The Rocky Road

Thomas O'Toole - The Kid

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the 150th episode of The Rocky Road boxing pod! Today's guest has been on the hitlist since we began. Thomas O’Toole is following in Seá...

Seamus McDonagh - Taking on Evander Holyfield

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In Part 2 of our interview with Seamus McDonagh, he talks about one of the biggest nights of his life - when he fought Evander Holyfield in Atlantic C...

Seamus McDonagh - The Early Years

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Seamus McDonagh is the special guest for this week's epsiode. In Part 1, Seamus talks about learning to fight in Co Meath, boxing Barry McGuigan as a ...

2023 Year in Review Special

27 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rising star Tommy Hyde and boxing comedian/actor Terry O'Neill join host Kevin Byrne to look back at an epic 2023 for Irish boxing. We name our Fighte...

Tony Bates - Mi Vida Loca - Part 2

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tony Bates is a professional boxer from Dublin. Unbeaten since his debut in 2011, he last fought in 2018. Nicknamed ‘Irish Psycho’, he could just ...

Tony Bates - Mi Vida Loca - Part 1

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tony Bates is a professional boxer from Dublin. Unbeaten since his debut in 2011, he last fought in 2018. Nicknamed ‘Irish Psycho’, he could just ...

Joe Parker - Deep Waters

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Joseph Parker will have his hands full when he meets Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia on December 23. But anyone who’s willing to brave the Forty Foot...

Katie Taylor - Redemption

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What a night in Dublin. Katie Taylor emulated boxing legends such as Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard by avenging her first loss and then targe...

Shauna O'Keeffe - Going Pro

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s guests are 2023 Irish Elite champ, Shauna O’Keeffe, who makes her pro debut at London’s York Hall on December 8, and her trainer/co-...

Irish Boxing: Big Time

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire reflect on a busy period in Irish boxing along with interviews from Alan Donnellan, John Joe Joyce and Eric Donovan afte...

Emmet Brennan and Darren Barker - No Regrets

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This a man who’s living his dream before our very eyes. Emmet Brennan fought for Ireland at the Olympics Games in Tokyo during the summer of 2021. A...

Jason Quigley - The Gloves are Off

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s ten years since Jason Quigley became the first Irishman to reach the final of the World Championships In a breakout 2013, he won his first Iris...

Eamon Carr - Showbusiness with Blood - Part 2

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the second part of our interview with Eamon Carr as he launches his book 'Showbusiness with Blood'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...

Eamon Carr - Showbusiness with Blood - Part 1

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eamon Carr is the special guest for this week's episode as he joins Kevin Byrne to talk about his new book: Showbusiness with Blood. Carr reflects on ...

Graham McCormack - G Train Rolls On

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Limerick's Graham McCormack joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode to reflect on his life and career so far as he gears up for his next fight. Hos...

Dylan Moran - No Laughing Matter

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dylan Moran hails from Waterford but started his pro career in Manchester, the city he will return to on September 2 for his biggest fight to date. No...

If Walls Could Talk - Crumlin Boxing Club - Part 2

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“Some fellas are afraid of nothing, and some fellas are afraid of getting a clatter. And some fellas are not afraid until they get a clatter! Then t...

Terry O'Neill - Rope A Dope

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Terry O’Neill is a former Irish international boxer turned actor and comedian. During his years in the fight game, the Dubliner won national titles ...

Joe Egan - The Toughest

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Big Joe Egan joins the podcast this week to tell his story and he’s well and truly travelled The Rocky Road to contentment. Raised in Ringsend, Dubl...

Errol Spence v Terence Crawford - Undisputed

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Byrne is joined by Pierce O'Leary, Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan and Dee Walsh to look ahead to the eagerly anticipated showdown between Errol Spence ...

If Walls Could Talk - Crumlin Boxing Club - Part 1

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve something different this week as we kick off a new feature called ‘If Walls Could Talk’. On one of my visits to the boxing gym it struck m...

Jack Marley - Heavy Hitting

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland’s newest heavyweight star Jack Marley is going to the Olympics. The Monkstown BC fighter qualified at the European Games in Poland, where he...

Pody McCrory - Hammer Time

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

STOP! ‘Hammer’ time. Padraig ‘Pody’ McCrory knows a thing or two about stopping people in their tracks. He’s a quiet man but he has been mak...

Jim McCourt Remembered

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mick Dowling joins The Rocky Road this week to look back at the boxing life of his Olympic team-mate, Jim McCourt RIP. Two amateur boxing devotees who...

Feargal McCrory - Fearless

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Last time Feargal McCrory joined us on The Rocky Road, he hadn't had a fight for three years and was desperate to find out if he'd still got it. Three...

'Rock, you're an animal' - Ingle

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“Be nice to people on your way up, because you’ll meet them on your way down” – just one of the phrases beloved by Brendan Ingle, the Dubliner...

Michael Conlan - We Go Again

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Conlan is the special guest for this week's show. He joins Kevin Byrne to preview Katie Taylor's homecoming clash with Chantelle Cameron in Du...

Deirdre Gogarty - Immortal

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A true fighting hero joins us today. She’s Ireland’s first female boxer and was Ireland’s first female world champ. She added to the l...

David Irving - The Man in the Middle

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we welcome back a guest who has lived two lives in boxing – firstly as an amateur and then a pro fighter, and for the last 34 years as a refer...

Gus Farrell – On The Waterfront

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“I’m John Farrelly. I’m not Gus Farrell. I’m an ordinary Joe Soap. Gus Farrell is gone.”This week’s guest was known as Gus Farrell during ...

Roberto Diaz - The Matchmaker

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Roberto Diaz joins us for this week’s episode while enjoying his first ever trip to Ireland. The former Golden Boy Promotions matchmaker was over fo...

Jamie Morrissey – God’s Plan

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Irish boxing has welcomed a host of new pros in the last few years and Limerick fighter Jamie Morrissey is among the most interesting of the crop. He’...

Dennis Hogan - The Road Less Travelled

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

‘I’ll tell you a funny story…’ Dennis Hogan is coming home. After 36 fights all over the world – from his base in Australia to Mexico via Ge...

Katie Taylor - The Return of the Queen

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ace reporter Kev came down from the mountains for the Katie Taylor ‘Homecoming’ press conference at Dublin’s Mansion House (talkin’ bout a rev...

Steve Collins - St. Patrick's Day Special

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’re joined by Steve Collins, AKA The Celtic Warrior, for The Rocky Road St Paddy’s Day special 2023. Steve talks about his amateur days under le...

David Irving - The Early Years

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

David Irving is the special guest for this week's episode. The Belfast man charts his rise through both the amateur and professional ranks from the ea...

Tommy Hyde - Rebel Heart

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tommy Hyde is a 2-0 professional boxer and publican from Cork. As a kid he travelled the world with his fighter-managing father, Gary, posin...

Jason Quigley - The Return

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Quigley is about to begin The Rebuild – and who better than Andy Lee to guide him back towards the top? After all, Lee knows all about The Roc...

Citizen O'Kane

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eamonn O’Kane took part in the toughest era of Irish middleweights, going up against the likes of John Duddy, Darren Sutherland, Andy Lee and Jason ...

Creating Champions - JP Kinsella and Damien McKenna

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Damien McKenna and JP Kinsella were Ireland team-mates at the 2001 World Championships in Belfast who both came within a win of a medal. Multiple-time...

Mickey Vann and the Fighting Irish

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Legendary ref Mickey Vann wound up his career as the third man in the ring with a stint in Ireland, reffing bouts such as Spike O’Sullivan v Anthony...

Elites - Kenneth Egan and Jason Quigley

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week special guests Kenneth Egan and Jason Quigley join Kevin Byrne to discuss the greatest night of the year in Irish boxing – senior finals n...

Ruth O'Sullivan - Ruthless

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Ruthless" Ruth O'Sullivan, originally from Dublin, has three New York Golden Gloves titles to her name - all won at the boxing Mecca of Madison Squar...

Paddy Donovan - The Real Deal

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Paddy Donovan is the special guest for this week's show. He joins Kevin Byrne to discuss his pro career as he looks for his tenth successive victory t...

Kieran Molloy - Aiming for the Top

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kieran Molloy joins Kevin Byrne for this week's show. The Galwayman talks about his amateur career and why he left for the paid ranks, his rivalry wit...

John McCormack - A Life in Boxing

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

John McCormack grew up in Dublin’s inner city centre as the son of famous boxer Spike McCormack. From a large family, fighting was in his blood – ...

Gerry Coyle - My Father's Fight

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gerry Coyle is best known in Irish boxing as the figurehead of Geesala BC, from the ‘Land of the Salty Breeze’, and father of former world-rated c...

Craig O'Brien - Bouncing Back

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Craig O'Brien is the special guest for this week's show. He joins Kevin Byrne to discuss his rocky road in life to this point as he prepares to get ba...

The Rise of Female Boxing in Ireland

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Why does Ireland produce the world’s greatest female boxers? From having an undisputed world champ in the pros to reigning Olympic, World, European ...

The Deirdre Gogarty Legacy Committee

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded in Drogheda Boxing Club, Kevin Byrne is joined by Ciaran McIvor, Annmarie Griffin and Christina McMahon at the launch of the campaign by The ...

100th Episode: Gerry Creighton - Fighting for Elephants

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Legendary Dublin ZooKeeper and former Irish amateur boxing champion Gerry Creighton joins Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire to reflect on his extraordinar...

Tommy McCarthy: Stand Up and Fight

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tommy McCarthy joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Belfast brawler talks about his new podcast, his journey into stand-up comedy and he loo...

Russ Anber - Inside Usyk's Camp

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Russ Anber joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. Fresh from working Oleksandr Usyk's corner for his win over Anthony Joshua at the weekend - Anbe...

Michael Conlan - Exorcising Demons

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Conlan joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Belfast brawler is fresh off his victory over Miguel Marriaga where he admits the win he...

Damien Denny - From the Ring to the Big Screen

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Damien Denny joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. He talks about his career inside the squared circle and how he ended up acting across from Dan...

Barcelona Olympics - The Class of 92

03 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

30 years on from an unforgettable week in Irish sporting history - three members of Ireland's Olympic boxing team join Kevin Byrne to reflect on the g...

Callum Walsh - Explosive

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rising Irish light-middleweight Callum Walsh is the special guest for this week's episode. He joins Kevin Byrne to discuss his switch to the pro ranks...

Feargal McCrory - Long Road Back to the Ring

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Feargal McCrory is the special guest for this week's episode. The undefeated boxer joins Kevin Byrne to talk about his career to date and how he hopes...

Paddy last - Following Ali into the Ring at Croke Park

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Paddy Doherty joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Donegal boxer talks about his journey in the sport which culminated in fighting on the sa...

Mickey Vann - Ringmaster: From the Circus to the Boxing Ring

06 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Legendary boxing referee Mickey Vann joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. He reflects on his early life and how he ended up moving from the circ...

Gabriel Dossen - European Champion

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gabriel Dossen joins Kevin Byrne and Joe Ward for this week's episode. The newly crowned European champion reflects on his journey to the top and what...

Muhammad Ali - Fifteen Rounds in the Wilderness

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Dave Hannigan joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. He discusses his new book on Muhammad Ali - reflecting on the lesser known period of h...

Eric Donovan - Another Crack at Glory

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Donovan joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode to announce he will get a shot at European glory. The finer details are still to be sorted out ...

Keane McMahon - All roads lead to MSG

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Keane McMahon is the special guest for this week's episode. He joins Kevin Byrne to talk about his journey in life as he prepares to fight at Madison ...

Mike Mongan - Training Champions

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Mongan is the special guest for this week's episode. The Head Coach from the Olympic boxing club in Galway is celebrating a huge couple of weeks ...

Regan Buckley - Bucking the Trend

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Regan Buckley is the special guest for this week's episode. He joins Kevin Byrne to talk about his days in the Irish amateur ranks, his shock move pro...

Richard Maynard: Paper champ

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Maynard is the special guest for this week's episode. He previously worked for Hall Of Fame boxing promoter Frank Warren for 18 years - overse...

History at Madison Square Garden

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Former boxers Christy Martin and Patrick Hyland join Kevin Byrne to reflect on the epic lightweight title fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serran...

History Makers - Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Myles Casey joins Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire for this week's episode to look ahead to the historic main event fight at Madison Square Garden this w...

Packie Collins - Calling the shots

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Packie Collins joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The head trainer at the Celtic Warrior Gym discusses the recent fights of Eric Donovan and R...

Taka Mhandu - Aiming for the Top

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Taka Mhandu is the special guest for this week's episode. He joins Simon Maguire to talk about his introduction to MMA, his sporting idols and his fut...

Eamon McAuley - Fighting to Find Peace

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eamon McAuley and Jim Rock are the special guests for this week's episode. The pair join Kevin Byrne to talk about McAuley's new book: 'Fighting to Fi...

Ray Moylette - Back in the Game

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ray Moylette is the special guest for this week's episode. The Mayo brawler is back in the ring on March 26th in Leeds when he takes on Dalton Smith o...

Roger Lee - Working the pads

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Roger Lee is the special guest for this week's episode. He joins Kevin Byrne to talk about his journey in the sport, working with Emanuel Steward in D...

The Klitschko Brothers and the fight of their lives

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Loeffler joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Managing Director of K2 Promotions has worked closely with the Klitschko brothers over the...

Michael Conlan - Time Is Now

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Conlan joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. He talks about his crazy teenage years, his move through the amateur ranks to the pro game, ...

Eric Donovan - This is Your Fight

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Donovan joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. 'Lilywhite Lightning' is facing a huge challenge when he takes on double-Olympic champion Robe...

Tommy Tolan - Fighting to Survive

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Belfast boxer Tommy Tolan joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Ballymurphy native has some story and has fought some of the best Irish and B...

Niall Kennedy - One Last Crack

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Niall Kennedy joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Irish star reflects on his career to date and discusses his plans for the future. He also...

Leo Santa Cruz' Belfast Connection

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we look back at the rivalry between Leo Santa Cruz and Carl Frampton. Kevin Byrne is joined by journalist, David Mohan, to reflect on two ep...

Kevin Sheehy - A Life Remembered

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Paddy Donovan and Ken Moore join Kevin Byrne to reflect on the life of Kevin Sheehy. The two were good friends of Sheehy prior to his death and remini...

The Fighting Irish

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Colin Hart joins Kevin Byrne to look back at the Irish fighters he covered during his legendary career. From Barry McGuigan to Katie Taylor, 'The Voic...

Donal Ward - From the GAA pitch to the ring

14 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Former Roscommon gaelic football star Donal Ward joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. Ward talks about his journey in sport and how he's looking...

The Additional Needs High Five Boxing Academy

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Byrne is joined by Paddy Dingle, who came up with the idea for the initiative for the Additional Needs High Five Boxing Academy, Nuala O’Donov...

Colin Hart's Top Heavyweight Fights

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Colin Hart joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The legendary Sun boxing expert reveals his top heavyweight contests in the aftermath of the Fur...

Anthony Cacace - Chasing Glory

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Cacace joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The Belfast boxer talks about the highs and lows of the sport as he chases his world title d...

Emmet Brennan - Living the Olympic Dream

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Emmet Brennan joins Kevin Byrne and Eric Donovan for this week's episode. The Dubliner talks about his journey from the first time he put on a pair of...

Steve Collins v Nigel Benn 25th anniversary special

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Collins joins Kevin Byrne to look back at his rivalry with Nigel Benn.'The Celtic Warrior' fought Benn twice in 1996 for the WBO super-middlewei...

Frank O'Sullivan - Solid Gold

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Cork native and Birmingham boxing legend, Frank O'Sullivan, is the special guest for this week's podcast. The Irishman is a boxing phenomenon in his a...

Angelo Dundee at 100 - The Rocky Ros Muc on his old friend and trainer

26 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sean Mannion joins Kevin Byrne for this week's show. The Rocky Ros Muc joins the podcast to talk about his old friend and trainer, Angelo Dundee, who ...

Mickey Hawkins - Belfast Boxing Icon

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Head coach at Holy Trinity Boxing Club in Belfast, Mickey Hawkins, joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. He talks about his early days in the spo...

Leonard Gunning - Growing Irish boxing

12 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Leonard Gunning joins Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire for this week's episode. The Boxing Ireland promoter talks about his own interest in the sport and...

Con Sheehan - Walking away with no regrets

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Con Sheehan is the guest for this week's podcast. The rising heavyweight packed in the pro game despite going 6-0 early in the paid ranks. He talks to...

Thomas Carty - Learning from the Best

21 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rising Irish heavyweight Thomas Carty joined Kevin Byrne for this week's show. He talks about his move into professional boxing and working with Pasch...

Sinead Kavanagh - Chasing Glory

14 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Boxer-turned-MMA star Sinead Kavanagh joined Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire for this week's episode. The Dubliner had a decorated amateur boxing career...

Katie Taylor - Global Superstar

31 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Barry Hearn joins Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. The legendary promoter talks about the changing landscape in professional boxing and Katie Tayl...

Trailblazers - Kellie Harrington and Katie Taylor

24 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Irish featherweight champ Eric Donovan joins Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire for this week's episode to discuss trailblazing boxers Kellie Harrington an...

Dean Byrne - Sparring Manny Pacquiao and Finding God

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dean Byrne joins Kevin Byrne for this week's show ahead of Manny Pacquiao's return to the ring. The Dubliner befriended 'Pacman' when he sparred the F...

Olympic Boxing Review with Adam Nolan and Lynne O'Shea

10 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Nolan and Lynne O'Shea join Kevin Byrne for this week's episode. They discuss Ireland's Olympic success in the ring after medals for Kellie Harri...

Hugh Russell - Irish Derby Delights

03 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hugh Russell joins Kevin Byrne to look back at his domestic clashes with Davy Larmour. 'Little Red' won and Olympic bronze for Ireland in 1980 before ...