The Sporting Club Ireland Podcast

A Wild Weekend: Arsenal Stunned, United Stumble, Ireland Let It Slip & Much More

The Sporting Club Ireland Podcast

Show Notes

Mark Brandon and Michael Meehan are back with another packed Weekend Review from The Sporting Club Ireland Podcast. This week, Mark finally asks Michael the Galway question he somehow managed to avoid for the last couple of weeks, despite Michael being all over the national media discussing Padraic Joyce, the Galway job and what comes next. From there, the lads get stuck into a huge weekend of sport There is plenty on the Premier League after Arsenal were brought crashing back down to earth by Brighton, Manchester City made it five wins from five, Liverpool kept finding a way to win and Manchester United and Spurs gave their supporters a few more reasons to worry. They also get into Rangers beating Celtic again, the League of Ireland title race tightening up and whether Irish football supporters still give enough attention to the domestic game. On the rugby front, Mark and Michael look back on Ireland Women’s extraordinary defeat to the USA after surrendering a 31 to 12 lead, discuss how players deal with momentum when a game starts getting away from them, and give a well deserved mention to Jemima Adams Verling after the 20 year old made her senior Ireland debut. There is also a strong Irish boxing contingent pushing for medals at the European Elite Championships, with Lisa O’Rourke, Aoife O’Rourke, Daina Moorehouse, Jack Marley and others all in the mix. The lads also discuss one of the most brutal reminders of how quickly sport can turn, as Olympic wrestling champion Gable Steveson was knocked out in just 12 seconds, before touching on Rory McIlroy going close again at Wentworth and the latest action from the GAA club championships. Looking ahead, the new URC season gets underway with Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster all back in action, giving Mark and Michael plenty to argue about in this week’s Big Call. And of course, there is another edition of Troy Parrott Watch before Michael is forced to make the biggest decision of the show, Sports Star of the Week. Download The Sporting Club Ireland App https://apps.apple.com/ie/app/the-sporting-club-ireland/id6788445806 Website https://thesportingclub.ie YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheSportingClubIreland Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesportingclub_ireland LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sporting-club-ireland/ If you enjoyed the episode, follow The Sporting Club Ireland Podcast on Spotify, leave a rating or review, and share the episode with someone who might enjoy it. Every follow, rating, review and share helps grow the show. The Sporting Club Ireland Where sport and business connect.

More from The Sporting Club Ireland Podcast

Oct 22, 2026

From a family farm in Roscommon to the very top of world boxing, Aoife and Lisa O'Rourke have an extraordinary story to tell. In this episode of The Sporting Club Ireland Podcast, we sit down with two of Ireland's most accomplished boxers, and two sisters who continue to make history together. Aoife, a two-time Olympian and multiple European champion, and Lisa, a world champion at just 20, join us fresh from their incredible European Championship gold medal successes. We talk about growing up on the family farm, their introduction to boxing, the influence of family and coaches, the sacrifices behind the medals, dealing with injuries and disappointment, and the pressure of competing at the highest level. We also discuss their success in HYROX, life outside the boxing ring, their remarkable bond as sisters and what the future might hold. Two world champions, two European champions, one family. A brilliant conversation with two incredibly grounded and inspiring Irish sportswomen. Follow The Sporting Club Ireland Podcast on Spotify, leave us a rating and share the show with a friend. The Sporting Club Ireland - Where Sport and Business Connect. Download The Sporting Club Ireland App: https://apps.apple.com/ie/app/the-sporting-club-ireland/id6788445806 Website: https://thesportingclub.ie YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSportingClubIreland Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesportingclub_ireland LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sporting-club-ireland/ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, review and share it with someone who loves sport. Every bit of support is genuinely massively appreciated.

Oct 18, 2026

What a weekend of sport! Connacht produce a sensational performance against Saracens, European rugby delivers some incredible drama, the Premier League title race heats up, county championships reach boiling point and Daniel Dubois makes a brutal statement in the heavyweight division. Mark Brandon and former Galway football star Michael Meehan are back for another packed edition of The Sporting Club Ireland Podcast Weekend Review. Champions Cup Drama: Connacht light up the Dexcom Stadium with a thrilling victory over Saracens. We discuss Ciarán Frawley's outstanding form, Cian Prendergast's leadership and why Stuart Lancaster's side could be building something special. Leinster and Munster also start their European campaigns with victories, while Toulouse and Exeter serve up a classic. Rugby Remembers: We reflect on the heartbreaking death of Lions player Hyron Andrews and pay tribute to Munster legend Anthony Foley on the tenth anniversary of his passing. Premier League: Manchester City keep winning, Brighton are flying, Arsenal remain in pursuit and Manchester United's problems continue. We discuss Lisandro Martínez's outspoken criticism, Liverpool's resilience and the mounting pressure on the managers. Club GAA: County finals, dramatic finishes and celebrations across Ireland. From St Brigid's and Cuala to the extraordinary stories of Maynooth and Tommy Larkins, we cover the biggest talking points. Plus, is the AFL becoming an increasingly serious threat to Gaelic football's brightest talents? Dubois v Wardley: Daniel Dubois delivers a devastating performance, but should the fight have been stopped much earlier? The Time Machine: Michael takes us back to Croke Park in 2008, when he scored ten points against Kerry in a memorable All-Ireland quarter-final played in torrential rain. A remarkable personal performance, a heartbreaking defeat and some brilliant behind-the-scenes memories. The Big Call: Leinster v Munster, Connacht v Zebre, the Galway senior football final and a huge weekend of Premier League fixtures. Mark and Michael put their predictions on the line. Sports Star of the Week: Ciaran Frawley gets the nod after another outstanding Connacht performance, with Cian Prendergast, Mona McSharry and Ellen Walsh also in the conversation. Plus, Troy Parrott Watch, international rugby, League of Ireland action and plenty of laughs along the way. Two sports fans. Plenty of opinions. No shortage of big calls. Follow The Sporting Club Ireland Podcast on Spotify, leave us a rating and share the show with a friend. The Sporting Club Ireland - Where Sport and Business Connect. Spotify: Follow The Sporting Club Ireland Podcast so you never miss an episode. Download The Sporting Club Ireland App: https://apps.apple.com/ie/app/the-sporting-club-ireland/id6788445806 Website: https://thesportingclub.ie YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSportingClubIreland Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesportingclub_ireland LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sporting-club-ireland/ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, review and share it with someone who loves sport. Every bit of support genuinely is massively appreciated.

Oct 16, 2026

What happens when you're born into one of the most famous families in horse racing, but still have to prove you belong at the very top? This week on The Sporting Club Ireland Podcast, Mark Brandon sits down with top Irish jockey Danny Mullins for a brilliant, honest and entertaining conversation about racing, family, pressure, failure, resilience and success. The son of Tony and Mags Mullins and nephew of the legendary Willie Mullins, Danny grew up surrounded by racing greatness. But carrying the Mullins name doesn't guarantee success, and his journey has been anything but straightforward. From struggling with the transition to jump racing and losing his first major job to becoming a multiple Cheltenham Festival winner, Danny shares the highs, lows and lessons from a remarkable career. One of the most powerful moments comes when Danny recalls being at a crossroads in his career after losing his first big job, before riding two unforgettable winners for his mother and father at Galway. We also get a fascinating insight into the genius of Willie Mullins, what makes Paul Townend such an exceptional jockey, the physical and mental demands of racing, and why Danny believes failure should never define your future. And, of course, there's plenty of craic along the way! In this episode:

Oct 12, 2026

Another cracking weekend of sport and plenty to get stuck into!

Oct 9, 2026

Some people spend their entire lives dreaming of playing for Liverpool, representing Ireland at a World Cup or scoring a goal that an entire nation will never forget. Jason McAteer actually lived that dream. But what happens when the dream ends? In a brilliant, funny and remarkably honest conversation, Mark Brandon sits down with former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland star Jason McAteer to reflect on an extraordinary career and the life that followed. From working behind a bar in Birkenhead and playing pub football to signing for his boyhood club Liverpool, representing Ireland at two World Cups and scoring that unforgettable winner against Holland in 2001, Jason's story is something special. And he doesn't hold back. Liverpool and the Spice Boys: The famous white suits, the incredible dressing room and why he believes that Liverpool team was unfairly labelled. Ireland's Glory Days: Jack Charlton, USA '94, the magic of Lansdowne Road and inspiring a generation of Irish footballers. Roy Keane and Saipan: The olive branch after 20 years of tension, his hopes of finally sharing a pint with Roy and his strong opinions on the film Saipan. Life After Football: The loss of identity, the difficult years following retirement and the reality behind the fame and glamour. Starting Again at 55: Returning to education, completing a Master's, exploring a career as a sporting director and his fascinating views on leadership, business and modern football. Plenty of laughs, unforgettable memories, strong opinions and some genuinely powerful reflections on life. Because sometimes the hardest part of living your dream is figuring out what comes next. 🎙️ The Sporting Club Ireland Podcast with Mark Brandon. 🎧 Follow The Sporting Club Ireland Podcast on Spotify 📱 Download The Sporting Club Ireland App https://apps.apple.com/ie/app/the-sporting-club-ireland/id6788445806 🌐 Website https://thesportingclub.ie ▶️ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheSportingClubIreland 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesportingclub_ireland 💼 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sporting-club-ireland/ If you enjoyed the episode, please follow, rate, review and share. Every bit of support genuinely helps us grow The Sporting Club Ireland community. The Sporting Club Ireland Where sport opens doors to business.

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