Sean Mannion was a rough-hewn Irish middleweight who fought out of Boston in the 1980s. He got his big shot in Madison Square Garden in 1984, when he fought Mike “The Bodysnatcher” McCallum for the world title.

 

The story of how he got there, the impact his loss that night had on his life, and the shady characters that made up Irish-American life in South Boston at that time, is told in a new documentary called “Rocky Rosmuc”, and the film’s director Michael Fanning is in studio.

 

Niamh Fahey, one of Ireland’s most decorated footballers, is also in studio as she and her team-mates prepare for a massive World Cup qualifier against The Netherlands next Tuesday. She tells us about dealing with the extra scrutiny as a result of their strike action last year, what options are open to young girls hoping to make their way in professional football, and how World Cup qualification is needed to grow the game here.

Niamh Fahey challenges Gaetane Thiney of France ©INPHO/James Crombie

Plus there’s spineless 18-year old Murph, Juan “The Hispanic Causin’ Panic” Lazcano, and the greatest nicknames in boxing history.

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