The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Patrick Horgan discusses his new book, reflecting on his 20-year intercounty career and the 26-year drought for Glen Rovers.

Hosts Matt Cooper and Miguel Delaney analyze the fallout from Manchester City’s guilty verdict on 114 financial charges, debating the implications of…

Former swimming coach George Gibney was sentenced to 15 years and six months in prison for the sexual abuse of four girls and attempted rape of another.

Kevin Callen of Forsa and Fianna Fáil TD Seamus McGrath discuss the impending public sector strike, triggered by the government’s refusal to address cost-of-living increases before other issues.

Matteo Bergamini, co-author of *Man Enough*, discusses how online misogyny exploits adolescent insecurities to radicalize boys, primarily for financial gain.

Matt Cooper, Emily, and Paddy discuss the criminal damage caused by students in Limerick, contrasting their actions with legitimate housing activism.

Ronan Lyons discusses his book *Brittle*, arguing that Ireland’s housing crisis is a structural failure rather than a 2007-style debt bubble.

Matt Cooper and guest John discuss the government’s decision to cut the carbon tax, debating whether it undermines long-term climate commitments or offers necessary relief for energy-poor households.

Matt Cooper and Andy O'Donoghue discuss money-saving home gadgets, including smart thermostats like Hive and radiator controls that optimize heating schedules.

Tim Wheeler of Ash joins Matt Cooper to discuss his upcoming solo acoustic tour and the 30th anniversary of Ash’s album *1977*.

John Boyne discusses his new novel, *The Weight of Angels*, which imagines an alternate history where Oscar Wilde avoids his infamous 1895 trial and lives to age 99.

Minister Peter Burke defends the budget’s tax cuts and minimum wage increase, arguing they reward work despite inflationary pressures.

Matt Cooper analyzes the latest Irish budget with tax expert Nancy Fallon, Business Post editor Daniel McConnell, and economist Dan O'Brien.

Matt Cooper discusses Mick Clifford’s new book, *I Long to Be Life Through a GAA Lens*, which explores identity and community through the lens of Gaelic games.

Sarah Slattery from The Travel Expert discusses strategies for managing rising holiday costs, including booking early and using Ryanair’s 50% deposit feature to hedge against price fluctuations.

Matt Cooper and Miguel Delaney analyze the historic financial misconduct findings against Manchester City, describing the case as the biggest example of industrialized cheating in modern sport.

Lurkin discusses the cyclical nature of Irish housing policy, noting that classism and cost-cutting measures have persisted from the 1820s to the present day.

John Gibbons discusses England’s plan to plant 500,000 trees, arguing the target is unambitious compared to the scale of climate impacts.

Matt Cooper and Andy O'Donoghue discuss the health risks of "sealed box" homes, including dust mites, mold, and radon exposure.

Donald Gallagher, brother of the late Rory Gallagher, joins Matt Cooper to discuss his new book, *Edged in Blue*.

Mark Little discusses the parallels between early internet optimism and current AI risks, arguing that power concentration in big tech mirrors past financial crises.

Louise O'Neill discusses her memoir *A Bigger Life*, detailing her journey from a devastating breakup at 38 to reclaiming her identity through global dating.

Host Matt Cooper discusses the resurgence of sectarian tensions in Northern Ireland with guests Alex Caine and Martina Devlin.

Matt Cooper, John Cannell, and Dee discuss the U2 Grafton Street event, with John humorously recounting his failed attempt to attend.

Matt Cooper and guests discuss the arrest of five men near a US air base in the UK, debating whether it signals a genuine terrorist threat or a minor crime.

Louise Kennedy discusses her novel *Stations*, which follows a teenager named Rosine navigating life in 1980s Ireland and later emigrating to London.

Matt Cooper and guests discuss a New York Times list of the 100 best 21st-century TV series, debating rankings like Breaking Bad and The Wire while noting the exclusion of The Sopranos.

Matt Cooper discusses the fallout from Ireland’s UEFA Nations League match against Israel, featuring sports writer Ciarán Cunningham and author Fintan Drury.

The Last Word discusses the URC's new July start, debating whether it risks becoming a secondary competition like GAA leagues due to the absence of touring internationals.

Matt Cooper, Fionnuala Jones, and Owen Thomas McDermott discuss U2’s 50th anniversary, new album *Carnival de Luz*, and their marketing strategies.

This episode features a discussion about a new film centered on Catherine Corliss’s decade-long investigation into the Tuam Mother and Baby Home in County Galway.

Matt Cooper discusses a Maynooth University study showing extreme evaporation is eight times more likely due to climate change, threatening Irish agriculture and fire management.

Tech Thursday features Andy Donahue reviewing high-tech home cleaning gadgets, starting with the EcoVac W Bot, a €500 suction robot that cleans hard-to-reach windows and glass surfaces.

Andrew Hendy of The Mary Wallopers discusses their new album, Paddy Whackery, and the band's evolution from folk to garage rock.

Matt Cooper and Stephen Doyle discuss the controversy surrounding Ireland’s upcoming football match against Israel, triggered by manager Heimir Hallgrímsson’s comments on genocide.

Charlie Weston discusses Health Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill’s new regulation banning preferential alcohol pricing for supermarket loyalty…

Matt Cooper and John discuss U2's enduring legacy, highlighting their 1987-1993 peak and the band's ability to reinvent themselves through albums like *The Joshua Tree* and *Zooropa*.

The episode critiques Trump’s UN speech, focusing on his threats to annihilate Iran and his dismissal of midterm election outcomes.

The episode examines why young Irish people are emigrating, citing rising costs, housing crises, and job insecurity.

Kevin Rafter discusses his new book, *Fearless*, which examines Ireland in the 1980s through the lens of McGill magazine and its founding editor, Vincent Brown.

Matt Cooper and Miguel delaney analyze the turbulent start to the 2024/25 season, focusing on Celtic’s potential managerial crisis under Ronny Deila…

Matt Cooper and travel expert Sarah Slattery discuss shifting holiday trends, noting that families are taking more frequent but shorter trips focused on unique experiences.

Vincent Hogan discusses his new book, The Lost Sports Writer, which critiques the declining access and respect afforded to Irish sports journalists by bodies like the GAA.

The episode analyzes Manchester United’s early-season crisis under Michael Carrick, highlighting poor results and the controversial move of 15-year-old JJ Gabriel to Barcelona.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary issued a formal apology for comparing competitor fares to rape, a statement he initially defended but later retracted…

Matt Cooper reviews the satirical film The Unwanted, the Resident Evil reboot, and the controversial documentary NASA, which sparked citizenship revocation threats in Israel.

Historical novelist Robert Harris discusses his new novel, *Agrippa*, which imagines the life of Augustus’s powerful co-ruler through a fictionalized memoir.

Gary Murphy discusses his new biography of Brian Cowen, arguing that while Cowen is widely viewed as Ireland's worst Taoiseach, the book offers a…