The Hard Shoulder

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• The impact online gambling has had on sport 02.06.2026 13мин

  Gambling and sport have gone hand-in-hand for many years, but now the rise of online gambling has made risking your money a simple click away…How has it impacted the sports landscape and its fans?Joining Shane to discuss is Darragh McGee, author of ‘Imitation Games’, which covers the topic.
• Can teachers go back to work after Love Island? 02.06.2026 8мин

  With Love Island kicking off last night, we saw Galway GAA Player and primary teacher Sean Fitzgerald make his villa debut. But given the sometimes-risqué nature of the show, will Sean Fitzgerald make a return to primary teaching?Joining Shane for more on this story is Comedian and Social Media Influencer, Kayleigh Trappe.Image: ITV2
• What does a ‘Dog Warden’ do? 02.06.2026 8мин

  Recently there was an article about how much dog poo is on Irish streets, and what Dog Wardens are doing to combat it, but what else is part of this role?Phillip Behan, a Dog Warden with South Dublin County Council, joins Shane to discuss.
• Do we need a driving curfew for novice drivers? 02.06.2026 12мин

  This bank holiday weekend on our roads we saw more than 140 motorists arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as well as more than 3,100 speeding offences and over 340 drivers using a mobile phone or failing to wear a seatbelt.Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Fianna Fail MEP for Ireland South and member of the European Transport Committee has more ideas when it comes to road safety, including a potential curfew for novice drivers…She joins Shane to discuss.
• Dublin renter creates renting video game 01.06.2026 6мин

  As new renting rules came in during March, many people found themselves served with eviction notices. Éimhin Ward was one of them. But as he searched for a new place he was shocked by some of the prices and decided to create an online game where you guess a listings’ price.  The game has gone viral, and Éimhin joins Emmet Oliver to explain the game
• Latest updates in the Jeffrey Donaldson trial 01.06.2026 6мин

  The high-profile trial of Jeffrey and Eleanor Donaldson has resumed today in Newry Crown Court, after sitting in recess over the weekend.Joining Emmet Oliver to give the newest updates is Alison Morris, a crime correspondent with the Belfast Telegraph.
• Why are people not travelling abroad on their holidays? 01.06.2026 12мин

  A new survey has shown that one in 5 Irish people will avoid travelling abroad this year. With rising prices, and rising uncertainty created by war in the Middle East, we are choosing to stay home or holiday in Ireland in bigger numbers this year Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss some of the reasons why, and offer those of us thinking about a holiday some advice is Editor of TravelExtra.ie Eoghan Corry, and CEO of Click&Go Holidays & director of the Irish Travel Agents Association Paul Hackett.
• Minister announces no new Irish-language schools until 2032 01.06.2026 10мин

  Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton has said that there are no plans to open any new Irish-language primary or secondary schools until at least 2032.  There is much criticism of this move, even within government, as many communities across the country are seeking immersive Irish-medium education across the board, from early-years education right through to third-level education. To discuss this further, Emmet Oliver is joined by Jen Cummins, Social Democrats Spokesperson for Education and TD for Dublin South-Central.
• Winners and Sinners 29.05.2026 27мин

  This week, Ciara Doherty was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Entertainment Journalist Brian Lloyd to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…
• Irish shoppers to face new customs charge for goods bought outside EU 29.05.2026 7мин

  Online shoppers across the country are going to be faced with a new customs charge from the first of July. The fee will be applied if you purchase a good worth €150 or less from outside the EU.The Revenue has also warned that a new €3 customs duty charge will apply to each individual item in a parcel bought online from non-EU countries, including the UK.For more on this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Technology Journalist, Emmet Ryan...
• Sport with John Duggan: Arsenal face PSG 29.05.2026 9мин

  Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara Doherty on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to weekend action...
• Why is Ireland V Israel going ahead? 29.05.2026 10мин

  Irish Footballer Séamus Coleman says the question of whether the Republic of Ireland should play Israel in the Nations League or not “should never have came down to the players”.Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan and Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport have confirmed this week that  they will not attend the Ireland v Israel match at the Aviva Stadium later this year.Taoiseach Micheál Martin also said this afternoon that Ireland does not want to be "self-defeating" in its approach to international soccer matches against Israel in the autumn.For more on this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Sinn Féin TD for Cork South-Central and Party Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs.
• CMAT shares “deep sadness” over body shaming online 29.05.2026 8мин

  CMAT posted on her Instagram last night that she is “deeply saddened” over body-shaming after her BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend performance.The singer says she felt “compelled to wade in and speak” after learning of abuse being directed at photos taken of her on stage.Other female singers such as Olivia Dean and Zara Larson have recently spoken out about body shaming they have received online.For more on this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Singer-Songwriter Ruth Anne...
• Would you steal a pint glass from a pub? 29.05.2026 7мин

  Jeremy Clarkson has admitted to finding the running of a pub relentless, but one thing he didn’t expect to contend with is the extreme amount of theft.He sheds light on these thefts, revealing that by week’s end, the pub is 400 glasses down!Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss further is Ali Dunworth, Food & Drinks Writer and author of ‘A Compendium of Irish Pints’.
• When should you start looking at a fertility plan? 29.05.2026 7мин

  In 2024, the average age of a mother giving birth was 33.3. Last year, over 40% of the patient population in the Rotunda Hospital was over 35. It’s clear that women across the country are choosing to have kids later in life.But, we also know that choosing to have a baby later can be a source of many fertility issues. Doctors and Fertility Coaches across the country are encouraging women to start thinking about their fertility plan, but many don’t want to hear it.For more on this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Fertility Coach and author of ‘Still Trying to Conceive’, Helena Tubridy...
• Why you shouldn’t put biodegradable bin bags in your compost bin 29.05.2026 12мин

  You may have heard a discussion this morning on Newstalk Breakfast about biodegradable bin bags and how not all of them can be put into your compost bin, but why is this such an issue?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is the Secretary of the Irish Waste Management Association, Conor Wash and Chief Executive of Voice Ireland, Tad Kirakowski.
• Movies and TV: Four Seasons, Ponies, Star City 28.05.2026 16мин

  Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and Dee Reddy, Podcaster and Cultural Commentator joined Shane to review the latest TV and movie releases…
• What are the addictive features put into video games? 28.05.2026 9мин

  Getting kids off games is the struggle of many parents, but if you didn’t already know, many games are made to keep them hooked…“Games are designed to offer something to capture your attention every 40 seconds. No wonder it’s a battle”, so says Breda O'Brien, Irish Times contributor, who joins Shane to discuss.
• The Thursday Interview: Pádraig O’Hora 28.05.2026 14мин

  Former Mayo Footballer Pádraig O’Hora joins Shane for this week’s Thursday Interview, following his recent climb of Mount Everest!
• Knee injuries among young people on the rise 28.05.2026 6мин

  Knee injuries among young people are on the rise as social media 'runfluencers' wheel out generic training programmes. Physiotherapists are warning that these training programmes are pushing beginners too hard…So, how do you prevent knee injuries when running?To answer this, Shane is joined by Clinical Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and Health Contributor for the Journal.ie Stephen O’Rourke…