OTB GAA

OTB GAA

Subscribe to 'OTB GAA' for the very best GAA coverage from OTB Sports. Bringing you the insights and stories from the top names in Gaelic Games - from Tommy Walsh to The Football Pod with Paddy Andrews and James O'Donoghue, The Hurling Pod with James Skehill and Paul Murphy and much more besides.

With Off The Ball Breakfast, Off The Ball, live GAA coverage and our world famous roadshows, we'll be bringing you the yarns, the tales, the fallouts and the analysis right across Hurling, Camogie, the LGFA championships and Gaelic Football.

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Episode's summary

Fitzy returns to the studio to discuss his experience on Love Island, reflecting on the intense environment of the villa and the challenges of navigating newfound fame and public scrutiny. The conversation explores the difficulty of balancing inter-county football with new media opportunities, touching upon the toxic nature of social media abuse directed at athletes. The episode also covers life after the show, including the speaker's passion for teaching, the emotional impact of leaving students, and future career aspirations in media. The discussion concludes with reflections on the importance of the Irish language, the pressures of maintaining a specific persona in Gaelic football, and the realities of teacher training.

Chapters

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Highlights

Well, it's like a glorified prison in a way. You are locked in. Are you? You're locked in. You can't leave.

00:01:42 · Fitzy compares his experience living in the Love Island villa to being in prison due to the lack of freedom.

the abuse you get, I think, to lads who are just giving their all for the game and not being paid, it's ridiculous, I think.

00:16:06 · The speaker highlights the unfairness of social media criticism directed at amateur athletes who play for the love of the sport.

And I think like the most important thing in the classroom is form a relationship with them first. Like the education isn't even number one for me. It's form a relationship so they trust you and they can talk to you and stuff.

00:21:26 · The speaker shares their pedagogical philosophy regarding building trust with students before focusing on academics.

Anyone who plays Gaelic football, I think people just expect you just do football. Don't go outside the norm.

00:29:05 · The speaker explains the societal expectation for Gaelic football players to adhere to a rigid, traditional image.

the amount you have to do is just ridiculous it's nothing like when you actually teach so anyone who's doing teacher training it gets better like if I could do it again I wouldn't do the course I would do arts and then two years of the course because four years is way too much

00:42:30 · The guest describes the intense pressure and burnout she experienced during her teacher training program.

Episodes

4445-

FITZY IN THE OTB VILLA: "There's more to life than football" | Word On The Street

Fitzy returns to the studio to discuss his experience on Love Island, reflecting on the intense environment of the villa and the challenges of navigating newfound fame and public scrutiny. The conversation explores the difficulty of balancing inter-county football with new media opportunities, touching upon the toxic nature of social media abuse directed at athletes. The episode also covers life after the show, including the speaker's passion for teaching, the emotional impact of leaving students, and future career aspirations in media. The discussion concludes with reflections on the importance of the Irish language, the pressures of maintaining a specific persona in Gaelic football, and the realities of teacher training.

13 Aug 2026
4444-

CORK CAMOGIE’S DÓNAL O’GRADY: 'I wasn't aware that I had any great influence on the group' | Evolution of video analysis

Donal O'Grady discusses Cork's recent All-Ireland Senior Camogie victory and his role in providing video analysis for the team, reflecting on the evolution of technology from VHS to modern digital tools. He details his collaborative approach to player development, emphasizing a discussion-based methodology that values player input. The conversation also explores the strength of Cork's club foundations and the impact of young players on the senior panel. Additionally, O'Grady touches upon the intense rivalry between Cork and Galway, the evolution of modern athleticism in Gaelic games, and his personal reflections on the life-saving importance of health screenings.

11 Aug 2026
4443-

Sounds of the Summer: My time with the Dubs and shaping the game as we know it | Jim Gavin

Jim Gavin discusses how his military training provided the resilience to respond intentionally rather than react during high-pressure situations. He reflects on his transition from player to manager within Dublin GAA, focusing on strategic planning and leadership during the historic 'five in a row' era. The episode also explores the evolution of tactical strategies in Gaelic football, specifically the shift from man-to-man marking to defensive zone systems. Additionally, the conversation covers recent rule changes aimed at making the game more exciting and transparent.

11 Aug 2026
4442-

"The harder you work, the luckier you get!" | Camogie Final review | LAURA TREACY & NIAMH ROCKETT

Niamh Rockett and Laura Tracy discuss Cork's 31st All-Ireland Camogie championship victory over Galway, analyzing the intense rivalry and the impact of tactical changes at halftime. The discussion covers Cork's second-half performance, key goals, and the emergence of young talent. The episode also addresses the standout performance of Saoirse McCartan and debates refereeing decisions regarding high tackles. Finally, the speakers explore the financial burdens facing inter-county players, specifically the necessity of fundraising for training costs, alongside Laura's personal reflections on watching Cork win.

10 Aug 2026
4441-

Cork’s All-Ireland winning heroes visit Temple Street! | ‘It’s such a special occasion!’ | OFF THE BALL

The Cork camogie team visits Temple Street Children's Hospital with the O'Duffy Cup following their All-Ireland victory. The episode features interviews with players and a doctor at the hospital, highlighting the emotional significance of the visit for patients and staff. The discussion covers the intense final moments of the championship match against Galway, the team's bond and lack of egos, and the upcoming homecoming celebrations in Cork city.

10 Aug 2026