Ger Houlahan. All-star, TV pundit, Armagh captain, life is for laughing

When you sit down to record a podcast, you never quite know how it’s going to turn out. This was one of those. Ross Carr is one of those interesting people you come across in life and this is an intimate reflection on living and growing older. Ross Carr is just north of 60, young- but fully aware of the fragility of life. There’s been losses, Eamonn burns being one, and the former All-star has responded with a more rounded outlook on what life should be. The Mournes and the splendid Clonduff certainly helps with that direction. Two All-Ireland titles in 1991 and 1994 were magic days in Down. There’s been little since. Why? Kevin Mussen was the first to bring Sam Maguire across the border in the 1960’s- his county and club friend followed in his footsteps 30 years later. Being a good parent, questioning was he good enough, when to stop playing and when to finish coaching. Above everything, Ross Carr’s love of place and the GAA shines through. A great listen this week

Mind games and addressing the elephant in the room. Seanie Johnston has an interesting take on the flat Cavan performance in Omagh. Tyrone take on Armagh next (what a game) and Meath come from 10 down to beat Offaly. Wins for Dublin, Louth, Armagh and Kildare. Westmeath, Antrim and Wicklow lose- but there's lots of positives.

What a laugh and what a man. He wore the orange of Armagh for almost two decades. He captained the team, All-star award, but watched as all those teams around him picked up Sam Maguire, while Armagh missed out. He did collect back-to-back Ulster titles towards the end, but it wasn’t quite the same. Craic, depth, fun and emotion. This is Ger Houlahan at his best. One of the original TV pundits, icon, celebration king and continues to give back.

Championship has arrived

He’s one of the finest footballers in the modern game. An All-star award in November 2023, proof of the quality possessed by Gareth McKinless. Since then, it hasn’t quite worked out for Derry. Why? Paddy Tally’s team go into this weekend’s opening championship game against Donegal, with hope, good footballers, but just one win in a year. A change in management has taken place again and three All-star defenders won’t be in Ballybofey. Conor McCluskey is out, Chrissy McKaigue has retired and McKinless has suffered a dreaded ACL. His season is over. Since Rory Gallagher “stood back” as Derry manager, there’s been a decline in performance. Picking up the pieces after Rory, hoping to get back playing for Derry and All-Ireland club final against Crossmolina-in dreadful circumstances. He incredibly played that game with a torn ACL. This is a very honest podcast. McKinless was sent-off against Damien Comer, the social media reaction was hard and brutal. McKinless immediately reached out to Comer and there was some advice from the majestic Galway footballer. Keeping the head, maturing and driving on. A reflective and honest account from one of the best half-backs in the game. Gareth McKinless on the GAA Social

The championship begins this weekend, but we had an enjoyable end to the 2025 League. But what does it all mean?

1977 Jimmy Smyth led Armagh to the All-Ireland final. An All-star and two Ulster titles were collected, but no Celtic cross. For Club it was an outstanding level of success. Nine county titles, three provincial championships and a lifetime involved in GAA- but he almost played for Down! Sliding doors moment. Chairperson of the Ulster schools, still giving back. A great talker, a great man, this is the brilliant Jimmy Smyth

In an incredible few minutes, Mayo go from relegation to finishing top of the league. It's the final day of the Allianz leagues- we're ready no for Championship

A hugely strong podcast and a fabulous lens into the world of the referee. David Coldrick has been the 'man in the middle' during four All-Ireland finals. He'd like another. Broadly speaking, Coldrick is a supporter of the new rules and the work carried out by the FRC. Although, the Meath whistler, fair and balanced, says it was a mistake not to include a referee on the initial panel. Former referee Maurice Deegan is now part of the FRC. There’s more. Coldrick looks back on the time he failed a fitness test, explains why that happened and the public scrutiny surrounding him at that time. He also mentions how referees will use their common sense to apply rules, and gives telling examples of how that's done- as recently as this year. David also believes it would be a good idea for referees to be mic'd up. He suggests as many as 3/4 of the approx 40 inter-county referees would be ready or close to ready, if that happened. Refereeing the 3v3, the best rule introduced and the one he’s not so sure about. A brilliant listen from one of the most respected and talented referees the GAA has at its disposal. David Coldrick on the GAA Social with Thomas Niblock & Oisin McConville

New rules, the games reviewed and we look ahead to the final weekend of the Allianz Leagues- with everything to play for