skip to main content

RTÉ GAA Podcast: Offaly's new favourite tag, Tipp's season on the line and the 90s rivalry revival

Cathal Mullaney is joined by Shane McGrath and Rory O'Neill to preview a crucial weekend in hurling, with Leinster taking centre stage.

Shane makes the case for Offaly breaking out of Leinster, admitting he may have underestimated a side now playing to its strengths.

With Offaly's fate in their own hands, the focus turns to how they'll handle a new favourites tag ahead of their clash with Wexford (3:30).There are growing concerns for both Wexford and Kilkenny, with both counties needing results this weekend.

While Shane believes Wexford are in the more precarious position, he also notes Kilkenny’s dip in standards is becoming more noticeable as the season unfolds (11:30).

The panel also debate the championship format, with Shane suggesting counties like Kildare risk being caught in a yo-yo cycle between the Liam MacCarthy and Joe McDonagh cups, and argues for greater flexibility (21:50).

Attention then shifts to Munster (30:00), where despite failing to register a win, Waterford have remained competitive. Shane questions whether issues lie in squad depth or a lack of trust from management (32:00).

Old rivalries are stirring too, as Shane and Rory reflect on the intensity of the Tipp-Clare clashes of the 90s. Shane even notes a telling silence from the Tipp camp, something he sees as a positive sign and also notes that getting a result against Clare will be crucial to securing the rest of the season. (47:00)

The episode wraps up with predictions for all of the weekend’s action (59:00).


Listen to the RTÉ GAA Podcast on the RTÉ Radio Player, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and email us at sportpodcasts@rte.ie


Watch Dublin v Westmeath in the Leinster Football final (2pm) and Armagh v Monaghan in the Ulster Football final (4.15pm) on Sunday from 1.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1

Watch The Saturday Game and The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on all matches on the RTÉ News app and on rte.ie/sport.

Read Next