What’s the Story? Podcast

Chapter 16: Stephanie Roche, What's the Story?

This week we were joined by Sunderland ladies and Ireland ladies footballing hero, Stephanie Roche. 

Steph spoke to us about growing up in the borough, her early days of playing and football with Valeview FC and Cabinteely FC and the discovery that she could play football as a profession. 

From the inaugural women's Champions League with Dublin's Peamount United to her time playing in France, her short stint in The US with Huston Dash right up to her signing for Sunderland earlier this year and venturing into the world of media with her Irish Independent column. It's been a storied career for the Irish striker and we haven't even mentioned "that goal". 

We heard all about the wonder strike that shot Steph from local girl from Shankill to household name and global recognition. The nomination for the famed FIFA Puskas Award all the way to the award ceremony where she was rubbing shoulders with footballing superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi. It was great sitting down with Steph and we hope you enjoy hearing about her career to date. 

As always there is the usual bit of jokes, chat and opinion from Danny, Mero & Lindsey including Mero's birthday, Lindsey tapping people out all over the place, Danny is 30kg down, Ireland v Germany, Euro 2016, The Rugby World Cup, Papa Johns, The spice bag/box and loads more besides! 

Check out WTSpod on iTunes, Stitcher, Podcast Repubic, Podbean, Podcast Addict and all podcast directories. Rate, review, subscribe, like and share, let us know what you think and as always, thanks for listening. 

Chapter 15: Aisling Daly, What's the Story?

This week we were joined by a pioneer of women's MMA and a true Irish legend. Aisling Daly is part of the now famed SBG Ireland crew that have taken over the UFC. At the age of just 27 Ais "The Bash" Daly is already a veteran of the sport and one of the most respected European competitors, there's also the small matter of her being Ireland's first ever pro MMA champion and Ireland's first female UFC fighter. 

We spoke to Ais about everything, from how she got started in MMA and the early days of training under the brilliant John Kavanagh in "the shed" in Dublin's Harold's Cross, her first fight, the growth of MMA and the UFC, the Irish reaction to MMA, her time in The Ultimate Fighter house and of course her upcoming fight against Erika Almedia at UFC Fight Night in Dublin. 

On top of all this we hear about Lindsey's victory in her most recent fight to capture the Four Nations title, Danny is waiting on a call up from Joe Schmidt and Mero is still looking for parking. 

As always rate, review subscribe and let us know what you think! You can check all our previous chapters out on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher, Podcast Republic and all podcast outlets, just search WTSpod. 

Chapter 13: Steve Gunn & Mark Barry, What's the Story?

This week on What's the Story we take a little trip to one of Ireland's most famous places, Carrigstown, as we get an inside look at a basketball rivalry that makes The Chicago Bulls v The New York Knicks look like a tea party. 

The Ballybrack Bulls v The Carrigstown Condors. 

 

We're joined by RTE's Fair City star Steve Gunn (Dan Keating of The Condors) who tells us about life on both sides of the camera and his days before landing his gig with the award winning serial drama. From taxi driving to busking, selling cash registers to working in a German circus, there's not a lot Steve hasn't tried - including tap dancing. 

We also had Irish Wheelchair Association Sport Development Officer, Mark Barry, along with us to tell us about the storyline on Fair City which involves Steve and of course our very own Graham Merrigan. Mark dishes the dirt on Mero and also tells us about his own journey from competing at the Barcelona 92 Paralympic Games to going on a J1 to Alaska and everything in between. 

As usual the lads discuss everything and anything including smelly Glasgow Celtic fans, the Rugby World Cup, Robert Durst The Jinx and loads more besides. 

As always rate, review, subscribe and let us know what you think! You can check out all our previous chapters on iTunes or any podcast app for android, just search WTSpod. 

Chapter 12: What's the Story with The Junior Takeover

A special edition of What's the Story? this week as Danny & Mero head to the heart of Dublin, Ballybrack, to witness the newest generation of ass kicking kids at the very first Junior Takeover Muay Thai event. 

The two lads had chats with a host of kids and fighters including Evan, Ella, Tom and Maia from Warriors Gym in Dublin. Zoe, Daniel and John Walsh from Waterford Muay Thai, Aaron and Liam who only found out they were fighting each other when they sat down together with us, Shane and Shane from Celtic K1 and of course, friend of the show and the man behind the event, Cian Cowley. 

It was a great day which had everything from kids in their first fight to teenagers who are nearly veterans. Danny got called out by one of the kids and had to leave with a security escort, Mero is currently working on his spinning back fist technique and we learned that Disney Land in Florida is haunted... at least according to one of the kids. 

Big thanks to everyone involved on the day, especially Mark Merrigan who was our producer, runner, organiser, security, life coach and spotter. 

Don't forget to check out all our previous chapters online and on iTunes, rate, review, subscribe and let us know what you think! 

Chapter 11: Story with the Lads?? (Round 2)

This week on What's the Story? Danny, Lindsey and Mero are on fire! 

Danny seems to hate the world and everything in it, especially do gooders on Facebook, overbearing parents on Facebook, and begrudgery... in general, not just on the Facebook. 

Mero loves everyone and everything, except Lindsey's baking. To counter Danny being in a sulk, Mero tries to be upbeat and loving life. 

Lindsey reveals her hippy side and takes the abuse from the lads over her baking skills like a pro. 

All of this and, we talk the serious situation in Syria, defending/bating Bono,  Danny receives the scariest message of his life, the Bloggies 2015 and our BIG competition winner is revealed. 

Don't forget to check out our previous chapters on iTunes or, if you're on an android user download the Podcast Addict app free in Play Story and we'll go in your pocket with you everywhere. 

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Chapter 10: Cian Cowley, What's the Story?

Our guest this week is one of Ireland's hottest prospects in the world of combat sports. Cian Cowley is 23-years-old and already considered a vetran of Thai Boxing. With over 50 professional fights and 4 titles, Cian has recently announced his desire to compete in MMA and has joined forces with Ireland's most prominent team, SBG. 

We spoke to Cian about his recent meeting with Coach John Kavanagh and his plans for progression with Mixed Martial Arts. We also discussed how he began in Thai Boxing, growing up in the borough, leaving school and quitting college to fly to Thailand at the age of 16 to pursue his dream of fighting. 

Cian tells us all about his famous Warriors Gym in Dun Laoghaire, the art of training and the weight cut,  his love of coaching the next generation of fighters and his own promotion "The Takeover", being BFFs with Tyrone Spong and of course, his two dogs Cosmo & Nova. 

On top of all this your three hosts do their best to go off on irreverent tangents including the smell of awards around Story Towers, Danny is covered in cheese this week, Mero nearly missing the podcast due to his chair rolling off and Lindsey has difficulty with a spinning chair. The lads discuss the shenanigans going on in Korea, details of an upcoming competition and of course, the now traditional conversation on Spice Bags. All of this and loads more besides. 

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Chapter 9: Pat "Pajo" Flynn, What's the Story?

This week we were joined by League of Ireland legend, Pat Flynn. With a football career spanning three decades, Pajo shared plenty of stories from humble beginnings with Loughlinstown Boys all the way through to the world of professional football including crossing paths with legends like Denis Irwin, Paul "Gazza" Gascoigne, Glen Hoddle, and Joleon Lescott to name a few. 

We also hear about Pajo getting trials for the first time, tears in the airport, the infamous temper, playing against Ronaldo and Del Piero and why the washing machine will be important for when he hangs up his boots. 

Mero gets excited and butchers the intro, Danny tries to talk about rugby on a chapter about football, Lindsey tells us about getting kicked off a football team and Pajo dishes the dirt and what happened when Mero met an interesting "lady" on a night out in Dublin - All of this and loads more besides. 

As always you can check us out on iTunes --> https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/wtspod/id1010889093?mt=2 Hit that subscribe button please, then rate, review and let us know what you think! 

Chapter 8: Story with the lads?

This week on What's the Story? sees your three hosts tell stories of waking up from being unconscious, including Mero's horse, Danny's important question and Lindsey turning into Google maps. 

Mero & Lindsey discuss their recent experience at the Cage Kings event in the national basketball arena which leads Mero to call out one of the fighters, meanwhile Danny calls out Lionel Messi & Herbalife after ranting for a few. 

Also on the agenda this week, Dublin being voted the greatest city on the planet, Anderson Silva's Viagra is dodgey, Jose Aldo is taking the piss, stun huns & masso girlos, and loads more besides. 

Rate, review, comment and let us know what you think! Check out our previous episodes on iTunes and don't forget we're all over social media, #WTSpod 

 

Chapter 7: Saskia Tidey, What's The Story?

This week we are joined by future Olympian and sailing sensation, Saskia Tidey. Saskia is one half of Team Brewster/Tidey who are on the brink of qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics. 

We spoke to Saskia about life off land, the highs and lows of being an Olympic athlete, what happens when your break down on a French motorway, death row cheat meals and just what it takes to throw yourself into a life on the ocean. 

Lindsey explains the training behind a top level athlete, while Danny & Mero tell the story of the time they went sailing together and caught more fish than John West. 

Danny also attempts to go an entire chapter without swearing... can he make it? 

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Chapter 6: Paul Stenson, What's the Story?

On this week's editon of "What's the Story?" Podcast we are joined by Paul Stenson. Paul is the manager of Dublin's Charleville Lodge Hotel and the brains behind their incredibly successful social media pages. 

Paul told us a bit about his own experiences, the hotel business, the craic he has with social media and why even the negative reactions put a smile on his face. 

On top of all this Danny, Lindsey and Mero spoke out their own experiences with hotels, holidays and the joy starting training again after a few weeks of being a slob. We hear about Mero's time in Iraq & Afghanistan, Danny's run in with a lady of the night and Lindsey tells us about the time she went wild and put on 3 kilos. 

There's also details of how you could win a chance to have some personal training with World Champion, Lindsey Doyle. 

As always please like and share, hit that subscribe button and leave a review, let us know what you think! 

Chapter 5: Johnny Fulham, What's the Story?

Our guest on "What's the Story?" this week is a legend of The Paralympic Games. Johnny Fulham represented Ireland four times, four times, four times, four times at the Paralympic Games between 1992 and 2004. He set several Irish records and won two European Championships along the way. 

Mero & Danny spoke to Johnny about growing up in Ireland with a disability, his venture into wheelchair sports, a 16 year career as an elite athlete, his new career as Vice President of Paralympics Ireland as well as his work with The Irish Wheelchair Association. We also take a look at the road to Rio for the 2016 Olympics, Star Wars, Alex Zanardi, Oscar Pistorius, and a tough decision regarding the loves in Johnny's life....

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Chapter 189: Las Vegas, What's the Story? (Bonus UFC 189 Edition)

Danny & Mero travelled to Las Vegas (sans Lindsey)  to see The Notorious Conor McGregor take on Chad "Money" Mendes for the interim UFC Featherweight Championship. 

Recorded in Vegas, the two lads give their take on the week of UFC events, Vegas, the Irish crowd, Mero surfing that crowd and Kevin the guinea pig. 

Don't forget to subscribe on and review, let us know what you think. 

Chapter 3: Paul Howard, What's the Story? (Part Two)

In Part two of our conversation with award winning author and journalist Paul Howard, we hear his opinion on drugs in sport, the Ross O'Carroll Kelly years, his "episode" of classic TV show, "Only fools and horses" and lastly the mysterious case of Darth Vader in Ballybrack... was it the Sith Lord himself? Was it an imposter? Was it a league of Ireland footballer double jobbing? 

We also find out details of what's next for both Ross, and Paul as well as details of a great competition! 

Please rate, review and subscribe, let us know what you think! 

Chapter 3: Paul Howard, What's the Story? (Part One)

This week Danny, Lindsey and Mero are joined by the legendary Paul Howard. A multi award winning journalist, Paul is one of the most decorated literary minds in Ireland. 

Creator of the Ross O'Carroll Kelly series, Paul Howard has sold over 1 million books and sold out theatres across Ireland with stage adaptations of Ross and his friends. In part one, Paul sat down with us and spoke to us about growing up in Ballybrack, Dublin. Moving to Ireland from England as young boy when Thatcher came to power, his school days in St. Laurence College and his early days in the world of journalism. 

Chapter 2: Tony McGregor, What's The Story?

Chapter two of What's the Story? welcomes Tony McGregor to the podcast. Father of UFC superstar, The Notorious Conor McGregor, Tony tells us about growing up in Dublin, his first job, and the rise of his son to superstar status. Check us out on Twitter @WTSpod and on Facebook we're "What's The Story? Podcast"

"What's The Story?" Chapter 1 - Our Story

Everyone has a story to tell and we want to share it. 

Each week join Danny, Mero & Lindsey as they bring you their own stories and the stories of their guests. In episode one we hear from our three hosts as they give you their own background and introduce themselves. 

Graham Merrigan is a 30-year-old broadcaster and wheelchair athlete who has represented Ireland in wheelchair rugby sevens. 

Lindsey Doyle is personal trainer and fitness expert. She is a World Champion Kickboxer and is currently training in MMA. 

Danny Murray is a wannabe World Champion and wannabe Broadcaster. He is a 27-year-old man child who can be found wrestling his walrus shaped labrador, Cleo.