Explore every episode of the podcast The 42 GAA Weekly

Fintan O’Toole and Declan Bogue join Ronan Early as GAA Weekly returns for the winter

Declan argues that there is nothing the GAA can do to restrict the number of players taking up contracts in Australia. Irish solutions to Irish problems are offered up, while the lads posit that the life of a county player in Ireland is actually pretty good.

Also up for discussion: How games are chosen, or not chosen, for Saturday night prime time RTÉ TV slots; what is the split season like for players who have contested All-Ireland finals and then kept winning with the club; and the lengths some people will travel to play in county finals.

The lads also run the rule over the new rules on trial in hurling and offer some more radical alternatives.

Finally, with a tone of authority born of experience, they explain why Croke Park plays differently.

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Ronan Early is joined by Arthur O’Dea, author of the new book, Mackey & Ring.

Arthur details the intimidating nature of such an assignment, especially in the case of Ring, a historical figure but still very much a subject of everyday life and thoughts in Cork.

He talks about what made both men stand out as special early in their careers, and why both remain a source of fascination decades after their deaths.

Arthur also examines the quality of greatness, and why fans revere players in any sport who are willing to go to the very limit of their talent, and then keep going beyond what anybody could have thought possible in their sport.

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Emma Duffy and Fintan O’Toole join Ronan Early to chat about yesterday’s decider at Croke Park.

Has there been an overcorrection in camogie? Where a few short years ago everything seemed to be a free, and now physicality is off the scale - with sometimes dangerous consequences?

Does the officiating of head high challenges and collisions need to be more strict? And is there far too much cynical fouling when players have a sniff of goal? Is it time for a black card rule to be introduced?

How did Cork gain the impetus in the third quarter after Galway shaded the first half? And how did they let Galway get such a run on them in the closing straight, having led by six points towards the end of normal time? Was Cork’s running game counterproductive at times, especially when they profited with goals by going direct?

With these two outstanding sides having contested a third final in a row, is any other team primed to break the duopoly?

Either way, these teams have elevated the standards and appeal of the sport, judging by scoring totals, levels of athleticism reached and record crowds paying through the gates in 2026.

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Fintan O’Toole joins Ronan Early to chat about the big GAA matters of the week.

It’s farewell to Kobe McDonald, who has touched down in Melbourne. What position will he play? And can we expect to see him in first team action soon?

There is a trio of new managers in the south-east. Henry Shefflin in Kilkenny, Derek McGrath in Wexford and Stephen Molumphy in Waterford. Who is best placed to succeed? And where exactly does the south-east begin and end?

Cork and Galway meet for the third year in a row in the camogie decider, with one win apiece. Who can seize the initiative on Sunday?

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Declan Bogue and Fintan O’Toole join Ronan Early to grapple with the meaning and emotion so abundant in Mayo’s stunning All-Ireland victory. 

Has there ever been a more seismic moment in the GAA? Or in Irish sport full stop? While being aware of recency bias, we are scratching our heads. 

Also, Mayo people’s delight is obvious and palpable, but why has nearly everyone else been so deeply affected by Sam going west? 

We get into theories ranging from the Seven Universal Plots, and how Mayo fulfilled most of them, to Steve McQueen’s Papillion, who was brutalised but never broken. 

What will be the lasting repercussions of this victory for the human spirit? Will we see other teams take inspiration and make the breakthrough. 

And stylistically, are we set for an era of heavy metal football - with younger, lighter, faster, high-pressing players taking prominence as the true possibilities of new Gaelic football become ever more clear?   

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Declan Bogue, Fintan O’Toole and Ronan Early convene for a philosophical football final preview.

At least it starts out that way, before getting down to the brass tacks of who is going to win this game and why.

But first the lads grapple with the question of whether Triggers brush, with 17 new heads and 14 new handles over a 20-year span, is still the same brush? Parallels are drawn to the Ship of Theseus Paradox which has exercised thinkers for centuries: If a boat has every component replaced over time, is it the same ship or a new one? And are Mayo still Mayo, and Kerry still Kerry, in their essence, despite the passage of time and changing cast of characters?

Also, should Kobe McDonald defer his move to Australia? Ronan thinks he should, Declan thinks he will, while Fintan tells them why it’s an opportunity too good to pass up.

Predictions are given, complete with winning margins, to be used in evidence against us should the game take on a different and unforeseen, on this podcast at least, course.

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Fintan O’Toole and Declan Bogue join Ronan Early to chat about Galway and Limerick’s showdown at Croke Park on Sunday.

Can the Tribesmen gain belated revenge for 2018, a seismic final that set both teams in wildly different directions?

Can Galway frustrate Limerick like they did Cork on Sunday, or have the Munster champions got too many long-range shooters for the same plan to be effective?

At what point do Galway push out and crank up the pressure on Limerick? Who marks Jason Rabbitte and what happens if that Limerick defender gets a yellow card?

How does Paul Kinnerk keep innovating with Limerick, and what do we know about the chemistry in Galway’s backroom team?

Also, do counties and players sell themselves short by staying quiet before a big game? Or is it unrealistic to expect amateur players to engage freely with the media?

Also, do counties and players sell themselves short by staying quiet before a big game? Or is it unrealistic to expect amateur players to engage freely with the media?

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Fintan O'Toole and Paul Keane give their immediate reaction from Croke Park, after Kerry's narrow win over Dublin.

The pair also look back at Mayo's emphatic victory over Louth, and Wicklow's incredible comeback against Down.

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Fintan O’Toole and Declan Bogue join Ronan Early to assess the two losing hurling semi-finalists. 

The victorious Galway and Limerick sides will be discussed in detail ahead of the All-Ireland final. For now we are looking at the Rebels and the Banner, who both seem to have reached the end of the road with their current teams, albeit in different moods and circumstance. 

For Cork it is yet another galling collapse in Croke Park, when they were favourites for the game and in a strong position in the first half. Where do they go in 2027? Is major surgery required? How can they begin to heal the accumulating mental scars? 

Clare earned plaudits for the ferocity of the challenge they brought to Limerick. But did they suffer from white line fever, failing to score after Tony Kelly’s penalty in the 57th minute? 

And by being one correct decision away from the final - in Nickie Quaid managing to stay on the field for the penalty - have Clare exposed the folly of a championship format which had them on the brink after only two really good performances?   

Meanwhile, Henry Shefflin gets the Kilkenny job. How did this come about? And what are his chances of success?  

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Fintan O’Toole joins Ronan Early to look ahead to Cork-Galway and Clare-Limerick in Croke Park this weekend.

From bookies paying out early, to fellas getting tattoos and pundits criticising their rivals - there is always a stick with which to beat the Cork hurlers. This week it comes in the form of Ringmahon Rangers and the FAI Cup fixtures impasse.

The lads did not expect one of Cork city’s premier soccer nurseries to feature in the build-up to the Rebels’ showdown with Galway - but they knew it would be something. Cork hurling has long since become a soap opera with wild storylines entirely beyond the control of anyone actually involved in the operation. So how do they handle the noise? Block it out or have a brief laugh as you focus on the substantial job at hand: beating Galway.

Fintan breaks down areas where Glaway can hurt Cork, and how Cork can temper their threats and build a winning total themselves.

Also, can Clare rise from an indifferent campaign and produce one of their best displays ever, which is what will be needed to beat Championship favourites Limerick? We assess their chances.

To get in touch with the pod, please email Fintan@the42.ie or Ronan@the42.ie.

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Declan Bogue and Fintan O’Toole join Ronan Early to look ahead to a truly exciting round of knockout football.

But first they talk about the promotional own-goal of putting the Kerry-Armagh clash on their streaming service instead of free-to-air TV. Why are the GAA hiding their jewels while interest in the World Cup booms? Or is there a counterargument, and does GAA+ really need the biggest games to be a viable service?

On the field of play, we look ahead to the blockbuster ties of Dublin-Donegal as well as Kerry-Armagh and call Mayo-Meath and Monaghan-Westmeath.

And for all the hurling snobs about there, fast-forward to 58.47 for some chat about Clare-Dublin and Cork-Offaly.

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Fintan O’Toole and Declan Bogue join Ronan Early to debate the Munster final.

Is the discussion over the final whistle contrived controversy. Did the stop-start game need a dramatic talking point at the end to elevate the spectacle?

Why were Limerick so excited to win? What makes for a great hurling dynasty? To rack up All-Irelands do you need to be strong when others are weak? And with Cork now at Limerick’s level will their GOAT credentials be put to the ultimate stress test?

Declan, meanwhile, assesses Galway’s chances of beating both.

Also, we run through the knockout football games for the weekend ahead and, as ever, call it. There is even a World Cup prediction at the end if you want to ruin your accumulators.

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Declan Bogue joins Fintan O'Toole to look at a week when GAA bosses have dominated the agenda.

First Jarlath Burns had his say, then Ger Brennan hit back, as the controversy over managerial bans continues. What impact is this all having on Dublin's season?

Derek Lyng has stepped down in Kilkenny, the lads reflect on his time in charge and wonder is Henry Shefflin set to take charge.

And they look ahead to this weekend's big hurling finals... why this is a season-defining game for Dublin and Galway, and can Limerick change their record against Cork?

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Declan Bogue joins Ronan Early to discuss the fallout from the Kerry-Donegal clash.

Jim McGuinness and David Clifford have avoided bans for their part in the fracas at Fitzgerald stadium, just months after Ger Brennan, the Dublin manager, received a 12-week ban for an offence not dissimilar to McGuinness’.

Is the GAA disciplinary system - with its myriad committees and ruling bodies who administer justice in private and do not comment publicly - fit for purpose nowadays? What needs to happen for greater consistency and transparency?

Also on today’s pod, Declan details why the marriage of Davy Fitzgerald and Antrim hurling failed to produce the kind of results both parties would have liked.

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Fintan O’Toole and Declan Bogue join Ronan Early ahead of a decisive weekend in Munster, Ulster and Leinster.

Tipperary and in particular Clare may have a route back to the All-Ireland series should they lose in Thurles on Saturday - but realistically neither will be in a healthy state following a defeat in Thurles. How have the All-Ireland champions of 2025 and 24 arrived at such a critical juncture at this stage of the season? And who can revitalise their campaign this weekend?

Also, are the GAA winning their battle for media supremacy? Backlash to Clare and Tipp being on GAA+ has been muted so far. Have the association been helped in this regard by the fact that in the region of 400,000 households have a dodgy box? Are the potentially outraged citizens content to fill their boots with illegal streams, while others pay the subscription?

Declan tells us how Monaghan continue to outperform the external expectations of a county with a small population. Can they beat Armagh in the Ulster final, or will Kieran McGeeney and co land the prize they have chased so hard this decade? And in Leinster, can Westmeath upset Dublin?

To get in touch with the show, email Fintan@the42.ie, Ronan@the42.ie or Declan@the42.ie

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Fintan O’Toole and Declan Bogue join Ronan Early on a week when it dawned on the wider GAA public that provincial finals ain’t what they used to be. Round 2a and 2b of the All-Ireland series might have stolen a march on set-piece occasions that have stood for generations, but is that right?

And who should show the plum ties from the latest new format? Do GAA+ now hold all the aces? If so, how does this serve the public?

Also, previewed today are Cork-Kerry, Galway-Roscommon and the Munster hurling championship clash of Waterford-Cork as well as key Leinster battles, Wexford-Dublin and Offaly-Kilkenny.

Finally, what’s in a rivalry if one side is dominant and the other doesn’t seem to care all that much? Or, can the embers of hatred - the good-natured sporting type - ignite again?

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Declan Bogue and Fintan O’Toole join Ronan Early to look ahead to the weekend’s action and reflect on some of last weekend’s shocks.

The lads are feeling humbled and fallible after getting a few of their big calls wrong last week, but like true inter-county stalwarts they are blocking out the outside noise and only taking feedback from within the group as they set out to make another bunch of predictions - which could go either way.

Will Down carry their irresistible form into Saturday’s meeting with Armagh? Can Louth see off Dublin and make it to another Leinster final against Westmeath or Kildare?

And, in hurling, can Clare capitalise on the absence of Cian Lynch and most probably Aaron Gillane too and beat Limerick in Ennis?

Get in touch with the pod at ronan@the42.ie, fintan@the42.ie or declan@the42.ie.

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Fintan O’Toole joins Ronan Early to look ahead to a huge weekend of Munster and Leinster championship hurling.

Can Tipperary find the right level of energy and form to see off Waterford and avoid their All-Ireland defence being in tatters before the start of May? And what can Waterford do to improve their spread of scorers and record a valuable home win, to back up their positive performance in Ennis?

Is the pressure off Cork after their opening-day win? And is John Kiely feeling the pressure in his appeal for Limerick’s support to show up in numbers at Páirc Ui Chaoimh?

Meanwhile, in Leinster, Kilkenny will be staring down the barrel if they don’t beat Wexford at Nowlan Park. But are Wexford, who put daylight between themselves and Kildare with a late burst, equipped to capitalise on Kilkenny’s apparent lack of firepower?

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Fintan O’Toole and Declan Bogue join Ronan Early to preview the hurling Championship.

What three teams can emerge from the Munster Championship, where the best laid plans go to die?

And is there a surprise in Leinster, with Kilkenny coming back to the pack and Galway, Dublin and Wexford showing signs of progress.

Also, we pick six forwards who can light up the spring and summer months to come.

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If you are stuck in a traffic jam behind a parked-up lorry, then this is the podcast for you.

Declan Bogue, Fintan O’Toole and Ronan Early have maneuvered their way around the protests to the studio to record a 75-minute football Championship preview.

The lads look back on their favourite championship moments from childhood, from going to All-Ireland finals without a ticket, to seeing Leitrim take the Croke Park field in 94, to getting lost on Ulster final day - with the search party delayed until the game had ended.

Provincial and All-Ireland winners for 2026 are predicted. New rules are debated. And bold statements are justified as the league gives way to bright evenings and hot Championship days.

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Fintan O'Toole and Declan Bogue join Ronan Early to chat about the hurling league final between familiar foes which may get physical.

Does Ben O'Connor need to make a statement before the championship with a big performance against Limerick?

Have Limerick had the most successful league campaign in that they have a clear idea of their best team, whereas there are more questions for Cork, especially in defence?

Or are Limerick more vulnerable as a result of opponents knowing what to expect?

In the Division 1B final, Clare take on Dublin. Clare have wintered under the radar, are they ideally placed to take the championship by storm? And are Dublin something of an undervalued stock due to last season's All-Ireland semi-final. Are they now serious Leinster championship contenders?

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Declan Bogue and Fintan O’Toole join Ronan Early ahead of the league finals.

But before the lads get into that, they are invited to defend the entire practice of watching sport. Is it a mug’s game? Are you better off playing at your own low level rather than cheering others on from the sidelines? Views are exchanged.

One area of agreement is that watching David Clifford is never a waste of time. What makes the Fossa man such a prime Gaelic football specimen, from physical attribute to temperament and vision? And what can he go on to achieve in the second half of his inter-county career?

How will Donegal seek to limit his influence in the league final? Why will Jim McGuinness’ men be keen to make a statement on Sunday?

Cork and Meath are going up, the result of players buying in for a number of seasons. What motivated them to stay involved year after year when things were not going so well?

Micheal Lyster’s broadcasting mastery and legacy are discussed. What made him so great? Why did audiences feel so at ease in his company over the decades?

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Declan Bogue and Fintan O’Toole join Ronan Early to look ahead to an action-packed weekend.

Fintan argues that this will be the standout day of the intercounty football calendar. Ronan is skeptical - how can you get truly excited about a competition where a leading contender does not want to make the final.

Nevertheless there is much to anticipate, including Galway and Dublin’s relegation shootout.

In Division 2, Declan tries to get to the root of the apathy in Tyrone. Why have their supporters stopped showing up to their games?

Has there ever been a promotion race like in Division 4, where two points separate the first seven teams?

Also, will Galway’s hurlers beat Limerick? And why has the Munster SHC press launch gone up against Ireland v Czechia?

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Fintan O’Toole and Declan Bogue join Ronan Early to review the hurling weekend.

Declan explains why Cian Lynch should remain in midfield. Fintan ponders Cork’s options for full-back as the Munster championship countdown continues.

The Rebels are off to Portugal now, where they may make progress on deciding their championship XV. But what happens on these training camps? Declan gives us the lowdown.

Galway’s tide continues to rise. What can this team achieve in 2026? And how worried should Kilkenny be following their heavy defeat in Salthill? Very, going by Derek Lyng’s post-game comments.

Also, are Clare building nicely in 1B or could they be undercooked for Munster?

Has Wexford’s league campaign been a qualified success so far, and how will Kildare do against them in two upcoming meetings?

A bit of football chat is in the mix too, will we get a Kobe-Clifford shootout, and who wins the Dublin-Armagh relegation four-pointer?

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Fintan O’Toole and Declan Bogue join Ronan Early ahead of a big league hurling weekend.

Cork and Limerick hurlers can meet a maximum of six times in 2026. That’s a lot of familiarity to add to the already close relationship the counties have shared in recent seasons.

The Rebels struggled to get close to John Kiely’s all conquering team for years, but since 2023 there has usually been little between these sides - with many of their games bestowed with instant classic status.

But how desperately will either want to win on Saturday night in the Gaelic Grounds? Future meetings between the teams, some real, some possible, all more important, are stacking up: league final, Munster Championship tie, Munster final, All Ireland series.

If either of these sides are to win the Liam MacCarthy in 2026 then they’ll have to go through the other, more than once. It’s not proved easy in the past.

Also, are Galway building serious momentum as Micheál O’Donoghue’s second reign begins to take shape? Can they upset Kilkenny in Leinster this year? Saturday’s league game might give us an idea.

And at the other end of the hurling pyramid, Fermanagh are struggling in Division 3. Declan outlines how difficult it has been for them to get to the next level following their Lory Meagher Cup triumph in 2024.

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Declan Bogue and Fintan O’Toole join Ronan Early to chat about the Mayo prodigy’s debut and imminent move to Australia.

Where does Kobe stand on the hype scale next to the likes of Eoin Kelly, Joe Canning and David Cliffird?

What’s it like for teenagers to shoulder that level of expectation? And in McDonald’s case, how much is his talented and enigmatic father Kieran a factor in the wonder surrounding the 18-year-old?

Also, should AFL clubs pay GAA clubs compensation for players? As things stand, is recruiting lots of young Irish players just a low-stakes gamble for Australian sides?

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Fintan O’Toole and Declan Bogue join Ronan Early to explore what motivates players who manage to keep their intercounty careers going for almost 20 years.

Also, the masters of two-point shooting and why there should be more of them.

Plus, Kieran McGeeney thinks the contest for kickouts has descended into piggery. Should we be more worried if coaches, who will always seek control, like the new rules?

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Ronan Early is joined by Shane Keegan to discuss his role as the Wexford hurling coach under manager Keith Rossiter.

The 42 listeners will be familiar with Shane from the Football Family podcast and How to Win at Dominos.

Shane made his name as a soccer coach with Wexford Youths and has managed at Galway United and Cobh Ramblers.

For the past couple of years he’s been the football and hurling manager of Tipperary club JK Brackens.

Now, he is part of the ticket for the Wexford senior hurlers. Today, Shane talks about coaching across different sports, his love of the game-based model pioneered in GAA by Paul Kinnerk and expresses his long-held misgivings about straight line drills and ball alley sessions.

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Declan Bogue and Fintan O’Toole join Ronan Early to discuss two big personalities in two big jobs: Ger Brennan with the Dublin footballers and Ben O’Connor in Cork.

Is O’Connor’s invigorating brand of straight-talking going to endure? Or will he look to curb it slightly so as not to antagonise the faceless power brokers of the game above in Dublin?

Can Brennan keep his side in Division 1, win back Leinster and make a run for Sam Maguire? Or, are Dublin set for a period of decline? If so, what would relative decline look like for them?

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Fintan O'Toole is joined by Denis Hurley from The Echo as the lads give their immediate reaction from Pairc Úi Chaoimh to Cork's League win over Tipp.

Rebels boss Ben O'Connor was displeased with the red cards, one for either side. The conversation starts there . . .

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Fintan O’Toole and Declan Bogue join Ronan Early to consider whether revenge is ever worth it in the short or long term - and swiftly come to the conclusion that, yes, it is.

But is a league game in February the right stage for acts of vengeance? Well, judging by a likely record crowd for the league, tens of thousands believe it will do, for now.

Will we see a cracker between last year’s All-Ireland finalists? Or could a red card again skew the balance of an even contest? Or, if the rain refuses to stop, could this match be played under the rising Lee?

Also, the lads take a look at Limerick and Kilkenny ahead of their clash in the Gaelic Grounds, and make some predictions for the hurling year ahead - which they reserve the right to change several times between now and July.

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