The Throw-in

On a special episode of The Throw-In podcast, Will Slattery is joined by Joe Davitt and Sean Potts to discuss The Herald's Decades of the Dubs annual.The book is a collection of The Herald's six-part series on the history of Dublin GAA from the 1950s to Jim Gavin's side completing a historic five in-a-row in 2019.Joe helped produce the annual while Sean was a contributor and both have a wealth of knowledge of Dublin GAA.The annual features in-depth interviews with Dublin legends like Mickey Whelan and Jimmy Keaveney, as well as player diaries from the likes of Alan Brogan and Ciaran Whelan.As well as that, there is an extensive collection of sensational photographs included, some from all the way back in the 1950s. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dubs did it. History was made and Jim Gavin achieved what the games' greats, Mick O'Dwyer and Brian Cody, couldn't do. The promised land of the 5-in-a-row was reached. For the final Throw-In of the season, Will Slattery and Michael Verney were joined by the Irish Independent's Donnachadh Boyle as well as Tomás Ó'Sé to reflect on the game and the Dubs' wider place in history. Plus, Cork legend, Bríd Stack, was also on the show to look back on the ladies final decider. "People talk about All Irelands will come for this Kerry team," says Ó'Sé. "But by who and how? The players have to make it happen, it won't just come." Eoin Murchan gets the Throw-In's final Rising Star award for the Championship with his incredible goal and stand-out performance and just shows how Gavin has been able to consistently renew and change the Dublin team across their five-in-a-row. "I retired in 2013 and thought this feeling wouldn't be back, but it is," Tomás Ó'Sé tells the panel. "It's just a feeling of being flat and

On the latest episode of The Throw-In, Will Slattery and Michael Verney are joined by Donnchadh Boyle of the Irish Independent and Cork legend Brid Stack to look ahead to the All-Ireland football final replay and the ladies football final. Jim Gavin has some big selection calls to make, chiefly whether to change up his defence after it struggled to contain Kerry's vaunted attack. Youngster Eoin Murchan is one name tipped to come into the side, which could see James McCarthy shift to midfield and Michael Darragh Macauley drop to the bench. One of the key questions is whether Jonny Cooper marks David Clifford again after picking up two yellow cards in the drawn game. Donnchadh thinks Cooper will definitely be handed the man-marking job once again, with Gavin showing faith with his defensive general. In the ladies final, Dublin are huge favourites to beat Galway and complete three in-a-row, and Stack thinks they will be hard beaten. However, she also says that if Galway play at 100%, a shock could be on the c

With Galway winning their first All-Ireland camogie title since 2013, beating Kilkenny 3-14 to 0-17, it wasn’t a result that the Throw-In panel had predicted. Joining Will Slattery and Michael Verney to look back on the three 2019 camogie finals was Dublin’s Aisling Maher, and Ursula Jacob, Wexford’s former All Star. Although it was a heart-breaking third final defeat in a row for the Cats – with manager Ann Downey stepping down in the aftermath - It was a great match with two high-performing and high-scoring teams showcasing the best of the sport in front of a record final crowd. Niamh Kilkenny was at the fulcrum of Galway’s persistence, scoring, setting up scores, standing up and leading from the front. Plus a special word must also go to Westmeath who claimed their first Intermediate title as well as Kerry for their first Junior camogie title - especially as they have just the one adult club with the players all from the Clanmaurice club. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.

It’s a repeat of the 2013 final with Galway v Kilkenny facing off in the 2019 Camogie All Ireland final on Sunday and Dublin’s Aisling Maher and former Kilkenny All Star, Elaine Aylward, joined Will Slattery and Michael Verney on this week’s Throw-In to preview the game. It’s the best attack (Kilkenny) against the best defence (Galway) and promises to be a tight game with Kilkenny seeking revenge for their League final defeat to Galway earlier in the year. Kilkenny made amends beating their opponents in the opening group game in Athenry in June and are favourites to pick up their first camogie title since 2016 having suffered two subsequent All Ireland defeats at the hands of Cork. But, Aisling Maher believes that Galway have that bit more focus and mental strength this year, though whether they can hold out the Kilkenny forwards is another matter. While both Aisling and Elaine are predicting a Kilkenny victory they are hoping for a flowing, open and skilful game to showcase the best of what the game h

It was one of the best football finals of the decade and Dublin and Kerry get to do it all again, but did Kerry leave it behind them? Ciaran Whelan joined Michael Verney, Frank Roche and Conor McKeon to look back on the 2019 All Ireland final and he reckons both teams have room to improve for the replay on September 14th. "These Kerry forwards are a special talent and operating at a different level to what Dublin have been used to," says Whelan. "Dublin will improve. They won’t be happy with that level of performance. But Kerry will also get better. Is this the start of something special from them?" All the panellists tip Dublin to win the replay but Kerry's belief will be real going into the game and it's all set up for another tension-filled, dramatic finale. History is still on the line. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Bord Gáis Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the eve of the 2019 All Ireland Football Final, the Throw-In previewed the potential history-making clash between Dublin and Kerry live from Croke Park. Joe Brolly, Tomás Ó’Sé, Alan Brogan and Martin Breheny joined Will Slattery and Michael Verney to give their verdicts on Dublin’s 5-in-a-row chances and how Kerry can hope to live with the Dublin machine. Plus, the panel answered audience questions on the greatest players never to have won an All Ireland, how this Dublin team compares to Mick O’Dwyer’s Kerry greats, and even how Joe Brolly introduced Tomás Ó’Sé to TV punditry! For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Bord Gáis Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the big one. Dublin v Kerry. All Ireland football final. Dublin going for history for 5-in-a-row. The Kingdom standing in their way. Are Dublin the greatest football team ever? Will Micko's Kerry greats finally be outshone? Joining Will Slattery and Michael Verney on the Throw-In as they look ahead to the football final was Martin Breheny, the Irish Independent's GAA Editor, who will be attending his 100th All Ireland final. Martin looks back on some of the highlights from the previous 99, his favourite moments and best teams. He remembers when journalists could go into the team dressing-rooms after the final, could ring up players or managers any time for an interview, and even when he got to eat, stay, travel and go to mass with the Galway hurlers in 1987. Plus, he compares this Dublin team to the Kerry 5-in-a-row chasing team in 1982. He backed Kerry in May for the All Ireland but won't reveal whether he's sticking with that prediction - you'll have to read it in Saturday's Indo he says!

Tipperary is basking in the glow of an incredible 2019 season for them with the U20s picking up their own All Ireland title just a week after the seniors success and this week’s Throw-In with Will Slattery and Michael Verney looks back on the weekend action. And the future is bright for Tipperary hurling judging by the U20s devastation of Cork in the final with an amazing four goals in the opening ten minutes. Jerome Cahill was one of a trio, including Jake Morris and Paddy Cadell, who claimed senior medals in Croke Park and they will be looking to make their mark on Liam Sheedy’s team in the next few years. Meanwhile, for Cork, with no underage All Ireland hurling since 2001, they need to start winning again to quell any doubts about themselves moving forwards. Will and Michael also review the Ladies football semi-finals with 10,000 in attendance for the first Ladies semi-finals to be held in Croke Park between Dublin v Cork and Galway v Mayo with Dublin and Galway winning out. Like the men’s team, Dubl

The hurling decade started with Tipperary and has now ended with Tipp as All Ireland champions once again. Brendan Cummins joined Will Slattery, Colm Keys, Frank Roche and Donnchadh Boyle on this week's show to assess Tipp's dominance over the Cats in recent years. After all, this has been the most successful period for Tipp since the 1960s and have the shackles of the past been finally thrown off and is this Tipperary team the benchmark for future generations? "The experience of the players along with the younger firepower has upped their game management," believes Cummins. "All-Ireland medals are won by the teams and players that keep their composure the most. Who can keep their head when the pressure is on? That’s why Liam MacCarthy is heading back to Thurles this year." The panel also gave their nominations for Hurler of the Year - Seamus Callanan was the overall pick, with no surprises there - and gave special mention to their Rising Stars with Tipp's youngsters and Galway's minors deserving specia

All Ireland hurling finals are something very special and this year promises to be no different. It’s the return of the heavyweights: Tipperary v Kilkenny, Liam Sheedy v Brian Cody III. No manager has beaten Brian Cody in two finals so will this be the year that it happens? Previewing the 2019 All Ireland Hurling Final with Will Slattery and Michael Verney on this week’s Throw-In are Donnchadh Boyle, Conor McKeon and John Mullane. While the panel believes it’s ‘as 50-50 as you can get’, they are edging towards Tipp’s greater firepower to get them over the line. All will be revealed come Sunday…. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Bord Gáis Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For ten minutes it was 'footballing perfection' as the Dubs blitzed Mayo to leave them in the dust. Was it as good as Dublin have played under Jim Gavin and what chance does Kerry have of stopping them in the final? Tomás Ó'Sé joined Will Slattery, Michael Verney, Conor McKeon and Donnchadh Boyle to look back on the weekend semi-finals and Ó'Sé reckons there's too many what-ifs for the Kingdom to win. "Do Kerry press forward? You have to target Stephen Cluxton, but do you trust the Kerry defence? There’s so many fires for Kerry to put out all over the pitch," he says. The panel also discusses the future of Mickey Harte and whether he is still the best person to lead Tyrone football, plus they give their picks for their Rising Stars. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Bord Gáis Energy. *** Get FREE tickets to The Throw-In Live in Croke Park in association with Bord Gáis Energy on Saturday, 17 August *** Fol

Mayo’s victory over Donegal at the weekend was one of those great days and was the stand-out occasion of the Football Championship so far, but they’re now facing just a six-day turn-around to play a more rested Dublin team in Croke Park. “It’s not working and it’s not fair,” says Mayo’s David Brady on this week’s Throw-In podcast. “However, you can’t buy momentum, regardless of injuries being carried into next Saturday. Dublin haven’t been tested properly this year but Mayo are the team to do it.” John Brennan and Frank Roche also joined Brady, Will Slattery and Michael Verney on the show as they looked back on the Super 8s and previewed the Dublin v Mayo and Kerry v Tyrone semi-finals next weekend. Brady excepted, most of the panel feel Dublin will have too much for Mayo, while Kerry v Tyrone is going to be fine margins as well. Mickey Harte’s team will probably feel they can get at Kerry, though the class of Clifford will be key if he makes it. Plus, the panel gives their verdict on the Super 8s thre

It’s the finest of margins that decide matches at this stage of the Championship and the 2019 All Hurling Final sees the return of the traditional heavyweights with Tipperary and Kilkenny facing off in August after a weekend of epic semi-finals. “The two best teams have ended up in the final,” says Brendan Cummins who joined Will Slattery, Martin Breheny and Conor McKeon on this week’s Throw-In. “Tipperary were slaughtered after the Munster final but Liam Sheedy will back these guys to the end.” And Kilkenny haven’t gone away you know. The question is, how would an All Ireland title rank with this team for Brian Cody? The panel also discussed the standard of refereeing, whether VAR needs introducing – or two referees as Martin Breheny would prefer – and the future of Davy Fitz. Plus they nominate their Rising Stars from the weekend and look ahead to the final round of the Super 8s where it’s do-or-die in Castlebar for Mayo while Jim Gavin brings his team for another battle in Omagh. For more from the T

It was a special Live Throw-In from Wexford this week as we previewed a bumper All Ireland Hurling Semi-Final weekend. Gorey was alive with excitement as Billy Byrne, Ursula Jacob, Brendan Cummins, John Mullane and Colm Keys joined Michael Verney in the Ashdown Park Hotel for a night of stories looking back on old clashes and rivalries and analysis looking ahead to the weekend. Wexford or Tipp? Limerick or Kilkenny? It's too close to call with the panel split on both games but either way it promises to be two cracking semi-finals to look forward to. Keep an eye out as well for tickets for the next Live Throw-In special that will be broadcasting from Croke Park the night before the All Ireland Hurling Final. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Bord Gáis Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It wouldn’t be a Championship without a Mayo drama and the showdown looms in two weeks’ time for the clash between Mayo and Donegal for a place in the All Ireland semi-final. Donegal however, are coming good and despite missing players, have to be pleased with themselves and their performance in the draw against Kerry. On this week’s Throw-In, Ciaran Whelan joins Will Slattery and Donnchadh Boyle to assess the potential of the rivals to Dublin’s crown, though Kerry, Donegal and Mayo have some way to go before being considered as serious contenders. As for Diarmuid Connolly’s return, Whelan says he’s there for a reason, though not for the starting XV, “Jim Gavin brought him back because of his X factor and Dublin will need a significant impact for the last 15-20mins off the bench. There’s no one better than Connolly. He’s been brought back for that purpose.” Also on the show, the panel discuss the future of the Super 8s and why it needs to expand to ten teams, while the Rising Stars this week are Donega

Have Kerry timed it all perfectly with their team hitting top form at the business end of the Championship? Their 10 point win over Mayo was as good as they’ve played in recent years and David Brady reckons they are the only real contenders to the Dubs now. Brady joined Will Slattery, Michael Verney and Frank Roche on this week’s Throw-In as they looked back on the opening rounds of the Super 8s and as for Mayo, it was ‘complete and utter capitulation’ according to Brady. Elsewhere, it was business as usual for Dublin with their win over Cork, but it was the announcement of Diarmuid Connolly’s return to training that has generated the most talking points. In hurling, Brian Cody’s Kilkenny showed they haven’t gone away with a top-class performance against Cork. Cork’s inconsistencies though, and failure to deal with the big stage will surely have John Meyler’s management team tearing their hair out. And the panel give their special mentions for the weekend’s Rising Stars and no surprise that David Cliffor

The Throw-In broadcast live from the Hotel Kilkenny this week to preview the All Ireland Hurling Quarter-Finals with an all star cast of JJ Delaney, John Mullane and Ger Cunningham along with INM's Vincent Hogan, Conor McKeon and Michael Verney. The panel gave their verdicts on who will join Wexford and Limerick in the semis, and most fancied Cork to see off the Cats - JJ Delaney excepted of course! Plus they looked back on the great Kilkenny-Cork battles down through the years. The panel also gave their verdict on Brian Cody's reign in the last few years and the likelihood of a Wexford v Tipp semi-final. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Bord Gáis Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This summer’s hurling Championship keeps on giving and it was another incredible weekend with Laois’ memorable and historic victory over Dublin that sees them into an All Ireland quarter final against Tipperary. Jubilant manager, and Kilkenny legend, Eddie Brennan, joined Michael Verney, Colm Keys and Sean McGoldrick to look back on a victory for the ages for Laois and what it means for the future generations of Laois hurlers to come. “They’re having the time of their lives,” Eddie told the show. “7th July will live in their memories for a long, long time.” In football, Peter Canavan reviewed Mayo’s victory over Galway and reckons James Horan should be getting the plaudits for his tactical changes during games. And with Tyrone’s facile win over Cavan confirming their place in the Super 8s, next weekend’s game against Roscommon, he says, will be key to their chances of a semi-final place. Plus, in the show’s weekly look at the game’s Rising Stars, the Laois half-back line, Kildare’s minors and Mayo’s J

On this week's episode of The Throw-In, Will Slattery and Michael Verney are joined by Conor McKeon and David Brady to recap another great weekend of GAA championship action. Wexford ended a 15-year wait to win a Leinster title and Michael says that Davy Fitzgerald deserves huge credit for guiding the team to glory. However, questions remain over whether they can challenge for the Liam MacCarthy Cup ahead of their All-Ireland semi-final appearance. For Limerick, they restated their credentials as the team to beat with their thrashing of Tipperary. Conor reflects on his county's defeat and explains why Limerick are such a formidable side. In football, Mayo legend Brady joins to talks about the Round Four qualifier draw, the upcoming Super 8s as well as Mayo's round three win over Armagh. The lads also discuss the rest of the weekend's action, discuss the GAA's proposal for a tier-two football championship and give their Bord Gais Energy Rising Stars of the week. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show