’re bringing you something brand new... FAIR GAME RECOMMENDS is a round-up of our top picks from all the #WomenInSport content, TV programmes, podcasts, initiatives & events that we've been reading, watching, listening to, following & attending. There's something for everyone...

This episode features the London Marathon; Lidl LGFA NFL action; Barkley superwomen; AFLW's mighty roar; cheerleading; sexism in sports media; super summer camps for girls; Lindsey Vonn's sister; LGBT sports clubs and the opportunity to run with a certain Sonia... like we said - something for EVERYONE!

MEGAN CAMPBELL is one of the true talents of Irish soccer, who has shone bright for club, college and country alike.

From honing her skills in the football fields of Louth, to becoming a soccer scholarship star in The Sunshine State of Florida, to playing alongside some of the biggest names in the game at Manchester City, to taking a stand for the future of the green jersey - she's got some epic stories to share.

Megan takes to the FAIR GAME hot-seat to reflect on her footballing career so far - battling with the boys at grassroots, formative underage successes, Title IX standards, throw-in technique, injury setbacks, fighting for equality, and World Cup ambitions - we covered it it ALL.

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On this episode we're joined by one of the most accomplished footballers to ever play the game. As the old saying goes, “backs win games; forwards decide by how much” - well, this woman is testament to that. She’s been at the defensive core of the most legendary team in women's Gaelic Games for well over a decade - marking every sharpshooter sent her way, and consistently coming out on top.

BRÍD STACK has won a staggering ELEVEN All Ireland titles in the red shirt of Cork since 2005 - playing every single minute of each of those triumphant outings in Croke Park on the last Sunday in September. She’s also picked up a staggering seven All Stars in the process; and, was the Players’ Player of the Year for 2016.

Bríd takes to the FAIR GAME hot-seat to reflect on her football career so far - from the grassroots of Rockchapel, to tasting success at underage; from getting the basics right, to the rise of the Rebelettes; from the highs and lows of their relentless pursuit of success, to the future... we covered it it ALL.

On this episode we're joined by a titan of Irish rugby, who recently hung up the green jersey for good... in her own words: “It is with regret that I am announcing my retirement. I had hoped to finish my career after playing in one last Six Nations, but it is not to be. I have been incredibly proud to pull on the Irish jersey and to play for Ireland alongside such talented team-mates. The women’s game is at a critical junction, and I hope to see it driven forward…”

Since making her debut for Ireland back in 2012, **SOPHIE SPENCE**'s explosive carries, tireless tackling and powerful presence in the second row helped drive Ireland towards an unprecedented era of success which yielded a historic Grand Slam in 2013, a World Cup semi-final in 2014, and a second Six Nations title in 2015… and she even got herself a nomination for World Rugby Player of the Year in the process.

Sophie takes to the FAIR GAME hot-seat to reflect on the highs and lows during her six years of answering Ireland’s Call - from a chance big break into international rugby, to the infamous overnight odyssey to Pau; from a rainy day in Turin when Grand Slam dreams came true, to the tactical toppling of the mighty Black Ferns in Marcoussis; from entering a new era of Irish women's rugby, to a lengthy spell of the sidelines with concussion; and from a disappointing World Cup on home soil, to the bright future ahead... we covered it ALL.

We’ve been running FAIR GAME for over two years now, and keenly following all aspects of women’s sports for a lot longer – undeniably, these past 12 months have been among the busiest we’ve ever seen in terms of women featuring in the national sporting conversation. That said, it hasn’t all been for the right reasons. 2017 […]

La entrada Fair Game #23 | Review of the Year 2017 se publicó primero en Headstuff.

On this episode we’re joined by an Irish sportswoman who’s had a season to remember in her county colours, as Dublin banished the demons of the last three years of All Ireland football final heartbreak to claim the Brendan Martin trophy for only the second time in the county’s history; Fair Game meets NOELLE HEALY. As […]

La entrada Fair Game #22 | Fair Game Meets… Noelle Healy se publicó primero en Headstuff.

On this episode we’re joined by an Irish sportswoman who’s been boxing clever and blazing a trail for her country in the process… in May of last year, KELLIE HARRINGTON made history as only the fifth ever Irish boxer to contest a World Championships final – and she came home with a silver medal proudly in her […]

La entrada Fair Game #21 | Fair Game Meets… Kellie Harrington se publicó primero en Headstuff.

In Ireland, recent research has shown that female participation in sport centres largely around solo activities – with running being one of the most popular. Be it for physical benefits, mental release, or working towards the end-goal of a major event – more Irish women than ever are out n’ about running at all levels. […]

La entrada Fair Game #20 | Mastering the Marathon se publicó primero en Headstuff.