The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Journalist Vincent Hogan joins The Last Word to discuss his life in sports journalism and how the job has shifted from personality driven storytelling to sterile, PR-managed exchanges.Vincent details this in his memoir 'The Lost Sportswriter: A life up close with Irish sporting greatness'.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Today on The Last Word on Sport Dion Fanning and Tony Cascarino join Matt to talk about the ongoing woes of Manchester UnitedThey also preview the weekend's Premier League action and more Hit Play on this page to listen now

This week for The Week Trending, Matt is joined by Kieran Cunningham and Kate Henshaw to discuss the week's news.They talk about the Sydney Sweeney ad, the Hyrox soiling incident, a new Ryal Scandal and moreHit Plan on this page to listen now

Brian Lloyd joins The Last Word to review the latest movie releases, 'Bad Apples' starring Saoirse Ronan and the eighth installment in the 'Resident Evil' film franchise directed by Zach Cregger. He also explains why two Israeli filmmakers are being targeted following the premiere of their latest documentary at Venice Film Festival and why Universal appears to be getting cold feet on releasing an Elon Musk documentary that it paid millions to acquire.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Author Robert Harris joins The Last Word to discuss his new novel 'Agrippa', a fictional memoir about the Roman statesman Marcus Agrippa who was the right hand man to the emperor Augustus.He chats to Matt about why he returned to ancient Rome for his latest book and the parallels he found with modern day society.Hear the full conversation by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

In 1984, Brian Cowen was elected into Dáil Éireann at the age of 24 following the death of his father, Bernard. By 2008, he was Fianna Fáil leader and Taoiseach. He remained in that position until March 2011.Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government at DCU has written ‘Brian Cowen: Anatomy Of A Taoiseach', which examines Cowen's political ascent and his time as government leader during the financial crash.He speaks to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play' button on this page to hear their chat.

Andy O'Donoghue has the latest in TVs, projectors and soundbars to create the ultimate home viewing experiences.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Fine Gael Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn is the latest guest on The Culture Club!The former sports journalist joins The Last Word following the publication of her book 'Squad Girls'.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

With MetroLink now set to be complete between 2036-2038, Lorcan O'Connor, CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, outlines the latest estimates and timeline for the State's largest ever infrastructure project.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

There is growing pressure on Government to take action to bring down the cost of home heating oil after a sharp rise in prices in recent weeks.Charlie Weston, personal finance editor with the Irish Independent, joins The Last Word to discuss whether the Government can bring in measures for households who are reliant on home heating oil.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, singer-songwriter Finneas and Danish pop band Lukas Graham have all pulled out of their support slots for the North American leg of Ed Sheeran's tour in solidarity with fellow opening act Macklemore.Macklemore was axed from the lineup after he expressed his support for Palestine on stage in New Jersey last week. Sheeran insists that it was not his decision to remove the rapper from his tour.Dave Hanratty, host of the No Encore podcast, speaks to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play' button on this page to hear the conversation.

Ed Sheeran has addressed the removal of Macklemore as his tour support act after the rapper spoke in support of Palestine on stage.In a statement on Tuesday, the ‘Shape of You' singer responded to criticisms made by Macklemore and said that his shows are not “a political forum”.John Caddell and Dee Reddy join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest music news including Monday's announcement that Oasis will play two nights at Slane Castle next year.Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play' button on this page.

US President Donald Trump has lashed out at the Supreme Court justices after they issued a ruling which blocks his executive order to restrict voting by mail before November's midterm elections.Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the United States. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

HSE has ordered a review of car parking charges at hospitals after an increase of 140% in revenue generated since 2021. The review will consider “affordability measures”, such as capped rates, concessions schemes, or broader reductions in charges.John Brady, Sinn Féin TD and chair of Public Accounts Committee and Emma Harte, Policy and Campaigns Manager at the Irish Cancer Society discussed the impacts of the parking costs on patients and their families. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

New research from the ESRI shows tha Irish people underestimate the cost of having and running a car by close to 50%.The research took into account a variety of expenses including fuel, insurance and more Senior Research Officer ESRI & Co-Author of the report Dr Shane Timmons joine Matt to discuss.Hit Play on this page to listen now

This week on The Last Word on TV & Streaming Matt is joined by Joe O'Shea and Kate Henshaw.Thay discuss Netflix upping its subscript prices to 18.99 a month, picks of the week and more Hit Play on this page to listen now

Former Sinn Féin media advisor Siobhán Fenton joins Matt to talk about her new book Ourselves Alone: Sinn Féin Behind Closed Doors.She discuss why she believes the party lost its way.Hit Play on this page to listen now

After much speculation, Oasis have announced that they will return to Ireland to play Slane Castle on the 4 and 5 of September 2027 as part of a new 38-date world tour.John Caddell and Frank Greaney join The Last Word to discuss when and how the tickets go on sale and what to expect from an Oasis gig. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

This Week on The Last Word on Sport, Dion Fanning and Tony Cascarino preview the weekend's Premier League action.They discuss Sunday's Manchester Derby, the upcoming Irish squad announcement and more Hit Play on this page to listen now

Kai Mark and Susan Goldmark join Matt to talk about one of the most significant figures in Donald Trump's life.Their new book American Scoundrel, Roy Cohn's Journey From Joe McCarthy To Donald Trump tells his story.Hit Play on this page to listen now

This week on The Week Trending Matt is joined by writer and contributor to the Irish Times and Hot Press Roe McDermott and Irish Independent podcast producer, and host of No Encore podcast Dave Hanratty.They discuss the the new Sadie Sink ad, a stark warning about the future of AI and more Hit Play on this page to listen now

Paul McCormack, a retired deputy inspector with the NYPD and Marion McKeone tell their stories of being in New York on the day the World Trade Centre was attacked. Paul recounts sending his colleagues in Precinct 41 to the World Trade Centre as rescue efforts began. He talks about the arduous task of searching through the debris, and the long term affects of that day on his life, and the lives of thousands of others.Marion McKeone remembers the immediate after shocks and disbelief of the attacks and the noise, chaos and panic of the towers collapsing. Marion talks about the thousands of people, covered in yellow dust as they walked away.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

The much-anticipated Oasis documentary 'Don't Look Back In Anger' hit the big screen this week, delving into the reconciliation of brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher and the stadium tour that followed in 2025.Cara O'Doherty reviews it, as well as 'Pressure' and 'Everybody Digs Bill Evans' on The Last Word's movies slot.Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the chat.

This week on The Last Word on the Environment John Gibbons joins Matt to discuss the joint hottest ever month of August.They also discuss Minister for Climate Daragh O'Brien's comments and more Hit Play on this page to listen now

Minister for Transport Daragh O'Brien sits down with Matt to discuss some of the biggest issues for the rest of the year.They discuss public transport fare increases, rising energy prices and more Hit Play on this page to listen now.

Andy O'Donoghue speaks to Matt on The Last Word to take a look at the best smart speakers on the market, and what features you should look out for when buying one.Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the piece.

Cork comedian Kyla Cobbler is the latest inductee into The Last Word Culture Club. Kyla talks to Matt about her memoir Happy,Thank You, More Please and her rise to fame during Covid. She also talks through her favourite music, books, TV and more.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Journalist John Sweeney joins Matt to talk about his new book The Real Nigel Farage: The Would-Be Prime Minister On Trial.They discuss whether the Reform leader is the ‘pound shop Donald Trump'Hit Play on this page to listen now

On Tuesday, Mary McAleese announced her decision to step down from her position as chair of the Steering Group on Integration, which was overseeing the merging of the GAA, the LGFA and the Camogie Association.So, what now for the future of the plan, which the GAA insists won't be completed by the 2027 deadline?Colm Keys, GAA Correspondent with the Irish Independent and Fine Gael senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn speak to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play' button on this page to hear the piece.

This week on The Last Word on Personal Finance Charlie Weston Joins Matt to offer advice advice after the news that Bord Gáis is significantly hiking it's prices Hit Play on this page to listen now

This week on The Last Word on the US, Cal Thomas and Marione McKeone bring us all the latest news fro stateside including looking ahead to the 25th anniversary of 9/11.Hit Play on this page to listen now

Mimi Tatlow Golden, mother of Daniel Tatlow Devally, speaks to Matt ahead of her son's trial.Daniel has been detained in Germany since September 2025, along with four other activists after an alleged break-in at an Elbit Systems defence factory in the German City of Ulm. Daniel was denied bail as he was considered a flight risk.Campaigners are calling for an independent observer to attend the trial in Ulm.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

22% of Irish adults are considered obses according to new figure from the European Commission.HSE National Clinical Lead for Obesity Professor Donal O'Shea joins Matt to discuss what these figures meanHit Play on this page to listen now

On Monday, RTE released its viewing figures for Katie Taylor's fight vs Flora Pili at Croke Park, with her final bout reaching a peak audience of 1.6million people.Elaine Burke, Joe O'Shea and Kate Henshaw speak to Matt on The Last Word's TV & Streaming slot.Hit the ‘Play' button on this page to hear the piece.

Conor Hanly, law lecturer at the University of Galway and Eoghan O'Sullivan, partner with Powderly Solicitors, discuss the implications of the continuing strike by solicitors who've left the free legal aid registry over changes to the structure of payments. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Katie Taylor will wrap up an incredible boxing career this Saturday at a sold-out Croke Park. Gavan Casey, sportswriters with the 42.ie, joins The Last Word to look ahead to Taylor's farewell fight against French boxer Flora Pili. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Former referee Mike Dean landed in hot water this week after he said on a podcast that he used to entertain himself by playing games with other officials during matches 'as a laugh'.Dion Fanning and Tony Cascarino join The Last Word to discuss whether the 'cult of the referee' has gone too far.They also look ahead to the weekend's Premier League games with Arsenal hosting Chelsea the pick of the bunch.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Emma Nolan, presenter of Spin Breakfast, and Lorcan Nyhan, head of training at the Communications Clinic, join The Last Word for The Week Trending.They chat about waste at Electric Picnic, efforts to decolonise the world map, and complaints that viewers in Northern Ireland can't watch The Traitors Ireland on RTÉ Player.Hear all that and more by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

New research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has found that Irish house prices are overvalued by over one fifth.This is due to a combination of factors including a shortage of supply, house prices rising faster than income levels and increases in mortgage rates.Dr. Paul Egan, Senior Research Officer at the ESRI and Marian Finnegan, Chief Executive of the Sherry FitzGerald Group speak to The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play' button on this page to hear the piece.

Sebastian Barry talks to Matt about his latest novel, The Newer World, which tells the story of Tennyson Bouguereau, a freed slave trying to find meaning in post-Civil War America.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

The jury in the Lindsay Clancy triple murder trial has failed to deliver a verdict for a second time.Ms. Clancy has pleaded not guilty to the murder of her three children by reason of insanity, with her lawyers saying she was suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time of the killings.Marion McKeone explains to The Last Word what we know from the trial so far.Hit the ‘Play' button on this page to hear the piece.

The World Meteorological Organisation has said that El Niño, which changes weather patterns around the world, will likely cause all land areas to experience higher than normal temperatures between now and February next year.What effects will we feel from it here in Ireland?Commentator John Gibbons speaks to Matt on The Last Word's environment slot.Hit the ‘Play' button on this page to hear the piece.