The Sideline Live Podcast

The Sideline Live Podcast brings you closer to the world of sport through in-depth conversations with athletes, coaches, and experts. From high-performance insights to the untold stories, host Orla Keeling dives into the moments that shape successful careers, coaches and teams. Whether you’re a player, coach, parent, or passionate fan, this podcast offers real perspectives on success, resilience, and the ever-evolving world of sport.Social platforms: @thesidelineliveEmail - thesidelinelive@gmail.com

The Sideline Live Podcast is a sports podcast hosted by The Sideline Live, with 215 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

The Sideline Live hosts The Sideline Live Podcast, a sports show with 215 episodes published.

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  Episode #251

  #251 Michael Darragh Macauley // Beyond the medals

  Sep 30, 202653 min

  On episode 251 I am delighted to be joined by Michael Darragh Macauley, one of the defining figures of Dublin’s golden era. The Ballyboden St Enda’s man won an incredible eight All-Ireland titles, alongside 10 Leinster titles and five National Football League medals. He was a two-time All Star and was named GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year in 2013 after a standout season with Dublin. Known for his explosive, aggressive style and fiercely competitive personality, he became a central character in one of the most dominant teams in Gaelic football. After retiring from inter-county football in 2021, Michael Darragh has continued to build a career focused on community, fitness, media and making an impact beyond sport. In this episode we go back to the serious knee injury at 20 that threatened to end his football career before it had truly begun.Michael Darragh explains how rejection from the Dublin panel, a summer playing football in San Francisco and rediscovering his love for the game changed his trajectory.We explore the culture inside the Dublin dressing room and the mentality that helped them claim 6 All-Ireland titles in a row. He shares what he learned from Pat Gilroy’s management style and why internal competition was such a crucial part of Dublin’s success.We discuss the major defeats that shaped the team and how Dublin turned painful losses into lessons that fuelled their dominance. Michael Darragh opens up about the death of his father in 2013 and how that difficult period influenced his Footballer of the Year season. We explore his identity away from the traditional image of a professional athlete, from basketball and hip-hop influences to maintaining a life outside football. Finally, we discuss retirement, finding purpose beyond elite sport, community work, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind. Note this was recorded in late July. This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sport Expo Ireland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a brand-new event taking place at the Sport Ireland Campus on April 21st and 22nd, 2027. Designed to connect stakeholders from every corner of the Irish sporting landscape. Attendees will hear from leading voices in sport, take part in interactive workshops and masterclasses, explore the latest developments in elite performance, business and technology. Whether you’re involved in elite performance, grassroots, business, or simply passionate about where Irish sport is heading, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sport Expo Ireland ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is set to become one of the most exciting gatherings on the sporting calendar. To learn more, register your interest, and explore opportunities, visit ⁠⁠https://qrco.de/bgrRu3 ⁠⁠. Limited time offer use the code SIDELINE15 for a discount off your ⁠⁠⁠⁠@sportexpoireland⁠⁠⁠⁠ tickets. Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: ⁠https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive ⁠Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠

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  Episode #250

  #250 Paul Talty // Olympics vs Gaelic Games insights & lessons

  Sep 22, 20261h 23m

  On episode 250 I am delighted to be joined by Paul Talty, a highly experienced Strength & Conditioning coach who has worked across elite sport in particular swimming and gaelic games, helping athletes maximise performance. We compare the worlds of Olympic sport and GAA, exploring the differences in structure, preparation, pillars of success, self care in coaching and more. We explore the principles that underpin elite coaching across Olympic sport and GAA, from the importance of consistency to the small details that can make the difference on the biggest stage. Having spent years working alongside elite athletes, Paul has gained a unique insight into what separates talented players from those who consistently perform when it matters most with key pillars include consistency, preparation and creating the habits required to perform at the highest level.Paul takes us behind the scenes of Paris 2024 and how careful preparation, from managing the Olympic environment to creating familiar routines, helped athletes perform under pressure and win multiple olympic medals. From managing pressure and big moments with different individuals across the games, including Daniel Wiffen’s approach to learning vs winning. Paul shares his “Golden Rule” of performance: showing up every day, building good habits and avoiding the things that compromise consistency.We also down the three pillars of great coaching — technical knowledge, application and interpersonal skills — and why building trust with athletes is just as important as the programme itself. Paul shares his thoughts on self-care in coaching, sleep, exercise, managing workload and continuing to develop as a practitioner.Ultimately, this is a conversation about the small things that compound over time — and why consistency, preparation and people remain the key ingredients of elite performance. Find Paul here https://www.linkedin.com/in/paultalty/ https://www.instagram.com/bannerperformance/ This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sport Expo Ireland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a brand-new event taking place at the Sport Ireland Campus on April 21st and 22nd, 2027. Designed to connect stakeholders from every corner of the Irish sporting landscape. Attendees will hear from leading voices in sport, take part in interactive workshops and masterclasses, explore the latest developments in elite performance, business and technology. Whether you’re involved in elite performance, grassroots, business, or simply passionate about where Irish sport is heading, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sport Expo Ireland ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is set to become one of the most exciting gatherings on the sporting calendar. To learn more, register your interest, and explore opportunities, visit ⁠⁠https://qrco.de/bgrRu3 ⁠⁠. Limited time offer use the code SIDELINE15 for a discount off your ⁠⁠⁠⁠@sportexpoireland⁠⁠⁠⁠ tickets. Discounted tickets and support the podcast… a double win!Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: ⁠https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive⁠Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBandIntro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ . If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠

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  Episode #249

  #249 Conor Meyler // Finding peace and happiness on pitch, through injury and in retirement

  Sep 14, 20261h 45m

  On episode 249 I’m delighted to be joined by former Tyrone footballer and All-Ireland winner Conor Meyler. A key part of Tyrone’s 2021 All-Ireland winning team, Conor enjoyed an outstanding career that also included three Ulster titles, an All-Ireland U21 medal, a Sigerson Cup with St Mary’s and an All-Star award. After a decade at inter-county level, a series of serious injuries ultimately forced him to walk away from the game at just 31. We discuss the reality of retirement when it isn’t entirely your choice, the identity void that can come with leaving elite sport, and the lessons Conor learned about what really drives performance. We explore his shift from chasing physical metrics and working harder to understanding self-awareness, courage, trust and the “invisibles” that create high-performing teams. We also get into the wider player welfare challenges within Gaelic Games, the demands placed on players balancing club, county, college, work and travel, and what needs to change to protect athletes. Conor also shares what comes next — from performance coaching and leadership consultancy to his PhD research — and why “Trust and Faith” has become his guiding mantra for the next chapter. A fascinating conversation about elite performance, injury, identity, leadership, player welfare and finding purpose beyond the game. Find Conor here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conor-meyler https://www.instagram.com/conormeyler/ This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sport Expo Ireland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a brand-new event taking place at the Sport Ireland Campus on April 21st and 22nd, 2027. Designed to connect stakeholders from every corner of the Irish sporting landscape. Attendees will hear from leading voices in sport, take part in interactive workshops and masterclasses, explore the latest developments in elite performance, business and technology. Whether you’re involved in elite performance, grassroots, business, or simply passionate about where Irish sport is heading, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sport Expo Ireland ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is set to become one of the most exciting gatherings on the sporting calendar. To learn more, register your interest, and explore opportunities, visit https://qrco.de/bgrRu3 . Limited time offer use the code SIDELINE15 for a discount off your ⁠⁠⁠⁠@sportexpoireland⁠⁠⁠⁠ tickets. Discounted tickets and support the podcast… a double win! Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠

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  Episode #248

  #248 Aoife Lane // The Missing Half of Sports Science

  Sep 9, 20261 hour

  On episode 248 I am delighted to be joined by Dr Aoife Lane, Head of Sport and Health Sciences at TUS and a leading voice in research around women and girls in sport. What happens when the science behind sport doesn’t adequately account for half of the population? We explore the gender data gap in sports science and why so much of what we know about performance, injury and health has historically been built around male athletes. Aoife shares her perspective on female athlete health, academic research, female mentors in Gaelic games, mide research, female sporting structures and systems, We discuss the importance of creating better research and better support systems for girls as they progress through sport, and why the experiences of young female athletes need to be understood much earlier. We also look at the role of research in shaping coaching and high-performance environments, and how evidence can be translated into practical changes for athletes, coaches and sporting organisations. How do we improve sharing research with those involved in sport rather than remaining inside academic journals? Aoife also reflects on leadership in sport, the importance of female role models and her involvement in the development of women in roles across gaelic games and sports science in Ireland. Finally, we look ahead at where women’s sport needs to go next — and what needs to change in research, education, coaching and high-performance sport to create a more equal playing field. Find Aoife here Email Aoife.Lane@tus.ie https://tus.ie/staff-directory/dr-aoife-lane/ ie.linkedin.com/in/aoife-lane-a6a22b35 This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sport Expo Ireland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , a brand-new event taking place at the Sport Ireland Campus on April 21st and 22nd, 2027. Designed to connect stakeholders from every corner of the Irish sporting landscape. Attendees will hear from leading voices in sport, take part in interactive workshops and masterclasses, explore the latest developments in elite performance, business and technology. Whether you’re involved in elite performance, grassroots, business, or simply passionate about where Irish sport is heading, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sport Expo Ireland ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is set to become one of the most exciting gatherings on the sporting calendar. To learn more, register your interest, and explore opportunities, visit https://qrco.de/bgrRu3 . Limited time offer use the code SIDELINE15 for a discount off your ⁠⁠⁠@sportexpoireland⁠⁠⁠ tickets. Discounted tickets and support the podcast… a double win! Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠

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  Episode #244

  #247 Tommy Drumm // Leadership in sport & business

  Sep 5, 20261h 4m

  On episode 247 I am joined by Dublin’s 1983 All-Ireland winning Captain and player of the year, one of the most respected figures in the history of Dublin Gaelic football Tommy Drumm. His football journey began with Whitehall Colmcilles, and continued through Dublin's underage ranks, including the 1975 All-Ireland Under-21 final, before he established himself as a senior inter-county player. Tommy represented Dublin at senior level from 1976 to 1984, establishing himself as one of the best defenders of his generation and becoming a key member and leader of the famous Dublin teams of the late 1970s and early 1980s. During his inter-county career, Tommy won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championships, five Leinster titles. Four All-Stars, Tommy captained Dublin to their first All-Ireland Senior Football title in six years in 1983 when Dublin defeated Galway with Tommy lifting Sam Maguire as captain. He would return as Dublin captain in 1984, leading the team to another Leinster title and back to the All-Ireland final, before retiring at just 28 to move abroad and focus on his professional career. Away from the football field, Tommy went on to build a very successful career in the construction industry. Drumm became Managing Director of Collen Construction, combining his practical experience in construction and leadership. During our chat Tommy offers a unique perspective on Dublin football — from the legendary teams of the 1970s and 1980s, the dressing room and approach by Kevin Heffernan, captaining Dublin to All-Ireland glory, and the characters and stories behind one of the most memorable eras in GAA history, to leadership, business and finding success in sport and business. This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sport Expo Ireland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , a brand-new event taking place at the Sport Ireland Campus on April 21st and 22nd, 2027. Designed to connect stakeholders from every corner of the Irish sporting landscape. Attendees will hear from leading voices in sport, take part in interactive workshops and masterclasses, explore the latest developments in elite performance, business and technology. Whether you’re involved in elite performance, grassroots, business, or simply passionate about where Irish sport is heading, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sport Expo Ireland ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is set to become one of the most exciting gatherings on the sporting calendar. To learn more, register your interest, and explore opportunities, visit https://qrco.de/bgrRu3 . Limited time offer use the code SIDELINE15 for a discount off your ⁠⁠⁠@sportexpoireland⁠⁠⁠ tickets. Discounted tickets and support the podcast… a double win! Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠

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