ON THIS week's podcast, we are joined by Carbery GAA PRO Tim Buckley as he chats about the upcoming Centenary Gala Ball on Saturday, November 29th in Bantry. This black tie event will be held at The Westlodge Hotel with the drinks reception starting at 6pm. Guests include music by The Irish Weavers, guest of honour GAA president Jarlath Burns and M…

ON THIS week's podcast, we are joined by Ballinascarthy camogie players Clara Crowley and Siofra Patwell after the club won their second county title-in-a-row. After winning the Premier Junior Camogie Championship title in 2024, they followed it up with an Intermediate Camogie Championship victory in 2025 after beating Sliabh Rua in the final. Bal …

ON THIS week's podcast, we look ahead to Ilen Rovers’ county Intermediate A Football Championship final against Ballinora this Sunday (1.30pm). Flor O’Driscoll’s side go into this decider unbeaten in the championship and will hope that form can take them to glory. Ilen have beaten Boherbue, St Vincent’s, Mitchelstown and Adrigole en route to the de…

ON THIS week's podcast, we chat to Kilbrittain captain Philip Wall as the club sealed a memorable county Premier Junior Hurling Championship win. The Black and Amber beat Glen Rovers 0-22 to 2-15 in what was a great performance from the West Cork club. The club won their first county hurling title in 15 years after a brilliant second-half display i…

ON THIS week's podcast, we chat to Clonakilty Soccer Club goal machine Chris Collins after he hit the 100-goal mark. The feat was achieved in Clon’s 3-1 win over Togher Celtic recently. Soccer Club are currently chasing their third West Cork League title-in-a-row and Collins is a key figure to their dominance. This recent feat only emphasises his i…

ON THIS week's podcast, we chat to Star Sport columnist John Hayes after an exciting weekend of football action which saw Newcestown progress to the semi-finals. Jim O’Sullivan’s men beat Carrigaline in a penalty shoot-out after an 0-18 apiece draw after extra-time, a first last four appearance for the West Cork club in six years. Castlehaven meanw…

ON THIS week's podcast, we chat to Evan Deasy, who won the inaugural Más+ by Messi 1v1 World Crown in Miami. What’s more, the Bandon teenager was strutting his stuff under the watchful eye of Lionel Messi, the Argentinian superstar. The Cobh Ramblers striker earned his place in Miami after coming through a qualifier in Dublin. Once he landed in Flo…

ON THIS week's podcast, we reflect on what was an eventful weekend of county football championship action. Newcestown blew the Premier Senior Football Championship wide open with their 0-12 to 0-10 win over Castlehaven, meaning the county champions will face St Finbarr’s in the quarter-final. Newcestown, led by David Buckley and the evergreen Tadhg…

ON THIS week's podcast, we chat to Carbery camogie captain Niamh Kennedy and vice-captain Moira Barrett before the divisional side’s county senior championship preliminary quarter-final against Blackrock. Kennedy from Clonakilty and Barrett from Ballinascarthy are two key players in a talented Carbery side who have only played one game so far, a wi…

ON THIS week's podcast, we talk to local rugby star Abbie Salter-Townshend on Munster’s Interpro victory as they beat Leinster 50-15 last weekend. Salter-Townshend was a key component in the Munster squad, starting three out of the four games as the southerners blitzed their way to glory. Not to mention, she also won the All-Ireland League senior t…

ON THIS week's podcast, we have interviews with players and coaches before the Clóna Milk Carbery U21 football finals that are happening this weekend. Bantry Blues face Ibane Gaels in the A final on Friday, the B final will be contested by St Colums and Ahán Gaels on Saturday while the C decider pits Clann na nGael against Ilen Rovers this Sunday. …

ON THIS week's podcast, we have a special guest as boxing commentating legend Adam Smith dropped by to speak to us. The former head of boxing at Sky Sports dropped into our office recently for a catch-up. Adam is a friend of the show and he and his family visit West Cork as often as they can. He is one of the finest boxing commentators there is and…

ON THIS week's podcast, we are joined by Ger McCarthy to look back on what was a disappointing day for the Cork camogie team. A 1-14 to 1-13 loss to Galway in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie final ended their three-in-a-row bid. We reflect on Galway’s tenacity, Cork’s first-half struggle, the Rebels’ second-half fightback and some quest…

ON THIS week's podcast, we catch up with Kilbrittain hammer-thrower Nicola Tuthill after a few successful weeks of action. Tuthill is enjoying the most prolific spell of her young career: silver medals at both the European U23 Championships and World University Games. That was followed by a successful defence of her national title last weekend, wit…

ON THIS week's podcast, we wrap up the first weekend of the McCarthy Insuarnce Group Cork football championship. In the premier SFC, Clonakilty and Carbery Rangers started with defeats but there were wins for Castlehaven and Newcestown to start their campaigns with a bang. In senior A, O’Donovan Rossa could only manage a draw while Dohenys were nar…

ON THIS week's podcast, we talk to Saoirse McCarthy before Cork’s Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie semi-final against Waterford. The Courcey Rovers player and her teammates are aiming to win their fifth All-Ireland semi-final in-a-row this weekend in UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny. Cork are also going for their first All-Ireland three-in-a-row s…

ON THIS week's podcast, we look ahead to this Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC final between Cork and Tipperary in Croke Park (3.30pm). Joining us this week is Cork hurling legend Diarmuid ‘The Rock’ O’Sullivan to discuss the key talking points ahead of the big match. O’Sullivan was full-back when Cork last won the Liam MacCarthy cup in 2005, the current c…

ON THIS week's podcast, we look back at what was a comprehensive All-Ireland SHC semi-final win for Cork over Dublin (7-26 to 2-21). The Rebels dominated in the stands and on the pitch as an All-Ireland final against Tipperary takes place in on Sunday, July 20th. Everything clicked for Pat Ryan’s side in Croke Park last time out but there is still …

ON THIS week's podcast, as we look ahead to the All-Ireland SHC semi-final between Cork and Dublin, Shane Kingston chats to us. eir hurling ambassador Kingston was on hand as eir announced a major milestone in its network transformation - Ireland’s No.1 5G Network Availability award for the fifth year in a row. The main story here isn’t the hurling…

ON THIS week's podcast, we are joined by John Hayes to look back at Cork football’s year after John Cleary’s team were dumped out of the All-Ireland SFC by Dublin. The game ended 1-19 to 1-16 with the Rebels putting a decent effort but the question now will be on Cleary’s future. The Castlehaven man’s three-year term as permanent Cork boss is up an…

ON THIS week's podcast, we chat to Irish rugby star Enya Breen before she competes in the Women’s Rugby World Cup later this year. This will be the Castletownshend woman’s first time playing at this prestigious rugby event, which will be held in England, starting in August. The centre, who has 29 caps for her nation, sat down with Kieran McCarthy t…

ON THIS week's podcast, we have hurling fever as Cork were crowned Munster SHC winners for the first time since 2018. Pat Ryan’s side beat Limerick 1-30 to 2-27 after extra-time (3-2 on penalties) to get the win over their big rivals. We discuss the significance of the win, timekeeping, penalty shoot-outs, the split-season and what is potentially t…

ON THIS week's podcast, we are joined by Paul Bouchier, Sarah Hayes and Paddy Lordan to discuss the rise of GAA in Hamilton High School, Bandon. Bouchier managed the U14B hurlers to county glory, Hayes took the U14A footballers to a county title while Lordan managed the school to a Simcox Cup win and a Corn Uí Mhuirí semi-final. It has been a year …

ON THIS week's podcast, we are look ahead to Cork’s All-Ireland SFC group 2 campaign. John Cleary’s charges have been drawn in a group with Kerry, Meath and Roscommon with Cork facing Meath this Saturday in Páirc Tailteann, Navan (3pm). The Rebels came second in the group stage in 2023 and finished in third in 2024, progressing to the knockout stag…

ON THIS week's podcast, we are joined by former Cork camogie player Sara Hayes as she gives her takes on the skorts and shorts controversy. Courcey Rovers’ Hayes has won multiple All-Irelands with Cork and manages her club in the senior county championship. The story took another turn in the last week when Cork and Waterford had their Munster senio…

ON THIS week's podcast, we are joined by Carbery GAA PRO Tim Buckley as he discusses the upcoming Carbery GAA centenary celebration of Carbery clubs. The division are celebrating their 100th year and will celebrate it in the Parkway Hotel in Dunmanway this Sunday, 11th May from 2pm to 5pm. All 26 clubs in the division will take part in the event as…

ON THIS week's podcast, we back at Cork’s heartbreaking Munster SFC semi-final defeat to Kerry as John Hayes reflects on an epic encounter. The Rebels went into this as underdogs but were agonisingly close to pulling off the unthinkable, losing 3-21 to 1-25 after extra-time. It was a game described by many as one of the games of the decade and desp…

ON THIS week's podcast, we preview the Munster SFC semi-final between arch-rivals Cork and Kerry. The Rebels are going into this game on Saturday at 7pm in Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh as underdogs. Kerry are league champions and are favourites for the All-Ireland SFC according to the bookmakers. John Cleary and his team have a massive task ahead of …

ON THIS week's podcast, we are joined by Cork senior hurler Shane Kingston, amid the hype around the hurling team at the moment. Kingston, who was speaking at the launch of the ‘eir for all’ Poc Tapa Challenge, and his Cork teammates are just off the back of their first league title since 1998. They beat Tipperary 3-24 to 0-23 to give themselves th…

ON THIS week's podcast, we are joined by Bandon Grammar coach Philip Murphy after the school won the Munster schools junior cup recently. The Grammar won their first ever Munster schools cup as they beat 19-time winners Christian Brothers College 20-12. A school that has past pupils such as Jack Crowley, Gavin Coombes and Darran Sweetnam as well as…

ON THIS week's podcast, we are joined by Irish hockey legend David Harte who is returning closer to home after a successful stint in the Netherlands. Harte was a key part of Team Ireland in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and has made over 200 appearances for the Emerald Isle. He spent 13 years on the books of SV Kampong over in the low country but…

ON THIS week's podcast, we are joined by Clonakilty Soccer Club stalwart and goalkeeper Iain O’Driscoll after they won their second Beamish Cup in a row. Clon beat Ardfield in a thrilling Beamish Cup final 7-6 on penalties after a 3-3 draw after extra-time. Soccer Club are now going for the double-double after their league and cup double in 2024. A…

ON THIS week's podcast, we are joined by friend of the podcast Ger McCarthy as we look ahead to the Beamish Cup final between Clonakilty Soccer Club and Ardfield. The decider takes place in Turners Cross this Sunday at 12.30pm. Clon are looking to win their second Beamish Cup in a row while Ardfield are only competing in their first final since 200…

ON THIS week's podcast, we are joined by Ardfield stalwart Peter Barrett as the Beamish Cup surprise packets face giants Drinagh Rangers in the semi-final on Sunday. After beating Dunmanway Town, Beara United and Spartak Mossgrove in their run to the last four, they have been the undoubted story of the competition and will hope that there is one mo…

ON THIS week's podcast, we chat to University of Toledo athlete Laura Nicholson after she ran a new one-mile personal best (4:30.85) at the Boston College Eagle Elite meet recently. The former Bandon AC member smashed her previous PB by almost four seconds which saw her surge up to fourth in the all-time Irish women’s indoor one-mile ranking. Nicho…

ON THIS week's podcast, we chat to former Monaghan footballer Stephen Gollogly as we look ahead to Cork’s clash away to the Ulster side, which is in Grattan Park, Inniskeen at 1.30pm on Sunday. Gollogly won two Ulster titles in his time playing for Monaghan (2013 and 2015) and now owns a company called Gaelic Tactics Board. John Cleary’s Cork are o…

ON THIS week's podcast, we chat to the new Cork senior camogie captain Méabh Cahalane. Cahalane was speaking at the launch of the Very National Camogie Leagues for 2025 where she was honoured to go to the event as the Rebels’ captain. She talks to us about getting advice from her dad (Cork football legend Niall), being part of a successful GAA fami…

ON THIS week's podcast, we chat to Barry O’Donovan and Guilherme Alencar about the recent success of the 4 Honor Bantry jiu-jitsu club. The club was only founded in January 2023 and recently came back from the European Championships in Portugal with three gold medals (won by Kawan Azeredo, Juliana Taparica and Mariana Ribeiro) and one bronze (Karel…

ON THIS week's podcast, we look back at the Cork footballers’ win on the opening day of the Allianz Football League Division 2. John Cleary’s side beat Meath by 2-19 to 0-21, winning their first Division 2 opening game in eight attempts. The Rebels face Down next in Newry (1pm on Sunday) and are looking up with positivity. The Hurlers also got on t…

ON THIS week's podcast, we look back at the recent West Cork Sports Star Awards held in the Celtic Ross Hotel. It was no surprise to see Olympic legends Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy pick up the main award, Paul for the fourth time, Fintan got his third. Niall Cahalane (Hall of Fame), Clonakilty Soccer Club (Team of the Year), Goleen GAA (Spec…

ON THIS week's podcast, Sue Nicholson joins us to talk about West Cork Jesters. Nicholson chats about all their activities, events and opportunities going on at their Clubhouse in Durrus. She also delves into their fundraising efforts to get their 17 athletes to the Mixed Ability World Cup in Pamplona Spain in June 2025. They competed at the 2022 W…

ON THIS week's podcast, we look ahead to a new year of the Beamish Cup. It is a staple to the West Cork soccer calendar and nobody is more excited for the commencement than in Star HQ. Clonakilty Soccer Club hope to retain the cup they won in dramatic fashion in 2024, beating Drinagh Rangers 3-2 in the final. Drinagh themselves, who lost out on the…

ON THIS week's podcast, we are looking back at a memorable year in West Cork sport, hence why the end of year list has been increased from 10 to 20 places. 2024 was one to remember for West Cork sporting fanatics between success at the Olympic Games in Paris where the Ballineen Bullet Phil Healy and Skibbereen rowers Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCar…

ON THIS week's podcast, up and coming GAA referee Shane Scanlon explains why he took up the whistle. The Newcestown native has taken charge of some big games in his young career including this year’s Cork premier SHC final between Imokilly and Sarsfields. Scanlon chats about his career to date, the number of referees needed for club championships, …

ON THIS week's podcast, we catch up with Macroom native Erika O’Shea after her Australian Football League Women’s triumph with the North Melbourne Kangaroos. The Roos won the title against the 2023 victors, Brisbane Lions, in the final by 39-9 and went the whole season unbeaten, no team in the AFL men's or women's have done that before. O’Shea just…

ON THIS week's podcast, we are joined by Goleen midfielder Matthew Sheehan as the Carbery junior B champions face into a county final against Douglas. The Mizen Peninsula club have already won two championship trophies (confined junior B and Carbery junior B titles) as well as a West Cork division 2 league win. Their county junior B final is in Pai…

ON THIS week's podcast, Kieran is joined by O’Donovan Rossa hurling trio Alan Foley, Flor Crowley and Rob Long. The club is celebrating 20 years after their Cork junior BHC victory in 2004. On November 14th, 2004, Crowley, who was captain of the team, collected the junior B cup in front of a huge Skibbereen following. Recently, 25 players from the …

ON THIS week's podcast, Tom Savage from Three Red Kings joins us to discuss the current state of play involving Jack Crowley. The Bandon RFC graduate and Innishannon man has been in competition for the Irish number ten jersey for the past few weeks with Leinster players Ciaran Frawley and Sam Prendergast. Crowley played 58 minutes against New Zeala…

ON THIS week's podcast, O’Donovan Rossa forward Kate O’Donovan chats after the Skibbereen club’s Munster intermediate LGFA title win. Rossa beat St Ailbes from Limerick by 0-10 to 0-7 and produced a particularly impressive second half display. That's five championship titles in the last five for super Skibb, who have only lost one game in that time…

ON THIS week's podcast, Diarmuid O'Mathunas captain Jeremiah Hurley discusses their first Carbery junior AHC win in 14 years. The Castletownkenneigh club beat Ballinascarthy by 1-14 to 1-12 in Enniskeane to bring the Flyer Nyhan Cup back to Mathunas. Hurley talks about the emotion of the win, the support from the Mathunas’ fans, balancing hurling a…