Arena with Maurice Brosnan

Irish Examiner

Award‑winning Irish Examiner journalist Maurice Brosnan cuts through the noise with sharp analysis, expert reporting and unmissable conversations. This essential new Irish sports podcast goes inside the biggest stories, the hottest debates and the voices shaping sport today.

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23 episodes
weekly
Avg 35 min
English

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#26
Wednesday · 46 min
Arena with Maurice Brosnan: What will the legacy of Trump’s Irish Open be?
On this week’s Arena, a weekly podcast from the Irish Examiner, Maurice Brosnan is joined by Brendan O’Brien at Doonbeg’s Trump International ahead of the Amgen Irish Open. The lads discuss the atmosphere at the tournament and what this week means for Irish golf. It’s been a busy buildup as we learned about Rory McIlroy’s role in securing this venue, Shane Lowry’s psychological state after some recent tough outings and Pádraig Harrington’s unrelenting enthusiasm. To get in touch with Maurice, email Maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie You can read Brendan’s column here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#25
September 2 · 26 min
Arena: Andy Moran, Eddie Jones and mastering the media
On this week's episode of Arena, the weekly podcast from the Irish Examiner, Maurice Brosnan is joined by Tim Percival, author of On the Record & On the Ball: How Elite Coaches Master the Media. The lads discuss Tim’s book and the lessons it offers for coaches and journalists alike. They reflect on how figures like Andy Moran and Eddie Jones have leveraged the media to their advantage and explore what the new age of media means for everyone concerned. You can get in touch with Maurice at Maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#24
August 26 · 43 min
Arena: Well-coached teams, Cian O’Neill to Cork, two-point defence
On this week's episode of Arena, the weekly podcast from the Irish Examiner, Maurice Brosnan is joined by Ballincollig basketball coach Ciarán O'Sullivan. The lads discuss Charleville manager Dominic Foley’s recent comments in which he called on the Cork County Board to “wake up” and ensure they retain the county’s top coaching talent. But what actually makes a team well-coached? Is being well-drilled always a good thing? What separates good coaching from simply having good players? They also discuss Cian O’Neill’s move to the Cork hurlers and examine how the two-pointer has impacted Gaelic football so far. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#23
August 19 · 52 min
Arena: Wright Thompson on McGregor backlash, being there and the future of sports writing
On this week's episode of Arena, the weekly podcast from the Irish Examiner, Maurice Brosnan is joined by award-winning ESPN senior writer Wright Thompson. The lads discuss the uncertain state of sports journalism, why it is important to separate the business behind the industry from the craft itself and what great sports writing can still offer in a rapidly changing media landscape. Wright recalls the extraordinary reaction to his infamous 2017 profile of Conor McGregor, explains why being there still matters and discusses how long a profile really takes. To get in touch with Maurice, email Maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie. You can read Wright’s Steve Kerr profile here: The Warrior Still Remains Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#22
July 30 · 34 min
Arena with Maurice Brosnan: How to get the most out of performance analysis
On this week's episode of Arena, the weekly podcast from the Irish Examiner, Maurice Brosnan is joined by Denise Martin, a leading member of the Gaelic Games Performance Analysis sub-group. A lecturer in Sports Performance Analysis at ATU Galway, Martin explains how performance analysis actually matters. She discusses the biggest mistakes coaches make, how to run team meetings that actually engage players and what to do when players switch off or struggle to understand the message. The pair also explore practical ways to improve feedback, structure effective review sessions and how the ACE model can help coaches communicate more effectively. To get in touch with Maurice, email maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie. The Gaelic Games Performance Analysis Guide for Good Practice is available here. . The Games Intelligence Unit final report of 2025 is available here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#21
July 22 · 36 min
Arena with Maurice Brosnan: Irish rivalries, the state of Irish athletics, and what's going on with Adeleke?
This week, sports journalist Cathal Dennehy joins Maurice Brosnan to preview the National Senior Track and Field Championships at Morton Stadium and assess the current state of Irish athletics. The lads discuss the potential blockbuster clashes on the track, the Irish rivalries that are developing and what to look out for this weekend. They also examine the challenges Rhasidat Adeleke has faced since the 2024 Olympics after her candid Instagram post last week, in which she opened up about her struggles with injury and confidence. Arena is a weekly podcast from the Irish Examiner. You can get in touch with Maurice at maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie. The article the lads discussed is available here: The Irish running rivalry fuelled by hate: 'I needed that f****** resentment and bitterness. I love it. I get off on it' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#20
July 16 · 31 min
Arena with Maurice Brosnan: England's cowardice, media rage, and a blockbuster final
On this week's extra episode of Arena, the weekly sports podcast from the Irish Examiner, Maurice Brosnan is joined by Joe Callaghan, who was at Atlanta Stadium to witness Argentina's remarkable victory over England. The pair break down both semi-finals, discuss what stood out to Joe from inside the stadium and examine the reaction to England's defeat. They also look ahead to a blockbuster final, asking whether the tournament's two best teams have made it to the showpiece. You can read Joe's reports here and here. To get in touch with Maurice, email maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#19
July 16 · 23 min
Arena with Maurice Brosnan: Can the GAA become a global sport?
On this week's episode of Arena, the weekly podcast from the Irish Examiner, Maurice Brosnan is joined by Kevin Conlan from Seoul Gaels to discuss the GAA abroad and this week’s World Games. Hundreds of players from across the world are in Waterford this week as part of the GAA World Games competition. Over 100 teams are taking part, with over 30 countries represented. It is being held for the fifth time and is now a triennial event. The lads discuss how the GAA could grow abroad and whether it needs to. They also examine the challenge of creating training sessions that work for everyone, from former intercounty stars to complete beginners, as well as why the social side of the GAA is often just as important as the sport itself. To get in touch with Maurice, email maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#18
July 8 · 42 min
Arena with Maurice Brosnan: Where do Cork go from here?
On this week's episode of Arena, the weekly podcast from the Irish Examiner, Maurice Brosnan is joined by columnist Kieran Shannon to examine Cork's All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Galway and what comes next. Kieran's analysis this week argued that Cork's performance exposed technical, tactical and mental shortcomings and that the county now needs a comprehensive forensic review, one that, in his view, should have taken place after last year's All-Ireland final defeat. So where do Cork go from here? How should the management team respond? What changes are needed within the coaching setup? And how will the players regroup ahead of next season? To get in touch with Maurice, email maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#17
July 2 · 41 min
Arena with Maurice Brosnan: Are England broken? Supporter colour and who gets in
A bonus episode. We're joined by Joe Callaghan from Texas to discuss the World Cup so far, England's unconvincing performances, the supporters on the ground and the enduring fascination with Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro. You can read Joe's article, which we discuss during the episode, here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#16
July 1 · 21 min
Arena with Maurice Brosnan: A seismic month for Irish boxing. What's next for the sport?
On this week's episode of Arena, the Irish Examiner podcast, Maurice is joined by Monaghan boxer Aaron McKenna. McKenna has the chance to become Ireland's newest world champion when he takes on Italy's Etinosa Oliha at Zuffa Boxing 10 in Dublin's 3Arena on August 8, live on Sky Sports. With three blockbuster cards coming to Dublin across August and September, Irish boxing is preparing for one of its biggest periods in recent memory. But beyond the action in the ring, the sport itself is undergoing major change. The lads discuss Aaron's world title opportunity, the resurgence of Irish boxing and the shifting landscape of the professional game, from rival promoters to the influence of Saudi investment. What does it all mean for boxing's future? Get in touch with Maurice at maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#15
June 24 · 26 min
Arena with Maurice Brosnan: Why does sport matter?
On this week's episode of Arena, the Irish Examiner podcast, Maurice is joined by Paul Rouse, professor of history at University College Dublin. Together, they discuss why sport matters, why we care so deeply about it, and how its place in society has evolved over time. What purpose does sport serve in the modern world? Why should the government invest in it? And what sporting events still sit on their bucket lists? Arena, from the Irish Examiner, is a weekly feature-style reflection on Irish sport. Listen for free on the Irish Examiner website or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with Maurice at Maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie. You can read Paul’s most recent column here: This is a wonderful article on what sport can do to us, by the great Keith Duggan. Another article that is well worth revisiting. It's hard to say what makes it so brilliant. Shea Serrano on his dad and basketball legend Tim Duncan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#14
June 17 · 21 min
Arena with Maurice Brosnan: Messi, Haaland and Mbappé ignite the World Cup.
Arena: Arena is the weekly sports podcast from the Irish Examiner. On this week's episode, sportswriter Joe Callaghan joins the show fresh from MetLife Stadium, where he witnessed France's victory over Senegal. Joe and Maurice discuss France's impressive start to the tournament, the evolving style of play on display and the atmosphere on the ground. What impact have the Tartan Army had so far? How would it have felt if Ireland were there? They also examine the early performances of the tournament's biggest stars and what we can read into results so far. Get in touch with Maurice at maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie. You can follow Joe's World Cup coverage on X at @JoeCallaghan84. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#13
June 10 · 44 min
Arena: What will be the legacy of this World Cup?
On this week's episode of Arena, we are joined by sportswriter Joe Callaghan, who is in Canada ahead of their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup this Friday. 104 matches, 48 teams and 16 host cities, what does a successful tournament look like, both on and off the pitch? Joe joins Maurice and the team to discuss the atmosphere on the ground and whether the controversies that have surrounded the tournament in recent months will affect its reception. He also provides a detailed breakdown of Fifa's approach to this expanded World Cup, from soaring ticket prices to political concerns. On the field, they discuss the teams capable of springing a surprise, the tactical trends that could define the tournament and what the World Cup means to them. Arena is a weekly podcast from the Irish Examiner. Get in touch with Maurice at Maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie. You can follow Joe's World Cup coverage on X at @JoeCallaghan84. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#12
June 3 · 47 min
Arena: NBA finals, basketball’s influence on other sports, coaching in the future
This week on Arena, we preview the NBA finals and talk about how basketball is influencing other sports with Ballincollig coach Ciaran O’Sullivan. Ciaran was recently awarded coach of the year after a super season where Ballincollig won the National Cup and Super League title. They discuss how the NBA finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs should have something for everyone, how to defend the 7-foot-4 alien that is Victor Wembanyama and the coaching concepts likely to shape the series. The conversation also delves into the challenges of coaching modern athletes and the importance of effective communication. How does a coach deal with the constant tension between idealism and pragmatism in high-performance sport? Arena, from the Irish Examiner, is a weekly feature-style reflection on Irish sport. Listen free on the Irish Examiner website or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read some of Ciaran’s recent columns here: Ciarán O'Sullivan on coaching: Sport thrives in turbulence, where problems solve themselves through movement Coaching's quiet theft: every time we name the threat, we pickpocket tomorrow's intuition Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#10
May 27 · 30 min
Arena with Maurice Brosnan: How the two-pointer is changing Gaelic football
On this week’s show, we’re joined by Galway footballer Robert Finnerty, Kildare Sports Performance coach Neil Welch, and Monaghan Sports Performance coach Paul Talty to discuss how the two-pointer has changed Gaelic football. What has the two-pointer done to the way teams attack or defend? How will it evolve? Can Rob kick a two-pointer with his right foot? We answer these questions and more during a roundtable discussion. Arena, from the Irish Examiner, is a weekly feature-style reflection on Irish sport. Listen for free on the Irish Examiner website or wherever you get your podcasts. The lads were talking on behalf of RYPT, the official player management software partner of the GAA. RYPT is an Irish athletic development platform built to solve the problems sports coaches experience on a daily basis. Its user base includes All-Ireland Champions Kerry GAA, Munster Rugby, Kilkenny GAA, Shelbourne FC and many more. From June 2026, coaches and players can sign up to RYPT and access the Two Point Club training programme via the RYPT library, developed by intercounty performance coaches to help athletes build the physical qualities needed to score two pointers. Get in touch with Maurice on Maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#9
May 20 · 38 min
Arena with Maurice Brosnan: Inside Irish AFL scouting and the prospect of an AFLW team
This week on Arena, we explore the growing influence of Irish players in the AFLW and ask whether the rise of Irish talent could one day lead to an Irish-based AFLW team. From the league’s early years, when Irish women helped fill a relatively shallow talent pool, to today’s competition where they are among the standout performers in a fully professional environment, the Irish impact on the AFLW has been remarkable. Talent ID and skills coach Mike Currane joins the podcast to discuss the future of Irish players Down Under, why they have adapted so successfully to the game and what their success means for the GAA and LGFA at home. Arena, from the Irish Examiner, is a weekly feature-style reflection on Irish sport. Listen free on the Irish Examiner website or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#8
May 13 · 32 min
Arena with Maurice Brosnan: Has this been a good season for Irish rugby?
On this week’s episode, we are joined by Leinster Schools Head Coach, MSc Sports Performance Analysis lecturer, and The Currency columnist Brett Igoe to preview the final round of the United Rugby Championship regular season and assess the current state of Irish rugby. Maurice and Brett discuss Ireland’s depth chart, Leinster’s Champions Cup ambitions, Munster’s ongoing issues, the job Stuart Lancaster is doing at Connacht, and the next step for Ulster under Richie Murphy. Arena, a new podcast from the Irish Examiner, offers weekly deep dives into Irish sport. Listen for free on the Irish Examiner website or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with Maurice at maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie Follow Brett on X @brettruganalyst. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#7
May 6 · 51 min
Arena with Maurice Brosnan: RTÉ Head of Sport Declan McBennett on GAA TV rights, Champions League coverage and punditry
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by RTÉ Head of Sport Declan McBennett to discuss the recent announcement that the broadcaster will remain in the Irish market for Champions League coverage. He explains why free-to-air television remains vital for sport, how decisions are made around which events are broadcast, and the challenges of balancing audience demand with commercial realities. We also examine RTÉ’s coverage of Gaelic games, including a defence of its punditry and the role analysis plays in shaping the viewing experience. Finally, we look to the future of live sport: should the priority be the in-stadium experience or the needs of the television audience? Arena, a new podcast from the Irish Examiner, offers weekly deep dives into Irish sport. Listen for free on the Irish Examiner website or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with Maurice at maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#6
April 29 · 46 min
Arena with Maurice Brosnan: Ryder Cup ticket prices and the modern fan’s dilemma
This week, we’re joined by Colin Sheridan to talk about the price of tickets for the Ryder Cup and other big sporting events currently. Ryder Cup tickets made exclusively available to Irish fans, priced at €499 each, sold out in under an hour last Friday, while practice day (€89) and weekly tickets (€1,999) sold out in under four hours. Colin explores the evolving relationship between fans and elite sporting events. As prices continue to rise, what alternatives exist for supporters who are priced out? And what does this shift mean for a younger generation’s connection to live sport? Arena, a new podcast from the Irish Examiner, offers weekly deep dives into Irish sport. Listen for free on the Irish Examiner website or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with Maurice on maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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