David Gillick

On episode 229 I am joined by David Forde, former Republic of Ireland International goalkeeper. He is best known for his time with Millwall, where he made over 300 appearances, and earned 24 caps for Ireland including Euro 2016.

Since retiring from professional football, David has transitioned into coaching and performance development, bringing a thoughtful, player-centred approach shaped by his experiences at the highest level. He has a strong interest in the mental side of performance, leadership, and helping athletes maximise their potential both on and off the pitch.

In this episode, David shares honest insights from his playing career, longevity and maximising his career into his 30s, resilience, confidence, doubt, and more.

A winding story from playing LOI in Galway while working full time to becoming a professional, earning his first Irish cap in his 30s and learning about how to maximise his ability.

This was a fascinating chat and near the end we figure out this is not the first time we spoke!

Follow David here

https://www.instagram.com/davidfordepathfinder/

https://linktr.ee/davidfordepathfinder?

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 228 I am delighted to be joined by boxing coaching legend Zaur Antia, known as 'the mastermind behind Team Ireland’s success in boxing' he served as High Performance Head Coach for Irish boxing for over two decades, helping build Ireland into a global boxing powerhouse.

We discuss his approach,  philosophy, building better boxers, pre fight protocol, how he helped build Ireland into a boxing powerhouse, what separates olympic champions from the rest and how Irish weather helped bring home two gold medals!! This is a lesson in building champion boxers and a world class program.

Zauri grew up in Georgia and won medals competing as an athlete. He would later coach multiple boxers to Soviet titles.

In 2003 he moved to Ireland and joined the newly established High-Performance Unit as a Technical Coach. In 2016 he took over as HP lead. Anita guided Irish boxers to winning 35 qualification places at five Olympic Games: Beijing, London, Rio, Tokyo and Paris, winning 10 Olympic medals. On top of that he helped his athletes with 23 World podium finishes, and 15 medals at European Games and 50 European Elite medals.

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 227 I am delighted to be joined by former Limerick Hurling goalkeeper and current Meath senior hurling coach Barry Hennessy.

We discuss life as number 16 behind Nickie Quaid, the influence of Kinnerk & Currid, moving into management, the hardest all-ireland win, his personal struggles, leaving and rejoining the limerick squad, the evolution of Limerick & more.  

A fascinating insight into one of the greatest hurling tams of all time and the life and role of a number 16. A big thanks to Barry for his time.

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 226 I am delighted to be joined by former mayo inter county player & manager, and now podcaster James Horan. He shares his coaching philosophy and experiences from managing Mayo for 8 years (over 2 terms) and reaching multiple All-Ireland finals. (And his new role 👀)

We discuss the role of a manager - the Challenges & Rewards, his coaching philosophy, his approach and transition into Media, Learning & Development, Most Impactful Roles in a management team and more.

Key Takeaways

• A Manager's Core Challenge: The role is a constant battle to maximise time on the pitch coaching players—the source of enjoyment and team development—while minimising the administrative burden such as county board and media duties.
• The Standard Improvement Graph: Horan's philosophy is built on a data-driven, step-by-step improvement model. This provides players with logical, measurable progress.
• The Independent Mentor: An external mentor , Liam Morgan is essential to prevent "echo chambers" within the management team. This provides an objective "second set of eyes" to challenge assumptions and offer a fresh perspective
• Media as a Tool: Public comments are for the team's benefit. Criticism is reserved for private 1-on-1s, except for a "nuclear option" of calling out a lack of effort publicly to maintain accountability.

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