The Throw-in

Limerick’s Hurler of the Year, Gearóid Hegarty, joins Will Slattery and Michael Verney for an exclusive interview on this week’s Throw-In podcast as he looks ahead to the crunch Munster final clash with Tipperary. Hegarty then talks about his hugely successful career, the importance for him of being able to switch off completely from the game to re-charge and why getting in the ‘flow’ is the holy grail for athletes. He also opens up on why he thinks fans shouldn’t have to wear masks at Championship games and reveals what training and living during the Covid conditions has been like. “You have to be very careful because a two week quarantine for being a close contact of someone that tested positive and you're going to miss a game. Somebody could get in in your place and do really well and you might struggle to get back in. Nothing has really changed to be honest from last year's Championship to this year's Championship in terms of how we've to prepare. You've to be super careful.” Elsewhere on the show,

Dublin's hurlers provided the first major shock of the Championship as they tore up the script against Galway and on this week’s Throw-In podcast, John Mullane joined Will Slattery, Michael Verney and Roy Curtis to look back on all the controversies, highs and lows from the weekend action. With Galway’s status as the main rivals to Limerick now very much in doubt, Tipperary’s win over Clare sees them trying to stop John Kiely’s team achieving a Munster three-in-a-row. But it was for referee James Owen’s penalty and sin-bin decision against Clare’s Aidan McCarthy that proved the game’s key turning point. “For me it was an absolutely crazy call, an absolutely crazy call,” said Mullane on the podcast. “It effectively ruined the match and it was the shot in the arm that Tipperary needed to push on and win the game and it effectively was the winning of the game.” In the football, Dick Clerkin joined the panel and while Dublin stuttered against Wexford, they march on to a Leinster semi final against Meath; in C

The 2021 Championship is up and running and with the main rivals to Dublin’s crown all in action, Kerry, Donegal and Mayo showed they are all hungry to push on this year. While there were easy wins for Kerry, Donegal and Mayo, will Dublin’s dominance be affected most of all by their own dressing-room with Cian O’Sullivan announcing his retirement and question marks over Stephen Cluxton’s involvement for another season in doubt. Ciaran Whelan joined Will Slattery, Michael Verney and Conor McKeon to look back on all the weekend football action and addressing the Cluxton situation, Whelan said he think it’s unlikely Cluxton will be involved next week saying Dublin’s lack of strength in-depth could hurt them. “One of my concerns going into the Championship is when you look at Dublin's depth that they used to have and the impact of the subs that could come off the bench and how frightening it was for opposition defenders to see a Diarmuid Connolly or a Kevin McManamon coming on in the height of their powers wit

With the League barely out of the way, we’re already looking forward to the start of the 2021 All Ireland football and hurling championships this weekend and in a special preview show, John Mullane and Dick Clerkin join Will Slattery, Michael Verney, Colm Keys and Frank Roche with their predictions for the summer. It’s a two-horse race in both the football and hurling our experts are predicting and despite a lot of people tipping Kerry, Dick Clerkin believes Dublin will still have too much for the Kingdom in the home stretch and will make it seven-in-a-row. But it’s beyond the big two where he thinks most of the interest will lie. “There's an awful lot to look forward to for a lot of counties in terms of the competitiveness that's there,” he says. “And like there was last year with the Cavan and the Tipperary stories there will be similar stories this year. I'm really looking forward to a lot of those sub-battles and plots throughout the provinces.” In the hurling, John Mullane and the rest of panel are

Momentum is everything in sport and with such a short turn-around between the Allianz Leagues and the Championship, it’s more important than ever this summer in the GAA and on this week’s Throw-In podcast, David Brady and Brendan Cummins join Will Slattery, Michael Verney and Sean McGoldrick as they look back on the league’s weekend football and hurling action. With Kerry’s big win over Tyrone generating much attention, is the race for Sam effectively a two-horse race? But if David Clifford was to be injured are Kerry a team of genuine title contenders? And then there’s the ‘big Mo’ and what that means to every county preparing for the provincial Championships. “You go between the ying and the yang,” says David Brady. “Of what should have been a defeat for Monaghan yesterday to come off the back of a massive victory in the last couple of minutes against Galway and they're going, 'you know what guys, all is good now'. If you have that kind of confidence it's good because you do need, without a doubt you

We’ve gone from too many stops to too many scores - it’s hard it seems to keep hurling folk happy these days. So what is it we actually want asks Vincent Hogan on this week’s Throw-In as he joins Will Slattery and Michael Verney to look back on all the weekend hurling league action. “I think the biggest issue with hurling right now,” says Hogan. “And it really struck me on Saturday with the atmosphere in Corrigan Park with 500 people in it, it gave hurling an edge that we've missed. It's a soulless game without a crowd; it's a soulless game in an empty stadium and I think there's a lot of forwards that are maybe secretly enjoying the fact there's no crowds there.” It’s not a defenders game anymore is a common refrain and Limerick’s 53 shots at goal – 33 points and 20 wides – in their eight point win over Cork has John Kiely’s men looking ominous for the Championship. Elsewhere, Galway are the panel’s tip to rival Limerick, but it is the rise of less-heralded counties such as Antrim and Offaly that are a

It’s been called the birth of the modern GAA and thirty years on from the epic 4-game saga between Dublin and Meath in the opening round of the Leinster Championship that electrified and captured the nation’s attention, the Throw-In looks back on that historic series. Dublin legend, Paul Curran, and Meath legend, Colm O’Rourke, join Michael Verney and Roy Curtis as they remember the three drawn games and the final tense winning match for Meath. Colm looks back on Sean Boylan’s unique management style that saw the team travel to Scotland and train in buoyancy aids, while Paul Curran rues the missed chances for Dubs and the nights in the pub that followed. Relive some of that special time with great memories and stories on this Throw-In Special. For more from the Throw-In podcast go to: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ And don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sun was shining over the weekend and so was the action in the Allianz football leagues – the question now is, will it be a pre-cursor to free-flowing games for the rest of the summer? Looking back on all the weekend League action, Dick Clerkin, John Mullane and Martin Breheny joined Will Slattery and Michael Verney for this week’s episode of the Throw-In. While the uncertainty of whether the Division 1 and 3 finals will take place - in addition to the Division 2 and 4 finals not happening at all - has put a bit of a cloud over the conclusion to the Leagues, there are still so many sub-plots and tantalising prospects for what’s to come. Dublin are still ahead of the rest while Kerry have their many doubters, but elsewhere, Ulster football has been going through something of a character change with high scores and not a blanket defence to be seen. “I think a lot of it's to do with the sense of God with everything that's gone on over the last year and a half, let's go out and play a bit of football, a bi

Dublin and Kerry’s drawn game in Thurles over the weekend threw up more questions than answers but looking to the Championship is the Kingdom any closer to dethroning Dublin? Dick Clerkin and Frank Roche joined Will Slattery and Michael Verney to look back on all the football action while Ursula Jacob reviewed the hurling and camogie games. There was something for both the Dubs and Kerry to take away said Dick Clerkin. “I think Kerry will be taking a step back saying 'there's an awful lot of good to take out of that going down the home straight, but we've loads to improve on. Dublin done as Dublin do. They played good, they were efficient - bar the first ten minutes - they were ruthless in front of goals, they controlled the middle third but they just couldn't close the game out.” However, it was refs and rules that’s taking up most of the air-time still, with the panel asking where’s the consistency and why so many grey areas now exist. In hurling, Tipp seem to have found their goal-scoring form again

The return of hurling and Gaelic football has seen fans not roaring in delight at the games being played but instead throwing their hands up in the air at the new rule changes in both codes and wondering why? “Who in the name of God decided that the game needed this to happen and on what basis did they make it on?” asks Brendan Cummins on this week’s Throw-In joining Will Slattery, Michael Verney, Conor McKeon and Dick Clerkin to look back on the weekend action. “My hope is that the GAA will come out and say 'look lads this is why' and give us a little Powerpoint presentation as to what the thinking was behind it, why it passed Congress, and then we might be able to see. But I don't see it happening because I can't see any reason in the world why we've changed this, it's mad stuff.” The rest of the panel was equally vociferous when it came to the amended black card rule in Gaelic football with them all wondering what way the games will be come the Championship. But back on the pitch, Limerick’s six point

The Allianz Football League is back this weekend with a new format and mini local competitions that promise plenty of fireworks, especially in the Ulster counties. The latest Throw-In looks ahead to the return of inter-county gaelic football action and Will Slattery is joined by Donnchadh Boyle and Dick Clerkin to preview all the big games where Division 1 North with Tyrone v Donegal and Monaghan v Armagh the pick of the ties. Division 1 South sees Kerry at home to Galway while Dublin face Roscommon. Pointing to Dublin’s self-belief, Dick Clerkin says this is what other teams to do work on if they really want to de-throne the Dubs. “People talk about resources, they talk about players, they talk about all this stuff. I had the privilege of going down to watch Dublin three times last year in the empty stadium and you got to appreciate the intensity, the focus and the pure confidence that they play with on the pitch and I've never seen another team play like that. “They back their tactics, they back the

The opening weekend of the Allianz Hurling League threw up a welcome shock with Antrim’s two point win over Clare and joining Will Slattery and Michael Verney on this week’s Throw-In was Brendan Cummins and Colm Keys to look back on all the hurling action. “I think the narrative out of the game,” says Cummins. “Was 'oh my God, Clare were bet by Antrim, they must have given Antrim a loan of the hurleys to play 'em'. Certainly that's not what I see of Antrim but for Clare it is certainly a bit of a set back but I wasn't overly-surprised now to be honest with you that Clare got beaten up there.” Next up for Brian Lohan’s Clare is a grudge match against Davy Fitzgerald’s Wexford, who were 19 point winners over Laois, but he was an unhappy coach, not least with the new advantage rule brought into the game. “There are some things that need to be changed about hurling,” says Michael Verney. “And stopping the cynical element was definitely one. This advantage rule I'm not so sure. I just think we're changing t

The 2021 GAA season is back and finally fans can feel some sense of normalcy return. It may be a truncated League this year but what an opening hurling fixture to whet the appetite between reigning champions, Limerick, and the team most eager to prove a point against them, Tipperary. Previewing the Allianz Hurling Leagues, Will Slattery and Michael Verney were joined by Vincent Hogan and John Mullane who assess the teams and players to watch out for and why. For Vincent Hogan, Limerick v Tipp is an important game for both teams to lay down a marker, but for Tipperary especially. “Over the last couple of years, there's no doubt about it that Limerick have had their number and they've had their number quite comfortably and I think that's a big thing for Liam Sheedy going into this. Saturday night is a big enough game because he's got to convince his own players that they can match Limerick.” For John Mullane meanwhile, he’s keeping an eye on Wexford, Dublin and Cork, the teams that under-performed in the

Michael Verney is joined by Vincent Hogan, Martin Breheny and Colm Keys for a special episode of the Throw-In to reflect on the Top 50 GAA controversies. This Saturday will see Colm take a forensic look at the controversies which have shaped the GAA over the past 50 years as he ranks their importance in the Irish Independent and on Independent.ie From Rule 42 to the three Cork strikes, the dramatic summer of 1998 and the Tony Keady affair, the quartet delve deep into history to discuss how the GAA and controversy have always gone hand in hand. Memories are also rekindled of controversial sponsorship deals, the removal of the 'ban', the 12 Apostles and everything else in between so sit back and enjoy the Top 50 GAA controversies on the Throw-In. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will Slattery and Michael Verney are joined by Martin Breheny for a special episode of the Throw-In to reflect on 50 years of All-Star teams. Starting on Tuesday, Martin has a series running this week in the Irish Independent and on Independent.ie reflecting on the scheme, looking at the biggest winners as well as the best players that were never selected. Martin explains to the lads what the selection meetings are like with the All-Stars voters, and also tells them why he resigned from the committee in 1985 and didn't return for 15 years! The representation of smaller counties, the Brian Whelahan debacle in 1994 and the foundation of the scheme are all discussed too. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was to be no unbridled Christmas celebrations for Mayo – or Waterford – fans this year with the favourites in both codes winning out comfortably at the end of the 2020 All Ireland series but the fall-out from Dublin’s historic six-in-a-row continues to be debated. Ciarán Whelan and David Brady joined Will Slattery and Michael Verney on the last Throw-In of the year as they discussed where it went wrong for James Horan’s men and why Dublin’s strength in depth saw them winning out once again. “In every sense of the word they really put it up to Dublin and competed,” said David Brady. “Yes you're disappointed when you lose an All Ireland final but I seen a lot of positives and a lot of things to work on from a Mayo perspective.” For Whelan, it was Dublin’s clutch players that proved the difference. “I think Dessie Farrell probably played it smart and knew that he had to finish strong coming into that last 15-20 minutes. You've real clutch players that can come in and make a difference and they have th

The GAA Championship is set to say goodbye to 2020 this Sunday with the clash between Mayo and Dublin in the All Ireland Football Final - their third final meeting in the last five years. The possibility of a team winning six-in-a-row scarcely seemed credible years ago but now Dublin’s dominance of the game has people wondering how far they can go and whether their incredible levels of success are causing more harm than good. If one team can break their bubble however, it’s Mayo, and on this Throw-In preview special, Conor McKeon joins Will Slattery and Michael Verney to discuss where the game will be won and lost come Sunday. Of the three final defeats Mayo have suffered to Dublin in the last decade, each has been only by a point so James Horan men won’t be over-awed or cowed by the opponents they’re facing. The problem however is Dublin and with their match-winning experience, strength in-depth and calm mindset, it’s hard to see how Mayo can do enough to overcome Dessie Farrell’s team. The Throw-In tea

Waterford’s wait for another All Ireland hurling title goes on but in the aftermath of this year’s hurling decider, all the plaudits are rightly on Limerick’s incredible performance to win their second Liam MacCarthy in three years. On this week’s Throw In podcast, Ursula Jacob and John Mullane join Will Slattery and Michael Verney to look back on all the action. As Ursula Jacob points out, this was John Kiely's fourth year in charge and in twenty Championship games with Limerick, he's only lost five. “I think they're going to build on this year again,” says Jacob. “They look unstoppable at times when they're in full flow.” For John Mullane, he’s proud of Waterford’s campaign this year but also proud in what the GAA has given the Irish people during Covid. “The last six, seven weeks have just been magical, absolutely magical,” says Mullane. “It's been so uplifting for the whole country and you know, it answers all the questions should this Championship went ahead? Absolutely. Look at the joy that it br

In the year of Covid and a delayed, truncated season without fans, the 2020 All Ireland Hurling Final will be remembered no matter what. But with red-hot Limerick facing a Waterford team with unshakeable belief and a growing momentum behind them, Sunday’s Croke Park showdown looks set to be a classic on the pitch, no matter what’s been going on off the field. Can Waterford finally end their pain of sixty-one years and bring back Liam MacCarthy for the first time since 1959? One of the Throw-In’s regular guests, Waterford legend, John Mullane, certainly thinks so and he has been bullish on the show about the Déise’s chances saying it will be the best Christmas yet for Waterford fans. However, the Irish Independent’s Vincent Hogan, joins Will Slattery and Michael Verney for a special Throw-In hurling final preview show and reckons, despite Waterford’s perfect storm in terms of aggression and tactical strategy, that Limerick will have the edge. “There is a kind of been there-done that feeling to this Lim

It might have been a weekend of Football Championship semi-finals but the aftermath of the games has seen more negatives than positives and this week’s Throw-In with Will Slattery, Michael Verney, Conor McKeon and Martin Breheny looks back on the big talking points on and off the field. Dublin’s fifteen point winning margin over Cavan sees them attempting an unprecedented six-in-a-row but the focus has all been on Dublin’s seemingly unstoppable advantage due to county size and funding. But what exactly is the issue that critics say needs to be addressed and how? Conor McKeon describes it as ‘hysteria’ while Martin Breheny dismisses calls to split the county or amalgamate other ones. Meanwhile, Mayo’s thirteen point victory over Tipperary also saw them ship 3-13 and many are fearful for their chances against the Dublin ‘machine’ and what it may mean for the long-term future of the game if they lose badly. And in the ladies football, while Cork beat Galway by ten points to reach the final against Dublin, t