On episode 225 I am delighted to be joined by founder of STRETCH+ Holistic Fitness & Wellness,Fascial Stretch Therapist and former D3 basketball player  Eric Van Tine.

Eric is the founder of @stretchplus_nj and @holistic.hooper

Eric works with elite athletes including NBA, NFL, MLB, UFC, NCAA athletes. He is also a @lululemon ambassador 

We discuss fascia stretching, his approach, his business, the mentality of a professional athlete, athlete development, generation z training and more.

Follow Eric here https://www.instagram.com/evantine33/

@holistic.hooper @stretchplus_nj 

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode 224 I am delighted to be joined by one of the most recognisable voices in football broadcasting and US media Kevin Egan.

From writing a letter to RTE aged 15 from St. Fintan's High School, to becoming a runner in RTE working with his heroes he would later move to the United States and carved out a career in local broadcasting. He rose to prominence with beIN SPORTS, covering major competitions like the Champions League and La Liga, and also worked in WWE.

Known for his sharp analysis, engaging storytelling, and deep passion for the game, Kevin has built a reputation as a trusted and insightful presenter. He is currently the Studio host for MLS on Apple TV.

But beyond the bright lights, Kevin brings a real honesty about the path — the risks taken, his move abroad, and what it actually takes to build a career in sport and media. We compare sports broadcasting in the US vs Ireland, the American sports culture, insights for aspiring analysts or contributors, what a producer is looking for and more.

Find Kevin and his pub The Irish Exit here

https://www.instagram.com/kev_egan/ https://www.instagram.com/theirishexitpubatl/

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode 223 I am joined by basketball coach, former college & professional player and fellow podcast host Tim Fudd. 

Tim played college basketball at Division 1 American University and spent time overseas as a professional player. He has coached AAU, High School and College basketball since his early 20s. He is currently an assistant coach with St. John’s high school in Virginia and works full time in the county. Tim has previously coached an AAU programme with his wife Katie who also played college basketball and was drafted in the WNBA. 

Tim and I met at a UCONN game in November and connected on our passion of basketball, he very kindly agreed to join me and share his insights and experiences with the sport from his role as a player, coach, official, and parent.

Tim’s daughter Azzi was named MOP of the 2025 NCAA Women’s final 4 as she helped UCONN win a national championship. She is regarded as one of the best college basketball players in the game and will be in the WNBA this summer.

We discuss coaching, AAU basketball, European vs professional development , recruitment, balancing parent and coaching, US vs European player development. We also delve into his daughter Azzi’s development, her shooting ability, helping her navigate being a role model and social media, his advice during her injury struggles and more. Tim shares nuggets from his own playing and coaching career along with insights from Steph Curry and Kobe Bryant.

(Please note this episode was recorded in December 2025 )

Listen to Tim's podcast here https://www.youtube.com/@Beyond_the_Whistle_Pod

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRBp9s0DkBh/

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode 222 I am thrilled to speak with Donie Maib Head Coach for Athletic Performance for Olympic Sports and Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Performance at the University of Texas at Austin.

Donnie and I met in Austin in November thanks to J. P. Nerbun

A native of Gallatin, Tennessee, Donnie’s own athletic journey began at the University of Georgia, where he played football. A knee injury redirected his path from the NFL to strength and conditioning.

After starting his career as an assistant strength coach at University of Colorado Boulder, Donnie joined the University of Texas in 1998. Over his long tenure with the Longhorns, he has coached and developed programs in multiple sports—most notably women’s volleyball, men’s tennis, soccer, track & field, and golf—and has played a key role in championship-calibre teams and individual athlete breakthroughs.

In 2008, Maib earned the Master Strength and Conditioning Coach (MSCC) certification from the Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association—the highest professional honour in the field. He was also inducted into his High School Athletics hall of Fame for his success as a student and work at Texas. He has spent more than 25 years shaping athletes, teams, and coaching culture across collegiate sport.

Beyond his on-field role, Donnie is a mentor, speaker, and author who draws on his extensive experience to inspire coaches, parents, and athletes alike. He has written two books on leadership and regularly delivers keynote talks and workshops on leadership, athlete development, and building resilient performance cultures.

We discuss his role at the University, How NIL has changed college sports, his pivot from playing football and dreaming of the NFL to becoming a strength coach, leadership, coaching, and so much more.

Follow Donnie here

donniemaib.com

https://www.instagram.com/donniemaib/

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode 221 I am delighted to be joined by Dawn Scott, one of the most respected figures in soccer and performance.

With more than 20 years’ experience at the highest levels of the women’s game, Dawn’s work has shaped championship teams, redefined performance culture, and pushed the boundaries of athlete-centred preparation.

Originally from Newcastle, England, Dawn’s journey began playing football locally before pursuing academic excellence in sport and exercise science and sports nutrition. In 2010, she took on a pivotal role with the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) as their first full-time high performance coach. Over nearly a decade with the USWNT, Dawn played a central part in their success at two FIFA Women’s World Cup victories (2015, 2019) and an Olympic gold medal (2012). Dawn Scott’s impact is profound: she helps athletes not just perform, but flourish and is highly regarded by in the football world. US soccer legend Christie Rampone named Dawn as "The Secret to everything".

Dawn has worked with Team GB at the olympics, Head of Sports Science for the England Women’s National Team, held leadership roles in Major League Soccer as Performance Director for Inter Miami CF, Director of Performance, Medical & Innovation for Washington Spirit , contributes to global performance initiatives with with FIFA and UEFA.

Not only is she passionate about performance but in areas historically under-researched, including female health and physiology in elite sport.

We discuss her career path, female health in elite sport, female sporting environments, balancing career and life as a performance coach, what it takes to win, what separates the best from the rest and so much more.

Find Dawn here

dawnscottepc.com⁠

https://www.instagram.com/dawnscott72/

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode 220 I am delighted to be joined by performance Coach Lúcas Ó’Ceallacháin currently contracted to rugby, triathlon, ballet and a number of business leaders in the corporate sector under his registered company Locus of Control.

Lucas is originally from Clare. He would go on to study Russian in Trinity College. A unique opportunity would arise to move to Kazakhstan and lead to a career in rugby coaching and playing in Kazakhstan. He has since relocated and moved to the Gold Coast in Australia where he has worked with Australian Triathalon, Australian Institute of sport, and the Australian synchronised swimming programme during the 2024 olympic cycle.

We discuss his career, how studying Russian led to a trip with Trapattoni and the irish soccer team, communicating in conflict, meetings, checking in with your audience, torytelling in sport, and more. 

This was a fascinating conversation. 

Watch a documentary series on his time in Kazakhstan Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dho3ZOOBeg

Connect with Lúcas here

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasoceallachain/

https://www.hintsa.com/company/our-people/lucas-oceallachain/

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode 219 I am joined by Irish senior women’s captain Edel Thornton, former guard at Quinnipiac University, and former Irish senior international Suzanne Maguire, a Hall of Famer at Fordham University.

Together, we break down the 2025–26 season so far — analysing performances, teams, conferences, and their experiences. We also take a closer look at the seven players featured in this year’s Spotlight Her series: their journeys, their impact within their programmes, the standards they’re setting, and the records they’re chasing.

Edel with 3 NCAA tournament appearances shares her experiences in the tournament, getting to the sweet 16 and her perspective now. 

 Suzanne reflects on her own collegiate experience and how the pathway for Irish players has evolved. From adapting to the demands of NCAA basketball to handling pressure, expectations and identity abroad, this is an honest and insightful conversation about what it takes to make it in college basketball. 

This is Spotlight Her — where we celebrate the athletes, the journey, and the game.

The Spotlight Her series is a collaboration with Basketball Ireland  supported by sport ireland   

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/thesidelinelive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesidelinelive/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

On episode 218 I am delighted to be joined by former Irish International and graduate of Post University Kieran Quinn

Kieran grew up in Tipperary and found a love for Basketball. He rang the Basketball ireland office and found the club near him. He would commute across Tipperary where he would find coaches that support supported him and his new found dream of praying for Ireland.

That dream would later come true and a new dream was born of playing College basketball in the United States. He would attend to Post University and play alongside three Irish college teammates. Pete Madsen, Mick Richardson and Ronan O’Leary.

Following graduation he carved out a successful professional career.

His three children all play basketball, two for the Irish teams; Sidney who is attending Navy Academy (D1 Patriot League) Kieran attending Bergen Catholic nationally ranked high school aiming for national championship. While his youngest Mairead a 5”10 5th grader recently won the county championship with an undefeated season.

Now settled into the next chapter of life, Kieran is determined to give back mentoring young Irish and international basketball players to help build the pathway he once had to figure out for himself.

Tune in to hear the story of Kieran’s journey from Tipperary to the United Staes, chasing a basketball dream, what it takes to make it in the US, pathways for kids, advice for those who want to take the leap and more.

A huge thanks to Kieran and all the Quinns for being such supporters of me and the podcast

Note this episode was recorded from New Jersey in November from the Quinns residence where they opened their home to me for a week and have done so for countless others. A special family!

Find Kieran here

https://x.com/qnr30?s=21

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ .

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode 217 I am delighted to be joined by Dan Kiernan, a globally respected tennis coach, former professional doubles player, and the founder and Director of SotoTennis Academy in Sotogrande, Spain.

Dan has over three decades in the sport as both a player and coach, and brings an exceptional blend of competitive experience, coaching insight, and passion for developing tennis talent at all levels.

Originally from England, Dan’s tennis journey took him to the United States, where he played collegiate tennis for Louisiana State University and captained the men’s team before turning professional . As a player, he achieved a career-high doubles ranking of No. 150 and competing the ATP Tour, including appearances at Wimbledon.

After his playing career, Dan transitioned into coaching with remarkable success. He has coached elite doubles players on both the ATP and WTA tours, including Grand Slam titles, finals and WTA Finals success. His coaching résumé features work with top professionals such as Gabriela Dabrowski & Erin Routliffe who won their second US Open doubles title in 2025.

In 2010, Dan and his wife Victoria launched SotoTennis Academy a boutique performance academy in Spain.

Beyond coaching, Dan is the host of the acclaimed Control the Controllables podcast, where he explores the game through conversations with players, coaches, parents, and tennis professionals, sharing insights that educate and inspire listeners from every level of the game.

We discuss all things coaching, what separates the best from the rest, doubles vs individual coaching, life as a tennis coach on the road, his academy philosophy and more.

Note this episode was recorded in October 2025

If you enjoyed this episode you may also enjoy the episodes with Conor Niland, former Irish tennis pro and Mike Digby - Soto Academy tennis coach

Follow Dan here

Soto Tennis academy https://www.instagram.com/sototennis/

Podcast https://www.instagram.com/ctc.podcast/

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode 216 I am delighted to joined by Ireland’s fastest man Israel Olatunde.

Growing up in dundalk he competed multiple sports before focusing on sprinting. He attended UCD on scholarship and went all in on reaching his athletic potential.

Israel was catapulted into the headlines in 2021 with his first national title a month after his 19th birthday.  The following summer aged 20 he made it all the way to the European 100m outdoor final. He finished 6th, only 0.04 seconds outside a medal, and ran the fastest race of his life in the biggest race of his life. His time of 10.17 seconds set a new Irish record previously held by Paul Hession at 10.18 seconds which was set 15 years previous.

Following Olatunde's performances and obvious potential he decided to move to the United States to join the Adidas training group training alongside olympic champion Noah Lyles in Florida. 

Last summer he set a new PB and record with 10.8 seconds 🤯 officially pushing Irish sprinting into new territory!

We recorded this episode in January as we discussed his career path, goals, becoming Irelands fastest man, following your own dream and path, his focus on life outside the track, life & training in the US and more. 

Tune in to hear from one of Ireland’s rising stars who is set for a big 2026 with his eyes on a medal and becoming the first Irish man to run sub 10 seconds over 100m. 

Not only is he focused and driven on the track he is aiming for success and a career post athletics, where he's not afraid of giving it his all and having fun along the way! We had a great laugh recording this episode and look forward to watching Israel as he continues to inspire a nation.

Follow Israel here

https://www.instagram.com/israel.olatunde/

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠