RTÉ GAA Podcast

Mikey Stafford steps in for Cathal Mullaney in the presenting seat this week and is joined by Marty Morrissey and Ciarán Whelan at RTÉ HQ to mull over the weekend’s football action. Shane McGrath then joins for the hurling chat, where he laments Tipp’s loss to Limerick in Thurles, an evening that ended with his car stuck in the mud!

After Ciarán gets his hurling days confession out of the way, it’s straight into Armagh and Donegal, where the ex Dublin footballer shares that despite Armagh’s record he feels they are still in a good place, though they had many missed chances at the Athletic Grounds on Sunday (4:00).

Kickout piggery was back as a topic for another week, and Ciarán comments that he thinks it is overplayed, adding that the lack of control for managers has continued to reduce kicking in games (8:00). While Armagh continue to be low on goals and two pointers, Ciarán expresses his lack of concern for the 2024 All Ireland champions as Ulster football continues to thrive.

Possible Mayo Messi Kobe McDonald’s debut is dubbed by Ciarán as “unbelievable”, and he explains how Mayo need a star like David Clifford to have an impact. His young age and future plans are discussed (13:50).

Marty makes a big prediction that Monaghan may be contenders for an Ulster final come championship season due to a “softer” draw, but Ciarán reflects on the impact of home losses on player morale and their poor league performances overall (20:30).

Dublin’s performance in their defeat to Kerry is described by Ciarán as a “difficult watch”, noting the lack of energy from the Dubs and their slow attacking play (22:50).

The Rossies are flying high, and discussion turns to the swings being seen in scorelines and the potential impact of the wind on results. Next up for them is the Dubs at home, which Ciarán feels is a winnable fixture (30:00).

Lastly, Division 2 is discussed, with Whelo saying he feels there will be some great games in the coming weeks (31:40).

When attention turns to hurling (37:00), Shane dials in to express his disappointment in Tipp’s performance on Saturday and says he would love to be a fly on the wall at their training sessions this week (39:00).

Shane also brings an armful of impressive stats to the discussion on Limerick’s puckout retention and feels panel competition is key to their success so far (48:00).

He is also full of praise for the pitch conditions at Nowlan Park but expresses concern about a perceived lack of emerging talent in Kilkenny to replace the likes of TJ Reid and Mossy Keoghan (51:00).

Attention then turns to Division 1B, where Marty reacts to Clare’s scare against Kildare, adding that he feels Kildare are the “best of the rest” and have a good chance of staying in the division (59:00).

Finally, Dublin and Wexford’s spicy encounter is tipped by Shane as an important factor in the Leinster Championship, and he comments that defensive coaches for both sides will be despairing (1:05.00).

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Ahead of this weekend Gaelic football and hurling action, Cathal Mullaney is joined by Dessie Dolan, Damian Lawlor and Liam Sheedy.
Cathal, Dessie and Damian look ahead to an Allianz Football League weekend where arguably the Division 2 action outstrips the top tier, with Cork and Meath of particular interest.
Dessie reckons Cork need to put together a consistent 70 minutes to compete with a Meath team who have been turning heads.
Elsewhere, the lads assess Darragh Canavan's loss to Tyrone, Armagh's keeper conundrum and Kerry's motives as they head to Croker to take on the Dubs.
Also, with kick-out 'piggery' supposedly ruling the game, Dessie says a player of Paul Galvin's quality would be worth an astronomical value.
Liam Sheedy joins Cathal in studio (36:45) to preview the weekend's hurling.
The All-Ireland winning Tipp manager backs Kyle Hayes to fill the centre-back position for Limerick in the long term as the game comes to terms with the value of a sitting 6 versus a deep 11.
Waterford will give a good test to their neighbours Kilkenny, who are looking to fill a few positions.
After some good performances with no reward, Galway are in need of a result against Offaly.
In Division 1B, Lee Chin's return is just in time for the trip to Croke Park, with Wexford dealing with a dearth of leaders, while Clare seem to be getting the old gang back together for one more heist.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of this weekend Gaelic football and hurling action, Cathal Mullaney is joined by Dessie Dolan, Damian Lawlor and Liam Sheedy.
Cathal, Dessie and Damian look ahead to an Allianz Football League weekend where arguably the Division 2 action outstrips the top tier, with Cork and Meath of particular interest.
Dessie reckons Cork need to put together a consistent 70 minutes to compete with a Meath team who have been turning heads.
Elsewhere, the lads assess Darragh Canavan's loss to Tyrone, Armagh's keeper conundrum and Kerry's motives as they head to Croker to take on the Dubs.
Also, with kick-out 'piggery' supposedly ruling the game, Dessie says a player of Paul Galvin's quality would be worth an astronomical value.
Liam Sheedy joins Cathal in studio (36:45) to preview the weekend's hurling.
The All-Ireland winning Tipp manager backs Kyle Hayes to fill the centre-back position for Limerick in the long term as the game comes to terms with the value of a sitting 6 versus a deep 11.
Waterford will give a good test to their neighbours Kilkenny, who are looking to fill a few positions.
After some good performances with no reward, Galway are in need of a result against Offaly.
In Division 1B, Lee Chin's return is just in time for the trip to Croke Park, with Wexford dealing with a dearth of leaders, while Clare seem to be getting the old gang back together for one more heist.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cathal Mullaney is joined in studio by Niall McCoy and online by Enda McGinley to break down the third round of the Allianz Football League, a weekend that brought a somewhat unexpected Armagh defeat, a halt to Mayo’s momentum, and a notably aggressive performance from Tyrone.

Enda (1:30) reflects on how managers are struggling to exert control from the sidelines amid the heightened chaos created by last year’s rule changes. While the shift has been challenging for those in charge, he notes that it has made the game more enjoyable to play.

The panel also digs into Kieran McGeeney’s “piggery” remarks surrounding kickout battles. Former manager Enda explains that while possession is still central to modern football, the days of relying on intricate set plays are fading as teams become less consistent at securing their own restarts.

The conversation turns to Roscommon’s growing promise, the group debates whether Mayo’s re-found chaos isn't going to work against teams that maintain possession for long spells.

Niall floats the idea that Donegal legend Michael Murphy could evolve into a devastating “super sub” for Jim McGuinness in this year’s Championship, with Enda imagining the lift Murphy could provide if introduced during a difficult spell.

The panel then shifts to Tyrone (37:00), with Enda praising the side’s rediscovered aggression, energy, and attacking pace. However, he believes a few more players need to elevate themselves into top-tier roles for the team to fully reach its potential.

Finally, the spotlight moves to Division 4, where, with two Ulster men on the pod, the discussion naturally lands on Antrim. Enda shares his view that there is little reward for competing in the division at present and suggests the League may be a tough sell in a dual-code county (38:30).

Watch the RTÉ GAA Podcast on the RTÉ Sport Youtube: https://youtu.be/vaOEGUmoV2M

Web http://www.rte.ie/sport
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Follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rtesport

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cathal Mullaney previews the weekend's Allianz Football League action in the company of Dessie Dolan and Conor Neville.
But before we get to that Dessie relives some of his favourite Sigerson memories (1:00), including togging out with a (very) young Michael Meehan in NUIG.
Kerry v Galway is arguably the pick of the games (3:30), with Galway impressing Conor despite their permanent injury crisis. Arguably Kerry don't carry their usual fear factor at this time of the year, even in Tralee.
Strange to think it but Dublin and Monaghan has the feel of a relegation four-pointer (12:30). Monaghan depleted through injuries, retirements and Sigerson. Dublin's possible malaise is different and Dessie believes Ger Brennan is borrowing a move out of Pat Gilroy playbook by threatening to ditch senior players. Anyway, Dessie says Brian Howard would be welcome in Westmeath.
Roscommon are travelling under many's radar ahead of Armagh game (17:30), but surprising a few people, especially with no Brigid's players. Diarmuid Murtagh impresses Dessie with his efficiency. However Armagh's running power will test them this week.
The hype is with us early this year as Donegal-Mayo (24:40) sees a huge crowd expected in Ballybofey. Ryan O'Donoghue is tenacious and making huge contribution from centre-forward, reckons Dessie.
Meath looking buoyant (29:30) ahead of clash with Louth, with their return to centre stage last year reminding Conor of a soap opera villain. Louth dip to be expected after last summer's heroics, says Dessie, who knows a thing or two about ending a long wait for provincial glory.
Tyrone's early season form a bit of a mystery reckons Dessie (34:00) ahead of clash with Cavan, with Division 2 safety and Sam Maguire status already on the table.
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