Folks,
98FM's weekly sports show "Now That's What I Call Sport" airs every Sunday morning from 9-10am.
Presented by myself Johnny Lyons, this week's show broadcast on Sunday March 23rd features the following guests :
1. Gary O'Neill -
League of Ireland veteran Gary discovered last September the news that all men dread - that he had testicular cancer.
The ex Pats, Shels and Rovers striker had known since June he'd had a massive lump on his left testicle and had been getting pains in his stomach and back.
Like most men he hoped it'd go away but he took action relatively quickly and after three months took the plunge, went to the doctor and was diagnosed with the disease.
Nailer went under the knife and with his tumour markers going down made a successful and goal laden return to the League with Drogheda Utd for this season which started this month.
And that's great news for Gary and his young family including kids Cian and Ella.
It's also Gary's way of saying thank you to the football community which gathered around to support Gary in his time of need and there were a number of charity ideas including that calendar of LOI footballers which is still circulating around the 98 kitchen!
For some strange reason it's opened on a Corkman's page!
2. Nick Townsend -
We interviewed Nick about his new book on the most notorious gambler in the western world.
"The Sure Thing - The Greatest Coup In Horse Racing History" charts Irishman Barney Curley's gambling exploits focusing on his 2010 coup which hit bookies for millions.
Curley first came to prominence way back in '75 with the infamous Yellow Sam operation which relieved turf accountants of 300 Irish grand which is
the equivalent of nearly 2 million today.
Just after the book was published, Curley admitted he was the guy behind this year's coup which again stung the bookies for millions.
Interestingly, Curley went through phases of enjoying his wealth but never bought into the multi millionaire lifestyle - definitely a throwback to his Jesuit training which nearly ended up in him becoming a priest - and has invested millions in his philanthropic projects including DAFA which is based in Zambia.
We talk to Nick - also author of Curley's autobiography - about the many contradictions in Barney's life which he attempts to round and try to get inside the mind of this most complex individual.
3. Tony Mantero -
Do you know something? What is the most annoying part of attending your son/daughter/nephew/niece's football match?!
It's having to listen to the exhortations of the sideline buffoons masquerading as someone who actually cares about the welfare of the kids out on the pitch who are doing their best to enjoy themselves.
Well I got news for you - next weekend shut the f**k up !
Yep the Sound of Silence is comin' to town.
Next weekend Sat/Sun March 29th/30th is Silent Sideline Weekend with coaches, parents and spectators asked to keep their traps shut.
Brilliant idea and one of the few Americanisms I buy into.
Shouldn't a lollipop company be sponsoring it?!
4. Jonathan Tormey -
The FAI are responsible for at least one well meaning project which actually has, you know, meaning.
And it's the Late Night Leagues project which takes underprivileged kids from the previously untouchable parts of the city and inculcates desirable parts of people's make up such as honesty and decency into their growing up process.
While we all buy into the Boys in Green at senior level, this is the kind of grassroots, under the radar work which actually makes a difference in communities.
We speak with Jonathan Tormey, one of the Association's Development Officer, who's coordinating the Late Night Leagues Final night at Irishtown Stadium on Friday March 28th from 6-10pm, the culmination of weeks of League nights around the capital.
In fact, it's been so popular the idea has seeped into the likes of Maynooth and Meath and these locales will flock to Irishtown as well.
There's now talk of the whole shebang going nationwide which can only be a good thing.
Competition :
TBC
Thanks,
Johnny.
