Episodi

  • Gary Stewart - Boxing Ireland CEO

    Gary Stewart - Boxing Ireland CEO
    Oct 22 2026

    Today on The Rocky Road, we are joined for the first time by Gary Stewart, CEO of Boxing Ireland (formerly the IABA). Originally from Cumbria, Gary's lifelong passion for sport eventually led him to Ireland after meeting his Wicklow wife, and he has recently celebrated the birth of his second son. Bringing a wealth of experience from Sport Ireland and a transformative tenure as CEO of Volleyball Ireland, Gary steps into Irish boxing with serious energy, seeing untapped potential across every corner of the sport.

    In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss why key structural moves - such as introducing a dedicated Pathway Development Lead and making the Elite Championships effectively mandatory for squad selection - are crucial first steps for the association. Gary opens up about the ambition to bring major international tournaments back to Irish shores, exploring how a vibrant calendar can help retain top young talent against the pull of professional promoters. We also dive into tapping new revenue streams, elevating the sport's national profile and his push to bring Irish amateur boxing back to free-to-air terrestrial television. Finally, we tackle the realities of grassroots funding, why every club in Ireland should consider applying for the Community Sport Facilities Fund, some of the flaws in the current application model and how Boxing Ireland is lobbying the Government for long-term operational support.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 ora e 3 min
  • Mick Conlan: I'm Batman

    Mick Conlan: I'm Batman
    Oct 15 2026
    Michael Conlan joins Kevin Byrne for an unfiltered look back at his career and what lies ahead. Mick reveals the crazy story behind his recent trip to Moscow and the truth about his Rio 2016 robbery, explains why Irish amateur boxing needs fresh blood on the coaching staff and breaks down Anthony Cacace's huge clash with Nick Ball. He also opens up about his son entering the sport, the dark side of pro coaching, his retirement and launching a new Belfast promotional venture with Jay Byrne.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 ora e 28 min
  • The House That Katie Built

    The House That Katie Built
    Oct 8 2026
    Guest co-host Sinéad Kehoe (East Coast FM) joins us to unpack the true impact of Katie Taylor’s legacy - from opening gym doors for a new generation of female fighters to the harsh funding realities facing grassroots boxing on the ground. We hear from Brendan Fitzpatrick, former fighter and now coach at West Finglas Boxing Club on the constant battle for physical space and how the sport saved him, and young boxer Niamh on stepping into the ring inspired by Katie, her hero. Lecturer in social sciences of sport Conor Heffernan breaks down structural funding inequities and talks reform, while criminologist Trina O'Connor explores how sports transform working-class communities and whether historical stigmas still hold boxing back.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 ora e 17 min
  • Brendan Kelly - Before Hollywood Came Calling

    Brendan Kelly - Before Hollywood Came Calling
    Sep 30 2026

    Actor, fighter, and storyteller Brendan Kelly sits down with Kevin Byrne on the Rocky Road Boxing Podcast for part one of a wide-ranging, raw conversation. Brendan reflects on his early years growing up in a fighting family, stepping into the ring as a 16-year-old at Chino State Prison and his time boxing on the Irish team out of the Drimnagh Boxing Club alongside Joe Egan and Billy Walsh.

    Brendan shares incredible first-hand stories about what it was really like to spar a prime, terrifying Mike Tyson before the Spinks fight - no headgear, no ref, and no safe spaces. Plus, he discusses his surreal pivot into high fashion modeling for Giorgio Armani in Milan, the tragedy and toughness of 80s boxing legends like Evander Holyfield and Roberto Durán, and how his real-life experiences working security alongside New York’s notorious Westies gang shaped his book, Occupation Gangster.

    Stick with us for Part 2 - when Brendan hits Hollywood to star in movies such as Con Air and The Rock, and HBO drama Oz, before becoming a bounty hunter amd advocate for at-risk kids.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 ora e 4 min
  • Kieran Molloy - My Time To Shine

    Kieran Molloy - My Time To Shine
    Sep 24 2026
    Undefeated IBF European welterweight Champion Kieran Molloy returns to The Rocky Road. Four years on from his first appearance as a 3-0 prospect, the Galway southpaw joins Kevin Byrne to reflect on his rise to 15-0, overcoming pro ring adversity, honoring his Connemara roots, and where that talked-about domestic super-fight with Paddy Donovan stands today in light of Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua finally being made. We also talk about how he overcame his agonising first knockdown in a fight, why he'll never enter the ring injured again and in-ring trash talk and why it gives him a buzz to go out there and shut his opponents up.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    49 min
  • Time to Byrne

    Time to Byrne
    Sep 16 2026

    We’re joined by Jay Byrne of JB Boxing Promotions — and there is plenty to discuss.


    Dublin has enjoyed a boxing boom this summer, beginning with Byrne’s show at Leopardstown in July and concluding at the National Stadium on September 27, when Paul Loonam faces Ruadhan Farrell for the Irish super-bantamweight title.


    In between, promotional heavyweights Queensberry, Zuffa Boxing and Matchroom have all visited the capital, staging shows that showcased the good, the bad and the ugly of boxing.


    We discuss the strength of Irish women’s boxing following Katie Taylor’s retirement after her Croke Park swansong; what legacy — if any — the event at GAA HQ will leave; who can carry the torch for Irish boxing and lead us back to Jones’ Road; and where the next generation of television stars might emerge after RTÉ screened Taylor v Flora Pili, its first live professional boxing broadcast in 15 years.


    We also address fighter safety. Jay’s brother Glenn was forced to retire after suffering a brain bleed following his fight with William Crolla in April. Then, in August, the boxing community was horrified when Lee Reeves suffered the same injury against Gary Cully at the 3Arena.


    Is boxing becoming less safe — and, if so, why? Jay shares his theories about what is going wrong.


    Plus, we preview Judgment Day, JB Boxing Promotions’ next show at the home of Irish boxing.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 ora e 5 min
  • Katie Taylor - The Epic Finale

    Katie Taylor - The Epic Finale
    Sep 6 2026
    Kevin Byrne is joined by Gavan Casey to reflect on an epic night at Croke Park as Katie Taylor's celebrated career came to an end as a unified world champion after victory over Flora Pili. Kevin also catches up with Taylor's trainer Ross Enamait and RTE's Siobhan Madigan.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 ora e 16 min
  • Katie Taylor's Final Fight

    Katie Taylor's Final Fight
    Sep 2 2026
    It's finally here - Katie Taylor will fight at Croke Park this weekend in her sold-out finale against Flora Pili. Kevin Byrne and Simon Maguire look ahead to what could be described as the greatest goodbye in boxing history. The Irish icon will lace up the gloves for one final fight which will be broadcast on RTE in Ireland and DAZN around the globe.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    40 min