Niall Grimley. Winning an All-Ireland. As powerful as it gets

Niall Grimley. Winning an All-Ireland. As powerful as it gets

Author: BBC Radio Ulster July 31, 2024 Duration: 1:03:45

Sometimes podcasts just stop us in our tracks. This is one of them. Niall Grimley from Madden county Armagh. He didn't play a minute in Ulster championship and League- yet is now in the running for an All-star. It's a remarkable sporting journey that reached its climax on Sunday winning his first All-Ireland- and he's been crucial. Niall also broke his neck and tore his MCL. Unfortunately, there’s more. In November last year, Niall lost his brother Patrick and his wife Ceira in a road traffic accident enroute home from Patrick's 40th birthday party. Children left without mummy and daddy. Kiera McElvanna also lost her life in that accident, the wife of former Armagh All-Ireland winner Kevin McElvanna who made such an impact of us all when he appeared on this podcast earlier this year. It's an immeasurable loss to a community, even one as strong as Madden. Sunday was a mixed day, but a very special one. Niall Grimley is a very special person as we reflect on the summer that was. The championship that ten teams could have won, but it was Armagh who took Sam Maguire home.


From the pitches and clubhouses across Ireland, The GAA Social captures the heartbeat of Gaelic Games. This BBC Radio Ulster podcast goes beyond the weekend's scores to explore the people and passions that define hurling and Gaelic football. Each episode sits down with the figures who shape the sport, from legendary players and sharp-tongued managers to the dedicated officials behind the scenes, weaving their personal stories into the larger tapestry of the GAA. Alongside these in-depth conversations, you'll find thoughtful pundit discussions that dig into the tactics, controversies, and sheer athleticism on display. It’s a space where the camaraderie, local rivalries, and community spirit of the games are given a voice. Tuning in offers more than analysis; it’s an auditory journey into the culture and characters that make these sports a way of life for so many. Whether you’re a lifelong follower or newly curious, this podcast connects you to the raw emotion and shared history etched into every match.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The GAA Social
Podcast Episodes
Emma O'Byrne- Being a woman in Gaelic Games. Dublin camogie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:48
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…
Conor Whelan. Changing direction in life, no glass ceiling in Galway. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:45
Conor Whelan will take the field this weekend as Galway begin another championship campaign. It seems, a two horse race for the big prize, and that doesn't include the current All-Ireland champions. Where does that leave…
The GAA Social- Championship Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:01
Philly McMahon, Conor McManus and a 'kinda’ special guest, join Thomas Niblock and Oisin McConville for this special recording of the GAA Social. The BBC Live championship games in 2026 is announced, with some of the pun…
Matty Forde. A life in football & five weeks after losing dad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:21
Everyone in Gaelic football knows Matty Forde. For Leinster, Ireland, his club and Wexford he was different class. Winning an All-star in a team that didn't have much success, cemented his status as one of the best in th…
The final day of the league. Frantic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:26
All the football covered. Are Wexford the story of the year so far? Conor McManus joins the podcast. Recorded at the Armagh- Kerry game. We're struggling to think of a better game of football- it really was that good