Off The Bench

Reframing how they see failure | Supporting kids who are aspiring athletes

June 13, 2021 17:20 - 37 minutes - 34.6 MB

Coach Sally Batley and mum Deirdre Slevin on how best to support outstanding teenage athletes like Ireland’s top gymnast Emma Slevin, especially when they face challenges. Coaches and parents never make the podium but no athlete gets there without great ones. Their relationship is even more important in individual sports so we asked Sally and Deirdre how they make it work.

WNBA star Ruth Bolton on overcoming domestic abuse & Olympic glory

March 08, 2021 06:00 - 37 minutes - 34.5 MB

To celebrate International Women's Day, Off The Bench spoke to the wonderful Ruth Bolton. Ruth overcame many odds to become a WNBA star and Olympic champion but her biggest battle of all was with domestic abuse. Basketball Ireland and the Jr NBA recently launched a four-part ‘Her Time To Play’ documentary series featuring two-time Olympic gold medallist and two-time WNBA All-Star Ruthie Bolton. The topics discussed in this interview coincide with the Social, Personal and Health Education ...

The postponed Six Nations & the future direction of women's rugby

January 27, 2021 18:00 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MB

For the first Off The Bench of 2021, we have a rugby special about postponement of women's Six Nations. Our guest is Alison Donnelly, editor of 'Scrum Queens' and renowned expert on the women's game who juggles that voluntary role with working full-time for Sport England. She argues that separating women's Six Nations from running parallel to the men's could actually be a good thing and the best way to grow it further. Included also is a discussion on how the postponement impacts Ireland's...

Off The Bench: Trailblazing rower Frances Cryan on competing at Moscow 1980

October 28, 2020 00:00 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MB

Cliona Foley speaks to Irish Olympic rower Frances Cryan about her success at Moscow 1980. Frances competed in Russia, where she just missed a place in the single sculls final by 1600th of a second. She was only 20 at the time and actually trained with Steve Redgrave and the Americans in subsequent years yet, despite going to Dublin to get her Olympic uniform in 1984 - she wasn't sent to the Los Angeles Olympics! The decision on Los Angeles was made only six weeks beforehand and made becau...

Connacht Rugby president Ann Heneghan: 'Real women play rugby'

September 23, 2020 16:47 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MB

On Off The Bench this week, Connacht Rugby president Ann Heneghan joins Cliona Foley to discuss her role and her hopes for the province. Heneghan is the first female president of a provincial rugby body, making history in the sport, and Cliona looks into all manner of the sport - it is well worth your time. Download the brand new OTB Sports App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered! Subscribe to Off The Ball's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or...

Rugby player Sorcha MacLaimhin on why her new group 'Mama Loves Sport' is so badly needed

August 20, 2020 14:23 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MB

We are joined this week by rugby player Sorcha MacLaimhin, who tells us why her support group 'Mama Loves Sport' is so badly needed by sporty mums. Sorcha discusses why 'snapping back' - the desire to get back to a pre-pregnancy body shape - is a misplaced pressure on new mothers, and the information vacuum that sporty mums face going back to sport. She also talks about why it is much harder for ordinary mums to get back into sport than professionals like Serena and Jessica Ennis. Is post-...

Athlone Town's Paula Doran on living in the Bible Belt & life in the WNL

August 11, 2020 16:13 - 32 minutes - 29.4 MB

Cliona Foley is joined by Paula Doran of Athlone Town, one of two new teams in the Women's National League (WNL). Athlone Town is the oldest town in League of Ireland, now 133 years old but this is the first season they have had a women's team in the WNL. Paula pent five years playing soccer in America, and is only back in this season. She is one of only 17 players in this year's WNL who took part in inaugural season 10 years ago.

Basketball player Mimi Troy on the death of her mother and racism in Ireland

July 09, 2020 16:26 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MB

Former Killester and Belfast Rockets basketball player Mimi Troy joins Cliona Foley this week on Off The Bench. Mimi went to America on scholarship, but opted not to take a sports one because her mother was diagnosed with cancer just before she left. When she returned in 2016, Mimi's mother took a very bad turn and was particularly bad before the 2017 Cup finals, where Mimi was playing for Belfast Rockets in Division 1. Mimi was literally checking her watch during the final to check if he...

WGPA chairperson Maria Kinsella on return to play

June 23, 2020 17:18 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MB

Off The Bench speaks to WGPA chairperson Maria Kinsella on return to play, as she exclusively reveals 32% of polled players do not want to return to play because of health fears. Cliona Foley discusses a range of topics with Maria, among which: 'Disappointing' engagement with the LGFA The findings of polling of their members Have women's associations missed a trick not attempting to start before men's sport resumes? Potential damage to the women's inter-county game Download the brand ne...

Ireland's Denise O'Sullivan on returning to play and Black Lives Matter in North Carolina - Off The Bench

June 11, 2020 15:12 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MB

On Off The Bench this week, Cliona Foley speaks to Republic of Ireland star Denise O'Sullivan, on the line from North Carolina. Denise will be among the first Irish footballers to return to competition in late June, and is already back in restricted training with the North Carolina Courage. The Courage are the reigning two in-a-row American NWSL champions. The NWSL has scrapped its usual league for 2020 but is running a tournament instead - the NWSL Challenge Cup - and is flying all the te...

Off The Bench: Emma Larkin on 'Izzy's Magical Camogie Adventure'

June 03, 2020 16:18 - 18 minutes - 42.3 MB

Children's author Emma Larkin joined Cliona Foley to chat about her book 'Izzy's Magical Camogie Adventure', which is inspired by her Cork grandmother who won three camogie All-Irelands in a row.

Off The Bench: Rallysprint's Ruth Nugent joins Cliona Foley

May 26, 2020 19:42 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MB

Off The Bench this week is joined by Meathwoman Ruth Nugent, a recent winner of Ireland's Class 2 Rallysprint series! Ruth is also an active mountain biker and BMX rider, despite suffering from Crohn's Disease, and joins Cliona Foley to discuss her career.

Off The Bench: Golfer Leona Maguire on the return of Irish golf

May 18, 2020 17:05 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MB

As Irish golf clubs re-open, Leona Maguire tells Off The Bench about lock-down in Cavan, her ultra-competitive family and how her professional life could change when the LPGA resumes. Subscribe to Off The Ball's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.

Rower Aifric Keogh joins Cliona on Off The Bench

May 12, 2020 18:08 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MB

Irish rower Aifric Keogh (@aifricsk) joined Cliona Foley to discuss her career, her future and how she is coping in lockdown! Subscribe to Off The Ball's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.

Off The Bench panel: Emma Duffy and Aisling O'Reilly in studio

February 28, 2020 13:36 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MB

Off The Bench is back this week with Emma Duffy of The 42 and Newstalk's Aisling O'Reilly. Cliona Foley presents the latest in Off The Bench's panels, where we look at the potential benefits of women's sports going professional and what we can do to improve conditions for teams around the country. We also look at the incredible story of Bellator MMA's Leah McCourt, who took drastic measures to make weight in a Dublin event last week. We look at our Heroes of the Week and ahead to the Six N...

Fair dinkum or not? What Irish players face in the AFLW

February 14, 2020 12:59 - 40 minutes - 23.1 MB

Off The Bench is back with journalist Kate O'Halloran looking at AFLW down under in Australia! With 18 Irish players in the 2020 AFLW we talk to Australian journalist Kate O'Halloran about the tough issues still facing women's 'footy'! Off The Bench is available every fortnight from Off The Ball, where we look at all aspects of women's sport, and would love feedback from all ages and sexes! Get us on @offtheball on Twitter with your comments, or email [email protected]!

LIDL LGFA Panel | Aisling Moloney, Carla Rowe, Lyn Savage

January 05, 2020 19:20 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MB

Tipperary footballer Aishling Moloney, Dublin’s Carla Rowe and LGFA National Development Officer Lyn Savage join Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh in studio for a special panel on Ladies Football. Brought to you by LIDL, supporting the LGFA and the work done at grassroots in Ladies Football. #SeriousSupport

Women in coaching | Fiona McHale and Liam Moggan

January 05, 2020 19:16 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MB

Cliona Foley is joined by former Mayo footballer Fiona McHale, and coaching specialist Liam Moggan, to discuss the emergence of women in coaching. Brought to you by LIDL, supporting the LGFA and the work done at grassroots in Ladies Football #SeriousSupport

Keane and Mageean Unleashed | Sonia O'Sullivan and Kellie Harrington

January 05, 2020 16:14 - 56 minutes - 25.7 MB

In episode 1 of Keane and Mageean Unleashed, Paralympic swimmer and Sky Sports scholar Ellen Keane and Olympic athlete Ciara Mageean begin their countdown to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The pair also chat to 2000 Olympic silver medallist Sonia O’Sullivan and 2018 world boxing champion Kellie Harrington. @LIDL_Ireland #SeriousSupport

New Camogie Rules | What's the story?

December 17, 2019 15:08 - 48 minutes - 44.3 MB

Cliona Foley is joined by Wexford camogie legend Kate Kelly, former GAA president Liam O'Neill and 2013 All-Star Chloe Morey of Clare on Off The Bench to discuss the new camogie rules

Best Xmas present ever! 'She Can' book and Under-Valuing of Women's Sport

November 28, 2019 15:57 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MB

Paul Dollery, instigator of the 'She Can' book joins Cliona Foley and Sue Murphy to discuss concussion, over-hyping and under-analysing of women's sport and why we're selling it far too cheaply.

The Oval Office | Ireland's stars get set for the Autumn Internationals

November 07, 2019 20:42 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MB

Cliona Foley meets Irish rugby stars Nicole Cronin, Anna Caplice and Hannah O'Connor ahead of the Autumn internationals.

Hooked again! Nicci Daly, Sarah Hawkshaw and Lena Tice talk dual talents, religion, Scrabble and karting ahead of huge Olympic hockey qualifier

October 23, 2019 15:07 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MB

Off The Bench host Cliona Foley is joined by Ireland national hockey team members Nicci Daly, Sarah Hawkshaw and Lena Tice as they prepare for their next big target: Getting to the 2020 Olympics. The trio talk dual talents, religion, Scrabble and karting ahead of huge Olympic hockey qualifier on November 2nd and 3rd.

Ploughing Special: Football finals review, Aussie Rules and life on the farm

September 17, 2019 18:15 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MB

Tipperary's Aishling Moloney, Louth's Eimear Murray and Mayo's Sarah Rowe chat to Cliona Foley

Gearing up for Rás Na mBan & why more women aren't on their bikes!

August 31, 2019 12:07 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MB

It's a Ras na mBan special on this week's Off The Bench

Grand Slammin' it - Why Ireland's Georgia Drummy is rising so fast in tennis ranks

August 16, 2019 16:19 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MB

Cliona Foley chats to Georgia Drummy on this week's Off The Bench podcast. She won her her first pro tennis title at the ITF Future Tour event in Portugal

Ireland's World Cup final referee: Michelle O'Neill

August 02, 2019 13:58 - 1 hour - 56.7 MB

Ireland's referee from the Women's World Cup final - Michelle O'Neill - joined Cliona Foley to talk about her experiences at the sport's showpiece event. You can also watch the full interview on on our YouTube channel here.

"They're a knockout!" Three of Ireland's rising boxing stars on why they're now packing such a big punch

July 31, 2019 16:43 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MB

Off The Bench's Cliona Foley is joined by Irish elite boxing team members Grainne Walsh, Aoife O'Rourke and Michaela Walsh. They discussed their success at the European Games.

FIFA Women's World Cup: USA celebrations, Charlie Hebdo cartoon and Afghanistan Case

June 19, 2019 15:34 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MB

Cliona Foley, Marie Crowe and Sue Murphy discuss the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup as the group stage wraps up. The full podcast will also be available to watch on YouTube.

The Bumper Women's World Cup Preview

June 07, 2019 18:27 - 1 hour - 28.2 MB

Cliona Foley is joined by ex-Ireland midfielder Ruth Fahey and current Ireland and Wexford striker Rianna Jarrett to preview the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup team by team

Off The Bench | The Susan Moran Interview |

May 16, 2019 13:48 - 1 hour - 56.4 MB

The latest Off the Bench episode is an exclusive interview with Tullamore native Susan Moran - the only Irish woman to ever play in the women's NBA.

Making A Raquet | Absolute gold with Squash player Orla Doherty

April 23, 2019 15:16 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MB

Off The Bench host Cliona Foley chats to squash player Orla Doherty about her Masters mission, being bi-polar and playing Electric Picnic

Railway Union RFC: Why one club wants a seat at Rugby's top table

April 12, 2019 19:24 - 44 minutes - 20.2 MB

Why one club wants a seat at Rugby's top table! When is an AIL Rugby team not 'senior? When they're female! Railway Union RFC Chairperson Shirley Corcoran explains the situation to Cliona Foley on Off The Bench.

Record crowds, rows and the maddening case of Tayla Harris

March 29, 2019 17:43 - 1 hour - 21.8 MB

Cliona Foley is joined on Off The Bench by Maria Crowe and Sinead Farrell to discuss the latest stories and issues in women's sport. Topics include record crowds in women's soccer match and the case of Tayla Harris.

Off The Bench | Emma Hayes, and who's to blame for so few women coaches?

March 07, 2019 18:41 - 52 minutes - 48.3 MB

Off The Bench host Cliona Foley is joined by Rowing Ireland CEO Michelle Carpenter and Basketball Ireland Elite Performance Committee member Suzanne Maguire to discuss the issue of women in coaching Cliona also speaks to Chelsea Ladies senior head coach Emma Hayes You can find the interview with Emma Hayes at the 27:00 mark

Episodes