The Hard Shoulder

Off The Ball's Ger Gilroy joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the level of immigration to Ireland has been too high in recent years. He made these comments on a visit to the US last week when speaking to the University of Notre Dame’s college newspaper The Observer.He joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live earlier and doubled down on his comments. Kieran is joined by David Quinn, Sunday Independent Columnist and People Before Profit TD, Brid Smith to discuss.

Actress Dame Maggie Smith, best known for the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey has died aged 89. Newstalk’s Henry McKean got reaction from her fans young and old, and Kieran is joined by actor Stephen Rea and television Producer Bill Hughes to discuss the legacy she leaves behind.

Newstalk’s Simon Tierney has been writing about the bike shed, but not for the reasons you would think. He believes that the outrage against the cost of the bike shed shows we do not tolerate spending on sustainable transport.He joins Kieran, as well as Brendan Ogle, Social Commentator, Trade Unionist and Activist to discuss.

For a news update from the United States, Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Jeff Kuhner.The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston is hosted by Jeffrey T. Kuhner, "Liberalism's Worst Nightmare," he is a conservative nationalist, who champions God, country and family.They discuss the rumour that Joe Biden could step down as President before the election takes place in November. Would this help or hurt Kamala Harris?Image: Reuters

There has been a rise in new Covid cases due to the new strain: XEC.Is this something to be concerned with? And how infectious is this strain?Jack Lambert, Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases at UCD School of Medicine, joins Kieran to discuss.

New legislation is being briefed to cabinet today regarding the banning of XL bullies.The proposed ban which will come into effect next Tuesday will ban the sale, breeding and importation of the breed and then on February 1st, 2025, it will be illegal to own a XL bully unless the owner has a Certificate of Exemption.Joining Kieran to discuss the rationale of the ban further is the person heading the ban, Heather Humphreys, Minister for Social Protection and Rural & Community Development as well as Marie Hannon, founder of Dogs in Distress.

Many of us probably have fond memories of playing conkers when we were younger, but Chris Emmel, the organiser of Conkerthon, a UK conker tournament, and member of the ‘Active in Redbourn’ community group, decided that he wanted to continue playing conkers into adulthood. However, due to a bad harvest, many are accusing the tournament of tampering with the conkers!Chris joins Kieran to explain more.

You might have heard yesterday that Labour MEP Aodhain O’Riordain wants the Irish Labour party to lead the push for reversing Brexit.Stanley Johnson, Author, former MEP  and Environmental Campaigner is not opposed to this idea, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Loneliness is becoming a bit of a theme on the show this week. Listener John spoke about his personal story, and then yesterday a potential Ministry of Loneliness with Senator Pauline O’Reilly was discussed.Today, Kieran is joined by former Mayo footballer David Brady, who gave his number out during the pandemic to anyone who felt lonely and needed a chat.