The GAA Social

Eoin McNicholl, 41, is a former Derry goalkeeper. More importantly, he's one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. He’s always been that guy. He played in the All-Ireland winning team of 2002, won a MacRory & Hogan Cup with St Patrick's College Maghera and he progressed into the Derry senior setup. He now works for the GAA in sports science, specialising in statistics. He's just been diagnosed with cancer and has agreed to come on this podcast. Between chemotherapy cycles, he sits down with Thomas and Oisin to emphasise the importance of checking yourself. Despite the subject, this is a beautiful listen. Emotion, laughter, full-on craic and considered thoughts. Eoin is from Glenullin, green and gold to the core, just like all the McNicholls. He's married to Sinead and they have three kids. The McNicholls have travelled this road before. Eoin lost his younger sister Clodagh to cancer, when she was just 6. The former goalkeeper is determined to get better and continue to live life to the full. A powerful listen. The magnificent Eoin McNicholl on the GAA Social

Beautiful provincial madness

He's hit the net more than any Kerry player in history. His accolades are outstanding. Clifford is chasing him down, but hasn't caught him yet. With club and County, Mikey Sheehy achieved it all. One of the greatest Gaelic footballers of all time. This is his life, his story and and what he's learned along the way. The Ups of success, the downs of missing a penalty in the 1982 All-Ireland final against Offaly. The day the dream for five died. The close connection to the Dublin team, growing up and his take on this current Kerry team. His admiration for Mick O'Dwyer and who is the greatest of them all? The great Mikey Sheehy (and Cara, the most well behaved grandchild in the world) on the GAA Social. Lovely

It seems the Provincials still have much to offer....

Catriona McGahan was a superb Gaelic footballer for Tyrone. In July last year, she fell and broke her back, leaving Catriona in a wheelchair. There will always be hope, but in the meantime there's huge positivity. The authentic kind.  This podcast is about facing adversity and living life. Through Catriona's wit and fun, the glass is always half full. Gaelic games has transported her all over the world. For a period of time, it was her employment at Ulster GAA. For now, she's back at home. Living life, being the best she can be and insistent there will be plenty of craic along the way. The book of gratitude is something else. An inspiring podcast

A mad weekend in Gaelic games as we figure out all the provincial finalists.

Three Ulster championships as a player for Tyrone and starring on the biggest day. The 1986 All-Ireland final in Croke Park, didn't work out after the break against Kerry, but Noel McGinn was pure authority in a defence filled with hard men. He was a successful player, school principal and someone respected in gaelic games and in life. He managed Dromore to their first ever county championship- but he refuses to say he "led them." An infamous incident against Clonoe almost cost Noel his job and it's his one big regret. But he's owned it, hasn't hidden and in this honest account of a life in football, Noel McGinn reveals so much about who he is as a person- and there's plenty to admire and love. He's now living with Parkinson's disease, but he looks upon himself as "lucky." This is the story of positivity, life and being a good man. A man interviewing the young and old in Tyrone for TeamTalk. What's that? The great Noel McGinn from Killyclogher

It was earned and it was deserved- but it’s the shock of the championship season (outside the Down camp) and it was beautiful. 10 consecutive days in each other’s company and Down knock Donegal out of the Ulster championship. It’s only the second time Jim McGuinness has lost an Ulster championship match. Where do they go from here? Armagh v Down in Clones- could the Mournemen make an Ulster final? It was a day for those on the road as Roscommon knock Mayo out of Connacht and setup a Galway showpiece. Is it their year? Louth make the Leinster final- you kinda just expect it from Louth at this stage. Leitrim were super and it not OTT to suggest, they really could have beaten Galway- or is it? Meanwhile in Munster, Cork and Kerry make it through their semi-finals. Tyrone U20’s will take on Monaghan in the Ulster final. Tyrone managed by the brilliant Paul Devlin, who previously beat the head of Oisin (fair play to him) As for Armagh and Fermanagh- a game of two halves, and the brilliance of Darragh McGurn (previous guest on the GAA Social) The glory of Cork and Limerick in the small ball, perhaps matched by the men from Down. Lovely stuff

This one is very different, and hugely important. Talking periods, fertility and challenges for female athletes is tricky, especially with two men in the room but Emma O'Byrne displays a maturity way beyond her 26 years to engage in this powerful conversation. Emma has Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), most managers in womens Gaelic games are men. So, are we in tune to have these conversations? Honest, fair and insightful, this podcast will illuminate the challenges our female athletes must overcome and hopefully, we can bring a little learning along the way. There's much more, Emma transferred to St Vincent's and explains why and there's also love. Conor Burke, Dublin hurler and by the sounds of it, a pretty decent bloke too. A lovely podcast.

Westmeath land the biggest shock of the weekend, and that means Down may miss out on Sam Maguire football. We'll see what Kildare have to say. Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan and defender Cameron Dowd join Thomas, Philly & Darren Hughes on the GAA Social. Recorded live on BBC iplayer after the Cavan game and you can watch it on YouTube. We thought Wicklow did well, only losing by two. Turns out they should have won. Some effort!