John Hanna is an artist to his fingertips...

He and Martin are friends in more ways than one. They get on well, as is evident from this podcast encounter. They are also cousins.

Originally from Derrytresk, John is the youngest son of the late great Geordie Hanna, a traditional singer known the length and breadth of Ireland. 

Seamus Heaney once said that making a living is one thing; poetry is something extra. John has worked all his adult life  but for him the 'something extra' is the art of making sticks - blackthorn, hazel and holly, to name a few.

His interest started early, before the age of ten, when infant John handled a blackthorn stick belonging to a man named Tom Rah. In his teens the interest was still there. Geordie suggested Jimmy O'Neill of the Glen would be a good man to see. So, off John went to make contact with Jimmy, a colourful character who made blackthorn sticks.

Buddhists say, 'If a pupil does not surpass the teacher, the teacher has not done his job'. Jimmy did his job extra well. He  gave John a certain book that allowed the younger man to develop his art and make contact with other stick makers.

'A thing of beauty is a joy forever, ' said poet John Keats. These sticks don't last forever - about 100 years, says John Hanna - but I say they are definitely beautiful.

The conversation also touches on poetry, painting, acting and song with Oliver Corr making contributions to a discussion that both engages and delights.

Christopher Rafferty

Incredible MacRory Cup and O'Neill Cup winning memories.

As St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon bid to lift the MacRory Cup for the sixth time, the incredible build-up and scenes of their first win in 1991, are vividly recalled by goalkeeper on that day, Christopher Rafferty. 

He was also at the helm of Dungannon Clarkes when they ended a 64-year famine winning the O'Neill Cup, amid joy unbounded, in a penalty shoot-out against Trillick in 2020.

Christopher was destined for goal-minding following in the footsteps of his late father Jim who played Irish League football with Portadown and his grandfather Paddy Rafferty, an O'Neill Cup winner with Coalisland Fianna in 1946 and the Clarkes in 1951. 

He recalls the drive to win that first MacRory Cup under the masterful management of the late Martin O'Farrell and Peter Herron. It was a long-held yearning of college principal Fr Denis Faul who was carried shoulder high by delirious students after the final whistle on a mucky day in Coalisland. Fr Faul has also since passed away, having left the Academy a happy man, his dream fulfilled.

The A level results weren't the best that heady year as the celebrations went on and on...

There are loads of memories of schooldays, on off the football field, while Ronan also recalls the 'old' Academy 1970's style. 

Christopher went on to do goals for Dungannon Clarkes for 19 years and was manager when they made the breakthrough, another fantastic day of celebration. 

It was during Covid year with its social distancing and a run through round after round of extra-time, that was perhaps destiny, as they made their way to that final incredible shoot-out. The celebrations were again unbridled and not even repeated calls from Stephen Nolan could dampen the joy among the Clarkes' faithful. 

Oliver, Chris and Ronan also wonder would the Rahilly's and the Fianna cheer each other on in a final, as they did the neighbours from  Dungannon! 

A wonderful wander down memory lane recalling many great teachers, old school friends, college and club players and coaches.

* Good luck to St Patrick’s Academy in the MacRory Cup final on Sunday (February 8), as their students bid to make it six of the best!

Harry McGuigan - Mr Judo: The gentle art's giant soul. 

A life-affirming conversation with Harry McGuigan, a 7th dan black belt, all of 84 years, still coaching and doing gym work-outs. 

When Harry went to a Judo class in Hong Kong way back in the 1960s, it was to begin a passion he continues all of six decades later.

An introduction to another judoka Brother Lewis in Dungannon saw the formation of the local Ren Bu Kan Judo club that has attracted throngs of participants, with fifty-six going on to attain black belts under Harry's tutelage.

He recalls those first black belts Brian Daly and Patsy Jordan from Eglish, world class Avril Malley and takes pride in everyone who joined the club and won medals at all levels.
 
His own family excelled, with his children and grandchildren competing, as the only family to hold three generations of All Ireland medals.

Harry also had All Ireland success coaching Dungannon Tech GAA team and tells of the 1995 All Ireland senior football final, having breakfast and travelling to the game with the team as his late daughter Seánna RIP was married to captain Ciaran Corr.

There was also Superstar competitions against greats from other sports and the trip to Cuba to enhance his Spanish speaking, where he met his future wife. 

Listening to how Judo instils physical well-being and discipline, RonanMac and producer Oliver wonder if they should have stuck at the Judo, their visits to the Ren Bu Kan club, in the 1970s, all too brief!

Hugely popular, Harry recently received the Mid Ulster Coach of the Year award. 

Among the tributes, the podcast features a poignant poem penned in his honour by Brian McGills, a 4th Dan black belt prodigy of over 30 years.

Harry McGuigan: The gentle art's giant soul.

Pascal Canavan - Reflections on a great club and county career.

For over a decade, Pascal Canavan was a household name in club and county football with Errigal Ciaran and Tyrone. 
In a fascinating conversation he recalls many great games and a few controversies!
These days, along other Gaels, he raises awareness and funds to get critical treatment for children suffering from the genocide of Gaza. He has also called for an end to the GAA sponsorship from Allianz, a company complicit in funding the Israeli war machine. 
Pascal's early club days were not straightforward, as a local split saw him line out with the unaffiliated Glencull St Malachy’s while many of his mates played for Ballygawley St Ciaran's. A passionate GAA priest arrived and spun a few yarns to get the sides together. So began Errigal Ciaran. 
A county championship victory soon followed, on an unforgettable day playing alongside his brothers, and then an Ulster title. He was captain when they won a second provincial title. Ronan Mac wonders why Errigal Ciaran is the only senior club in Tyrone to conquer Ulster! 
A huge rivalry with Carrickmore is recalled, with players on both sides (including Pascal) winning a record six O'Neill Cup medals.
He remembers wearing the Tyrone jersey, an intense rivalry against Derry, a devastating controversial All Ireland defeat to Dublin and putting that into perspective with the passing years. 
The year after he ended his county career, he watched his little brother Peter ('God' to Tyrone supporters) lift the Sam Maguire Cup, a day of much emotion just months after the passing of their beloved father Sean. He recalls Peter commentating as Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh when they played at home and the great support of his parents and all his family. 
Pascal went on to manage college and club teams but nothing compares to playing.
A long-time religion teacher, he is aware of the many challenges facing our young people and suggests religion can still play a part. 
He also points out the GAA club and community makes a huge contribution to the formation of our youth.
There are great memories in this podcast and a bizarre invitation to pick a Canavan AI 'battle of the clans' inter-generational team... it would take some beating!
* Thank you to Canavan's for hosting the TwoMacs Podcast.

Karl McGuckin - a calling to sing.  
Classical singer Karl McGuckin from Edendork, takes time out from his busy festive schedule. 
The much heralded 'Candlelight Christmas' shows at Clonard Monastery, with his dear friend Malachi Cush, sold out within hours.
Karl also recently performed at the Royal Variety Show, an 'exhilarating experience' that will be on televised to millions on ITV on December 21st.
A bass baritone, he gives great credit to his mother Marguerite, a former showband singer, who most encouraged him to fulfil his potential. Both sides of his family (the Ballinderry McGuckins and Coreys from Brackaville) are laden with musical and football talent, among them his godfather Joe Brolly, an accomplished pianist and GAA All Star!
Karl's father Mick captained Derry while his uncles, cousins and brothers were also renowned footballers. 
Karl regrets his GAA career ended at the relatively early age of 29, however he did win a MacRory Cup medal and Ulster Colleges All Star. 
After winning an Intermediate club championship medal, he hung up the boots as combining football with life as a singer and barrister became too demanding. 
On the podcast he selects a beautiful and poignant song 'Fall On Me', performed with Malachi, in memory of his brother Paddy's beloved wife Marie, who tragically passed away three years ago. 
His choice of iconic song 'Old Man River' at the Proms in the Park was a revelation.
Karl also talks about the songs that most move him and pays tribute to other great artists. 
He has performed in musicals and operas while his shows are acclaimed. It is a 'calling' to sing that so enraptures his audiences. 
That tradition is being handed on as Karl and his wife Emma are introducing their toddler daughters to different types of music, the musical 'Frozen' a particular favourite! 
With Santa Claus arriving soon it is a magical time in the McGuckin home.
An end of year podcast that includes fabulous songs performed by Karl McGuckin!
* We wish all our listeners a merry and peaceful Christmas. 

Pádraig (Paudie) Hampsey - leader, role model and inspiration.

Tyrone captain Paudie Hampsey lived the dream when he climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift the Sam Maguire Cup.
It was the cumulation of years of commitment and dedication. 

National recognition, however, has never dimmed his passion for his beloved club Coalisland Fianna and local community.

Two times an All Star, he recalls sharing the joy of winning All Ireland finals and club championships with his family and friends. Special memories. 

Paudie also looks back on his days in the boxing ring. Future pros Feargal McCrory and Conrad Cummings trained at the club with him. Three-times Ulster champion, he came close to winning All Ireland titles before putting all his efforts into football. 

It soon brought reward as he captained Tyrone minors to a provincial win and won an All Ireland U21 medal. 
There was also disappointment with club and county, losing finals, before winning the O'Neill Cup and the Sam Maguire. He pays tribute to all those he played alongside as well as the managers who guided them on the way. 

In 2021, as we made our way out of Covid restrictions, Tyrone reached the promised land for only the fourth time. An unforgettable day. Paudie recalls the key plays, other great leaders on that team, the winning speech, joyous scenes with family and his partner and very special memories of his son Cillian joining him on the field afterwards. 
The scenes bringing the Sam Maguire Cup to Coalisland (along with club-mates Michael McKernan and coach Peter Donnelly) are now part of the town's folklore.

Paudie also remembers the joy returning to Coalisland, along with his clubmates, with the O'Neill Cup. 

This is a local chat with Ronan Mac, a fellow Coalisland man, as Paudie reflects on an incredible GAA career and they share special memories of family and friends, some who have sadly departed. 
However, the idea of a GAA Royal Rumble is a hard sell...

In this episode of the TwoMacs, Martin is back in the chair talking to acclaimed
novelist Anthony J. Quinn. Born on a farm in Kileeshil in 1971, Anthony was
drawn to books from an early age. As a child, he would construct a wee canopy
in a nearby field and lose himself reading stories by Enid Blyton. He also
started to write at a young age.
However, the Troubles cast a long shadow over his formative years and indeed
his nine noir novels deal with this dark subject and its legacy. His work is set
around the shores of Lough Neagh and presents an alternative view of the area
to the N.I. Tourist Board. His debut novel, Disappeared (2012) first appeared in
the US, introduced readers to Inspector Celsius Daly who would go on to appear
in three subsequent novels.
The fascinating discussion covers the nature of the writing process and how it
can often be a journey of discovery for the writer to arrive at the “emotional
truth” of a story. They also talk of the importance of telling stories that address
the wrongs of the past and thus allow people to feel that they have been heard.
Anthony’s latest book, Murder, Memoir, Murder (2022), his most personal novel
to date, was one of the Daily Mail’s Books of the Year. At present he is
working on a historical novel set in New York.

Anthony's Website www.anthonyjquinnwriter.com/

Plunkett McCallan - Oz and the magic of the O'Neill Cup.

Towering goalkeeper 'Big Oz' from Carrickmore reflects on two decades of championship football.

On the week of the Tyrone senior club final, 'Oz' (nicknamed after Oz in the hit 1980's TV comedy series Auf Wiedersehan, Pet) reflects on a career that saw him win six O'Neill Cup medals. It is a record held by over a dozen players, however no-one has played in as many finals, as over 20 years he played in 14 in all, with those six wins, six defeats and two replays. 

He suggests that records are for statisticians and journalists as it is a team game and not about individual awards.

He recalls his time living in Coalisland and jokes that for all of 30 seconds he considered transferring to the Fianna.
 
He also remembers the glory days and disappointments and pays tribute to his team-mates, coaches and the many opponents he did battle with down the years, not least Errigal Ciaran who shared 12 O'Neill Cup wins with Carmen between 1993 and 2005.

Oz believes there is nothing better than the Tyrone knock-out championship format. 

With a pre-match routine of a cigarette and tin of Red Bull, he went on to lose three finals in the last years of his career and regrets he did not get on the winning rostrum with the whole new squad of players. 

During a suspension, after a league schemozzle, he played rugby with Dungannon and while it was a hugely enjoyable experience, his heart was always with Gaelic football.
 
These days, much more reflective, he doesn't get too excited although watching his sons Jack follow him into goals and Paddy further out the field was a nerve-wrecking experience. 

A most wholesome Podcast with Plunkett McCallan who says any team that reaches an O'Neill Cup final deserves credit. They're not easy won in Tyrone. 

Ádh Mór to Loughmacrory and Trillick in Sunday's final.

Aisling Hagan (Corr) - Class is permanent.

For over 25 years camogie star Aisling Hagan, formerly Corr, has graced the fields with her sublime skills. 
Previously Tyrone Young Player and Senior Player of the Year, she has won awards for club, college, county, province and representing Ireland, as well as a winning summer in Chicago.
Aisling recalls the inspiration from her father Tommy, a boxing Olympian, and her mother Margaret a distinguished camóg who introduced her to the sliotar and camán (ball and hurl).
Lack of numbers at Derrytresk meant Aisling and her team-mates had to move to the Derrylaughan club. 
She got the call-up for Tyrone when she was just 16 and went on to captain her county. 
After an eight year break, and  marriage to Petie Hagan from Kildress and three children later, this year she lined out for Tyrone again. 
Which club will her three boys hurl for?!
She talks about the highs and lows of victory and defeat and a special day at The Washingbay when Kevin Barry's were crowned Ulster champions, going on to reach the All Ireland final.
There were also trips to Scotland, albeit once in a freezing bus, when she was selected to play for Ireland in a Shinty series. Again, 15 years later her recent performances have led to another call-up for Shinty trials. 
Two weeks ago however, Derrylaughan lost in a county final and the disappointment was as profound as ever. 
Irish dancing was another passion which also brought medals on the biggest stage, at All Ireland level. 
Aisling's passion for camogie has never dimmed, last year's Club Player of the Year, she would love to see her beloved game attract more players and spectators. 
This a lovely podcast with Production Manager Oliver delighted to welcome his niece and God-daughter!
For Aisling Hagan, playing camogie has been a wonderful journey... and it's not over yet!..

Patsy Grant - changed times.
He may not have a television or be glued to social media but Patsy Grant is well tuned into the ways of a constantly changing world.
 
His father Paddy fixed clocks and Father Time catches up with us all. 
An artisan, Patsy has a great talent for stone sculpturing, painting and writing. 

He recalls simpler times when Coalisland had a railway station and enjoying a wonderful journey by train with his mother to Cookstown. 
He has fond memories of been given free rein to write stories in Primary School, his imagination fired often including local characters. 
He also spent three teenage years in Belfast often running messages for the Christian Brothers and aul lads he met on the way along the Falls Road. 

It was in Manchester his passion for stone carving began when seeing the fascinating gargoyles and other figure heads on ancient buildings. 

He also produced incredible art work, including Irish mythology and historical figures, on banners for protests during the 1981 Hunger Strike and recalls the snake-carved walking stick he carved and gifted to Bernadette McAliskey - a story told in her TwoMacs Podcast.
 
So much has changed and gone, including the huge Chestnut tree on Kettle Lane in Brackaville and industries in Coalisland, while Patsy's beloved 'Garden of Tranquillity' that once drew many visitors and TV cameras, has become overgrown... "a bit like myself" he says. 

He feels a connection with Ireland's past and the slaughter and forced starvation of a population in Gaza, while the demise of Lough Neagh also weighs heavily. In his poetry he expresses angst and anger as well as humour. His writing brings relief and expression... and it's excellent.. much better than he gives himself credit for!
 
He also has words of sympathy and kindness for a dear friend who tragically lost his son.
 
This is a wonderful podcast as Patsy looks back on his life and talks about nature, change, troubled times and hope.