RTÉ GAA Podcast

Cathal Mullaney previews the last weekend of the Leinster and Munster Championship round robin on the hurling RTÉ GAA Podcast with Shane McGrath and Rory O'Neill, where this are big birthday celebrations and plenty of stories from the former Tipp hurler including one involving Cian Lynch and John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer.
Our panel run the rule over the trials and tribulations of six-in-a-row Leinster champions, Kilkenny. Can Dublin score just their second ever championship victory over the Black and Amber at Parnell Park this weekend?
On that note, is Leinster hurling now where it's at? Or, is Masters hurling the new crowd (or hamstring) puller?!
The thorny issue of player welfare and the duty of care to each other on the field raises its head once again after a couple of late hits prompted concerns last week.
Former Tipp star McGrath waxed lyrical about the skill and verve of Offaly's Eoin Cahill, made an old-school Simpsons reference and then signed off with a wonderful Cian Lynch story.
A bumper edition of your RTÉ Hurling podcast for the week that's in it.
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Nigel Dunne and Éamonn Fitzmaurice join Cathal Mullaney after Westmeath's ambush on Dublin worked.
The panel discuss how the Lake County got past the Dubs.
In Ulster, an Armagh panel with plenty of Celtic Crosses finally brought their provincial drought to an end.
The All-Ireland series begins this weekend. Is it open, or will Kerry defend their crown?
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Cathal Mullaney is joined by Shane McGrath and Rory O'Neill to preview a crucial weekend in hurling, with Leinster taking centre stage.
Shane makes the case for Offaly breaking out of Leinster, admitting he may have underestimated a side now playing to its strengths. With their fate in their own hands, the focus turns to how they’ll handle a new favourites tag ahead of their clash with Wexford (3:30).
There are growing concerns for both Wexford and Kilkenny, with both counties needing results. While Shane believes Wexford are in the more precarious position, he also notes Kilkenny’s dip in standards is becoming more noticeable as the season unfolds (11:30).
The panel also debate the championship format, with Shane suggesting counties like Kildare risk being caught in a yo-yo cycle between the Liam MacCarthy and Joe McDonagh cups, and argues for greater flexibility (21:50).
Attention then shifts to Munster (30:00), where despite failing to register a win, Waterford have remained competitive. Shane questions whether issues lie in squad depth or a lack of trust from management (32:00).
Old rivalries are stirring too, as Shane and Rory reflect on the intensity of the Tipp-Clare clashes of the 90s. Shane even notes a telling silence from the Tipp camp, something he sees as a positive sign.
The episode wraps up with predictions for all of the weekend’s action (59:00).

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Brian Fenton and Enda McGinley join Cathal Mullaney to reflect on Roscommon's epic Connacht final triumph.
Kerry looked professional in dispatching old foes Cork, but the Rebels lacked a real game plan, according to the panel.
This weekend, Westmeath will try to stop the Dubs at Croke Park, while Armagh might finally land an Ulster title, two years after much of their squad collected their Celtic Crosses.
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Shane McGrath dials in to chat with Cathal Mullaney and Rory O'Neill ahead of another weekend of provincial hurling action.
Rory is quick to remind Shane of all the Cork teams in action this week, with Barry Walsh set to line out for the Cork Under-20s and seniors this week - is there fear of burnout (3:00)?
There is a mea culpa from Shane (5:00) for his Clare prediction. He accepts Limerick very good without two hurlers of the year - the fact two spots were up for grabs spurred on the fringe players. But Clare weren’t ready to hurl that match at 2 o’clock Sunday.
The brilliance of Barry Nash is well discussed (11:00). His involvement in so many crucial moments drew comparisons to Ollie Canning.
Shane was reminded of the coaching of Eamon O’Shea watching Limerick's comfort playing in tight spaces, the Tipp coach used to have the panel play a possession game between the 14 and 21-yard lines, which left no space to breathe. This gave you an appreciation of how big the pitch is. Limerick have that approach.
This weekend Cork's depth to be tested against Waterford (24:00) with Ciaran Joyce and Rob Downey absences. Rory calls for subtle changes, not an overhaul. Shane is tipping Waterford, much to the anguish of their fans. He is encouraged by how they hurled in the second half against Tipp.
To Leinster and Wexford v Dublin (33:00). Time for Wexford to stand up and if the Dubs lose they could be haunted by that draw with Offaly. Tie down Lee Chin and Shane predicts a Dublin win, that could be a job for Eoghan O’Donnell.
It's time for Offaly to stop being so deferential to Kilkenny (43:00). Shane says they were more direct against Wexford, which suits them.
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