Plunkett McCallan - Oz and the magic of the O'Neill Cup.

Towering goalkeeper 'Big Oz' from Carrickmore reflects on two decades of championship football.

On the week of the Tyrone senior club final, 'Oz' (nicknamed after Oz in the hit 1980's TV comedy series Auf Wiedersehan, Pet) reflects on a career that saw him win six O'Neill Cup medals. It is a record held by over a dozen players, however no-one has played in as many finals, as over 20 years he played in 14 in all, with those six wins, six defeats and two replays.

He suggests that records are for statisticians and journalists as it is a team game and not about individual awards.

He recalls his time living in Coalisland and jokes that for all of 30 seconds he considered transferring to the Fianna.

He also remembers the glory days and disappointments and pays tribute to his team-mates, coaches and the many opponents he did battle with down the years, not least Errigal Ciaran who shared 12 O'Neill Cup wins with Carmen between 1993 and 2005.

Oz believes there is nothing better than the Tyrone knock-out championship format.

With a pre-match routine of a cigarette and tin of Red Bull, he went on to lose three finals in the last years of his career and regrets he did not get on the winning rostrum with the whole new squad of players.

During a suspension, after a league schemozzle, he played rugby with Dungannon and while it was a hugely enjoyable experience, his heart was always with Gaelic football.

These days, much more reflective, he doesn't get too excited although watching his sons Jack follow him into goals and Paddy further out the field was a nerve-wrecking experience.

A most wholesome Podcast with Plunkett McCallan who says any team that reaches an O'Neill Cup final deserves credit. They're not easy won in Tyrone.

Ádh Mór to Loughmacrory and Trillick in Sunday's final.

Aisling Hagan (Corr) - Class is permanent.

For over 25 years camogie star Aisling Hagan, formerly Corr, has graced the fields with her sublime skills.
Previously Tyrone Young Player and Senior Player of the Year, she has won awards for club, college, county, province and representing Ireland, as well as a winning summer in Chicago.
Aisling recalls the inspiration from her father Tommy, a boxing Olympian, and her mother Margaret a distinguished camóg who introduced her to the sliotar and camán (ball and hurl).
Lack of numbers at Derrytresk meant Aisling and her team-mates had to move to the Derrylaughan club.
She got the call-up for Tyrone when she was just 16 and went on to captain her county.
After an eight year break, and marriage to Petie Hagan from Kildress and three children later, this year she lined out for Tyrone again.
Which club will her three boys hurl for?!
She talks about the highs and lows of victory and defeat and a special day at The Washingbay when Kevin Barry's were crowned Ulster champions, going on to reach the All Ireland final.
There were also trips to Scotland, albeit once in a freezing bus, when she was selected to play for Ireland in a Shinty series. Again, 15 years later her recent performances have led to another call-up for Shinty trials.
Two weeks ago however, Derrylaughan lost in a county final and the disappointment was as profound as ever.
Irish dancing was another passion which also brought medals on the biggest stage, at All Ireland level.
Aisling's passion for camogie has never dimmed, last year's Club Player of the Year, she would love to see her beloved game attract more players and spectators.
This a lovely podcast with Production Manager Oliver delighted to welcome his niece and God-daughter!
For Aisling Hagan, playing camogie has been a wonderful journey... and it's not over yet!..

Patsy Grant - changed times.
He may not have a television or be glued to social media but Patsy Grant is well tuned into the ways of a constantly changing world.

His father Paddy fixed clocks and Father Time catches up with us all.
An artisan, Patsy has a great talent for stone sculpturing, painting and writing.

He recalls simpler times when Coalisland had a railway station and enjoying a wonderful journey by train with his mother to Cookstown.
He has fond memories of been given free rein to write stories in Primary School, his imagination fired often including local characters.
He also spent three teenage years in Belfast often running messages for the Christian Brothers and aul lads he met on the way along the Falls Road.

It was in Manchester his passion for stone carving began when seeing the fascinating gargoyles and other figure heads on ancient buildings.

He also produced incredible art work, including Irish mythology and historical figures, on banners for protests during the 1981 Hunger Strike and recalls the snake-carved walking stick he carved and gifted to Bernadette McAliskey - a story told in her TwoMacs Podcast.

So much has changed and gone, including the huge Chestnut tree on Kettle Lane in Brackaville and industries in Coalisland, while Patsy's beloved 'Garden of Tranquillity' that once drew many visitors and TV cameras, has become overgrown... "a bit like myself" he says.

He feels a connection with Ireland's past and the slaughter and forced starvation of a population in Gaza, while the demise of Lough Neagh also weighs heavily. In his poetry he expresses angst and anger as well as humour. His writing brings relief and expression... and it's excellent.. much better than he gives himself credit for!

He also has words of sympathy and kindness for a dear friend who tragically lost his son.

This is a wonderful podcast as Patsy looks back on his life and talks about nature, change, troubled times and hope.

Vinny O'Donnell - The making of the acclaimed 1986 'Up Tyrone' cassette.

When Kevin McCabe struck a penalty to the net to take Tyrone to their first All Ireland final in 1986, the county rejoiced while musicians Vinny O'Donnell and Joe McCurry quickly penned a song, 'Come on Tyrone', that has become the theme tune of All Ireland appearances. Literally overnight, they also put together a cassette packed with Tyrone themed songs, that was snapped up by supporters locally and overseas.
Vinny talks about the making of the cassette and how 36 years later, in 2021, the timeless song was still being played when Joe's son Darren ('Dazzler') was one of the stars of All Ireland final glory.
He also recalls the great contribution of Coalisland singer/songwriter, the late Dessie Symington, who also hastily wrote the Tribute to Frank McGuigan and sang the Ballad of Iggy Jones (written by Seamus McKeown) for the cassette.
During the podcast it becomes apparent Ronan Mac's hero was McGuigan, known as 'The King', while Vinny had a huge admiration for 'Wee Iggy Jones'.
There are memories and music shared with tributes to our great players, songwriters and musicians.
Vinny also recalls, with great fondness, balladeer John Mitchell who passed away in 2022, and his song 'My Hearts in Dungannon', also on the cassette, that was played as his remains were borne from St Patrick’s Church after his Requiem Mass.
A wonderful podcast with Dungannon man Vinny O'Donnell whose love for music, football and his hometown and county has never dimmed. Enjoy this mix of conversation and nostalgic songs.
Clarification: The song titled 'The King' performed on the cassette by Carmel McKenna is a tribute to country singing legend the late Brian Coll.
* The full version of 'Here's to Dennis Taylor' can be heard at the conclusion of Podcast 41 with Pearse Kelly

Nick Griggs - a running sensation
Since hitting the running tracks just seven years ago, Nick Griggs' performances have been nothing short of sensational.
At 16, he had the athletics' world sit up and take notice when he won the European Under 20 crown at 3,000 metres.
Since then the 20-year-old Newmills lad has broken a host of middle distance records, has the best time ever for a park-run and is the third youngest male to run a sub-four minute mile.
He has created huge local and national excitement consistently being on the winning podium for Ireland in individual and team events. He also qualified for the World senior championship at just 18 lining up against greats of the calibre of Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
An unassuming star, Nick talks about his journey through school, the support of his parents Andy and Royanne, his late brother Josh RIP and the coaches who have helped him along the way. He recalls the European title just weeks after the tragic passing of Josh, at just 19 years, and how his running success helped bring comfort to him and his family in their profound grief.
Nick also has fond memories of playing Gaelic football at Brackaville Owen Roes club before going on the journey that has brought him a professional athletic contract.
He gives a great insight to the life of an elite athlete, however there has also been the disappointment of missing out on the last Olympic games and recent injury set-back, which thankfully is behind him. He enjoys a bit of downtime too!
He will be volunteering at the annual Camp Joshua in memory of his brother and Joshua Green (22), a young soccer player from Dungannon, who also sadly passed at a very young age. It is a wonderful initiative bringing together hundreds of children from across the community, to participate in sports and crafts and have a lot of fun at Brackaville GAA ground.
Nick is an inspiring young man with the goal of being an Olympian. No doubt he has the talent and dedication to make his dreams come through!

Hurling As Poetry
In days gone by, a wise old poetry-loving Kiltegan priest told Martin Mac that hurling is the poetry of Gaelic sport. He spoke of the sheer grace and beauty of the game when it is played well, it's hallowed history that dates back to antiquity and of the legendary players,
Ring, Doyle, Nicky English, Joe Canning..
featured in hurling's ever growing Hall of Fame. Now Martin knows little about hurling but is a confessed reader of poetry. After a chat with Ronan, who'd yet to come down off the high he got from attending this year's hurling final, the idea for this podcast was born.
The two Macs are not lukewarm guys. Once they have an interest in something, they are all in. This passion for their particular subject is on display in the discussion that follows. Ronan recounts not only tales of incredible games he witnessed, but reveals his reverential love for this unique game that only seems to deepen with every passing year.
Martin begins with a bawdy limerick that has rthymn and rhyme but not an ounce of poetry. From there the only way is up as he contends that both hurling and poetry nourish the human spirit. It's simply a matter of having the eyes to see and ears to hear.
As one would expect from the TwoMacs, the discussion is spirited and humorous but it would also make you think.

Niall Hanna: Portrait of an Artist
Martin Mac returns to talk to Niall Hanna, the singer/songwriter from Derrytresk, a friend in more ways than one; since renowned singer Geordie Hanna was both Martin's uncle and Niall's grandfather.
Niall tells how he grew up listening to recordings of his grandfather's songs and learning to play trad music. But in his teenage years he discovered Pink Floyd and the electric guitar. Later he joined an indie band and composed some songs whose titles he now chooses to forget. Eventually he returned to Irish traditional music and song.
This podcast features three original songs written by Niall and taken from his latest CD The Roving Journeyman. Niall teaches at St Patrick's Primary school, Annaghmore, and the idea for the first song we hear - "The Collier McQuaid" - came while teaching P7 students about coal mining in Coalisland.
From local history, we move to an extraordinary historical event played out on the international stage. No stranger to trad music, Oliver Corr adds much to the conversation. Martin reads a short extract from A Portrait of the Artist As A Young Man by James Joyce, which prompts a re-evaluation of the term "come-all-you". Joyce's novel also gave us the title for the podcast. So, do yourself a favour and spend some time in the company of a truly gifted and engaging artist.

Feargal McCrory - From Brackaville to Brooklyn following a dream.
Fearless Feargal McCrory has made huge physical and emotional sacrifices in his quest to win a World boxing title. That mission continued after last year's title challenge defeat, when the fight was stopped, leaving him hugely frustrated as he felt he had the answers to carry on.
Feargal recalls the sounds and the smell and the huge blue punch bag, when his father Anthony, a decent boxer, took him to the boxing club when he was just six.
To focus on a serious boxing career, he had to let go Gaelic football and he pays tribute to Paudie Hampsey who boxed in the club but gave his lot to football and an epic Tyrone career.
Feargal trained under John Breen and Eamonn McGee in Belfast before taking his dream to a top gym in Brooklyn.
While Ronan Mac seems starstruck with Madison Square Garden and the sights of New York, Feargal explains his focus is always on the fight. There are tough days too away from his young family for lengthy periods, missing his grandfather's funeral and children's birthdays as well as a lockdown cancellation and an injury setback.
The Garden has rocked as Irish fans from home and across America make up his huge support, including his friend actor Barry Keoghan of Banshees of Inisherin fame.
World title defeat last year to Lamont Roach Jnr was crushing. The bid for ultimate glory goes on.
These days Feargal is at home training furiously. There will be a fight soon, perhaps in New York or even in Tyrone!
Wherever the journey goes next, Fearless Feargal will give everything. A podcast from the heart from a devoted family man and truly dedicated fighter!