OTB's Saturday Panel

This week on The Saturday Panel we're delving into the area of off-pitch and online issues that face athletes. Joining John Duggan in studio: Leigh Nicol, an ex-professional footballer and victim of sextortion; Fraser Franks, also a former professional footballer who had football suddenly taken from him owing to a heart condition; and Matt Himsworth, a media lawyer who protects players from so many evils that lurk online.

Ex Ireland internationals Mike Ross, Marcus Horan and Alison Miller join OTB's John Duggan to discuss the Rugby World Cup which starts on Friday this coming week! It's with thanks to L’Oreal – Give your skin the power to age better with the Power Age range of Hyaluronic acid products

It is All-Ireland football final weekend and John Duggan is joined by Dublin All Ireland winners Ger Brennan and John O'Leary and Celtic Cross holders with Kerry Sean O'Sullivan and Fionn Fitzgerald to discuss the biggest game in the GAA calendar. The panel will look at what makes this rivalry so special, why the Kingdom have struggled to retain their crown in the past and the mouthwatering clash of Mick Fitzsimons and David Clifford Gaelic football on Off The Ball is in partnership with AIB - Proud sponsors of the GAA senior football Championship. Check out #TheToughest for more.

John Duggan was joined on the panel in studio by legendary golf journalist Dermot Gilleece & Irish golfer and T-4 finisher in the 1982 Open, Des Smyth. They discussed the 151st Open & some fond memories of previous Open Championships. This Saturday Panel was brought to you with thanks to the all new Renault Austral E-Tech full hybrid- with 200 horsepower and up to 1,100km range.

7 time All Star with Kilkenny JJ Delaney, former Limerick boss TJ Ryan and Liam McCarthy winner with Tipperary Eoin Kelly join OTB's John Duggan to build up to the All Ireland final as Limerick look to become just the third county in history to win 3 titles in a row. Kilkenny are one of the others to achieve that feat and will be desperate to end their own famine. Hurling on Off The Ball with Bord Gais Energy. It’s Anyone’s Game - promoting inclusivity in hurling.

Former Kerry star Sean O’Sullivan, ex Dublin man Kevin Nolan and recently retired Monaghan player Drew Wylie join OTB’s John Duggan to look ahead to the All Ireland Football semi finals and the Tailteann Cup final. In association with AIB GAA | #TheToughest

Tipperary hurling great Eoin Kelly, former Limerick manager TJ Ryan and All Ireland winner with Kilkenny Brian Hogan join OTB’s John Duggan to preview the Leinster and Munster hurling finals with Limerick’s bid for 5 in a row coming up against a mighty Clare side and Galway and Kilkenny renewing their rivalry once again this Sunday. Hurling, It’s Anyone’s Game. The Hurling Pod has teamed up with Senior Hurling Championship sponsors Bord Gáis Energy, to uncover stories highlighting the positive impact hurling has had on people’s lives. Hurling, It’s Anyone’s Game. Off The Ball has teamed up with Senior Hurling Championship sponsors, Bord Gáis Energy, to uncover stories highlighting the positive impact hurling has had on people’s lives. For full competition details, please visit https://www.bordgaisenergy.ie/bgegaa

All Ireland winner with Dublin Ger Brennan, former Derry league winner Conleith Gilligan and Galway All Star nominee Finian Hanley join OTB’s John Duggan to discuss a massive weekend of Gaelic football action in the All Ireland Football Championship. The panel will discuss the massive derbies between Cork and Kerry, Tyrone and Armagh and Dublin v Kildare while looking at ways to improve styles of attack and discussing which GAA phrases drive them crazy. In association with AIB

OTB’s John Duggan is joined by Leinster winner with Wexford Rory Jacob, former Cork and Wexford boss John Meyler and Irish Independent GAA correspondent Michael Verney to look ahead to the final group games in the Leinster and Munster hurling championships. There are final places up for grabs, Wexford staring down the barrel of relegation and previewing the Joe McDonagh Cup final. Hurling, It’s Anyone’s Game. Off The Ball has teamed up with Senior Hurling Championship sponsors, Bord Gáis Energy, to uncover stories highlighting the positive impact hurling has had on people’s lives. For full competition details, please visit www.bordgaisenergy.ie/home/bge-gaa

Ex-Dublin footballer Pillar Caffrey, Donegal All-Ireland winner Eamon McGee & ex-Louth captain Paddy Keenan join John Duggan to preview the Leinster Football final between Dublin & Louth, and the Ulster decider between Derry & Armagh. With AIB GAA | #TheToughest

OTB’s John Duggan is joined by former Limerick hurling manager TJ Ryan, All Ireland winner with Kilkenny Aidan “Taggy” Fogarty and Irish Independent GAA writer Michael Verney to look at the latest action in the Munster and Leinster hurling championships including Limerick’s loss to Clare, and a vital clash in Croke Park between Wexford and Dublin. Hurling on Off The Ball with Bord Gáis Energy GAA - proud sponsors of the Senior Hurling Championship and the Legends Tour Series taking place in Croke Park.

Double All Ireland champion with Clare Jamesie O’Connor, 7 time winner with Kilkenny Brian Hogan and the Irish Independent’s Michael Verney join OTB’s John Duggan to look ahead to the Leinster and Munster hurling championships with Galway vs Wexford, Waterford v Limerick and Clare v Tipperary all down for decision this weekend. The panel discussed who can stop the Limerick juggernaut, what impact will the return of TJ Reid have on Kilkenny and if Davy Fitzgerald can bring Waterford a step further than in his first reign.

Double All Ireland winning manager with Galway John O’Mahony, former Dublin boss Paul “Pillar” Caffrey and former dual star with Westmeath Alan Mangan join OTB’s John Duggan to look ahead to the All Ireland Football Championship with the provincial competitions getting underway this weekend. The lads discuss how Mayo can build on their League win as they aim for the big one, what Stephen Cluxton’s return means for Dublin’s chances and which side are best placed to be the surprise package this season. Gaelic Football with AIB | #TheToughest

OTB's John Duggan is joined by Irish Independent GAA writer Colm Keys, All Ireland winner with Kilkenny Aidan "Taggy" Fogarty and former Louth manager Colin Kelly to dive into a monster weekend of National league action with semi final clashes in hurling and final day that's sure to be full of drama in the football. The lads will discuss who needs the league title the most in hurling, what has brought Louth to the brink of three successive promotions and which teams are best placed with the Championship just around the corner.

Devin Toner, Brent Pope and Katie Fitzhenry join Johnny Ward on Off The Ball to preview Ireland vs England as well as examining their progression under Andy Farrell. This week's Saturday Panel is brought to you with thanks to Carry Out, Ireland’s largest independent off licence with over 100 stores nationwide and voted Ireland's number 1 Off Licence in 2022, now delivering nationwide. Visit carryout.ie for more.

OTB’s John Duggan is joined by All Ireland winner with Cork Sarah O’Donovan and the Irish Independent’s Conor McKeon to discuss some of the biggest stories in the world of sport from during the week.The panel will cast their eyes over a champions league mauling for Liverpool, Manchester United downing Barcelona, the fiasco surrounding the Camogie All Stars trip and Ireland finally being comfortable with the favourites tag in rugby

Professional boxers Jason Quigley and Emmet Brennan join OTB's John Duggan and Kevin Byrne of the Irish Sun to look at the latest developments in Irish boxing. The lads discuss the decision to boycott the world championships, the struggles to survive as a pro and Jason's return to the ring at the National Stadium in April.

OTB's John Duggan was joined by Derry GAA legends Enda Gormley, Tony Scullion and Conleith Gilligan to look ahead to the All Ireland Senior Club Football Final between Glen and Kilmacud Crokes. The lads also looked at the recent rise in Ulster hurling and football and discussed possible discipline issues in the club game.

John Duggan was joined in studio by Roy Curtis, Tim McCarthy and on the line by Maire Treasa Ni Cheallaigh to look ahead to the sporting year and make their bold predictions and hopes for 2023.

OTB's John Duggan was joined by the documentarian Ross Whitaker to discuss some of the best sports documentaries of 2022. Ross chatted about his own career, how to get the best out of your subjects, why A Year 'Til Sunday was a major inspiration and how he put together a special on Ireland's win over the All Blacks in just six weeks.