Podcast – GAA Zone

“I’ve got a sneaky feeling about Cork” – Fans make bold predictions for the weekend.

May 25, 2023 by Patrick Sharkey, posted in Antrim, Armagh, Connacht, Croke Park, Dublin, Favourites, football, Galway, Hurling, inter-county, interview, Podcast, Ulster

By Patrick Sharkey,

Episode 56: Westmeath aim to raid Orchard and send Saffrons packing – The GAA Zone podcast

Welcome to the GAA Zone podcast on Anchor FM! In Episode 56, we fall deep into the thrilling world of Gaelic football. Join us as we focus on an upcoming clash that implies intense competition and captivating action. In this episode, titled "Westmeath Aim to Raid Orchard and Send Saffrons Packing," we look at an exciting match on the horizon. Our expert hosts analyse the strategies, key players, and historical context surrounding the clash between Westmeath and their formidable opponents, Armagh (known as the Orchard County) and Antrim (the Saffron). With fighting discussions and insightful analysis, we provide an in-depth understanding of the game, making this episode a must-listen for both die-hard fans and newcomers to Gaelic football. Tune in to discover. — Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gaazone/message

Calling all sports enthusiasts and Gaelic football fans! Prepare to immerse yourself in the exciting world of Gaelic football with the latest episode of the GAA Zone podcast. In this thrilling instalment, we delve into the upcoming clash between Westmeath and two formidable opponents, Armagh (the Orchard County) and Antrim (the Saffron). Connect us as we uncover the strategies, key players, and intense rivalries that make this match a must-watch. The GAA have reiterated to units their rules.

In this highly anticipated episode, we bring you expert analysis, engaging discussions, and captivating insights into the world of Gaelic football. The expert this time round is Aaron Maher Prendergast.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to Gaelic football, this episode is packed with riveting content.

Don’t miss out on the latest episodes of the GAA Zone podcast. Mr Maher Prendergast gives his backing to Louth as he says: “Yeah, it’s a hard one to know to be honest with you, because Louth obviously coming in on the back of a 21-point defeat to, to Dublin, Whereas Cork is obviously coming in, I suppose, with the ehm, obviously they got beat by Clare, but Cork, Cork have probably been waiting in the, the wings, for a walk, they obviously would have known, they would have been loud, the team they would have been playing. Ehm, so yeah like I think I think it’ll be a close one”.

Maher Prendergast added: “I’ve got a sneaky feeling about Cork but I think one thing we know about Cork is that they tend to raise their game when they play better teams but when they play the likes of Louth or know clearly their levels just seem to drop and I just don’t have much confidence that Cork can do that but to be honest with you I’d fancy I’d actually fancy Clare or sorry I’d fancy Louth to get the victory ehm so I think they’re at home as well aren’t they so I think they will be too strong for ehm for four. I think Mickey Harte will get the troops back on the side. Go and see how Cork is able to deal with Sam Mulroy or some of the other lads there. So yeah, I’d fancy Louth to win it.” Subscribe.

Consolidate us on this audio journey as we explore the excitement, drama, and raw talent of Gaelic football. Aaron sees all that in the Armagh v Westmeath football clash saying: “Yeah I mean I don’t know if David Brady may be mentioned or maybe I suppose or maybe his plan was to actually mention the Westmeath hurlers and shock eh with Wexford and maybe that’s exactly what he was meant to say I don’t know but yeah I’d be very surprised to be honest with you to see you know sorry to wreck me cause any shocking and Armagh like they’re a division three side they barely won a game all year ehm won a couple of games in this mid-table threw a huge lead away versus Louth as well. Ehm they’ve been very poor all year Westmeath. They haven’t really kicked off the way we would have since eh Jack Cooney stepped away and Dessie Dolan came in. It just hasn’t been the same sort of Westmeath side so. Yeah, I just don’t see it. Like there’s a few things you could see cause a shock here or there like Sligo will come in good form against Kildare in fairness despite that kind of final off”.

“Waterford kind of set up very well” – McNamara impressed with the current state of Munster hurling.

May 19, 2023 by Patrick Sharkey, posted in Antrim, Clare, Connacht, Cork, Dublin, Galway, leinster, Limerick, Munster, Podcast, Tipperary, Ulster, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wexford

By Patrick Sharkey,

Episode 56: Westmeath aim to raid Orchard and send Saffrons packing – The GAA Zone podcast

Get ready for an extraordinary episode of the GAA Zone Podcast! We are thrilled to announce that Episode 55 features an exclusive interview with none other than Wayne McNamara, a revered figure.

In this riveting conversation, Wayne McNamara shares his invaluable insights, offering listeners a unique perspective on the sport we all love. This was shown when Wayne McNamara was asked about the Limerick v Waterford game saying: “Yeah, like, it was at the game, like, obviously, like you know, it was an extremely close game.”

Mr McNamara added: “I thought Waterford kind of set up very well for Limerick, you know, ehm, they prevented obviously the running, the movement from the Limerick parks in terms of Bary Nash, or, or, Sean Finn kind of moving forward and Kyle Hayes, they were checking runs a lot, so that kind of gave him, gave a bit of the Waterford defence bit of breeding space, you know.”

“But Limerick hurled well, I thought they hurled extremely hard as they always do. Eh, they’re a bit fortunate enough with I suppose with the wides from Waterford, you can see that. That was kind of evident on the last day with Waterford again. But so, there were few lucky escapes in terms of ehm scores but still no it was a good game. First down in the league. Two weeks after the league final it’s hard mentally to sustain that. I’m Limerick could have been, I had to get up for a league semi-final up for a league final, but then do you know third game in a row, up for many championships, because there’s only two weeks in difference. And then I suppose, like we’ve seen against a player game, so there’s a bit of a lull, but like it’s eh goof first win. Tough game, but ehm, like again, probably showed that the kind of false insecurity, that the league can give you.”

“You know, like, you went by whatever 10 points against in the league final, close in 10 points in the league final and two weeks later, your, you’re struggling to get those scores and that has fluidity in your game you know. Eh just probably shows where the teams are at in terms of the league.” Prepare.

As we engage with Wayne McNamara, we uncover his predictions for the future of Gaelic games.

Don’t miss out on this captivating episode of the GAA Zone Podcast! McNamara was impressed with the level of hurling on show between Clare and Limerick despite the Treaty failing to win saying: “Yeah, it is a good game of hurling. A fantastic game of hurling. I had everything, to be honest. Ehm thought like if you go back to last year, Limerick and Clare where I think, they’ve played three times and there was a waypoint in the scoring difference, so that’s the course of the three games you know? So, as you knew it was going to be a tight battle. Eh I know in the league this year Limerick and Clare played in the league; I think Clare put out a kind of a shadowboxing team, to be honest. Ehm and just played and basically gave up the on that game. But I think it was with a view to the game I just went to two weeks ago you know. Eh, Clare fine-sided. They worked extremely hard. They got the breaks. I think were the biggest where their biggest plus was shutting down Limerick, I think. Ehm Limerick didn’t have much of a platform than to get them into their strides you know. Eh and plus again let’s say then get a clear forward, worked extremely hard in preventing the runs from the Limerick backs that they were doing that were kind in coaching into the space to support the runners up forward and Limerick forward you know”.

“We weren’t kind of sure” – Faithful put faith in Liam Kearns

August 28, 2022August 28, 2022 by Patrick Sharkey, posted in Antrim, Dublin, leinster, Offaly, Podcast, Ulster

By Patrick Sharkey,

Episode 56: Westmeath aim to raid Orchard and send Saffrons packing – The GAA Zone podcast

The Kerry football championship can be a complicated model to get a handle on from the outside.

Jack Cooney has stepped down as Westmeath football manager to take up a role as the GAA’s National Player Development Lead. Westmeath will be unable to get him replaced by the highly rated Liam Kearns as he has taken the helm at the Offaly senior footballers with David Dempsey, the Offaly and Bally Common footballer being excited about it on the GAA Zone Podcast saying: “Yeah originally, we weren’t kind of sure as players after John Maughan had resigned as such. At first was probably going to be Tomás Ó Sé and then Tomás himself had to opt out due to work”.

Cooney who served four years as manager of his native county after being appointed in the autumn of 2018, said the area of player development was one in which he held an academic interest and that he was eager to work in the area on a full-time basis. It is a similar story to Mr. Ó Sé who is the new Kerry U20 coach and Mr. Dempsey was asked whether the Kerry side should be excited saying: “Yeah absolutely. Look he’s won a host of personal accolades like players of the year and all-stars”.

There have been further moves in the post-GAA intercounty season managerial merry-go-round.

Pairc Ui Chaoimh will host a rugby fixture in November when Munster host world champions South Africa. Offaly will hope to return to that venue in division two in 2024 with Dempsey saying: “I suppose so, there is no point saying otherwise, we’re after last season getting up to division two”.

The GAA’s Central Council has given the go-ahead for Munster to take on a South Africa select XV.

Rather than Thomond Park in Limerick, Munster will take on the world champions on November 10.

Mount Sion recorded another big win in the Waterford championship, destroying Lismore to qualify.

In the modern era, technology is a part and parcel of sport at the highest level. David would want to play in a Croke Park with Hawkeye working saying: “Look we’ve been knocking on the door the last few years kind of against counties that are at our level, and we seem to just be falling short, you know in 2019, Meath up there, we let the game slip, we were up two points, or three points kind of”.

Who are the main influencers inside and outside the largest cultural and sporting organisation in Ireland? David Dempsey believes: “Look I’m not going to lie. I’d be a complete fan of it. Originally when the Tailteann cup was promoted at first, I was, and I thought it was kind of going to turn into something like the Tommy Murphy cup from years gone by. But after seeing what they did promotion-wise and the crowds that were still attending games I found it fantastic. I think every single player wants to be playing as many games as they can with their county. This year for the likes of Offaly we played Wexford obviously we didn’t get the result in the Leinster championship.”

Derry’s Owenbeg will be the host venue for the bulk of next year’s GAA World Games which sees Gaelic players from overseas traveling to Ireland to take part in the competition. For New York, it is their O’Byrne cup, but Offaly is focused on winning the real O’Byrne cup according to the Bally common man who said: “I suppose it depends like some management teams take it seriously and really go for it with their first 15 and some then like to be a little bit more experimental and try out new tactics, try new players, give the guys a chance. It entirely depends on what Liam Kearn’s plans are, you know, he could withhold some of the key players, give other guys a chance, and then we hit the ground running for the league, or straight away from the get-go, he might want to, get a bounce, and start winning games immediately and go very strong. I think it was 2019 as well. We actually got to an O’Byrne cup final against Longford and we actually lost by a point that day look it set Longford up for a good league campaign so look it is something players would have interest in”.

“GAA Media just has a bright future” – The future of Gaelic games media!

July 26, 2022 by Patrick Sharkey, posted in Championship, Cork, Croke Park, Derry, Donegal, Donegal GAA, Dublin, interview, Kerry, leinster, Meath, Munster, Podcast, Ulster

By Patrick Sharkey,

Episode 56: Westmeath aim to raid Orchard and send Saffrons packing – The GAA Zone podcast

Two-time All-Ireland winner with Meath, Colm O’Rourke, is set to take over as the Royal County’s senior football manager. O’Rourke takes the reins from Andy McEntee, who led the team for six seasons. The Royal County legend enjoyed a stunning career as a player and is now set to take the reins of the side as they bid to work their way back to the sport’s top table. The job was vacated by Andy McEntee following their Leinster Championship defeat to Dublin earlier this summer. Meath will compete in Division two of the 2023 National Football League. The news update was announced by Meath GAA.

The Sunday Game studio is going to look like a very different place in 2023. In episode 50 of the GAA Zone podcast, Mayo-based journalist Chloe Lynch hailed the role of the media in Gaelic games.

The Sunday Game pundit has been linked with the role on several occasions in the past, while he has also coached the Meath minor and Under-21 footballers. Lynch said: “Well in my opinion now, you know, GAA Media just has a bright future even though we have the veterans in the game. There is a lot to be worked on and when you have a new generation in, it’s a good future ahead and there is a lot to be done”. O’Rourke also managed the Irish team in International Rules tests against Australia.

Former Mayo footballer Alan Dillon has called on the GAA to push the inter-county season back out to August or September.

Kerry unsurprisingly dominated The Sunday Game’s Team of the Year after beating Galway in the All-Ireland final. Cork-based journalist Matthew Hurley, better known as the GAA stats man, joined in on the podcast saying: “Yeah, I think it has a great enough future, not just in the national media like”.

John Comer was the main influence in shaping the football career of full-forward Comer and sadly passed away at the start of 2017. Lynch said:” Well we all know it kind of has a lot of positives and” negatives together and you know, and we all have our own little outlet of trying to get up in the business and you know there is a lot to be worked on and you know. Say the like the likes of us who use our voices to reinvent it really and add a little of 21st century inro it.” Despite being crestfallen following the result on Sunday, the Tribesmen can hold their head high after a fantastic campaign.

Much of the talk, heading into the All-Ireland, was about David Clifford and Shane Walsh, but they were sharing column inches and headlines with Sean O’Shea and Damien Comer. Mr.Hurley said: “Yeah I think it’s been excellent. I was kind of skeptical. The main thing we talk about in media exploring GAA games is exploring them further afield abroad. We thought Sky would do it in 2013”.

Ryan had a very calm and assuring presence in the Kerry defense all year. The Mayo woman said:” It’s a hard one. It’s everywhere, to be honest. Like you know the fact you can get like RTÉ player in the Chicago and like Dubai and all that but in my opinion, now it’s Twitter kind of the main. You yourself seeing the GAA twitter and again everyone knows everyone and like I saw Brian Cody left”.

Kerry claimed their 38th All-Ireland title with an entertaining victory over Galway on Sunday. Hurley said: “Look it is and it isn’t. I just think the Sunday game for example isn’t spreading GAA as much”.

The Dublin boss is yet to sit down with the county board for a full review. The 20-year-old says: “Well to be honest I’m surprised they haven’t thought about it by now! It’s a hard one. RTÉ just owns the rights and so does Sky. I say if they did, there would just be more controversy because I know they have the app but nobody’s using it. I read the reviews. I was going to download it and like it was a load of bad reviews. You know as long as they get the money, they don’t give two hoops but as Matt was saying like they don’t give enough to fans that have given say their whole weeks’ wages even “.

“We got our tactics right” – Kildare wonders what could have been once more

July 15, 2022July 15, 2022 by Patrick Sharkey, posted in Championship, Connacht, Dublin, football, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, leinster, Leitrim, Mayo, Munster, Podcast, Tyrone, Ulster

By Patrick Sharkey,

Episode 56: Westmeath aim to raid Orchard and send Saffrons packing – The GAA Zone podcast

The GAA will allow an additional water carrier and permit water bottles to be placed around the pitch for Sunday’s All-Ireland senior hurling final. With temperatures in Croke Park anticipated to reach at least 25 degrees by 3.30pm throw-in, the Central Competitions Control Committee is taking extra measures to ensure player safety. In hurling, teams can have three water/hurley carriers, but that number will increase to four for the Kilkenny-Limerick clash. However, players must come into the perimeter of the field to take water as the carriers can only enter the field of play to replace a hurley. The counties will also be given the green light to make water bottles to be accessible in areas other than each goal mouth, the manager’s boxes, and the carriers’ areas so that players can readily hydrate. The GAA did away with water breaks in January of this year following the easing of restrictions. While they didn’t forbid their return in the future, the intervals had been used by teams to pass on tactical advice to players. In the wake of the removal of the breaks, teams were reminded that selectors, backroom team members, or players not on the match-day panel could double up as carriers. Extra details have been revealed for the big screen event taking place.

The weather could be a real factor, with temperatures of up to 30 degrees expected. This is a novelty in the championship this year because the split season started earlier with temperatures averaging at around 11oc on the first day of Kildare’s Leinster championship with their midfielder Kevin Feely talking about it on episode 48 of the GAA Zone podcast saying: “O yeah, the Louth game was very good yeah”.

A doctor has been hailed a lifesaver after a medical emergency at her local GAA club. Kildare nearly needed a similar kind of miracle when Westmeath held them on the ropes but Mr.Feely said: “That was a strange game. It was played at a very low-intensity kind of. From both sides it was quite passive. I don’t know whether it was nerves on both sides or the first game of the year in Croke Park”.

Westmeath footballer Luke Loughlin has bravely shared the story of his 10-year battle with addiction. Perhaps the bravest thing in Leinster football since Kildare played attacking football against Dublin.

Glen Emmets v Lannléire is the Division 3A title decider in Louth. It will probably be more competitive than the Leinster final when Feely said: “We had a lot of guys playing their first Leinster final in that situation, making defensive mistakes that were unusual for them that they never normally would make. You would probably put that down to nerves more so than anything else”.

Up for the Match is back! One match Kildare was up for was the Mayo game and Kevin talked about it saying: “Obviously it was a huge improvement in the performance in that game. We got our tactics right; we got our team right and our system right. We played with a lot more freedom obviously.”

Kerry defender Gavin White seems unlikely to play in the All-Ireland football final as he awaits the results of a scan on his knee. None of the Kildare players will be -playing either as they came up short.

In Louth, all the momentum appears to be with the Ardee men now as they bid to deliver back-to-back Cardinal O’Donnell Cup titles to Páirc Mhuire. The athletic therapist named players on the Kildare panel that helps their momentum saying:” I would say Ryan Houlihan and our cornerbacks”.