The Throw-In

As Dublin and Meath prepare to face each other in Sunday's Leinster semi-final, Meath boss Andy McEntee has previously suggested that splitting Dublin is something that has to be considered to counter the Dubs dominance in Leinster and the Football Championship in general. On this week's Throw-In with Philly McMahon, Philly and the Irish Independent's Conor McKeon, set out to counter the argument that says population size or finances have anything to do with the Dublin GAA's superiority over the last decade – despite what Colm Cooper has said about things reaching a tipping point. Join Philly McMahon on the Throw-In every Thursday where he gives his take on the Football Championship while every Monday the Irish Independent's team of sports writers and former players, including John Mullane, Eddie Brennan, Ciarán Whelan and Dick Clerkin bring you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. Listen and follow on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/

Former Dublin dual star, Conal Keaney, joins Will and Michael on this week's Throw-In with his thoughts on Limerick's latest win over Tipperary and why there's hope for the Premier county going forwards. Conal also gives his view on the Dublin hurlers as they prepare for Kilkenny in Parnell Park – a clash that promises to define so much of the season for these two teams. The Irish Independent's Colm Keys joins the show to discuss the weekend football action which saw Kerry overcome Cork, finally pulling away after 50 minutes, while Donegal are through to another Ulster final and Galway routed Leitrim to set up a repeat of the Division 2 final against Roscommon for their Connacht final. Every Monday the Throw-In brings you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. And don't forget to listen to Philly McMahon's show every Friday where he gives his take on the Football Championship. Listen and follow on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/

Philly McMahon joins Sinéad Kissane and the Irish Independent's Conor McKeon for his weekly take on the Football Championship, with Cork v Kerry, the influence of soccer and the behaviour of managers on the sideline all up for discussion on the latest show. After Cork refusing to play Kerry in Killarney, they now face the Kingdom in Páirc Uí Rinn in the Munster Championship but are they onto a hiding to nothing? They've poked the bear and should be mindful, says Philly. The influence of soccer on the Cliffords and on Philly's own career is also discussed with Philly highlighting how spatial awareness is just one of the positives that can be brought into a player's Gaelic football career which we're seeing in spades with David Clifford. And what about managers micro-managing on the sidelines, will it eventually become a thing of the past? Philly reckons it should be, saying the game should go towards rugby where the manager is in the stands seeing what the players can't see. Plus there was also mention of that Cody-Shefflin handshake and what it all could mean…. Every Monday the Throw-In brings you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. And don't forget to listen to Philly McMahon's show every Thursday where he gives his take on the Football Championship. Listen and follow on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/

Eddie Brennan has been in Henry Shefflin's shoes before as a former player turned manager facing his old master and he joins Will and Michael on this week's Throw-In to analyse and discuss the fall-out from that handshake between Shefflin and Cody after yesterday's game between Galway and Kilkenny. Elsewhere they discuss the manner of Galway's win and what Kilkenny need to do as they face Dublin next in Parnell Park. Munster's only game was the meeting of Cork and Clare and the Banner county have made it two wins from two with their two point win following on from their victory over Tipperary the previous week. Dick Clerkin was on the show to look back on all the weekend football action with the main talking point the defeat of All-Ireland Champions, Tyrone, at the hands of Derry. Tyrone may have been under-performing this year but don't write Tyrone off, warns Dick. Let's not forget the form of Derry in winning either who nearly got promoted to Division 1 this year and now face Monaghan in the Ulster semis who beat Down on Saturday. In Leinster, it was a comprehensive 23 point win for Dublin over Wexford and compared to their performance last year it bodes well for their season after all the talk of the Dubs faltering. Their next opponents are familiar foes, Meath, who beat Wicklow by 10 points. In the other semi in Leinster, it will be Kildare v Westmeath. Elsewhere, in Connacht, Roscommon beat Sligo while in Munster, Tipperary beat Waterford and Limerick made history winning the first-ever penalty shoot-out in the senior football Championship. Every Monday the Throw-In brings you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. And don't forget to listen to Philly McMahon's show every Friday where he gives his take on the Football Championship. Listen and follow on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/

With Dublin starting their Championship season with a visit to Wexford on Saturday off the back of relegation to Division 2, many are wondering if this year's Leinster football competition will be the most open in recent years and if this the opportunity to dethrone the Dubs in their province. On this week's show, Philly McMahon joins Sinéad Kissane and Conor McKeon to look ahead to the game and has advice for the Wexford players if he was in the dressing-room. Philly also discusses what Dublin need to address to ensure they approach this game in the right way. Plus, he highlights the importance of managerial continuity and why those counties that keep turning over their managers are, unsurprisingly, usually unsuccessful. Listen and follow The Throw-In on Apple and Spotify and don't miss new shows every Monday looking back on all the weekend action, plus Philly McMahon's show every Thursday for his take on the Football Championship. For more, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/

Galway finally defeated Mayo in the Connacht Championship helping to relieve the tension for Padraig Joyce but the Tribesmen must now kick on in the province to really capitalise on this victory says Martin Breheny on this week's Throw-In. He joins Will Slattery and Michael Verney as they look back on all the weekend football action with Armagh coming in for particular criticism in the wake of their defeat to Donegal. Plus, the club v county debate in the current congested fixture schedule gets an airing with Breheny describing as ‘utter madness' the extended lay-off for counties now waiting for the football qualifiers to begin. Meanwhile in the hurling, John Mullane was also on the show to discuss Limerick's win over Waterford. Although the margin of defeat was only three points this time around, Limerick have shown they're still the ones to beat but it's not the be all and end all for Waterford says Mullane. Finish in the top three, get to Croke Park and then they can challenge for the All-Ireland he tells Will and Michael. Elsewhere, the panel discusses Clare's three goal haul against Tipperary in Semple Stadium and Dublin's one point win over Wexford on the road. Every Monday the Throw-In brings you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. And don't forget to listen to Philly McMahon's show every Friday where he gives his take on the Football Championship. Listen and follow on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/

When does the ‘Dark Arts' cross the line between players on the GAA pitch? And is sledging on the rise? On this episode of Philly McMahon's Friday Throw-In, presented by Sinéad Kissane and with the Irish Independent's Donnchadh Boyle, the Dublin legend explains why he doesn't agree with the negative connotations attached to the ‘Dark Arts'. For him, it's about mental warfare and getting into your opponents' heads and he describes some of the personal abuse he has suffered at the hands of two players, something he didn't let go. Listen and follow The Throw-In on Apple and Spotify and don't miss new shows every Monday looking back on all the weekend action, plus Philly McMahon's Friday Throw-In for his take on the Championship. For more, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/

The 2022 Hurling Championship has begun right where it left off, with Cork once again on the wrong end of a Limerick beating and on this week's Throw-In, former Kilkenny All-Star, Eddie Brennan, joins Will Slattery, Michael Verney and Vincent Hogan to discuss all the main talking points from the weekend action. While the soul-searching for Cork goes on, they have to pick themselves up for their next match against Clare and Limerick face Waterford in an early meeting between the country's top two teams. The Déise got their season off to a good start with a win over Tipperary, showing their own strength in depth, but can Waterford narrow the gap to Limerick and ask them some difficult questions? In other matches, Wexford rallied against a wasteful Galway to earn a draw, while Dublin edged out Laois and Kilkenny blew Westmeath away by sixteen points. Meanwhile in the football it was a low-key start to the Championship with Tyrone overcoming Fermanagh as the reigning All Ireland champions move on to face Derry while in Connacht, Sligo just about survived a scare from New York in America and Leitrim won out against London. Every Monday the Throw-In brings you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. And don't forget to listen to Philly McMahon's show every Friday where he gives his take on the Football Championship. Listen and follow on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/

Dublin legend, Philly McMahon, has joined Independent.ie's Throw-In podcast with his own show every Friday where he discusses the big talking points during the Football Championship. Presented by Sinéad Kissane and joined by Irish Independent GAA writer, Conor McKeon, this week Philly reveals what it will be like watching the Dubs as a spectator for the first time in fourteen years and he gives an insight into the physical and mental preparation required for inter-county players. Plus, he gives his take on the congested fixture schedule and whether he'd like a return to All Ireland final days in September. And he reveals the military culture inside the Dublin camp that helped propel them to such unparalleled success. Listen and follow The Throw-In on Apple and Spotify and don't miss new shows every Monday looking back on all the weekend action, plus Philly McMahon's Friday Throw-In for his take on the Championship. For more, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/

Since their All Ireland triumph over Dublin last year there's been no stopping Meath who have now captured their first-ever League title and have made themselves favourites for the All Ireland this year, says Cork dual star legend, Rena Buckley, on this week's Throw-In podcast. Rena joined Sinéad Kissane and Donnchadh Boyle as they looked back on an impressive two point win over Donegal in Croke Park on Sunday that has laid down a marker for the summer. Also in the ladies football, in Division 2, Kerry beat Armagh by 1-12 to 0-12 to gain promotion to the top flight next season. Meanwhile, with the camogie Division 1 and 2 finals also on in Croke on Saturday, Wexford legend, Ursula Jacob joined Sinéad and Donnchadh on the show, and highlighted Galway's strength in-depth as they came back from six points down to beat Cork by four points. It's five wins in a row now over Cork for the reigning All Ireland champions but Ursula believes Cork can look ahead to another tilt at the All Ireland over the summer. She's tipping them to face Galway again. Elsewhere, in Division 2, Wexford beat Antrim by seven points to return to Division 1. Every Monday the Throw-In brings you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. Listen and follow on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/

Kerry are the 2022 football league champions with a fifteen point hammering of Mayo over the weekend but it was David Clifford's magic that once again set the game apart. Donnchadh Boyle and Dick Clerkin joined Sinéad Kissane on this week's Throw-In podcast to discuss all the football action and while Clifford's 1-06 was breathtaking, it's the rest of his game that really makes him special says Clerkin. “He is so creative, not just with himself, and to me that almost sets him apart. He just does so much damage to a team - again not just from his own boot, but from his own hands and vision - you could probably associate at least a goal and fifteen to him directly yesterday. It's just a phenomenal return for one player in an attacking unit that you know I've never seen myself, but I guess we're just privileged to be watching it at the minute.” Roscommon collected the Division 2 title with an injury time goal to seal the win over Galway while Cavan took Division 4 with victory over Tipperary and in Division 3 Mickey Harte continues to work his managerial wonders with Louth's win over Limerick that sees the Wee County return to Division 2. Meanwhile, in the hurling, John Mullane joined Sinéad and Donnchadh to look back on Waterford's fourth hurling league title after the Déise beat Cork by six points and 2022 could be a special year for the county he says. “They went up, collected the cup, took the congratulations, took the pats on the back and it was a case of we move on, Championship in two weeks' time and that's a sign of a really, really good team and what possibly could become a great team. They know what they want to achieve and I think everything's in place for them to go and possibly achieve the ultimate this year.” Every Monday the Throw-In brings you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. Listen and follow on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Allianz.

Dublin relegated to Division 2 was just one of the many storylines from a fascinating and enthralling final round of football league games, but did the GAA miss a trick in not maximising the audience for an incredible, frantic day of football? Will we see the introduction of Friday night football as a way to whet people's appetites even more? Ciarán Whelan joined Will Slattery and Michael Verney on the latest Throw-In podcast to discuss all the main talking points from the weekend with Dublin's relegation dominating. “They can't complain,” said Whelan. “Their performance throughout the League was just far too patchy at times and it looked like they were getting a bit of structure back over the last two weeks but that wasn't prevalent in the first half yesterday and again they looked very, very disjointed, particularly from a defensive perspective.” Elsewhere, there's special mention also for Kerry and Mayo who meeting in the Division 1 final, and for Roscommon's return to the top flight, plus Limerick and Louth's promotion to Division 2. Meanwhile, in the hurling, John Mullane was on the show to discuss the stunning statement of intent from Waterford in their 19-point mauling of Wexford in the League hurling semi-final. “I think this Waterford team now are at the peak of their powers,” said Mullane. “I think they're ready to do something special and unfortunately for Wexford, they just came across a juggernaut yesterday.” The Déise meet Cork, who beat Kilkenny in the other semi-final, in a final to savour. Will this be the year of something big for Waterford hurlers? Every Monday the Throw-In brings you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. Listen and follow on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Allianz.

With a second win in-a-row, have Dublin now steadied the ship? Philly McMahon joined Will Slattery and Michael Verney on this week's Throw-In podcast and he thinks there's now a calmness to their play and a leadership that was previously lacking which are all good signs for the months ahead. Philly also discusses Kerry's top of the table form and believes their dominance means they are now more in the heads of the players from the other counties. On David Clifford and how to stop him, Philly remembers the 2019 All-Ireland final when he he was marking Tommy Walsh but was still keen to get in Clifford's ear. “I'm sure Walsh was looking at me going 'you're marking me, why are you talking to him?' But there was still bits where he bit - you know you could say 'fair play to him for standing back up to you' blah, blah, blah but he bit and that for me was something that I always wanted to test. I would have definitely, in the last two managements, had conversations before games that I wanted to get a chance to mark him.” In the hurling, the League semi-final match-ups are confirmed with Cork v Kilkenny and Wexford v Waterford next weekend and John Mullane joined Will and Michael to give his run-down of each county's chances and why he's rubbishing talk as to whether teams should be saving themselves for the Championship soon after. “Waterford's opponents next week, Wexford are going to go all out to win it. I would take it Kilkenny will go all out to win it and I would be thinking that Cork, home advantage by a home following, will go all out to win it. So, I think from a Waterford point of view, I think they should go all out next weekend, get to a League final. A League final is a League final.” Every Monday the Throw-In brings you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. Listen and follow on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Allianz.

The football league action dominated over the weekend but it was off-pitch that was generating much of the headlines with Tom Parsons saying the GPA were prepared to take further action in the players' stand-off with the GAA over expenses. However, Dick Clerkin, who joined Will Slattery, Sinéad Kissane and Donnchadh Boyle on this week's Throw-In podcast believes that a conversation over player welfare needs to take precedence over expenses first. “What are the GPA looking for in terms of a sustainable model for the intercounty game?” he asked on the show. “Because I don't think anybody could agree that it should be ok that a county team should be asked to train seven days a week around the Championship season and that can be funded carte blanche because that's effectively what Tom Parsons was saying. If it is the case with the county teams now that it's the norm to be asked to train five to six times a week, that's not sustainable, that's not fair and it's not sustainable.” Back to on-pitch matters, Dublin finally got their first league win of the year with a victory over Tyrone in Omagh, albeit against a very poor Tyrone performance and it begs the question will the defending All-Ireland champions even get out of Ulster at this rate? In Tralee on Saturday night, Kerry edged out Mayo with a last-minute free but the panellists were predicting this could be the dress rehearsal for something bigger in Croke Park come the summer. Meanwhile, in Division 2, Cork's footballers are staring relegation in the face after another defeat, this time at the hands of Meath, and the question everybody is asking is, what has happened to Cork football and how can things improve? Every Monday the Throw-In brings you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. Listen and follow on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Allianz.

With Wexford's hurlers making it four wins from four in the League and booking their semi-final spot, Martin Storey joins Will, Michael and John Mullane to discuss the rise of his county under Darragh Egan and how 2022 could pan out for them. “We need some sort of silverware in Wexford to get the ball rolling again and get everyone totally flying and get everyone in the county jizzed up,” says Storey. “It's the players that were improving gradually I think, they won three U21 Championships so it was a natural progression for them to start coming to their peak at 24, 25, 26 years of age to see are they able to compete at the top level in Ireland and they are competing but we still need to get a little bit more to be winning.” Martin also discussed his club's disappointing defeat in the camogie final on Sunday with Sarsfields beating Oulart 3-12 to 4-5 and had nothing but high praise for the commitment and skill on show by both teams and management. Elsewhere in the hurling, Waterford laid down a marker with their ten point win over Tipperary with promising signs for the summer for Liam Cahill's men, while Limerick's winless League form continues as they drew with Clare in Ennis. Should John Kiely be worried about the champions' form as they focus on the three-in-a-row? John Mullane believes so, especially with a tough opening game down in Cork to come. The Throw-In will have new episodes every Monday bringing you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. Listen and follow on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Allianz.

Philly McMahon joins Sinéad Kissane and Conor McKeon on this week's Throw-In to look back on the main football league action and with the Dubs fourth loss in a row the big talking point. It's too easy and too lazy to blame the manager or the players he tells Sinéad when trying to explain the Dubs' defeat to Kildare. “It's complex, it's a collective shift of mindset that's needed right now. I think there has to be a spin off of you know this is what you've been fed in terms of information from outside that's impacted on the pitch, so what I'm saying basically is in a nutshell, the players are performing what they are thinking, right? You essentially are what you think.” The panel also discuss the other Division 1 games including Mayo and Kerry leading the charge while, looking ahead to the Dubs' next game against Tyrone, it's a battle, says Philly that he would have relished and should be a challenge to excite the players. Meanwhile, John Mullane was on the show to look back on the weekend hurling action and he's excited by the performance put in by Cork with their defeat of Limerick. “It's the first time I really thought to myself, Cork, back when Ó'hAilpín and Gardiner, the Rock, that team we came up against, it was the first time I said to myself this Cork team really mean business. They've been knocking on the door the last couple of years, they got to the All-Ireland final last year, but if you're a Cork supporter waking up this morning, you'd be some way excited of what you seen yesterday and I thought they were magnificent.” Plus, Mullane and McKeon discuss Dublin's victory over Tipp giving manager, Mattie Kenny, a level of consistency he's been looking for from his team, while Wexford are also coming in under the radar with three wins from three. The Throw-In will have new episodes every Monday bringing you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. Listen and follow wherever you get your podcasts from. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Allianz.

On this week's Throw-In, Donnchadh Boyle, Dick Clerkin and Angela Walsh join Sinead Kissane to look back on the weekend's football league action. Dublin's third loss in a row came at the hands of Mayo on Saturday night, and Dick Clerkin feels they are going to be in a dogfight to remain in Division 1 next season. ‘'There's no question about it, the pressure's on and they're in a place that they've never been having to fight for survival, so how that impacts on their squad and performance remains, well, I wouldn't say remains to be seen, it's not looking good at the minute, because I say they were in that going into the Mayo game, that sort of mindset and it didn't get them a whole pile further in terms of performance and obviously not in the result.'' Kerry put on a dominant display on home soil in Killarney, with Donegal struggling to find any foothold into the game. Are Donegal facing into a similar battle with relegation as Dublin find themselves in? Donegal will be finding themselves under pressure to put in some good performances if they're hoping to stay up. This weekend also sees the GPA take their motion to the GAA congress to expedite integration of the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association. Angela Walsh feels there are still some questions to be asked around how this will look in practice: ‘'The Ladies Football have come on so much in years. And obviously it's all about the players but also, that association they have done so much work and they are really progressive. And I suppose what I would like maybe is, definitely more integration but at the same time I think the Ladies Gaelic do need a level of autonomy themselves, to be able to make their own decisions and you know as I said I'd like to see the fine print.” The Throw-In will have new episodes every Monday bringing you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Allianz.

Croke Park has seen some history and dramatic days and the 2022 club finals at the weekend delivered in spades with Kilcoo's heroics and Ballygunner's history-making. On this week's Throw-In, John Mullane and Vincent Hogan join Will and Michael to look back on another pulsating weekend of GAA action. The first club hurling title in Waterford's history will be a boost to the county for the coming year says Mullane. “This is coming a long time. Ballygunner have been knocking on the door for long enough. They've been getting to Munster club finals, it's well stated now their dominance in Waterford hurling and they got their just rewards on Saturday. I think it's going to have a massive, massive knock-on effect for Waterford hurling going forwards.” Meanwhile, Tipp's win over Kilkenny has increased the unrest in the county under Brian Cody – should they have done a Tyrone on it by replacing a long-term manager? And with Henry Shefflin's impressive start to his county management career with Galway, the spotlight will be on Kilkenny for the coming months. Limerick was everyone's tip for success this year but they have lost their opening two games and it is because the focus is firmly on the All Ireland says Vincent Hogan. “I don't think winning the League is what matters to Limerick this year because bear in mind, the All Ireland will be over on July 17th. So if you're looking to win your fourth All Ireland in five years, which I think Limerick will be focusing on, that will be their priority.” The Throw-In will have new episodes every Monday bringing you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ Listen and follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts from. The Throw-In is in association with Allianz.

Dublin's woes continued in Tralee on Saturday night and Ciarán Whelan joined Will Slattery and Michael Verney on this week's Throw-In podcast to look back on all the weekend football action. “I really thought Dublin would have been set up with a little bit more structure defensively going into the game,” says Whelan. “And then particularly in that fifteen minute period where Kerry just ate them. There was no effort to stem the flow of that period and it just meant Kerry could control the game.” Meanwhile, elsewhere in Division 1, Armagh beat Tyrone as the All Ireland champions saw four players dismissed in a remarkable game; Donegal picked up their first win over Kildare; and Mayo overcame Monaghan. In Division 2, Andy McEntee's troubles continue with Meath's loss to Roscommon who are joint top with Galway and Derry. The hurling Leagues also began over the weekend with John Mullane joining the show and the biggest surprise of all coming from Wexford's three point win over Limerick, pointing to Limerick's one possible weakness in their squad depth. But, for Mullane, he reckons Waterford and Dublin are two counties to watch in this coming campaign. The Throw-In will have new episodes every Monday bringing you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. For more visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ Listen and follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts from. The Throw-In is in association with Allianz.

There weren't many positives for Dublin after their opening league defeat to Armagh in Croke Park and on this week's Throw-In podcast, Dick Clerkin joined Will Slattery and Michael Verney to look back on all the league football action. “There was nothing new or fresh and that's probably the concerning thing if I was a Dublin fan looking at them,” said Clerkin. “It was the same sort of style of play that they developed in Jim Gavin's later years, very methodical, not much creativity.” It promises to be a pressure cooker of a game for Dessie Farrell's team next weekend against Kerry in Tralee, and with the Kingdom struggling in their draw against Kildare, both Dublin and Kerry will not want to be no wins from two after their clash. Elsewhere in Division 1, Donegal let their lead slip against Mayo with pundits wondering if their intensity and aggression levels have dropped from years gone by? Tyrone and Monaghan also played out a draw in Omagh and every point is going to be hard fought with little between the counties in the top division. John Mullane also joined the panel to look ahead to the start of the hurling leagues next weekend and the big question is, can anyone take down Limerick? Mullane reckons John Kiely's men will look to add another League title to their trophy haul before going for their All-Ireland three-in-a-row and it's up to the others to try and catch them. With Henry Shefflin in charge of Galway, the Tribesmen will be under the microscope and what of Waterford's chances as Liam Cahill looks to build on the Déise's ambition to pick up a trophy in 2022? With Ballygunner in the club final, it could be something to build on for the county for the year to come. Plus, is there something building in Dublin under Mattie Kenny? The game of the weekend looks to be Dublin v Waterford with the Dubs coming off the back of their early season success. Could a Leinster title be on the horizon? John Mullane is tipping them for a big year. The Throw-In will have new episodes every Monday bringing you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. For more visit the show page at: https://www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ Listen and follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts from. The Throw-In is in association with Allianz.

The Allianz Football Leagues are back and so is the Throw-In with Will Slattery and Michael Verney as they're joined by Martin Breheny and Colm Keys to preview the likely contenders and relegation fights in the weeks ahead. One of the burning questions is how will Dublin react since the end of their historic All Ireland winning run and Michael Verney says write Dublin off at your peril. ‘A defeat can almost send people running away with themselves, they were going for 7-in-a-row last year and now all of a sudden a lot of people are potentially writing them off, so I think the reaction is going to be fascinating this year.' Dublin face Armagh in Croke Park in their opening game. And what of Kerry under Jack O'Connor again? They'll be going for every game and every title, with a point to prove to themselves most of all and start their campaign away to Kildare. Elsewhere in Division 1 sees reigning All-Ireland Champions, Tyrone, against Monaghan in Omagh and Mayo v Donegal. The real tussles promise to be in the lower leagues with Division 2 promising to be the tightest while Martin Breheny raises question marks over Cork's diminishing status as a football county. Finally, the panel discussed Divisions 3 and 4 where there are places in the Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cup also on the line. It might be early in the year but every county is playing with one eye firmly on the summer. The Throw-In will have new episodes every Monday bringing you the best insights and analysis from all the weekend GAA action. Listen and follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts from. The Throw-In is in association with Allianz.

While the Mayo heartbreak continues, let's also celebrate Tyrone for what they have achieved and on the final Throw-In podcast of the season, Dick Clerkin and Cora Staunton join Will Slattery and Michael Verney to give credit where credit is due to the 2021 All Ireland champions. “It's everything that you'd want in your team that you'd be involved in or if you were a coach at any level,” says Dick Clerkin. “The confidence, the skill level, that passion, the tackling, the discipline….I've just total respect and admiration for what they done and how they done it.” But for Cora Staunton, there are plenty of questions to be asked about Mayo's approach to the game. “I'm still wondering what their actual forward game plan or system of play was,” she says. “Because at times it didn't seem like they had one or knew what they were doing. At times we had Aidan O'Shea inside in the square and we couldn't get long ball into. At times we had Kevin McLoughlin in there, our most creative forward, sitting very deep, and we had Tommy Conroy at times too far away from goal so for me it was our decision-making, our lack of composure, especially in that forward third.” Looking ahead to 2022, can Mayo go again? Wow strong will the Dubs be? Who will be in charge of Kerry? And of course Tyrone will be back more confident than ever – it promises to be another fascinating campaign. Finally on this week's show, Wexford's Ursula Jacob also joined Will and Michael to look back on the camogie final where Galway beat Cork in a classic game that was a brilliant advertisement for the sport and show-cased just how good the standard has become, auguring a bright future ahead. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In's All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

2021 is becoming known as the year of the underdog but there's one remaining question to be answered and that's whether Mayo can banish the ghosts of footballing pasts by capturing Sam Maguire for the first time in seventy years at the weekend. On this Throw-In football final preview special, Will Slattery and Michael Verney are joined by Cora Staunton and Peter Canavan as they look ahead to the big game. “It's a little bit surreal down here,” Cora tells the show. “While there's plenty of flags and bunting, cars painted and stuff like that, it's not as hyped or as built up as in other years. I think Mayo fans have learned in the past that the more hype you have it's probably not the best. We're optimistic and there's a confidence down here but things are certainly calmer which is good.” While in Tyrone, Peter Canavan says people are upbeat, never expecting to have got so far this year. “The mood's very good, people are in great form up here, there is a great buzz about the place in the towns and villages. There's nothing but red and white so supporters have really bought into it and bought into this team. They've given us a great run so far and we're in a position very few expected us to be in.” Injury concerns notwithstanding, Cora says it will be tight for Mayo but expects them to pull through by a point or two in the end, while Peter thinks it will be even tighter and will finish in a draw with nothing to separate the teams. ‘It's too hard to call,' he says. Listen and follow the Throw-In on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, with new episodes every Monday throughout the Championship. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In's All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

After the Dubs dominance of the last six years, the 2021 All-Ireland football final has a unique pairing with Tyrone and Mayo set to meet up following Tyrone's surprising win over Kerry at the weekend and on this week's Throw-In, Cora Staunton and Dick Clerkin join Will Slattery and Michael Verney to discuss where and how such an upset was caused. Plus, looking ahead to Mayo's chances against Tyrone, Cora Staunton says her own county would have preferred not to be facing Kerry. “From a psychological point of view for Mayo it's probably better that it's Tyrone rather than Kerry because obviously we've had All-Ireland final baggage with Kerry in the years past. I think it's going to be a huge tactical battle, Horan is very shrewd in the way he operates and Dooher and Logan are exactly the same. The way they set Tyrone up, their organisation was immense and it's going to be a very difficult final for Mayo.” The camogie final pairing has also been decided with Cork facing Galway in a repeat of the 2015 final and Ursula Jacob joins the panel to discuss the semi-final wins for Cork over Kilkenny and Galway over Tipp and she gives her prediction for the final. Listen and follow the Throw-In on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, with new episodes every Monday throughout the Championship. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In's All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

It's been described as the greatest hurling final display since Kilkenny's demolition of Waterford in 2008 and after Limerick's record score and victory over Cork this year, just how can they be beaten? Brendan Cummins and John Mullane join Will Slattery and Michael Verney on this week's Throw-In to look back on Limerick's incredible performance as well as reviewing where Cork got it so wrong and what other counties can do to stop the ‘green machine' from dominating in the years to come. “It was probably the best half of hurling I've ever seen,” says Mullane. “It was just relentless. They just pushed this button, they went into gear and they just blitzed Cork and it was just a joy to sit back and watch it. The great teams don't let up and they didn't let up in the second half.” Listen and follow the Throw-In on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, with new episodes every Monday throughout the Championship. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In's All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

The countdown to the 2021 All-Ireland Hurling Final is on and the Throw-In looks ahead to the clash of Limerick and Cork with an exclusive interview with Galway legend, Joe Canning, who tells Will Slattery and Michael Verney why all the pressure is on John Kiely's men. Canning also talks about life post-retirement, his future coaching plans, and the good and bad days of his hurling career. Also on the show, former Limerick All-Star, Andrew O'Shaughnessy, and former Cork manager, John Meyler, run through where they see the game being won and lost. Unsurprisingly, both are tipping their respective counties to win by three points but Meyler says Cork will be in no fear of the reigning champions. “Cork have just quietly gone about their business and they've a new style, a new freshness and certainly won't fear Limerick and Croke Park will suit this kind of running, mobile athletic Cork team.” Listen and follow the Throw-In on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, with new episodes every Monday throughout the Championship. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In's All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

After nearly a decade, Mayo have finally shaken off Dublin and taken their fans on another incredible journey to Croke Park. On this week's Throw-In, Ciarán Whelan and David Brady join Will Slattery and Michael Verney as they look back on an epic clash between the two counties. For Brady, it was the gritty, never-say-die manner of the victory over such a decorated Dublin team that said more about the win. “As a Mayo man, as a Mayo person, as a Mayo supporter, we have always said it, we're on this journey with the team and the team represents the people. Time and time again we've come up short and we have failed and it's been very disappointing against Dublin because their class just eluded us by the smallest of margins in games but it was great to get that one victory to beat such a dominant Dublin team.” For Dublin meanwhile, it's not quite back to the drawing board but they will certainly be a team in transition for the coming years says Whelan. The Dublin ladies continue to march on however and they will face Meath who are into their first All Ireland ladies football final after an incredible come back from six points down against Cork. Bríd Stack joins the show to go through where it went wrong for the Rebels and the chance Meath has of causing another upset. Plus, there was also time for Michael Verney to celebrate Offaly's U20 All Ireland football success on a weekend when the traditional big guns were ousted. Listen and follow the Throw-In on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, with new episodes every Monday throughout the Championship. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In's All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

It's Cork v Limerick in the 2021 All Ireland hurling final and what a mouth-watering game it promises to be. Ultimately Cork got over the line despite Kilkenny's last gasp heroics, whilst Limerick were too good for Waterford, and on this week's Throw-In, John Mullane and Frank Roche joined Will Slattery and Michael Verney to look back on the semi-finals and preview how they see the final going. Mullane has been singing Cork's praises for the last number of weeks and he says their tradition and self-belief will count for much in their approach to the final. “The Rebels are the rebels,” says Mullane. “And the Rebel Roar was back yesterday. Cork hurling is in a very good place. Their dander is up, they're hurling very, very well. They can be extremely dangerous opponents for anyone and here we are now, we're going to be in for a thrilling final with both Cork and Limerick.” The panel also discussed Kilkenny's fight and determination and what the future holds for Brian Cody, while Mullane also says that the Waterford county board must stick with Liam Cahill for them to fulfil their potential. In the football, Frank Roche looks ahead to next weekend's semi-finals with question marks over Dublin's form the biggest what-if, alongside that of whether and when Tyrone and Kerry will get the go-ahead due to Covid concerns. Listen and follow the Throw-In on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, with new episodes every Monday throughout the Championship. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In's All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

Waterford are into another All Ireland semi-final after beating Tipperary at the weekend but the question now is whether their speed and running game will be enough to overcome the country's best in Limerick? Brendan Cummins and John Mullane join Michael Verney on this week's Throw-In as they give their verdict on Waterford's win, Cork's victory over Dublin and rate the counties' chances in the semis. Plus there's special mention for Offaly's 41 points scored against Derry to win the Christy Ring final while in the Nicky Rackard final, Mayo beat Tyrone by sixteen points to win their second title. And with Joe Canning's retirement from the game, the panel rank Joe Canning's career amongst the greats, remembering his legacy to his county and the overall game of hurling. In the football, Dick Clerkin and Martin Breheny review the Leinster and Ulster finals and for Clerkin, it was a case of a lost opportunity for his native county in their one-point loss to Tyrone. Dublin's eight-point victory over Kildare gave them yet another Leinster title and sets them up for a semi-final against Mayo and while they're not dominating as in years gone before, they're still in the last four and just two games away from another All Ireland title. But it's the strength in depth that is raising question marks with people asking are they vulnerable? “They just need to be one point better than Mayo, one point better than Kerry,” says Dick Clerkin. “And there's nothing to say that they won't be because they're still an excellent team. I expect them to put up a big performance against Mayo. But at the end of the day, it's up to Mayo to try and bring it, don't expect Dublin to come back any further and give them a handy semi-final win, that's just not going to happen.” Listen and follow the Throw-In on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, with new episodes every Monday throughout the Championship. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In's All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

It's official, Kerry are now the bookies favourites and after their historic 22-point demolition of Cork in the Munster final, Sam is there for the taking. On this week's Throw-In podcast, Tomás Ó'Sé joins Will Slattery and Dermot Crowe and he tells the lads just how far the Kingdom really can go believing that Dublin are the most vulnerable they've been in ten years. “Kerry are favourites,” he admits. “They're working like animals all around the pitch. I think they have an edge, the harder edge this year definitely.” The panel also rate Mayo's chances in the semi-final after their 11-point turn-around in the Connacht final while Kerry face the winner of Tyrone v Monaghan in next weekend's Ulster final. Meanwhile, in the hurling, John Mullane was on the show celebrating Waterford's win over Galway and he reckons they will have the speed to topple Tipperary in the quarter-finals. On the other side of the draw, Cork's win over Clare sees them meet Dublin and Mullane thinks the Rebels have every chance to go far. “Something is definitely happening down Leeside,” says Mullane. “I wouldn't like to be playing them and I think they'll win at the weekend and that'll put them in a semi-final and - a bit like Waterford - momentum will be with them and they seem to be building down there.” Listen and follow the Throw-In on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, with new episodes every Monday throughout the Championship. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In's All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

It's been called Limerick's greatest half of hurling and it sealed their first Munster three-in-a-row since the 1930s so can anyone now stop them retaining the All Ireland? On this week's Throw-In, Michael Verney was joined by Colm Keys and Brendan Cummins to look back on all the weekend hurling action. Kyle Hayes's goal was reminiscent of New Zealand rugby star Jonah Lomu in his pomp says Keys while Cummins believes that Limerick can be stopped, but only if you bring enough bodies out the field. ‘If you get most of those Limerick players one-on-one, like it was in the second half,' says Cummins. ‘Unless you're an Olympic sprinter with a hurley in your hand, you're going to be in difficulty, so the only way around that is to pull bodies around the middle of the field. Every time they turn they hit into somebody and try to get them to take risks that they wouldn't normally want to take and Tipp did that in the first half but unfortunately in the second half it obviously petered out.' Elsewhere, it was yet another Leinster title for Kilkenny and Brian Cody while Clare's win over Wexford sees Brian Lohan's team hitting their stride as they face Cork next in the qualifiers. For Davy Fitzgerald though, the question is, has he taken this Wexford team as far as he can? In the football, Dublin reached their eleventh Leinster final in a row overcoming Meath by six points but their form so far has been sluggish, and Keys reckons they are beginning to fray at the edges. Are Kerry and other counties sensing an opportunity this year? But the big story was in Monaghan where their two-point win over Armagh in the Ulster semi-final was a bittersweet victory coming less than twenty-four hours after the death of their U20 captain Brendán Óg Duffy. Listen and follow the Throw-In on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, with new episodes every Monday throughout the Championship. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In's All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

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, Donnchadh Boyle reviews all the weekend football action when it finally kicked into gear with Donegal's last-gasp winner over Derry. However, Mayo's demolition over Leitrim in Connacht has thrown up red flags, he cautions, about the ever-widening gap between the big counties and the rest. Listen and follow the Throw-In on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, with new episodes every Monday throughout the Championship. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In's All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

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 Connacht, Galway were five point winners over Roscommon and in Ulster Monaghan and Armagh have set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash. But again it was off-pitch matters that's been dominating with questions over Stephen Cluxton's retirement still unanswered. “He deserves so much credit,” says Clerkin. “But you can't almost do that now if there's a chance he might come back and it might just peeter away and I think that's probably unfortunate, but that's Stephen's style, he'd probably be uncomfortable with all of that and if that's his wont, well so be it.” Listen and follow the Throw-In on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, with new episodes every Monday throughout the Championship. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In's All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

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 with 15-20 minutes to go. That would be a little bit of concern for Dublin going forwards.” Meanwhile, in the hurling, Brendan Cummins also joined the panel and he believes that the wins for Dublin, Wexford and Clare have all shown a hunger and desire that has marked the cards of their opponents in next week's provincial semi-finals. “You look at Brian Lohan at the end of the third quarter, he was spitting fire about the wides and the expletives were coming out but you could see the passion and the spirit of '95 I think is what was pouring out of him and that's what Clare supporters would have wanted - that ferocious, vicious attitude towards the game, never say die. Yes they made mistakes, but you're going to make that when you're trying as hard as what Clare were trying.” Listen and follow the Throw-In on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, with new episodes every Monday throughout the Championship. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In's All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

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 all going for a Limerick win with Galway pushing them all the way. But history beckons for John Kiely's men, says Mullane. “In Limerick the back-to-back has never been done before and I think Kiely and Kinnerk realise they've a special group of players. They're a very well grounded bunch of players and there's a realisation there that they want to win as much as they can when they can, when the going is good and the going is good now at the present moment in time and I think they're going to achieve back-to-back titles.” Listen and follow the Throw-In on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, with new episodes every Monday throughout the Championship. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In's All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

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 need a positive end to your league campaign for a Championship that's not just around the corner, it's right in front of them.” Brendan Cummins's appetite is similarly whetted for what the summer will bring, not least by the fact that after all the furore over referees and the advantage rule in earlier rounds, common sense has prevailed and we're seeing some great games, with more to come. “Our game is just getting better and better because of it,” says Cummins. “And I pray to God that they keep doing that for the Championship now in a couple of weeks' time because we're in for some summer that's a fact now.” For more from the Throw-In podcast go to: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In podcast is in association with Allianz.ie.

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 also gaining the plaudits. Offaly chairman, Michael Duignan, joins Will and Michael to discuss why he thinks the county is on an upward curve in hurling and football once again and he talks about the influence and lift that Shane Lowry's involvement has given them. For more from the Throw-In podcast go to: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In podcast is in association with Allianz.ie.

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.

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 bit of positivity,” says Dick Clerkin. “It's bad enough playing negative, bland football in front of crowds and TVs, it's actually soul-destroying doing it in empty stands when there might not be much to play for. So I think it's not a coincidence that you're seeing a lot of this positivity coming right across the country.” In hurling, the only game was Kilkenny's ten-point demolition of Wexford which left more question marks over Davey Fitzgerald's project and whether Wexford can go any further. But Brian Cody has shown that the Cats have lost none of their ruthlessness and attitude and Mullane and Breheny also point to Cork's resurgence, especially with Donal O'Grady joining the backroom team. The Leagues might be coming to an end but they've thrown up plenty to ponder for the approaching Championship. For more from the Throw-In podcast go to: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In podcast is in association with Allianz.ie.

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 with a five-point win over Galway but more red cards for Limerick means their discipline issues haven’t gone away. However, John Kiely is still positive about his team’s form, though their air of invincibility seems to be dissipating with every game. Meanwhile, off the pitch, the fall-out from Wexford players testing positive for Covid which meant two Clare players were deemed ‘close contacts’ and ineligible to play against Laois, is rumbling on with Clare manager Brian Lohan calling for clarification on the situation, while Frank Roche called it a ‘very, very unusual’ situation at the least. For more from the Throw-In podcast go to: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In podcast is in association with Allianz.ie.

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 defeat to Galway in the hurling has shown their vulnerability while Kerry’s twenty-two point annihilation over Galway has fans licking their lips for the weekend clash with Dublin. “We want a competitive Championship,” says Dick Clerkin. “Something to look forward to. Kerry gave everybody a sign that ye, come August there's a real challenge on the cards. For Kerry it's good to see they're as good as that because that's what the game needs at the minute.” For more from the Throw-In podcast go to: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In podcast is in association with Allianz.ie.

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 themselves and they play off the front foot. So if a Kerry, a Mayo, a Donegal, a Tyrone, a Monaghan, any of these teams want to beat Dublin, they have to bring that confidence that Dublin bring because that's what keeps them up at that top level of consistency and other teams just can't get up to there. It's not always just ability, it's just not backing themselves and backing the talent that many of them have in their ranks.” The question is whether Kerry are the only team that can put it up to them or whether Donegal’s promise or Mayo’s youth can stand up and deliver. The next few weeks in the football league will give us all a better idea come the summer. For more from the Throw-In podcast go to: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In podcast is in association with Allianz.ie.

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 the game too much and I don't think there's a need for it. I just don't like it.” Elsewhere, the panel discussed Cork’s impressive over Waterford and whether they can be contenders in the League and Championship come the summer, while Tipp’s draw over Limerick was courtesy of a Jason Forde masterclass of 14 points, including 11 from frees. Next up is the visit of Cork and a real test of the Rebel county’s credentials. For more from the Throw-In podcast go to: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In podcast is in association with Allianz.ie.

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 Championship last year, particularly Cork. “They need to have a good League campaign. They need to build up a level of consistency where they're consistent in performance and I think if they're consistent in performance, I think the results will come. Of the five games Kieran Kingston will be targeting will probably be winning three to four of those matches and then bringing it into the Championship.” For more from the Throw-In podcast go to: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In podcast is in association with Allianz.ie.

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.

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.

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 the experience that they're going to make a difference and Dublin have that depth where Mayo are probably trying to get their best fifteen on the field at the start and trying to kind of hang in there.” Elsewhere, Will and Michael also discussed Sunday’s Ladies Football final with Dublin marking their own four-in-a-row with a five-point victory over Cork. Remarkably, you have to go back to 2004 and Galway when neither Dublin nor Cork have won the title and similar to the men, Dublin Ladies endured their own heartache of losing finals along the way. At the end of one of the toughest of years, the panel agreed, it was a testament to the GAA , the players and the counties that the Championships were started and finished bringing some much needed excitement, entertainment and hope during this winter period. We can but hope for even better things to come in 2021. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In’s All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

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 team are all predicting a Dublin win on Sunday but don’t forget to listen in to Monday’s post-mortem as David Brady and Ciarán Whelan join the lads to either celebrate or commiserate after what promises to be another close encounter. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In’s All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

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 brought to everyone. It's after shortening our winter, Christmas is upon us but it's just the pride of being involved in such an organisation.” Plus, also on the show, the panel looked back on Antrim’s Joe McDonagh Cup victory over Kerry and Ursula Jacob hailed Kilkenny’s resilient three-point win over Galway in the camogie having lost five of their six previous finals. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In’s All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

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 Limerick team,” he tells Will and Michael. “I think Waterford will throw the kitchen sink at them and what's interesting about this is we saw how Limerick went after Éanna Murphy's puck-outs in the semi-final. I think Galway won only eight out of fifteen of their own long puck-outs; Kilkenny had the same problem against Waterford, in the second half particularly when Waterford scored an astonishing 2-16 from play. They went after Eoin Murphy's puck-outs. So there's a self-sufficiency in both teams. It's making for a classic, they're the two in-form teams. You just have to give Limerick the edge in terms of their big game experience.” For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In’s All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.

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, the talk has all been about the multiple change of venues and throw-in time which has seen Galway manager, Tim Rabbitt, hitting out at the ‘disgraceful’ treatment of the players. Michael Verney was in Croke Park for the game and explains to Will just what went on and why he believes it is a ‘regressive’ day for women’s sport in Ireland. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In’s All Ireland Championship series is in association with Bord Gáis Energy.