Indo GAA · Irish Independent

Mullane's Monday club memories | The All-Star Late Late party | Loughrea All-Ireland favourites?

·52 min·4 clips

John Mullane reveals why provincial club runs create unforgettable memories and shorten the winter.

This episode of the Indo GAA podcast features host Michael Verney and former Waterford hurler John 'Mull' Mullane. They discuss the club hurling championships and share personal stories from their careers. Mullane reflects on his recent departure from managing the Cushinstown hurlers after a quarter-final loss to Monageer. He recounts the magical 2008 season with De La Salle, winning a county title as underdogs and their subsequent Munster club run. Mullane describes beating Cork's Sarsfields in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and a dramatic All-Ireland semi-final victory over Adare. He emphasizes the unique camaraderie of provincial runs, including bus trips and post-match celebrations in places like Norris's Corner. A standout memory is the "Monday club" after the 2008 county final, a day-long celebration he compares to the atmosphere in Ibiza. The conversation analyzes the current All-Ireland club hurling landscape, noting Loughrea are already semi-finalists. Mullane previews the Munster clashes, favoring Ballygunner over Sarsfields and Loughmore-Castleiney over Éire Óg. He predicts a potential Ballygunner versus Loughmore-Castleiney Munster final and names Loughrea as his overall All-Ireland favorite due to their simpler path. The hosts also discuss the upcoming All-Star awards, with Mullane sharing anecdotes from past ceremonies at the Citywest Hotel. He recalls a memorable night in 2010 chatting with comedian Patrick Kielty until the early hours. Mullane tells a humorous story about a teammate, Chad, whose suitcase was filled with newspaper instead of clothes before an All-Star trip to Buenos Aires. He reflects on the value of All-Star nominations and the bonding trips with journalists and rival players. On the 2024 awards, he picks Tipperary's Robert Doyle for Young Hurler of the Year and John McGrath for Hurler of the Year. The episode concludes with tributes to recently retired legends Declan Hannon and Patrick Horgan, acknowledging their iconic status. The tone is informal and nostalgic, blending analysis with personal recollection and humor. Listeners who enjoy insider GAA banter, club hurling insights, and stories from retired stars will appreciate this episode. Those seeking only hard news or tactical breakdowns might find it too anecdotal.

As heard by us

A club-room GAA chat that backs Loughrea, weighs All-Star value, and keeps memory and opinion in play.

Indo GAA sits between club memory and championship argument, and that is where this episode is strongest. Michael Verney and John pick up after a long gap and move into the All-Ireland Club picture, with Loughrea backed because the road ahead looks a little easier and the final…

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Why you'd press play

For an IndoGA club-GAA chat on Loughrea, All-Star nominations, and a few old Citywest memories.

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