TwoMacs Podcast

17/11/2025

Latest TwoMacs Podcast: Ep 55 Ronan chats to Paudie Hampsey. It's available to download from this link on Spotify https://shorturl.at/DD0rf

Pádraig (Paudie) Hampsey - leader, role model and inspiration.

Tyrone captain Paudie Hampsey lived the dream when he climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift the Sam Maguire Cup.
It was the cumulation of years of commitment and dedication.

National recognition, however, has never dimmed his passion for his beloved club Coalisland Fianna and local community.

Two times an All Star, he recalls sharing the joy of winning All Ireland finals and club championships with his family and friends. Special memories.

Paudie also looks back on his days in the boxing ring. Future pros Feargal McCrory and Conrad Cummings trained at the club with him. Three-times Ulster champion, he came close to winning All Ireland titles before putting all his efforts into football.

It soon brought reward as he captained Tyrone minors to a provincial win and won an All Ireland U21 medal.
There was also disappointment with club and county, losing finals, before winning the O'Neill Cup and the Sam Maguire. He pays tribute to all those he played alongside as well as the managers who guided them on the way.

In 2021, as we made our way out of Covid restrictions, Tyrone reached the promised land for only the fourth time. An unforgettable day. Paudie recalls the key plays, other great leaders on that team, the winning speech, joyous scenes with family and his partner and very special memories of his son Cillian joining him on the field afterwards.
The scenes bringing the Sam Maguire Cup to Coalisland (along with club-mates Michael McKernan and coach Peter Donnelly) are now part of the town's folklore.

Paudie also remembers the joy returning to Coalisland, along with his clubmates, with the O'Neill Cup.

This is a local chat with Ronan Mac, a fellow Coalisland man, as Paudie reflects on an incredible GAA career and they share special memories of family and friends, some who have sadly departed.
However, the idea of a GAA Royal Rumble is a hard sell... Ronan McSherry

10/11/2025

Our man Martin J McGuinness has been putting on a retreat in Benburb the last few years. This year it will take place on Saturday 29th November. A wonderful day of reflection, discussion and poetry to ease into the busy Christmas season ahead ✨️
Details and booking info below.

Join the Skylight Retreat on 29 November 2025 at Benburb Priory for a day of spiritual reflection through prayer, poetry, scripture, and storytelling led by Dr. Martin J. McGuinness. Includes lunch and refreshments.

03/11/2025

Latest TwoMacs Podcast: Ep 54 Martin chats to the author Anthony J Quinn. It's available to download from this link on Spotify at this link https://shorturl.at/d03e7

In this episode of the TwoMacs, Martin is back in the chair talking to acclaimed novelist Anthony J. Quinn. Born on a farm in Kileeshil in 1971, Anthony was drawn to books from an early age. As a child, he would construct a wee canopy in a nearby field and lose himself reading stories by Enid Blyton. He also started to write at a young age.
However, the Troubles cast a long shadow over his formative years and indeed his nine noir novels deal with this dark subject and its legacy. His work is set around the shores of Lough Neagh and presents an alternative view of the area to the N.I. Tourist Board. His debut novel, Disappeared (2012) first appeared in the US, introduced readers to Inspector Celsius Daly who would go on to appear in three subsequent novels.
The fascinating discussion covers the nature of the writing process and how it can often be a journey of discovery for the writer to arrive at the “emotional truth” of a story. They also talk of the importance of telling stories that address the wrongs of the past and thus allow people to feel that they have been heard. Anthony’s latest book, Murder, Memoir, Murder (2022), his most personal novel to date, was one of the Daily Mail’s Books of the Year. At present he is working on a historical novel set in New York.

Anthony's website https://www.anthonyjquinnwriter.com

22/10/2025

Latest TwoMacs Podcast: Ep 53 Ronan chats to Plunkett McCallan. It's available to download from this link on Spotify https://shorturl.at/30vAJ

Plunkett McCallan - Oz and the magic of the O'Neill Cup.

Towering goalkeeper 'Big Oz' from Carrickmore (nicknamed after Oz in the hit 1980's TV comedy series Auf Wiedersehan, Pet) reflects on two decades of championship football.

On the week of the Tyrone senior club final, 'Oz' reflects on a career that saw him win six O'Neill Cup medals. It is a record held by over a dozen players, however no-one has played in as many finals, as over 20 years he played in 14 in all, with those six wins, six defeats and two replays.

He suggests that records are for statisticians and journalists as it is a team game and not about individual awards.

He recalls his time living in Coalisland and jokes that for all of 30 seconds he considered transferring to the Fianna.

He also remembers the glory days and disappointments and pays tribute to his team-mates, coaches and the many opponents he did battle with down the years, not least Errigal Ciaran who shared 12 O'Neill Cup wins with Carmen between 1993 and 2005.

Oz believes there is nothing better than the Tyrone knock-out championship format.

With a pre-match routine of a cigarette and tin of Red Bull, he went on to lose three finals in the last years of his career and regrets he did not get on the winning rostrum with the whole new squad of players.

During a suspension, after a league schemozzle, he played rugby with Dungannon and while it was a hugely enjoyable experience, his heart was always with Gaelic football.

These days, much more reflective, he doesn't get too excited although watching his sons Jack follow him into goals and Paddy further out the field was a nerve-wrecking experience.

A most wholesome Podcast with Plunkett McCallan who says any team that reaches an O'Neill Cup final deserves credit. They're not easy won in Tyrone.

Ádh Mór to Loughmacrory and Trillick in Sunday's final.

Pics:
1: Plunkett getting ready for TwoMacs Podcast.
2: Winning his first O'Neill Cup medal in 1995.
3: Carrickmore celebrate 2005 win (Oz's sixth O'Neill Cup medal).
4: Paul Hughes captains Carrickmore against great rivals Errigal Ciaran.
5: Oz and team-mate Gavan McIlroy in action against Leo Quinn of Errigal Ciaran.
6. Coaching.
7: Oz had a stint at Dungannon rugby where he got a first team call-up.

20/10/2025

Aísling gets Ireland call-up!
On our last TwoMacs Podcast, Aísling Hagan (Corr) told us she was heading for trials for Ireland Camogie-Shinty team.
We are delighted to say Aísling has been selected to play against Scotland in Inverness along with fellow Tyrone camogs Aoife McDonald, Gráinne McDonald and Áine Cunningham.
Maith sibh! ✨️⚾️

The Camogie-Shinty match throws-in on Saturday at 12 noon followed by the men's Hurling-Shinty game at 2pm.

The games will be broadcast live on the BBC Alba YouTube channel and available at gaa.ie/shinty.

* Photo: Aísling in action for Ireland against Scotland in 2011.

05/10/2025

Latest TwoMacs Podcast:Ep 52 Ronan chats to Aísling Hagan. It's available to download from this link on Spotify https://shorturl.at/5NlgA

Aísling Hagan (Corr) - Class is permanent.

For over 25 years camogie star Aísling Hagan, formerly Corr, has graced the fields with her sublime skills.
Previously Tyrone Young Player and Senior Player of the Year, she has won awards for club, college, county, province and representing Ireland, as well as a winning summer in Chicago.
Aísling recalls the inspiration from her father Tommy, a boxing Olympian, and her mother Margaret a distinguished camóg who introduced her to the sliotar and camán (ball and hurl).
Lack of numbers at Derrytresk meant Aisling and her team-mates had to move to the Derrylaughan club.
She got the call-up for Tyrone when she was just 16 and went on to captain her county.
After an eight year break, and marriage to Petie Hagan from Kildress and three children later, this year she lined out for Tyrone again.
Which club will her three boys hurl for?!
She talks about the highs and lows of victory and defeat and a special day at The Washingbay when Kevin Barry's were crowned Ulster champions, going on to reach the All Ireland final.
There were also trips to Scotland, albeit once in a freezing bus, when she was selected to play for Ireland in a Shinty series. Again, 15 years later her recent performances have led to another call-up for Shinty trials.
Two weeks ago however, Derrylaughan lost in a county final and the disappointment was as profound as ever.
Irish dancing was another passion which also brought medals on the biggest stage, at All Ireland level.
Aísling's passion for camogie has never dimmed, last year's Club Player of the Year, she would love to see her beloved game attract more players and spectators.
This a lovely podcast with Production Manager Oliver delighted to welcome his niece and God-daughter!
For Aísling Hagan, playing camogie has been a wonderful journey... and it's not over yet!..

20/09/2025

Latest TwoMacs Podcast:Ep 51! Ronan chats to Patsy Grant. It's available to download from this link on Spotify https://shorturl.at/XsLLs

Patsy Grant - changed times.
He may not have a television or be glued to social media but Patsy Grant is well tuned into the ways of a constantly changing world.

His father Paddy fixed clocks and Father Time catches up with us all.
An artisan, Patsy has a great talent for stone sculpturing, painting and writing.

He recalls simpler times when Coalisland had a railway station and enjoying a wonderful journey by train with his mother to Cookstown.
He has fond memories of been given free rein to write stories in Primary School, his imagination fired often including local characters.
He also spent three teenage years in Belfast often running messages for the Christian Brothers and aul lads he met on the way along the Falls Road.

It was in Manchester his passion for stone carving began when seeing the fascinating gargoyles and other figure heads on ancient buildings.

He also produced incredible art work, including Irish mythology and historical figures, on banners for protests during the 1981 Hunger Strike and recalls the snake-carved walking stick he carved and gifted to Bernadette McAliskey - a story told in her TwoMacs Podcast.

So much has changed and gone, including the huge Chestnut tree on Kettle Lane in Brackaville and industries in Coalisland, while Patsy's beloved 'Garden of Tranquillity' that once drew many visitors and TV cameras, has become overgrown... "a bit like myself" he says.

He feels a connection with Ireland's past and the slaughter and forced starvation of a population in Gaza, while the demise of Lough Neagh also weighs heavily. In his poetry he expresses angst and anger as well as humour. His writing brings relief and expression... and it's excellent.. much better than he gives himself credit for!

He also has words of sympathy and kindness for a dear friend who tragically lost his son.

This is a wonderful podcast as Patsy looks back on his life and talks about nature, change, troubled times and hope. Ronan McSherry

07/09/2025

Well done to Nick Griggs on a fantastic run in New York. Nick was on a recent TwoMacs Podcast.. a great lad and role model for our youth ✨️

What a run! 😮‍💨

Nick Griggs (Candour Track Club) has finished fourth in the iconic Fifth Avenue Mile in New York clocking a sensational time of 3:49 🔥

Result ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/4hnz7r39

01/09/2025

Latest TwoMacs Podcast:Ep 50! Ronan chats to Vinny O'Donnell from Dungannon. It's available to download from this link on Spotify https://shorturl.at/D9V05

Vinny O'Donnell - The making of the acclaimed 1986 'Up Tyrone' cassette.

When Kevin McCabe struck a penalty to the net to take Tyrone to their first All Ireland final in 1986, the county rejoiced while musicians Vinny O'Donnell and Joe McCurry quickly penned a song, 'Come on Tyrone', that has become the theme tune of All Ireland appearances. Literally overnight, they also put together a cassette packed with Tyrone themed songs, that was snapped up by supporters locally and overseas.
Vinny talks about the making of the cassette and how 36 years later, in 2021, the timeless song was still being played when Joe's son Darren ('Dazzler') was one of the stars of All Ireland final glory.
He also recalls the great contribution of Coalisland singer/songwriter, the late Dessie Symington, who also hastily wrote the Tribute to Frank McGuigan and sang the Ballad of Iggy Jones (written by Seamus McKeown) for the cassette.
During the podcast it becomes apparent Ronan Mac's hero was McGuigan, known as 'The King', while Vinny had a huge admiration for 'Wee Iggy Jones'.
There are memories and music shared with tributes to our great players, songwriters and musicians.
Vinny also recalls, with great fondness, balladeer John Mitchell who passed away in 2022, and his song 'My Hearts in Dungannon', also on the cassette, that was played as his remains were borne from St Patrick’s Church after his Requiem Mass.
A wonderful podcast with Dungannon man Vinny O'Donnell whose love for music, football and his hometown and county has never dimmed. Enjoy this mix of conversation and nostalgic songs.
Clarification: The song titled 'The King' performed on the cassette by Carmel McKenna is a tribute to country singing legend the late Brian Coll.
* The full version of 'Here's to Dennis Taylor' can be heard at the conclusion of Podcast 41 with Pearse Kelly.

22/08/2025

You can stop searching your attics and boxes in the garage, a 1986 'Come on Tyrone' cassette has been located. Thanks everyone for your help.
Watch this space!
Come on Tyrone - you're on your own!'

21/08/2025

Appeal! The original 'Come on Tyrone' song was produced before the 1986 All Ireland final. Was the first final Tyrone got to; against Kerry.
It was sang by local group Taylormade with Vinnie O'Donnell, Joe McCurrie, Dessie and Patrick Symington and a rake of musicians. The cassette had other songs.. ones about Dennis Taylor, Frank McGuigan, Iggy Jones etc...
The original song has lyrics of that time... McCabe scoring the penalty in the semi-final etc.
Trying to get the original version.. if anyone has that cassette to borrow or that song in any format we would like the borrow it please. It will be returned!