Episode 189 w/ Oisín McConville

All Ireland winner and Gambling Awareness Trust spokesperson Oisín McConville joined us this week.

Growing up in Crossmaglen during The Troubles meant Oisín was used to bombs and army presence – His only escape was football and he threw himself into the sport with great success at both county and club level.

When he was just 14 Oisín placed his first bet for 50p. By 17, he was being warned by his local bookie that he would develop a problem if he didn’t stop betting. Oisín didn’t take the advice and gambled for years more, borrowing, stealing and scamming to pay his way, until he realised he needed help after losing a £20,000 loan for a new business in one bet.

A new show “The 3:30 at Cheltenham” which explores the issues of gambling addiction opens on the 16th of September in the Civic Theatre Tallaght before going on a national tour of all gambling addiction treatment centres in Ireland throughout October. Tickets are available here: https://www.civictheatre.ie/whats-on/the-330-at-cheltenham/