Last Word on Sport Interviews
We get to talk to some of the biggest sports stars around on the Last Word. Here you can listen back to some of our favourite sporting interviews. Just click the links below:
- February 2012: Matt caught up with Leinster & Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll at Leinster's training HQ for an extended in-depth interview in which Brian reflects on adaptions made during his career, life on the sidelines, his forthcoming autobiography, and just how long he plans to extend his time in the Irish jersey. Listen here.
- January 2012: Ulster & Ireland's Stephen Ferris joined us to preview Six Nations 2012. Listen here
- December 2011: Ballymena motorcyclist Eugene Laverty joined Anton to discuss his successful first season in World Superbike Championship and his plans for next season. Listen here.
- December 2011: Irish goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly received Giovanni Trapattoni's 'Philips Sports Manager of the Year' award on his behalf and joined us to discuss life under Trap and our goalkeeping options for Euro 2012. Listen here.
- December 2011: Donncha O'Callaghan joined us upon the publication of his autobiography 'Joking Apart' to discuss his career with Munster and Ireland and his hero - his mum. Listen here.
- December 2011: Ken Doherty was our Friday Profile Interview guest to mark the release of his autobiography 'Life in the Frame'. Listen here.
- November 2011: Gary Speed tribute - Former Welsh international John Hartson and Today FM (and Welsh) commentator Ron Jones were both very close to Gary Speed - they joined Tony Cascarino and Matt to pay tribute. Listen here.
- November 2011: The Fastest Men on Earth - Neil Duncanson has written a book about sprinting and just how fast the human race can become. Listen here.
- November 2011: Since 1991 Gerard Hartmann has worked as a physical therapist with Kelly Holmes, Paula Radcliffe, Moses Kiptanui and Sonia O'Sullivan, as well as host of rugby and GAA stars. He rarely does interviews, but joined us to discuss the release of his book 'Born to Perform'. Listen here.
- November 2011: Aussie back-row stalwart David Pocock joined Matt to discuss RWC2011 and his Zimbabwe charity work. Listen here.
- October 2011: Adventure athlete & friend of the show Mark Pollock joined us to discuss the tumultuous challenges he has faced in life - blindness and most recently paralysis. Listen here.
- October 2011: Beijing Bronze medallist Louis Walsh is tipped to win gold for Team GB in London 2012 - he was joined on the show by Ciaran Gallgher, CEO, Gymnastics Ireland to discuss the appeal of gymnastics, and the commitment involved. Listen here.
- October 2011: Pro-cyclist Nicholas Roche joined Matt in studio to discuss his new book 'Inside The Peloton'. Listen here.
- September 2011: Dubliner Robert Howard (72) received the rank of ‘Saesong’ – the Korean word for grandmaster – at the 17th International Taekwon-do Federation world championships in Pyongyang, North Korea, last week. Listen Here.
- September 2011: Golf's greatest Jack Nicklaus joined Matt for a wide-ranging chat on how he helped Rory McIlory win the US Open, why he no longer plays himself, and how proud he is of the Solheim Cup-hosting Killeen Castle course he designed. Listen Here.
- September 2011: Philip O'Connor joined us to discuss his new book 'A Parish Far From Home' in which he details the challenges and rewards of his own experience running a GAA club in Stockholm! Listen Here.
- September 2011: Recently retired international rugby referee Alan Lewis joined Matt for a profile interview to discuss his life as a high-profile ref, and as an Irish cricketer. Listen Here.
- August 2011: Danny Cipriani, Stirling Mortlock andcoach Damien Hill of Super 15 side Melbourne Rebels joined Matt instudio yesterday with the view from down under! Listen Here
- July 2011: Leeds United, Liverpool & Coventry legend Gary McAllister joined Matt to discuss his fantastic career, as well as life as a coach / manager. Listen Here
- July 2011: 'GMac', i.e. Major winner Graeme McDowell joined us to discuss the healthy state of Irish golf ahead of the Irish Open in Killarney. Listen Here.
- July 2011: Following Darren Clarke's British Open win, Dublin's Colin Byrnejoined us to discuss the role of Darren's new caddy in his win and his ownexperience caddying for Retief Goosen and Eduardo Molinari on the PGA Tour. Listen Here.
- July 2011: Ulster and Ireland giant Stephen Ferris joined Matt to discuss how he plans to peak in time for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Listen Here.
- June 2011: Munster and Ireland's Donncha O'Callaghan joined us live from Zimbabwe to discusshis trip there as a UNICEF Ireland Ambassador and to pay tribute toPaul Darbyshire, the Munster strength and conditioning coach who sadlypassed away this week. Listen Here.
- June 2011: Kilkenny hurler JJ Delaney joined us to preview the Leinster Final showdown between Dublin and the Cats. Listen here.
- June 2011: Kerry's Colm 'Gooch' Cooper joined us to preview the summer championship ahead. Listen Here.
- June 2011: Boxing legend Barry McGuigan joined Matt for a profile interview to discuss his momentous achievements. Listen Here.
- June 2011: Asif Kapadia - director of widely acclaimed documentary 'Senna' (on the life of F1 legend Ayrton Senna). Listen Here (also features our live post-screening Q&A with Anton Savage & PJ Gallagher).
- May 2011: GAA commentating legend Micheal O'Muircheartaigh joined Matt for a profile interview to discuss his life behind the mic. Listen Here.
- May 2011: Heineken Cup Final hero Jonny Sexton joined us to discuss the phenomenal Leinster comeback he inspired in the Millenium Stadium victory over Northampton. Listen Here.
- March 2011: Ballymena's Eugene Lavertyis one step away from Moto GP and joined us before Round 2 ofthe World Superbike Championship at Donnington todiscuss his rise through the ranks of superbikes. Listen Here
- 31 January 2011: Ryan Giggs joined us to discuss how he is still a key player for Manchester United at the age of 37. Listen Here
- January 2011: Antonio Mantero (The Coach Diary) & David Berber (DB Sports) told us why they are bringing FC Barcelona academy coaches over to Ireland to help improve the coaching standards in Irish youth soccer.Listen Here
- December 2010: Phil Neville, Everton captain and former 'Fergie Fledgling', joined us to discuss his admiration of Seamus Coleman, his new iPhone app, why he swears by yoga, the Roy Keane effect and why so many soccer fans hate his brother Gary! Listen Here
- November 2010: Former Celtic and Wales player John Hartson told us about his battle against testicular cancer. Listen here.
- November 2010: Renowned gaelic games journalist Christy O'Connor joined us to discuss the inspiration behind his new book, The Club. Listen Here
- Munster stalwart Alan Quinlan joined Matt on air today to reflect on his chequered career ahead of the release of his forthcoming autobio, 'Red Blooded'. Listen here.
- 'Blue Blood' is the title of recently retired Leinster & Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman's autobiography - it chronicles the highs & lows of his career and his fractious relationship with Michael Cheika, which Bernard was happy to discuss with Matt. Listen here.
- Former World Champion boxer Bernard Dunne gave us a riveting account ofhis boxing career ahead of his newly publishedautobiography 'My Story'. Listen here
- Kerry footballing legend Darragh Ó'Sé was in studio to talk about his life in the green and gold, ahead of the release of his autobiography. Listen here.
- 'If You Don't Know Me, Don't Judge Me' is the name of Waterford hurling heroDan Shanahan's autiobiography and he joined Matt in studio for a frankinterview about the inter-county career from which he has retired. Listen here.
- Champion jockey Ruby Walsh was on with to discuss his life on the saddle ahead of the release of his autobiography. Listen here
- We paid tribute to the late, great Irish rugby legend Moss Keane on the day of his passing, including an extended extract from Moss' insightful interview with Matt in 2005, as well as tributes today from Ollie Campbell and Billy Keane. Listen here
- WWE legend "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase joined Anton to talk wrestling, and how he has discovered God! Listen here.
- In keeping with day-after-All-Ireland tradition on The Last Word, we were joined by Sam Maguire winning captain Graham Canty after the Rebel county's victory over Down. Listen here.
- Carrick On Suir cycling legend Seán Kelly joined Matt on air in September 2010 to tell us about Nicolas Roche's progress in Vuelta d'Espana, his own cycling team, and the growth of leisure cycling in Ireland. Listen here.
- After ending Kilkenny's 4 year reign, Tipperary's All-Ireland winning 'man of the match' and 3-goal hero Lar Corbett joined Matt on air before boarding the team's homecoming train! Listen here.
- Last Word regular and three-time major winner Padraig Harrington joined us on air live from the US after his borderline selection as Colin Montgomerie's wildcard for the 2010 Ryder Cup Europe team. Listen here.
- Irish Cycling legend Stephen Roche joined us for a insightful interview in which he compared the challenges his son Nicholas is facing on the pro-tour to those he faced in his heyday. Listen here
- Old Trafford legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in Ireland with his Manchester United reserve team this week and spoke with Matt about his distinguished career, blooding new talent, and learning the ropes under Six Alex Ferguson - Listen here.
- 17-year-old Grainne Murphy from Wexford took a silver medal in the 1500m freestyle at the European Championships in Budapest and joined us on the show soon after to tell us about her success - Listen here.
- Irishman Anthony Moyles finished third out of the two million entrants in the Fantasy Premier League game last season - impressive stuff! He joined us to give some transfer advice ahead of the 2010/11 kick off.. Listen here
- Down golfer Graeme McDowell joined Matt on air just hours afterhis outstanding Major victory at the Pebble Beach course - Listen here
- Recent Leinster rugby retiree Bernard Jackman gave us an insight into the overlooked issue of the increase in concussion in the modern game. Listen here.
- Leinster rugby legend Felipe Contepomi joined Matt on air to discuss Michael Cheika's Leinster legacy ahead of his Magners League Grand Final farewell, and how he has adapted to life in the French Top 14. Take a listen here.
- To mark the launch of his new book 'Screaming at the Sky', former ClareAll-Star hurler Tony Griffin joined Matt in studio Thursday for aextensive interview covering issues such as his retirement frominter-county hurling at 29, his landmark cycle across Canada whichraised €1 million for cancer charities, as well as giving his ownunique insight on his charity patron Lance Armstrong. Take a listen here.
- Padraig Harrington has been unveiled as our Golf Ambassador by Fáilte Ireland and to mark the occasion he sat down with Matt to talk about Ireland's appeal as a golfing destination and how he's turning his game around. Listen here.
- Last weekend Rory McIlroy became the first player since Tiger Woods to win a PGA Tour event prior to his 21st birthday - he joined us live from Sawgrass to tell us about his Quail Hollow Championship victory and how he spent his 21st! Listen here.
- Tommy Bowe joined Matt to tell us about his tries at Twickwenham and how he has learned to shimmy and shake from Welsh clubmate Shane Williams. Listen here
- Kerry manager Jack O'Connor was in rare form when talking to Matt about his unhappiness with how the GAA had treated Paul Galvin's appeal against his most recent ban when he joined us on 03/03/10 - Listen here
- Wolves star and Ireland player Kevin Doyle spoke to Matt in studio in January. Listen here
- Olive Loughnane was voted the Irish Times/ Irish Sports Council Sportswoman of the year. She joined us in studio to have a chat. Listen here.
- Donal Og Cusack was awarded the William Hill Sports Book of the Year forhis autobiography 'Come What May'. Donal Og joined us in studio for achat to reflect on the impact the book has had and where he hopes to gofrom here. Have a listen back.
- Former Leinster hero and Aussie back-row Rocky Elsom joined us in studio for a chat following the Autumn Internationals. You can catch the interview back here.
- Soccer legend Pele was in Dublin in November and sat down for a chat with Matt about the world cup and that handball. Have a listen.
- Damien Lawlor's new book Working on a Dream follows a year on the road with the Waterford footballers - an excellent read by the Sunday Independent journalist and he came into speak to Matt - listen back.
- Brian Cody needs no introduction - a record breaking manager of the Kilkenny hurling team that have swept all before them en route to four All-Irelands in a row. He was speaking to Matt recently about his forthcoming biography and you can listen here.
- Mickey Harte, Tyrone's all-Ireland winning manager, sat down with Matt in advance of the release of his biography to talk about his life and times in leading the county for the past decade.
- Following the success of Sea the Stars in the Prix de l'Arc, John Ox joined us to talk about one of the greatest horses of all time.
- Following this year's All-Ireland football championship Matt spoke to Jack O Connor, Seamus Moynihan and Eoin Liston about their victory over Cork. Have a listen.
- Eddie O Sullivan's biography Never Die Wondering was released in September and the man himself sat down with Matt to talk about his time in Rugby and the 2007 RWC. Listen here.
- Alan English has written two of the greatest books in Irish Rugby history - Stand Up and Fight and the story of how Munster won the Heineken Cup. This year he is back with another major publication following the best year in Irish rugby with 'Grand Slam: How Ireland Achieved Rugby Greatness' - we spoke with Alan and Jerry Flannery about the book and the Grand Slam. Have a listen.
- Dr Bob Rotella, sports psychologist to Padraig Harrington joined us before this years Open to discuss mental preparation in sport.
- Former Tour de France winner Greg La Mond joined us recently to talk about a cycle he was taking part in in Ireland and to tell us a bit about his career and his life.
- Shane Jennings, Leinster wing forward and Heineken Cup final winner joined us after their enormous win in Edinburgh.
- In the wake of his remarkable win in the 3 Irish Open, Shane Lowry joined us to tell us how it felt.
- Eddie O Sullivan, former Ireland rugby coach, joined us to reflect on the great victory for Ireland in winning the Six Nations Grand Slam in Cardiff.
- Ruby Walsh had an excellent Cheltenham winning a lot of money for Irish punters, he spoke to Matt on the Thursday of Cheltenham.
- Former Irish International and Sunderland Chairman Niall Quinn previews Cheltenham 2009 with John Duggan and Eoin Ryan of Betfair.com
- Double major winner Padraig Harrington joined us to look back at an incredible year for our most successful athlete
- Tommy Byrne - racing driver and winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year for Crashed and Byrned
- Jonah Lomu All-Black's legend talks about his life