The Hard Shoulder

Following a successful year for Irish athletes in Paris at this year's Olympic Games, it raises the question on the distribution of the state's funding allocations for high performance sports.Despite a €25 million state funding allocation for high performance sports in Ireland, some Olympic athletes continue to be reliant on second careers to fund their training and ­participation in world events.However, horse racing and greyhound racing together received €95 million in state funding this year, significantly more than all other sports. Should this fund be reviewed?Kieran is joined by Micheal Healy Rae, Independent TD for Kerry and Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD for Dublin, to discuss.

Police have described Banksy’s recent artwork in London as ‘criminal damage’, which begs the question: is graffiti or art, or mere vandalism?Joining me now to discuss is Catherine O’Halloran: psychotherapist, youth worker and Founder of Draw Out Limerick and Street Artist Shane Sutton.

Death threats and abuse have become commonplace in the lives of our politicians, so says a new survey from the Irish Independent, which reported that 60 of 67 TDs surveyed have had threats made against them, with the threats ranging from being “threatened with a gun”, to a threat of being hanged.Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Ceann Comhairle and Hazel Chu, Green Party Councillor and Former Lord Mayor of Dublin join Kieran Cuddihy to discuss.

The Paris Olympics have concluded, and celebrations are taking place all across the country, but for the first time in Irish sporting history - official homecoming celebrations are underway. O’Connell street in Dublin is shut for the day as the most successful Irish effort at the Olympics so far is honoured.Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie joins Kieran to share what he’s seen and heard so far, and Sinead O’Carroll, Editor of TheJournal.ie joins to discuss as well.

It’s been an outstanding few weeks at the Olympic Games for Team Ireland - with our athletes providing incredible results for the nation and making us all so proud.Kieran is joined by former triathlete and Ireland’s Chef de Mission for Paris, Gavin Noble to discuss Team Ireland and their Olympic journey.

Our outstanding performance at the Olympics has prompted calls for further funding to improve our sports sector within Ireland.Kieran is joined by Ireland’s Minister for Sport to discuss Ireland’s Olympic journey, and what funding can be funneled into Irish sport.

The Centre Cultural Irlandais has become a home for Team Ireland during the Paris Olympics, especially when they have to leave the Olympic Village. Kieran is joined by Nora Hickey M’Sichili, Director of Irish Cultural Centre to discuss how the events have gone, and the role the centre plays outside of the Olympics.

Kieran is in Paris for the Olympics and caught up with Bantamweight boxer for Ireland, Jenny Lehane.Although Jenny didn’t get the ultimate outcome she would have wanted, they discuss what it’s like to reach the Olympics, and represent the country in boxing.

Rowing Ireland is on a high after Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy’s stellar gold cinch at the Men’s Lightweight Double Sculls final last week.The talent that has been shown thus far in the Olympics by the Irish rowing team has clearly been inspirational. Kieran is joined by the incredible rowers Philip Doyle, Paris bronze Medalist, and Aifric Keogh, Tokyo Bronze Medalist to discuss.

It’s never easy to admit to oneself that age is catching up on you.What do you do if your loved ones are at that point and might need to give up driving, or need help around the house?How do you approach those conversations with them?Tara Logan Buckley, Clinical Psychologist, joins Kieran to discuss.