The Sideline Live Podcast

• #181 Ronan Conway // Inside the Mind of a High-Performance Facilitator

  On this episode 181 I am delighted to be joined by Ronan Conway. An expert in team cohesion and connection with clients including sports teams, corporates and the irish prison system.  At one point, he had it all on paper — a degree from UCC, a promising hurling career with Cork, and a good job in the tech industry. But beneath the surface, he was drifting. We explore the journey from feeling lost to finding his way and becoming a key figure in the high-performance sport space.We unpack what it really means to be a facilitator, how to create powerful environments for growth, and why the best teams already have the answers — they just need help finding them. From big career pivots, the art of facilitation, to Lambay Island retreats and lessons from Jack McCaffrey & Declan Darcy, this is a wide-ranging conversation on connection, team culture, and coaching from the inside out.Whether you're a coach, player, or just curious about the human side of high performance, this episode offers insights, stories, and practical advice to help build stronger teams — and more self-aware leaders.Read more about his work with the prison system and his programme the circle https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/09/no-hurler-on-the-ditch-ronan-conway-a-firm-believer-in-the-promise-of-team-development/ Find Ronan here: https://www.ronanconway.ie/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronan-conway-3513042b/ Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/thesidelinelive⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesidelinelive/⁠⁠⁠ Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBandIntro 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 

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• #180 Eileen Roche // Lessons from sport & Stanford (Director of basketball operations)

  On this episode of The Sideline Live podcast, I sit down with Eileen Roche, Director of Basketball Operations at Stanford. We dive into her incredible journey as a multi-sport athlete, coach, and long-time leader behind one of college basketball’s most successful programs.Eileen and I met in September 2022 while I visited Stanford and clicked straight away. Growing up in Brooklyn she was an accomplished athlete in 3 sports; basketball, field hockey and softball. She decided to continue playing all three and attend Wesleyan University in Ohio, where she would excel was voted team captain in each sport. She would later be inducted into their hall of fame and pursued a career in coaching.During the episode shares insights on leadership, building a high-performance culture, and what it takes to support elite athletes both on and off the court. We explore her experience working alongside coaching legend Tara VanDerveer, how the role of basketball operations has evolved, and the behind-the-scenes details and culture that help make Stanford a powerhouse.From balancing academics and athletics to the challenges and opportunities women face in sport, Eileen offers practical advice for the next generation of leaders—whether coaches, players, or sport professionals. A serious operator on and off the court we discussed managing a busy programme as they move to the ACC schedule for the upcoming season. And yet she never fails to bring her infectious energy and enthusiasm to the programme every day. This episode is packed with stories, lessons, and reflections on what success really means in sport and life. So tune in to hear from one of my favourite people in sport. Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/thesidelinelive⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesidelinelive/⁠⁠⁠ Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBandIntro 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

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• #179 Alan O’Mara // The reality of being an inter-county manager

  On episode 179 I am delighted to be joined by Alan O’Mara. Author of 'The Best Is Yet To Come' and founder of 'Real Talks' , mental performance coach  podcast host and wellbeing speaker. He is also a previous inter-county goalkeeper with Cavan and manager with New York in 2024. We dive deep into Alan’s journey from inter-county football to working with top athletes, coaches and teams in the area of mental performance.Alan shares powerful insights on his experience in sport, being an inter county manager, the realities of leading a team, and self care. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or just curious about the mental side of sport, this episode offers valuable takeaways.We also discuss promotion of Gaelic Games and how practical it is to provide more inter-county matches for the New York senior football team. Read the article that Alan wrote in the Irish independent about his time as senior inter county manager with New Yorkhttps://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/life-as-an-inter-county-manager-migraines-constant-fatigue-and-a-fuzzy-brain-i-became-unusually-irritable-and-erratic-as-a-person-and-partner/a362866442.html Find Alan herehttps://www.instagram.com/aomthecat/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanomara/ https://x.com/aomthecat?lang=enFollow The Sideline Live Social Media channels: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/thesidelinelive⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesidelinelive/⁠⁠⁠ Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBandIntro 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 

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• #177 Shane McEntee // The new rules and being an inter county captain

  On episode 177 I am delighted to be joined by Shane McEntee. Former Meath captain, current St Peters Dunboyne senior footballer and GAA plus pundit. (Note this episode was recorded the day before the All-Ireland quarter final win over Galway)01:00 For the first 30 minutes Shane and I debate the current rules, inter county calendar, 7s, penalties, the minor and senior double header finals and more! (Let us know your thoughts) 31:00 We then discussed his experience as a leader in both Gaelic football as Meath captain and in the defence forces. Shane shares what it means to be an inter county captain, how the leadership group interacts and helps with the role. We also touched on breaking into panels, learning the ropes and facing the 6 in a row dublin team  and relishing that opportunity A fantastic insight into leadership, life as an inter county footballer,  analysing a game as an individual player in collaboration with an analyst and the current state of Gaelic football. A big thanks to Shane for his time! Find Shane here https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-mcentee-8a26a4206/ https://www.instagram.com/shanemacnt/ Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/thesidelinelive⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesidelinelive/⁠⁠⁠ Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBandIntro 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 

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• #176 Austin O'Malley // Leading Cuala to the All-Ireland club title

  On episode 176 I am delighted to be joined by All-ireland winner club football manager with Cuala, Austin O’Malley. The former Mayo and Wicklow inter county footballer was involved in both the 2004 and 2006 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship finals with Mayo. O'Malley won the 2006 Dublin Senior Football Championship while playing for UCD and lined out with St.Vincent's in Marino. He took over as manager of Cuala Senior football team and in his 3rd season led them to the 2024 All-Ireland club football title following a first ever county football title win against Kilmacud Crokes. As a player he was coached by Mick O’Dwyer, Davy Billings, Micky Whelan, John Maughan, John O’Mahoney and Mickey Moran, some of the best gaelic football coaches of all time. Austin shares insights from the legends of coaching and how it has shaped his approach as a leader, coach and manager. During this episode we discuss coaching, performance, vision, stretch goals, energy management as a coach or manager, preparing for a match as a manager and more! Plenty of takeaways for athletes, coaches, managers and those involved in elite sport throughout the chat. A teacher by trade he moved into performance coaching working with Enda McNulty and completed multiple academic qualifications before setting up his own business Hexagon performance where he works with individuals in sport and business. His work includes improving human performance, building High-Performance teams, Culture Coding, and is a skilled Health & Wellbeing practitioner. Qualifications include BBS Degree in Business Studies, Hdip In Education, BSC in Strength & Conditioning, Diploma in The Science of Wellbeing, MSc in The Science of Performance Coaching and a Certificate in Sport and Performance Psychology. Find Austin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-o-malley/ https://hexagonperformance.ie/ Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/thesidelinelive⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesidelinelive/⁠⁠⁠ Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBandIntro 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  

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