Indo GAA · Irish Independent

Pat Spillane | 'Jim Gavin would make a great Taoiseach' | Jack O'Connor's shot at history | The Cliffords' latest divine intervention

·36 min·3 clips

Pat Spillane breaks down David Clifford's stunning chip goal, revealing why only a great player could execute it.

Pat Spillane joins Michael Verney to review the current club football championships and discuss broader GAA topics. Spillane, a Kerry football legend and longtime analyst, shares his passionate views on the state of the game. The conversation covers standout club performances, Kerry's management future, and a surprising political nomination. Spillane highlights the high quality of the Kerry Club Championship, citing Ratmore's win over Austin Stacks and Milltown beating Dingle as major shocks. He praises individual performances like David Clifford's lobbed goal for Fossa and Paul Geaney's six-point cameo for Dingle. Spillane notes the Clifford brothers are drawing huge crowds and streaming numbers for club games. He argues club football deserves a national highlights show to reach a wider audience, similar to how Bundesliga matches are shown on YouTube. Spillane states the new playing rules have been successfully adopted by club players and referees, leading to less on-field dissent. He lists inter-county stars like Paul Mannion, Shane Walsh, and Rian O'Neill excelling under these rules in their club championships. Spillane recalls his own 1970s club success with Thomond College, a team coached by innovative soccer-style manager Dave Weldrick. He confirms Jack O'Connor has signed for two more years as Kerry manager, aiming for back-to-back All-Irelands and a 40th title. Spillane believes O'Connor is calmer and a better delegator now, with a backroom team including James Costello and Paddy McCarthy. He speculates Kieran Donaghy could be a fit as a forwards coach for Galway, a team he views as underachieving. Spillane is baffled by Jim Gavin's nomination for the Irish presidency, calling it a waste of a "doer" who would make a better Taoiseach or minister. He credits Gavin's role in unanimously passing the new GAA playing rules by bringing big names like Éamonn Fitzmaurice and Michael Murphy into the process. The tone is enthusiastic and conversational, filled with personal anecdotes and strong opinions from Spillane. The style is informal analysis between two knowledgeable GAA media figures, blending club match review with managerial and political speculation. This episode is perfect for GAA fans craving detailed club football discussion and insider managerial gossip during the off-season. Listeners with no interest in club Gaelic games or Irish sports politics might find the niche focus less engaging.

As heard by us

A blunt, grounded case for the club game, with a few rough edges.

Michael Verney gives Pat Spillane plenty of room to work through a familiar argument. Spillane says he is back after a couple of weeks off, refreshed and ready to go, and he stays fixed on the split season, which keeps county football and hurling out of sight for too long.

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Why you'd press play

For when you want Pat Spillane on an Irish Independent podcast about the club game, split season, and the club-versus-county tension.

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