The GAA Social

A mad weekend in Gaelic games as we figure out all the provincial finalists.

Three Ulster championships as a player for Tyrone and starring on the biggest day. The 1986 All-Ireland final in Croke Park, didn't work out after the break against Kerry, but Noel McGinn was pure authority in a defence filled with hard men. He was a successful player, school principal and someone respected in gaelic games and in life. He managed Dromore to their first ever county championship- but he refuses to say he "led them." An infamous incident against Clonoe almost cost Noel his job and it's his one big regret. But he's owned it, hasn't hidden and in this honest account of a life in football, Noel McGinn reveals so much about who he is as a person- and there's plenty to admire and love. He's now living with Parkinson's disease, but he looks upon himself as "lucky." This is the story of positivity, life and being a good man. A man interviewing the young and old in Tyrone for TeamTalk. What's that? The great Noel McGinn from Killyclogher

It was earned and it was deserved- but it’s the shock of the championship season (outside the Down camp) and it was beautiful. 10 consecutive days in each other’s company and Down knock Donegal out of the Ulster championship. It’s only the second time Jim McGuinness has lost an Ulster championship match. Where do they go from here? Armagh v Down in Clones- could the Mournemen make an Ulster final? It was a day for those on the road as Roscommon knock Mayo out of Connacht and setup a Galway showpiece. Is it their year? Louth make the Leinster final- you kinda just expect it from Louth at this stage. Leitrim were super and it not OTT to suggest, they really could have beaten Galway- or is it? Meanwhile in Munster, Cork and Kerry make it through their semi-finals. Tyrone U20’s will take on Monaghan in the Ulster final. Tyrone managed by the brilliant Paul Devlin, who previously beat the head of Oisin (fair play to him) As for Armagh and Fermanagh- a game of two halves, and the brilliance of Darragh McGurn (previous guest on the GAA Social) The glory of Cork and Limerick in the small ball, perhaps matched by the men from Down. Lovely stuff

This one is very different, and hugely important. Talking periods, fertility and challenges for female athletes is tricky, especially with two men in the room but Emma O'Byrne displays a maturity way beyond her 26 years to engage in this powerful conversation. Emma has Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), most managers in womens Gaelic games are men. So, are we in tune to have these conversations? Honest, fair and insightful, this podcast will illuminate the challenges our female athletes must overcome and hopefully, we can bring a little learning along the way. There's much more, Emma transferred to St Vincent's and explains why and there's also love. Conor Burke, Dublin hurler and by the sounds of it, a pretty decent bloke too. A lovely podcast.

Westmeath land the biggest shock of the weekend, and that means Down may miss out on Sam Maguire football. We'll see what Kildare have to say. Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan and defender Cameron Dowd join Thomas, Philly & Darren Hughes on the GAA Social. Recorded live on BBC iplayer after the Cavan game and you can watch it on YouTube. We thought Wicklow did well, only losing by two. Turns out they should have won. Some effort!