Fair Game

We’re kicking off a new series within the series. Given the year that’s in it, there’s lot happening for Irish sportswomen in the coming months, with sights set firmly on the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil. A number of Irish athletes and teams have already claimed their places at the Olympics, and there are many more in contention - so, in the coming weeks and months we’re going to be tracking their progress on Fair Game: Road to Rio. First up, we’re looking at a sport that’s brand new to the Olympic Games for 2016: Rugby Sevens. Joining us on the show tell us all about the sport, the training regime and the Irish squad's Olympic qualification prospects are Jenny Murphy and Captain Lucy Mulhall.

On this episode of Fair Game, we’ll be talking to two Irish sportswomen who are actively pursuing their passions for sport OFF the pitch. We’re joined by Fiona Coughlan, who is one of only THREE Irish captains to lead their team to Grand Slam glory, and Irish hockey international Nicci Daly, who after 120 caps (and counting) representing her country is taking a break from elite competition to pursue a career in motorsport state-side. Don't forget to follow @fairgamecast for more episodes and a steady stream of news and updates about Irish sportswomen.

On this edition of Fair Game, we’re paring things back to where it all begins for athletes – the grass-roots of their schools, clubs and communities. We’re exploring the development of girls' sports from a young age, and how that interest carries through to adulthood. Joining us for this episode are two women who are in the best possible position to discuss this topic - both elite athletes in their respective fields, and both working continuously towards developing gender parity in sport. On the pitch, Nora Stapleton plays out-half for both the Irish women’s rugby squad and the three-in-a-row AIL champions Old Belvedere. Off it, she is the Women's & Girls Rugby Development Executive with the IRFU, and previously worked as a Games Promotion Officer with the GAA. Ruth Fahy is a midfield maestro with Wexford Youths FC, and played a key role in her team’s first ever FAI Women’s Cup triumph last November… Ruth is also a columnist for the Continental Tyres Women’s National League, frequently tackling many of the issues that will be up for discussion here and now.

Whenever there is a discussion about about women’s sports, or sportswomen, or women in sport – however you choose to phrase it – all roads inevitably lead back to one thing: ​media coverage. Why can’t people rattle off starting line-ups of women’s teams the way they can men’s? Not enough media coverage. Why do female athletes not get​ the​ level of sponsorship that they deserve? Not enough media coverage. Why are attendances at women’s sporting events so low? Not enough media coverage… and so on, so forth. In this episode Emily and Elaine are joined by Sinead Kissane and Kate Rowan to discuss. Follow @fairgamecast