George Hamilton & Connor Phillips Launch ‘It’s There!’ – New Irish Sport Podcast Celebrates Iconic Moments
Ireland’s sporting soundtrack has officially found a new home.
Veteran commentator George Hamilton and BBC broadcaster Connor Phillips have joined forces to launch It’s There! — a twice-weekly Irish sports podcast that dives deep into the defining moments, unforgettable matches, and untold stories that shaped the nation’s sporting identity.
Launched on 25 February 2026, the podcast is already generating buzz across Ireland and the UK, especially as both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland prepare for crucial March play-offs on the road to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
But It’s There! isn’t just another sports podcast.
It’s nostalgia. It’s insight. It’s history retold by the voices who lived it.
And at its heart is one of the most iconic phrases in Irish broadcasting.
The title itself is a nod to one of George Hamilton’s most memorable commentary calls — a phrase etched into the memory of Irish football fans.
The podcast blends:
🎙️ Signature Hamilton commentary style
🏆 In-depth interviews with sporting legends
📖 Behind-the-scenes stories rarely told before
⚽ Analysis of Ireland’s historic sporting highs
🌟 Conversations about the next generation of Irish talent
Each episode explores a defining moment in Irish sport, unpacking what happened on and off the field — and how those moments shaped the nation’s sporting culture.
Unlike fast-paced match analysis shows, It’s There! leans into storytelling. It slows down to revisit the roar of the crowd, the pressure of the moment, and the human emotion behind the headlines.
A Timely Launch Ahead of World Cup Drama
The podcast arrives at a pivotal moment.
Both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are pushing to secure qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with March play-offs looming large.
That timing is no coincidence.
Interest in Irish football is surging once again — and It’s There! taps directly into that renewed national energy. By revisiting past glories and heartbreaks, the podcast fuels the belief that history can repeat itself.
Star-Studded Guest Line-Up Already Turning Heads
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The early guest list reads like a hall of fame of Irish football.
So far, episodes have featured:
⚽ Ray Houghton
🥅 Packie Bonner
🎯 Kevin Doyle
🔴 John Aldridge
🧠 Kevin Kilbane
🧥 Mick McCarthy
🎤 Clive Tyldesley
📺 Conor McNamara
Each guest offers more than nostalgia. They bring context, honesty, and emotional reflection.
From dressing room tensions to last-minute goals, listeners are treated to perspectives that were never fully explored during live broadcasts.
George Hamilton: The Voice That Defined Irish Sporting History
For decades, George Hamilton’s commentary has accompanied Ireland’s most dramatic sporting chapters.
From World Cup nights to European club triumphs, his voice has narrated:
Moments of national euphoria
Heartbreaking near misses
Career-defining goals
Tactical masterclasses
Speaking about the podcast launch, Hamilton reflected:
“Over the years, I’ve been privileged to witness some of Ireland’s greatest sporting moments first-hand. It’s There! gives us the chance to relive those moments in a fresh way, with the people who created them, and to celebrate the stories that shaped Irish sport.”
The show gives him something television never could: time.
Time to reflect. Time to ask deeper questions. Time to revisit the emotion behind the microphone.
Connor Phillips: From Listener to Co-Host
For Connor Phillips, this project is deeply personal.
Growing up listening to Hamilton’s iconic calls, he now sits beside him — not just as a presenter, but as a collaborator.
Connor shared:
“I grew up listening to George describe the big moments that shaped our sporting lives. Now getting to sit across from him, and from the icons who made those moments happen, is something really special.”
That generational bridge is central to the podcast’s appeal.
It connects:
Fans who lived through the golden eras
Younger listeners discovering those moments for the first time
Current players inspired by the legends before them
Why ‘It’s There!’ Could Dominate the Irish Sports Podcast Scene
The Irish podcast market is crowded. But few shows combine:
Elite broadcasting credibility
Access to top-tier guests
Deep historical storytelling
Cultural relevance tied to current events
Head of Sport Social, Stefan Doyle, emphasized the significance of the collaboration:
“We’re absolutely delighted to be working with George and Connor on It’s There! George has commentated on some of the biggest occasions in Irish sport, and we’re looking forward to reliving those moments through this new podcast.”
The backing from Sport Social signals strong production quality and long-term ambition.
Beyond Football: A Wider Sporting Canvas?
While early episodes focus heavily on football, the podcast’s format leaves room for expansion.
Irish sport spans far beyond the pitch:
Rugby triumphs
Olympic breakthroughs
GAA drama
Boxing glory
Motorsport milestones
Industry insiders suggest future episodes could broaden the lens — potentially transforming It’s There! into a definitive archive of modern Irish sporting history.
The Power of Storytelling in Modern Sports Media
In the era of highlight reels and social media snippets, long-form audio storytelling is experiencing a renaissance.
Audiences crave:
Context over clickbait
Authenticity over surface analysis
Emotional depth over instant reaction
Podcasts allow athletes to speak freely — without time limits or headline pressure.
That’s where It’s There! excels.
It gives legends space to reflect — not just on what happened, but on how it felt.
How to Listen to ‘It’s There!’
The podcast is now available across all major platforms, including:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Amazon Music
New episodes drop twice weekly, ensuring a steady stream of compelling content leading into the World Cup qualification drama.
Why This Launch Matters Right Now
Ireland stands at a sporting crossroads.
As World Cup dreams hang in the balance, fans are revisiting memories of past triumphs — moments that unified the country.
It’s There! doesn’t just revisit those memories.
It re-examines them. It humanises them. It immortalises them in audio form.
And perhaps most importantly — it inspires belief.
Because sometimes, hearing the past is exactly what a nation needs before writing its next chapter.
Final Word
In a year where World Cup qualification dreams dominate headlines, It’s There! feels perfectly timed.
It’s more than a podcast. It’s a tribute. A time capsule. A celebration of Irish sporting identity.
And for anyone who ever leapt off the sofa at the sound of George Hamilton’s voice — this might just be essential listening.