The GAA Social- Championship Special

The GAA Social- Championship Special

Author: BBC Radio Ulster April 5, 2026 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 punditry team. The lads pick their talking points, provincial winners, Tailteann Cup champions and who will win Sam Maguire. This episode is also on YouTube, where there's previously unseen shots of Ulster final and our filming venue. It's worth a watch.

Craic, laughs, serious analysis, Philly McMahon in lambing season and everyone looking ahead to championship 2026. We can’t wait.


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…
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