The 42FM

WITH IRELAND KICKING off their November rugby internationals against New Zealand on Friday night, Gav and Sinéad debate the extent to which Ireland can really be called Rugby Country. Is rugby really a national obsession?

The popularity of the provinces and the Irish national team is beyond question, but how has that fanbase grown given so few people play the game? Given the fact the Irish team is dominated by players produced by private schools, can the team be said to represent the country at large? And if not, does that even matter?

The pair sift through some of the reasons underpinning the sport’s appeal -the violence, the success, the opportunities it affords for drinking - explain the amount of media coverage afforded to the sport, and ponder what, if anything, the sport’s popularity says about class divisions in Irish society.

Get in touch with us - sinead@thejournal.ie and gavincooney@the42.ie

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AS THE LEAGUE of Ireland season draws towards its nerve-shredding final day, Gav and Sinead discuss the boom in popularity of domestic football.

Why have crowds increased so significantly this decade? And can the rising numbers be leveraged into that most elusive and long-desired of things: a thriving football industry in Ireland.

The pair talk about what needs to happen next to make that aspiration real, from improved stadiums with greater capacity, to television deals with major international networks and an academy structure which provides a conveyor belt of elite level talent which can further improve the standard of the league and lead to more hefty transfer fees from wealthy overseas clubs.

With Shelbourne one win away from an unlikely title triumph, the impact of Damien Duff is examined. What is it about the League of Ireland that so energises one of Ireland’s greatest ever players? He says he will never manage an Irish club other than Shelbourne, but could he step into the Ireland manager’s chair in future, despite his past differences of opinion with the FAI?

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There is an election on the horizon - even though the government won’t tell us when it will be.

Whenever the official election campaign swings into action, though, it’s a near-certainty that no politician will be asked about sport. Today Gavin and Sinéad wonder why that is the case: can we really be said to care about sport in any real way if it is never raised as an election topic?

Gavin and Sinéad explain why Ireland’s parish pump politics has led to inequality in access to sports facilities in different parts of the country, and ask whether it is now changing for the better.

Also, why don’t we invest more money in sport? And has the news media’s move to cover politics like sport caused more harm than good?

Contact us: sinead@thejournal.ie and gavincooney@the42.ie 

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GAA president Jarlath Burns last weekend floated the possibility that inter-county GAA managers could be put under regularised contracts, which brought back to the surface a persistent talking point in GAA: payments to managers.

Despite the GAA’s amateur status, successive presidents and directors-general of the Association have acknowledged that managers are paid at club and inter-county level. On today’s show, Sinéad O’Carroll and Gavin Cooney reveal how much managers are making at club and inter-county level, and ask what it means for the GAA from a reputation and taxation point of view.

Is the best remedy to regularise the payments, and if so, would that destroy the amateurism heart of the GAA? Or is that amateurism already dead?

Contact us: sinead@thejournal.ie and gavincooney@the42.ie

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Sinead O'Carroll and Gavin Cooney discuss whether Israel could face sporting sanctions.

The pair examine why Israel has been judged differently than Russia by sporting bodies so far.

They question where the moral and diplomatic lines sit - and detail how sport can be used for noble and nefarious purposes in an increasingly war-riven world.

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Gavin and Sinéad are back for the second episode of The 42FMand they aren't alone!

This week, Murray Kinsella drops into the studio to discuss the journey that Irish women's rugby has taken to get to the point where they have managed to beat New Zealand.

Sinéad, Gavin and Murray analyse the structures of women's rugby in Ireland, discuss the commercial and moral reasons behind the increased focus on the women's game, and debate what is needed to push the sport on to the next level.

Every Tuesday, The 42FM zooms out on the biggest sports story of the week, bringing the wider context and issues into play.

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Today we launch a new podcast, The 42FM with Gavin Cooney and Sinéad O’Carroll.

Building on the success of Olympics Daily with Cooney & O’Carroll, The 42FM will zoom out on the biggest sports story of the week, bringing the wider context and issues into play.

Here, Sinéad and Gavin analyse and debate whether it is right that Limerick’s decorated wing-back Kyle Hayes was nominated as Hurler of the Year - in a year where he faced charges which could have led to him being jailed.

Is it reasonable to expect GAA players to be role models?

Should GAA leaders act as character witnesses in court?

Has John Kiely adequately addressed questions around this case and the culture of this Limerick team?

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Who has spoken up for the victim of the crime, in the way John Kiely has spoken up for Kyle Hayes?

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Cooney & O'Carroll are back!

Off the back of their incredible success with Olympics Daily, Gavin Cooney and Sinéad O'Carroll are back with brand-new podcast The 42FM, an epic handshake between The Journal and The 42!

Every Tuesday, they will zoom out on the biggest sports story of the week to explore the wider context and issues at play - it’s sports meets news, current affairs, society and pop culture.

If you have any suggestions for future episodes, contact gavincooney@the42.ie or sinead@thejournal.ie.

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Here it is then, the final episode of of Olympics Daily: Paris 2024.

Gavin and Sinead gather at the mics for one last time, mainly because the longer they talk the longer they can convince themselves that the Games haven’t actually ended. They chat through their favourite memories from the Games, and what we learned about our greatest sportspeople.

They also reflect on today’s homecoming event for Team Ireland, as 20,000 fans flocked to O’Connell Street on a Monday afternoon to pay homage to their new heroes.

They also discuss funding: what can be done to build on Paris 2024? The government have promised extra money for LA 2028, but can they do more? And where should any additional investment go?

And finally - thanks to you for listening to this podcast during the Olympic Games - you made a great experience even better. We don’t have another Olympic Games to chat about for while, but if you have any thoughts on what you’d like to hear in this podcast feed going forward, then please let us know. We are eager to hear any and all suggestions: sinead@thejournal.ie and gavincooney@the42.ie

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And it must come to an end. Gav and Sinéad report from Ireland's final two events at Paris 2024 - an incredible fifth Olympics for Fionnuala McCormack and a sensory blitzkrieg from the velodrome.

They also run through their favourite moments of the past 16 days, from Irish gold medals to sport-changing performances.

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So close! The brilliant 4x400m women's relay team finished fourth in the Olympic final after running a national record. The quartet were devastated talking to journalists afterwards, and Sinéad and Gav give their view of that room.

Earlier, Sinéad went weightlifting to watch a member of the Refugee Olympic Team while Gav dealt with the online fallout of his questioning of Bahraini athlete Salwa Eid Naser on Friday night.

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The country watched on as Rhasidat Adeleke came fourth in a world final for the second time. Sinéad and Gav were in Stade de France to witness the 21-year-old's disappointment as she fell short of her podium dream. They discuss her future - from tomorrow night's relay final to future Olympic and world title chances.

Earlier, Sinéad delighted in the 4x400m relay qualification while Gav enjoyed the madness of Daniel Wiffen's Seine exploits.

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Gavin bagged a media ticket to watch the USA’s star-spangled basketball team and reports back from their stunning comeback win against Serbia, which earned them a spot in Saturday’s gold medal match against France. Sinead, meanwhile, was at the Stade de France to watch Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone turn the 400m hurdles final into history’s fastest procession.

They also discuss Noah Lyles’ revelation that he ran the 200m final with Covid, and ponder whether these Games may suffer a greater Covid impact thank Tokyo, and whether the idea of the athletes’ village will remain as integral to future Games.

Gavin also reports from his morning at the men’s speed climbing final, and then we hunker down for the big one: a lane-by-lane preview of tomorrow’s women’s 400m final, featuring one Rhasidat Adeleke.

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Rhasidat Adeleke has made history by qualifying for an Olympic sprint final, but she admitted afterwards it was a “messy race” that leaves a lot of things to fix for Friday’s final. Gavin reports from a curious night at the Stade de France and asks what her performance augurs for the final.

Sinead spent a day at Taekwondo with Jack Woolley, and reports on an agonising near-miss after an agonising wait. Gavin also has happier news from the morning’s track events, though is mortified by making a hames of a joke around an Irish athlete.

Plus: the perils of trying to make weight for the Olympics, and an unfortunate injury

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Kellie Harrington has done it: she has become the first Irish Olympian to successfully defend their title since, well, Friday. Let’s say she’s only the second to do it since 1932. Gav and Sinead were both in Roland-Garros to see the crowning moment of her farewell, and report on what it felt like in the moment and what it means to Kellie, who said that, “this one’s for me.”

That was a happy sequel to a disappointing morning for Team Ireland: Sinead was out at a showjumping final that didn’t yield medals, while Gavin rolled back the years to an unhappy morning on the track for a host of Irish athletes.

We also discuss the stunning men’s 1500m final, and the alleged lights show before the women’s 200m decider.

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Gav and Sinead were both there to witness Rhasidat Adeleke’s comfortable victory in her first run at the Olympic Games. What does the time and result mean for her medal hopes? Is it time to get very excited?

Meanwhile, there is live reaction to the breaking news of Ciara Mageean’s devastating, injury-enforced withdrawal from the Olympic Games. From Ireland’s point of view, it’s news to grey an Olympic Games even as vivid as this.

Sinead previews tomorrow’s showjumping final, which may deliver yet another medal, as Gavin is excited to learn of another Longford Olympian.

They also answer some of your questions, so keep them coming to sinead@thejournal.ie or gavincooney@the42.ie.

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Sinead reports back from the final act of Ireland’s miracle Olympic week: a bronze medal for Daniel Wiffen in the 1500m freestyle. But was he a little disappointed with it? And even if he was, does it really matter? Have you not seen how many medals we’ve won?

Gavin meanwhile enjoyed/endured/loved/hated another day yoked to Rory McIlroy, as he first raised hope of an Olympic medal before losing it in one dramatic moment. Scottie Scheffler won the gold medal on a dramatic day that secured golf’s place in the Olympic Games.

Plus, Sinead reports back with some very encouraging news from Rhys McClenaghan’s future Olympic ambitions.

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It's six medals in six days. Three of them are gold - and one of them might yet turn to gold. Gav and Sinéad are giddy about Team Ireland's phenomenal performance in the first week of Paris 2024.

Both of them were there for Rhys McClenaghan's nerves-of-steel turn on the pommel horse, and even in the madness of Olympic glory, he gave answers to some of the technical questions they had about his podium-topping routine.

And in a rematch for the ages, Kellie Harrington proved she's in the form of her life and is ready to box for gold on Tuesday.

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Ireland have a second gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games - Gavin reports back from the scene at which Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy confirmed their status as Olympic and Irish greats.

It was a tough night for the Irish mixed relay team, who missed out on a place in their final. We discuss whether Rhasidat Adeleke was right to sit it out, and pay tribute to Thomas Barr on his farewell to the Olympic Games.

Sinead reports back from Versailles, the opulent setting for the team showjumping event, at which Ireland let slip a genuine medal chance. Plus, there was agony and heartbreak for Ireland’s sailors, who finished fourth after the final race in the men’s skiff.

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Sinéad witnessed her fourth medal of the Olympic Games - more than many journalists see in their entire sports writing careers - at the Nautical Stadium as Daire Lynch and Philip Doyle crossed the line in third in the Double Sculls.

Gav spent the day wrapping his head around the various controversies surrounding boxing so he could explain them all to our listeners in a clear-eyed, thoughtful manner. Plus, he brings us the detail of just how bad that decision was for Daina Moorehouse.

Olympics Daily will bring you all the action from Paris 2024 every day - from the Irish medals (fingers crossed) to the scandal and gossip (we’ve already got some) - with Gavin Cooney and Sinéad O’Carroll reporting from across the city.

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It was all going too well - Gav and Sinéad react to abrupt disappointments for Mona McSharry and Aoife O’Rourke before then remembering that Kellie Harrington secured Ireland’s third medal only hours earlier.

Gav reports back from the sensation that is Leon Marchand at the La Defense Arena - he won two gold medals in the pool on another raucous night.

Swimming has been the game’s highlight so far, but overhanging it all is the Chinese doping scandal and athletes’ dented confidence in the global anti-doping programme. Gav and Sinéad discuss how it has affected these Games.

We also get an explainer on the men’s skiff sailing as Ireland look primed for medal contention tomorrow, Sinéad meets Ireland’s favourite Olympian.

Plus: Boomer skateboarders, Rory McIlroy’s favourite Olympic sport, and the insane Canada story rolls on.

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Daniel Wiffen has become the first man to win an Olympic medal for Ireland in the pool - and it's a golden one.

Gav and Sinéad were there to witness both the historic 800m race and the Armagh swimmer's answer to an American's question: 'What do you want people to know about you now that you've announced yourself to the world?'

Earlier, suncream and the actual sun made covering BMX an extreme sport for Gav, while Sinéad challenged herself to report back to Olympics Daily listeners on how Simone Biles is faring - while still making it to the swimming finals.

Olympics Daily will bring you all the action from Paris 2024 every day - from the Irish medals (fingers crossed) to the scandal and gossip (we've already got some) - with Gavin Cooney and Sinéad O'Carroll reporting from across the city.

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And we're off. Ireland has its first medal of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games courtesy of Sligo swimmer Mona McSharry.

The 23-year-old touched the wall 0.01 seconds ahead of fourth-placed Italian Benedetta Pilato. Gav and Sinéad were there to witness it all, and to chat to the country's newest minted medalist.

Earlier in the day, Gav witnessed the remarkable focus of Kellie Harrington as she vies to win back-to-back golds. Meanwhile, Sinéad was one glance of a back away from her greatest day as an Olympic journalist.

Olympics Daily will bring you all the action from Paris 2024 every day - from the Irish medals (fingers crossed) to the scandal and gossip (we’ve already got some) - with Gavin Cooney and Sinéad O’Carroll reporting from across the city.

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Mona McSharry smashed the Irish record in qualifying for the 100m breaststroke final: Sinead reports from poolside and tells us whether we can now expect her to medal in tomorrow’s final.

Gavin meanwhile has suspicions around his reputation confirmed as Jack Marley vomits at the thought of being interviewed by him. (Kind of.) We hear of how Marley has totally flipped the atmosphere among the Irish boxing team after a very difficult start.

Olympic champions Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy are trying to convince the world they are actually rank outsiders in the rowing, but Gavin explains why he isn’t buying his Yerrah on the Water act.

And Sinead recounts the experience of seeing a true GOAT, Simone Biles, up close.

Plus: a daft football comeback, forgotten sunscreen, and how Paris is actually willing to pardon our French.

Olympics Daily will bring you all the action from Paris 2024 every day - from the Irish medals (fingers crossed) to the scandal and gossip (we’ve already got some) - with Gavin Cooney and Sinéad O’Carroll reporting from across the city.

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Antoine Dupont’s audacious bid for Olympic gold came to pass at a raucous Stade de France - Sinead reports as 80,000 French fans along with most of the media lost their minds amid the glory of it all. Gavin reports from the gymnastics arena, as Rhys McClenaghan holds his nerve to qualify for next Saturday’s Olympic final. We learn how he did so, in a brutally difficult sport.

We run through some other impressive Irish performances on Day One of the Games: Philip Doyle and Daire Lynch put themselves in serious medal contention in the rowing, while cyclist Ryan Mullen had to battle hope and hypothermia.

Plus: Fifa’s absurdly harsh reaction to Canada’s spygate, and is the Taoiseach’s entrance music really Maniac 2000?

Olympics Daily will bring you all the action from Paris 2024 every day - from the Irish medals (fingers crossed) to the scandal and gossip (we’ve already got some) - with Gavin Cooney and Sinéad O’Carroll reporting from across the city.

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A rainy day befell Paris on what should have been the most glamorous event of the year for this cycle of Olympians. The Opening Ceremony, conducted down the river Seine, promised spectacle and freshness but did it deliver?

Sinéad and Gav discuss the rights and wrongs of Ireland's choice of uniform and selection of flagbearers, as well as who had the better draw of assignments on Day 0 of Paris 2024. Plus, why Gav has eventually got one up on Gianni Infantino.

Olympics Daily will bring you all the action from Paris 2024 every day - from the Irish medals (fingers crossed) to the scandal and gossip (we've already got some) - with Gavin Cooney and Sinéad O'Carroll reporting from across the city.

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Gav falls in love with Rugby 7s despite Ireland bowing out after a tough day in Stade de France. Upsets galore and the irresistible story of France and their beloved Antoine DuPont made for an excellent Day -1 at Paris 2024.

Meanwhile, Gav and Sinéad run through Ireland's greatest medal hopes from the rowers of Skibbereen to Zaur Antia's boxers.

Olympics Daily will bring you all the action from Paris 2024 every day - from the Irish medals (fingers crossed) to the scandal and gossip (we've already got some) - with Gavin Cooney and Sinéad O'Carroll reporting from across the city.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Olympics Daily will bring you all the action from Paris 2024 every day - from the Irish medals (fingers crossed) to the scandal and gossip (we've already got some) - with Gavin Cooney and Sinead O'Carroll reporting from across the city.

The Olympics kicks off on Friday but actually it started today (Wednesday). Gav made his way from Longford to the Stade de France to watch French rugby fans worship Antoine Dupont in a 7s tournament which also features Ireland's Hugo Keenan in an impressive lineup of other extremely fast Irish men.

Elsewhere, football was embarrassing itself as the rest of the athletes train in preparation for their events which start in earnest on Saturday morning.

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Gavin Cooney and Sinéad O’Carroll report from the 2024 Olympics in Paris to dive into the glory, heartbreak, controversy and gossip every single night.

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