The Hard Shoulder
Newstalk
The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk. Join us every weekday afternoon from 4-7pm for a round-up of the day’s events, interviews with the people at the centre of the stories – and a bit of craic along the way. CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 23, 2025 • 26min
Clinical hip surgery audit unveils many unnecessary operations on children
At least 1,800 children who had hip dysplasia surgery are to be medically reviewed following an audit which found surgeons in Cappagh & Temple Street hospitals were carrying out a high number of unnecessary operations…Marie Sherlock, Labour Party TD and Spokesperson on Health, Shauna Bowers, Health Correspondent with The Irish Times and later Elaine Flanagan, Mother of Harlow and David Cullinane Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Health all join Kieran to discuss.
May 23, 2025 • 7min
Sport with Eoin Sheahan
Off The Ball's Eoin Sheahan joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…
May 23, 2025 • 12min
1 in 5 would not cope with a €1,000 bill - Henry McKean Reports
One in four people in Ireland are ‘clinging on’ when it comes to their finances, according to the Credit Union.Over half of us are financially ‘comfortable’, but 20% of us are just ‘coping’. To discuss further, Kieran is joined by Newstalk’s Henry McKean.
May 23, 2025 • 5min
Calls to ban Taylor Swift’s favourite cat breed
With their folded ears and big eyes, the Scottish fold cat is beloved by many celebrities including Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. However, there are calls in the UK to ban the breeding of Scottish Folds due to painful genetic deformities.So, what are these problems with this breed and why are they so popular?Clare Meade, Cat Vet with Cat Hospital joins Kieran to discuss.
May 22, 2025 • 13min
How will tonight’s skort vote impact camogie?
Tonight, in Croke Park, a vote will be taking place that could change camogie forever. That is the vote to allow players the decision to choose whether they would like to wear shorts instead of skorts.So, will the vote come to pass? And what will happen to camogie if it does not?Karl O’Brien, Chairperson of Dublin Camogie and Aislinn Connolly, former Galway camogie player and all star join Kieran to discuss.
May 22, 2025 • 16min
The Thursday Interview: Garron Noone
TikTok Comedian, Musician and Influencer Garron Noone joins Kieran for this week's Thursday Interview!
May 22, 2025 • 7min
Practical advice for your state exams
Students and households across the country are preparing for their state exams which kick off in two weeks (on June 4th), but what is the best way to approach the paper when it is put in front of you to get the maximum marks you can?Joining Kieran to give some practical advice is Aoife O'Driscoll, English teacher in Cork CBC, textbook author and webinar deliverer at Tralee ED Centre.
May 22, 2025 • 16min
Celebrating ten years of victory for marriage equality
10 years ago today, Dublin Castle was the scene of celebrations after the historic victory for Marriage Equality.One of the people involved in the campaign and who was there on that day 10 years ago was Fine Gael TD for the Cork South-Central Jerry Buttimer.Kieran escapes the Newstalk studio and joins him to discuss.
May 22, 2025 • 8min
Ombudsman for Children discusses OCO Annual Report
Over 17 hundred complaints were made to the Ombudsman for Children’s Office last year, with almost 600 of those relating to education.So, where do we go from here?Joining Kieran to discuss is Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon.
May 22, 2025 • 10min
UK considering introducing chemical castration - should Ireland too?
The UK is considering introducing chemical castration for sex offenders as a means of reducing reoffending and also dealing with prison overcrowding.Is this an acceptable form of punishment in 2025, and does it work for its intended purpose? Also, is it something Ireland should consider?Joining Kieran to discuss this is Dr. Patrick Randall, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and Director of Forensic Psychological Services…
