On this episode 159, I am joined by Claire Melia, one of Ireland’s top basketball talents. From her early days in Monasterevin to playing in the U.S. winning Super League and National cup titles, Claire has already built an impressive career. Now stepping into the top ranks of European basketball with with Baxi Ferrol in the top Spanish league and the FIBA EuroCup. She shares her own story, from having no basketball court in Monasterevin to playing professionally in Europe she shares insights into her journey. 

We also talk about her experiences representing Ireland, winning medals at the U18 & U20 Euros, the challenges and opportunities in the sport, and her ambitions for the future

Follow Claire on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/clairemelia99?igsh=YjdvaWQwcnRqeGR4 

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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 158 I am delighted to be joined by Irish senior men's international and professional basketball player Neal Quinn. Neal very kindly gave me 30 minutes of his time before the team travels to Switzerland for the World Cup Qualifiers. Straight out of the car, suitcase still in hand we discussed his career to date, NIL and college basketball, life as a professional, and more!

A big thanks to Neal for his time. Follow him on Instagram @nquinn_32

Watch the Men's games this Thursday and Sunday on TG4 or FIBA YouTube

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Pre-Qualifying Fixtures:

Switzerland v Ireland, Thursday February 20th, Fribourg, 18:30 (Live on TG4 Player)

Azerbaijan v Ireland, Sunday February 23rd, Baku, 13:00 (Live on TG4 Player)

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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 157 I am delighted to be joined by 2021 Footballer of the year Kieran McGeary of Tyrone. Kieran is a top class inter county footballer and an absolute gent. We met at Steven Poacher's coaching seminar in Newry, where Kieran ran a pitch session with a young development squad. What struck me at the time was not only his knowledge and understanding of the game, but his infectious energy and communication when coaching. It's not often we see top inter county players dip into coaching while still at the peak of their powers. Safe to say Kieran will be around the game long after he reties from playing!

Kieran and I discussed time management as an athlete and while chatting agreed to come on the podcast and share his experience to help younger athletes. During the episode we touch on what it actually takes to win an All-Ireland, how often he thinks about gaelic football, momentum nd more!

Find Kieran here

https://x.com/KieranMcG94

https://x.com/KieranMcG94

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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 156 I am delighted to be joined by Galway and Corofin legend Gary Sice. One of the most decorated gaelic footballers of all time, there is no better way to wrap up the All-Ireland club championship than hearing from a 4 time All-Ireland senior club winner. His 4 celtic crosses sit well beside 14 galway county medals.

We discuss all things performance. From understanding the body language of a free taker, to his inner dialogue in big games, Frank Morris, insights from Corofin and so so much more. Loved this chat, and safe to say there will only be one winner of the kicking challenge… A legend of the game and an absolute gentleman. Enjoy the episode!

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(Recorded in December)

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 155 I am delighted to be joined by All-Ireland winning hurling coach Shane Hassett. Shane recently stepped away from the All-Ireland winning set up to pursue a PHD print Spike Biomechanics at the University of Limerick. Shane originally joined the set up in a strength and conditioning background and has been involved with the team since 2021. 

We discuss the journey of winning the 2024 All-Ireland hurling title, deciding to take a complete break following the Munster final loss, the science of Croke Park and more!

Shane originally spoke on the podcast during The Coaching Playbook series hosted by Adrian O’Sullivan 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5LBUDUsa955TxJzmlAPNsu?si=azN8Hq_TQje-3jqPZ827DA 

Find Shane here: 

https://twitter.com/s93hass 

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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 154 I am delighted to be joined by one of the best S&C coaches in gaelic games Sami Dowling.

Sami is the Strength & Conditioning coach with the Dublin Senior Ladies football team and played an integral part to Dublin claiming the 2023 All-Ireland title under Mick Bohan. He is currently working full time at SSC in Santry working with elite athletes including Irish international Jamie Finn.

He as also worked with Leinster rugby, Irish hockey teams, League of Ireland squads and the 2011 All-Ireland winning Dublin football team under Pat Gilroy. Sami is a top class practitioner with excellent soft skills making him one of the best coaches I've seen in action. A gent on and off the pitch, we ended up chatting for 90 minutes before we recorded. Sami thanks for your time!

Recorded in October 2024

A week in the camp with the all-ireland champs piece

https://www.rte.ie/sport/womens-football/2024/0702/1457821-a-week-in-camp-with-the-all-ireland-champs/

Find Sami here

https://www.instagram.com/sami_dowling/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sami-dowling-msc-9a5034b7/?originalSubdomain=ie

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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 

Dr. Jo Brown is a High performance coach for Olympians and NBA stars. Most notably she has worked with Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles who claimed Gold in Paris over the summer.

She has championed champions, from 18 different sports on the international stage, including the Jamaican sprint team. Dr Jo Brown lives and breathes high performance, and knows that being a performance physiotherapist and performance care expert is more than what she can do with her hands. She is now an author of See Your Elephant, a brand new book available for pre order.

Jo and I discuss all things performance, insights from working with the best athletes in the world, improving Noah Lyles, legacy and so much more. Find her on Instagram

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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 #152 I check in with Steven Poacher, newly appointed Leitrim senior football manager.

This interview was recorded in the St.Joseph's following the annual coaching event to raise money for the gaelic football teams.

We discussed taking over Leitrim, the lessons and insights from the coaching events, and the school team.

On episode 151 I am delighted to be joined by the head of wellbeing at South Sydney Rabbitohs. Ian previously worked with the Gaelic Players Association in Ireland as Lead player development & wellbeing coach, to support inter-county players to develop their career and well being off the pitch. 

Ian details his career progression from an internship to leading a core pillar of the GPA to being offered a position through LinkedIn to move to Australia and work with a professional rugby team in the National Rugby League. 

We discuss promoting a growth mindset - challenging players to go from good to great, amateur vs professional environments, career development as an athlete and so much more! Ian also give his take on what makes a goat (greatest of all time) - Grateful, Ownership, Attention, Time. 

A big thank you to Ian who made time during his schedule while visiting family at home in December 2022. I took a lot away from our conversation and look forward to following his career and his work with teams in the future! 

instagram  https://www.instagram.com/ianreeves1/ 

 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-reeves-23a088138/ 

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Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

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

I had the pleasure of checking in with para swimmers Ellen Keane, Roisin Ni Riain, Nicole Turner live from the Paralympics Ireland office in Dublin. The interviews were recorded a few weeks before the European Para Swimming Championships in Madiera and we discuss all things swimming, 2024, pressure, nerves and so much more!

During the first 2 days of the championships Ni Riain won both gold and silver medals and still more events to come! Ellen and Nicole also get started soon check out the full schedule here - www.instagram.com/p/C6AumkfKTtt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Best of luck to the entire team: Róisín Ní Riain, Dearbhaile Brady, Deaten Registe, Ellen Keane, Nicole Turner, Barry McClements. Thanks to Fiona Scally for facilitating the interviews

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Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

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