The 2nd Row

Connacht keep their top 8 hopes alive with a convincing win over Munster to bring the fight for top 8 down to the last weekend, Ulster drew with Stormers but will be counting the cost. Leinster make odd work of Lions but 5 points keeps them in the top 2 hunt. Ireland beat Wales in Belfast but really it's Aoife Wafers world and we are all living in it

Leinster and Ulster have both made it through to their respective European finals, 2 nervy performances at times but the win gets them both a step closer to Silverware The URC race for the top 8 is coming to a head 9 teams in contention only 8 can make the knock outs we break down who should have hope and who should believe

It was a rough weekend for most Irish rugby fans Connacht lose a physical encounter in South Africa. Leinster lose in Italy. Ireland start strong but get beaten in France while Munster are left counting the injuries after an interpro win over Ulster

Connacht are on their South African tour and picked up a huge win vs the Stormers, the cobwebs were blown away in Galway by Ireland as they have an impressive win over Italy. Leinster and Ulster battle it out in Belfast and Leinster come away with all 5 points on offer and Munster do the same away in Benetton as they win comfortably on the road

Connachts Euro dream comes grinding to a halt as Montpellier maul them out of the challenge Cup. Irelands 6 nations starts slow with a loss against England while Ulster and Leinster put up high scores as they both put up big socre as they ease through to the Champions and Challenge cup semifinals

Connachts defence has created a base for another impressive victory, Ulster survive an Ospreys surge, Leinster take pat in the oddest game of rugby I have seen while Munster are out of Europe with some real questions to be asked https://linktr.ee/the2ndrow

An odd weekend of URC Rugby for the Provinces Connacht beat Ospreys but will they be regretting not getting that try bonus point. Munster lose to the Bulls but show enough that could give hope for the end of the season. Leinsters internationals find their groove vs Scarlets . While Ulster get an unconvincing TBP vs Zebre

This is a smug feeling Pod as Connacht are the only Irish team to win as the final run in of the URC season begins. An interpro win for Connacht over Ulster and Munster looked leggy in South Africa, and Leinster are still looking like a team that needs its internationals

The best 6 nations yet has come to an end with one of the best weekends of action. France have won the 2026 6 nations after a thriller in Paris, Ireland secure a triple crown with their best performance of the 6 nations so far. in the URC Connacht looked professional and composed as they win and keep their top 8 hopes alive

Under Friday night lights Ireland kicked off the guinness 6 nations rd 4 and did enough to get past Wales. Scotland just like beating teams in white in Murrayfield and put 50 on France, while Italy finally get that win over England playing no where near their best.

With the 6nations on a break week the URC roars back into focus. In Galway Connacht fight to the bitter end to pick up the win. In Limerick an error strewn Munster beat Zebre but will a lack of try bonus pint come back to haunt them? Leinster fail to get out of neutral in a monsoon in Cardiff, and Ulsters away form once again hurts them as they lose to Ospreys.

The Guinness 6 nations round 3 has come to an end. Ireland put a record breaking score on England. Wales find more fight but fall short vs Scotland, and Italy rue missed opportunities against France

Ireland struggle against a strong Italy side but get the job done, are England undercooked as Scotland win ANOTHER Calcutta cup, France play some great rugby while Wales look bereft of ideas

The 6 nations kicked off on a Thursday in Paris and France put on a hell of a show in while beating Ireland. Scotland faltered in a monsoon in Rome. and England won while pulling up to round out the weekend.

Padraig and Will talk through the Irish Provinces performances over an od weekend of rugby. Connacht play a 91 minute match, Munster have a tough time in Glasgow, Leinster have a team on the pitch, and Ulster aren't struggling but they're not excelling, and a look toward the first round of the 6 nations

I am back and hopefully to stay, This week we look at how Leinster crashed Connachts party. Munster minus the big names make hard work of the Dragons, and a rare Ulster misstep in the league

the 2nd row a life update .mp3 by The 2nd Row

Connacht come away from a physical interpro with a losing bonus point. Munster's Muscle gets then over the line eventually, Leinster make harder work than expected of Zebre. Altitude and injuries take their toll on Ulster in South Africa. Ireland announce a XV squad. In the news the WRU are at it again.

Connacht are still looking for the spark for a full 80 minutes of performance lose to the bulls at home Ulster beat the sharks well with accuracy and pace Munster beat Leinster in Croker with an assured performance and are still undefeated in the URC Plus we talk through the Ireland squad and its biggest failing

It's round 3 of the URC we talk Connachts frustrations, how Leinster beat a meme, that Coombes = Ross Byrne, And Ulster up the tempo

A wind impacted RD2 of the URC comes to an end, Leinster leave SA with another loss, Munster get past Cardiff. Dropgoals, game smarts, and more as Will and I talk through it all.

The URC is back for its 5th year, and I am back talking Connacht rugby, the provinces and the URC. I am joined by Will Foley and we go through the action of the weekend

The 2nd Row podcast is back! The Womens Interpros are coming to a close with Connacht narrowly missing out on a final spot and with the World cup around the corner i look at the squad and the warm ups

An incredible tour of New Zealand, 5 matches 3 wins, a big moment in Rugby history, who shone? What did Ireland do well? what can we do better? how has it been taken in New Zealand we go through all that and more!

The Irish tour of New Zealand is about to begin I am joined by Oisin Collins in New Zealand to talk about what Ireland are looking to get out of the series and the perception from New Zealand

It was an action packed Rd 3 of the TikTok 6 nations Ailbhe O'Nolan, Claire Molloy, Fiona Halligan and I got through all the games and have a look at the major news in the world of Womens Rugby

A week Later than advertised The 2nd row podcast is back!! I am joined by Ailbhe O'Nolan & Clare Molloy We talk France vs Ireland, Wales vs Scotand & Italy vs England have a look at the week of Women's Ruby News and take a look to round 3 of the TikTok 6 nations

Great to have Andy Friend on the podcast this week, we chat about Covid, player pathways, and the upcoming Pro 14 matches.

Great to chat to Fionn carr this week Talking about his rugby career that has taken him from Naas to Hong Kong. His time in Connacht and the move to Leinster

A longer than normal episode this week as I chat to Andrew Browne about his Rugby career from U20 grand slam to Pro 12 winner and onto his retirement from rugby and his transition into Coaching.

Great to chat with Jake Heenan, a fan favorite who traveled to Connacht from New Zealand for his first senior rugby contract, had his struggles with injury but is now thriving with the Bristol Bears

Great to have Edel McMahon on this week talking about the highlights of her career so far. From starting with NUIG, her time in Galwegians, playing with Connacht, being the first uncapped Womens Barbarian, playing with Ireland, and moving to Wasps

Great to chat with Rory Parata this week. We talk about his move from Australia to Ireland at a young age, his time in Connacht and how he is now thriving with the Cornish Pirates

Thanks to Eoin Mckeon for coming on the podcast this week and for his time in Connacht. He's been a part of our greatest days and I wish him well in the future. It was great to talk about his career in green

Had a great chat with Shannon Touhey on her late arrival into rugby, the rise to Provincial rugby, and the personal sacrifice that sometimes needs to be made to compete at the highest level

This week I spoke with Ciaran Gaffney about his journey from Galwegians mini to the Connacht Academy, how he ended up playing with Zebre, the injury that ended his career, what it took to get to where he is now ,and those that helped him

This week I was chatting with Connacht great Andrew Farly we talk about his journey to Galway and his time in Grenoble and he give some valuable advice to any wannabe 2nd Rowers out there

Great to chat with Ruth O'Reilly, we talk about her journey from Kerry to Galwegians, the highs and lows of international rugby and the progression of the Womens game.

It was my pleasure to have Shane O'Leary on to talk about his career so far in rugby, from heading to Grenoble at a young age to his international career with Canada, and obviously the 2016 championship win with Connacht

Great to have Nichola Fryday on to talk about her journey from Tullamore to Irish international, how shes coping with isolation. and the challenges that playing at the top level can bring.

I was delighted to have Brett Wilkinson on today, talking about hiscareer in Connacht, his retirement due to injury, and how life is in Hong Kong

With the Sporting world on hiatus, Padraig and Oisín have put the 2nd Row into LOCKdown. A new mini-series designed to keep our minds on the game. This week its the 6 nations some of the memories around the bigger moments and our connection with the oldest rugby championship in the world

It was my Pleasure to have Michael Swift on to talk about his 15 year long career in Connacht Rugby, the highs the lows, the different coaches and the journey he went on that led him to be a Connacht Clan Hall of fame member

With the Sporting world on hiatus, Padraig and Oisín have put the 2nd Row into LOCKdown. A new mini-series designed to keep our minds on the game. This week, its the tag rugby edition, a great place to meet new people and get involved in the rugby community

Great to have Nicole Fowley on to talk about her journey from Sligo to Galwegians and then onto Irish international, and all the ups and downs that playing at the top level can bring.

With the Sporting world on hiatus, Padraig and Oisín have put the 2nd Row into LOCKdown. A new mini-series designed to keep our minds on the game. This week, we talk about our most memorable away games

Great to have Fraser Gow the Connacht Club & Community Administrator, Connacht U18 Girls Head Coach & Galwegians Senior Womens Head Coach on to talk WE go through how things are at the moment, his journey to Galway from Glasgow and how hes developing as a coach

In the face of COVID-19, a shutdown of sport globally and an unsettled end to the season, Padraig and Oisín put the 2nd Row into LOCKdown. Join us for a new mini-series designed to keep our minds on the game. This week, we talk about our first home games and the sense of community in rugby

Its the end of the 2018-19 season and Padraig and Oisín discuss the Pro14 Final and take a look at the season as a whole. As always we award the coveted 2nd Row Top Performer and Clown Of The Round. Join us for the last episode before the summer break!

Its Guinness Pro 14 Semi final time and Glasgow, Ulster Leinster and Munster battled it out to see who would be in the Final in Celtic Park! Padraig and Oisín take a look at those fixtures, the Champions Cup qualifier & give our opinion on the major news of the week As always we award the coveted 2nd Row Top Performer and Clown Of The Round.