TwoMacs Podcast

24/09/2025

Coffee morning on Saturday at Dungannon GAA club to raise funds for The Gaza Paediatric Care Initiative. (GPCI).

GPCI is a not for Profit Organisation founded in 2023 by a team of doctors, nurses and health professionals based in IRELAND.
Their single goal is help children caught in the crossfire of the current conflict in Palestine.

GPCI Activities:
1. Assisting the Irish Red Cross in the resettling of medically evacuated Palestinian families

2. Advocating for the rights of Palestinian children and families.

3. Building awareness of the suffering of Palestinian children through Peaceful Vigils & Marches and through our social media.

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!

14/08/2025

Latest TwoMacs Podcast: Ronan chats to Nick Griggs International athlete from Newmills - available to download from this link on Spotify https://shorturl.at/pIEyV

Nick Griggs - a running sensation
Since hitting the running tracks just seven years ago, Nick Griggs' performances have been nothing short of sensational.
At 16, he had the athletics' world sit up and take notice when he won the European Under 20 crown at 3,000 metres.
Since then the 20-year-old Newmills lad has broken a host of middle distance records, has the best time ever for a park-run and is the third youngest male to run a sub-four minute mile.
He has created huge local and national excitement consistently being on the winning podium for Ireland in individual and team events. He also qualified for the World senior championship at just 18 lining up against greats of the calibre of Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
An unassuming star, Nick talks about his journey through school, the support of his parents Andy and Royanne, his late brother Josh RIP and the coaches who have helped him along the way. He recalls the European title just weeks after the tragic passing of Josh, at just 19 years, and how his running success helped bring comfort to him and his family in their profound grief.
Nick also has fond memories of playing Gaelic football at Brackaville Owen Roes club before going on the journey that has brought him a professional athletic contract.
He gives a great insight to the life of an elite athlete, however there has also been the disappointment of missing out on the last Olympic games and recent injury set-back, which thankfully is behind him. He enjoys a bit of downtime too!
He will be volunteering at the annual Camp Joshua in memory of his brother and Joshua Green (22), a young soccer player from Dungannon, who also sadly passed at a very young age. It is a wonderful initiative bringing together hundreds of children from across the community, to participate in sports and crafts and have a lot of fun at Brackaville GAA ground.
Nick is an inspiring young man with the goal of being an Olympian. No doubt he has the talent and dedication to make his dreams come true. Ronan McSherry

10/08/2025

'Religious Occasion' a poem by Brendan Kennelly read by Martin Mac on our Podcast: 'Hurling as Poetry'.
It treats a visit to Croke Park, as President Mary McAleese once described: "In a sense, coming to the spiritual homeland."

09/08/2025

On our TwoMacs podcast 'Hurling as Poetry' Ronan Mac mentioned the Naomh Colum Cille draw. Our sellers are out selling tickets for this fundraiser to build a ball-wall', a huge project, which will be of great benefit to our young hurlers and camogs for years to come.
It allows players to repeatedly practice and refine their striking, catching, and hand-eye coordination, both individually and in group settings.
Clubs have reported how a ball-wall has greatly enhanced the skills of their players in a short space of time.
One ticket £20, three tickets £40 and eight tickets £100.
Top cash prizes up to £10,000. Your support is most welcome. Go raibh maith agaibh! 🔴 ⚫️ ⚾️

See link below..

ClubZap is the ultimate communications and payments tool sports clubs. It enables clubs to better engage their members and supporters, and drive revenue through membership and merchandise sales.

06/08/2025

Footage of 1980 All Ireland final victory speech referred to in the latest TwoMacs Podcast: 'Hurling as Poetry' when John Connolly powerfully spoke as Gaeilge of the immigrants who had left Galway "in America and England maybe crying now" as The Tribesmen won their first Liam MacCarthy Cup since 1923.
He also echoed Pope John Paul II words to the Young People of Ireland the previous year on his visit to Galway... and a shout-out to the great Fr Iggy Clarke who was injured for the final.
and player Joe McDonagh (future GAA President) singing The West's Awake. Iconic images 🏆✨️
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jF-Nk66P5OQhttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jF-Nk66P5OQ

All Ireland Hurling Final 19807th September 1980Croke ParkGalway 2-15 Limerick 3-9. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship...

05/08/2025

Latest TwoMacs Podcast Ep48 Ronan and Martin have a chat about each of their passions in life Hurling and Poetry available to download now at this link https://shorturl.at/0uzXv

Hurling As Poetry
In days gone by, a wise old poetry-loving Kiltegan priest told Martin Mac that hurling is the poetry of Gaelic sport. He spoke of the sheer grace and beauty of the game when it is played well, it's hallowed history that dates back to antiquity and of the legendary players,
Ring, Doyle, Nicky English, Joe Canning..
featured in hurling's ever growing Hall of Fame. Now Martin knows little about hurling but is a confessed reader of poetry. After a chat with Ronan, who'd yet to come down off the high he got from attending this year's hurling final, the idea for this podcast was born.
The two Macs are not lukewarm guys. Once they have an interest in something, they are all in. This passion for their particular subject is on display in the discussion that follows. Ronan recounts not only tales of incredible games he witnessed, but reveals his reverential love for this unique game that only seems to deepen with every passing year.
Martin begins with a b***y limerick that has rthymn and rhyme but not an ounce of poetry. From there the only way is up as he contends that both hurling and poetry nourish the human spirit. It's simply a matter of having the eyes to see and ears to hear.
As one would expect from the TwoMacs, the discussion is spirited and humorous but it would also make you think... Ronan McSherry