The GAA Social

In one of the most powerful and impactful episodes of the GAA Social, Johnny Glynn & Thomas Niblock lift the lid on their experiences of multiple miscarriages. Johnny and his wife Serena, along with Kirstie and Thomas have travelled similar paths. It’s difficult.

A massive weekend of action, reaction and Oisin pleads to the GAA - keep this format for the football championship

The surname probably gives it away. Yes related to Thomas, but if you're of a particular age- you will know of the exploits of Mickey Niblock. An All-Ireland winning minor and U21, Derry seniors flew him back to play for the team in the 70's, when New York was his home. The building sites of the Bronx was his home. Derry could win Ulster championships- but they couldn't beat Kerry. 50 years later and watching his son David play for Cork and Nemo Rangers, Mickey has a sheep farm in "Seamus Moynihan country" Glenflesk, Co Kerry. Love brought him to Munster and he’s been there ever since. He's played with icons, against the best and enjoyed every minute. A stint playing soccer led him to the New York Cosmos, playing striker. He returned to Ireland to play "Real football" and Pele replaced him as striker. Sliding doors moment. No regrets. A life well lived, and something a bit different for this week on the GAA Social Podcast

A football dominated weekend, plenty to chat about. Margaret McConville not happy

In 1997, less than a year before the Good Friday Agreement, Sean Brown was locking the gates of Bellaghy GAA club. He was abducted and killed by loyalists, his body dumped beside his burnt out Ford Sierra. 28 years later, the Brown family continue to search for answers. Bridie Brown lost her husband, she also lost her son Damian. The entire Brown family were flanked by 10,000 people in the Co Derry village recently, and their search for 'what' and 'why' continues. But who was Sean Brown? What was he like? Why was he so important to the broad Bellaghy community, a friend of Seamus Heaney and how has the family moved on? This podcast talks to his daughter Clare and his wife Bridie. It is, a powerful listen.

Tailteann Cup review and the opening round of the group stages of the championship. Plenty of talking points and hurling continues to soar

Life after inter-county GAA takes a period of time to adjust. When your a Cork hurler and footballer you've dined in two hotels- both five star. Life has now brought Aidan Walsh to West Kerry. He transferred to the home of the O'Se's An Ghaeltacht and life is good. Love can do that sort of thing. A beautiful wee boy (yes-wearing a Kerry jersey) has changed perspective. Living in one of the most beautiful places in Ireland- but he can't speak the language. In this podcast we discuss being dropped at 30, why Aidan struggles to go and watch Cork Hurlers but believes (and hopes) they will win the All-Ireland this year. He also makes Patrick Horgan's hurleys- his is a bit different. It's a great catch-up with an All-Ireland winning footballer, a gifted hurler and a man who is at home in Kerry-but always Cork.

A weekend that had just about everything. Football is beautiful.

Dara has turned 50- what does that mean? In this podcast we explore life in Kerry. A child star growing up- who made it! Now it's chairman of the club, helping out with the senior team, climbing mountains and digging into a very delicate question- what actually is Gaelic football, what does it say about us and what does it really mean? There's plenty of craic along the way, Kerry's chances in 2025, losing out to Oisin's Armagh in 2002, working in media and an insight into the great Páidí Ó Sé. Apart from anything else, this man has one of the greatest voices in broadcasting- and what a footballer too.

What could have been for Mayo in a frantic Connacht final. They had their chances but Galway came through- led by the superb Paul Conroy and Cillian McDaid. There were others. Their reward is the group of death. As for Kerry, it was more straight forward in Killarney- but Kerry look really good. In the camogie Leinster semi-final, both Kilkenny and Dublin players wore 'shorts' not 'skorts' and the game was almost abandoned. The game eventually took place, after the players changed into skorts. Are we looking at strike action next?