The Rocky Road

Steven O’Rourke runs O’Rourke’s Gym in Inchicore, Dublin. Originally from Denton in Manchester, boxing and Manchester United were the twin pillars of his youth - and they remain so today.Steven takes us back to street life in the 60s and 70s, running with the Manchester-Irish lads and learning early on how to fight his way out of trouble. He recalls the dream-like access he had to the Old Trafford dressing room through his father’s TV career - and the crushing blow of that world being snatched away when his father died young. Left to process his grief through the only outlet he knew - violence - Steven explains how boxing ultimately saved him. The sport provided the discipline he lacked, along with a few necessary "clips round the ear" from a trainer who saw his potential.Eventually, the love of a good woman brought Steven to Ireland, where he established his Dublin gym 15 years ago. We discuss the stable of fighters he’s built, his ongoing friction with the Boxing Union of Ireland, and why he is certain his son, light-welterweight prospect Ryan O'Rourke, has what it takes to go all the way. It's taken last week's guest Ryan a long time to secure a big fight but he's finally got one, as he takes on Alex Vargas at Madison Square Garden on April 17 in a clash of undefeated boxers.

Kevin Byrne caught up with Ryan O'Rourke before his fight against Alex Vargas on April 17th was announced.O’Rourke is not easily dissuaded. At 26 years old and 13-0, with a promotional deal in the US with Star Boxing, the Dubliner’s trajectory looks envious from the outside. But behind the record lies the exhausting reality of the professional game.In 2025 alone, Ryan saw four fights collapse. Inactivity? Check. Last-minute cancellations? Check. Opponents vanishing after the money and miles have already been spent? Check. Most people would have packed it in for a more reliable weekly wage, but Ryan is fueled by an inner drive that goes beyond the paycheck.Following the loss of his close friend John Cooney, Ryan is fighting for a legacy that transcends the sport’s "BS." In this episode, we discuss his upbringing in Dublin, avoiding the capital’s teenage pitfalls, and the decision to choose the ring over the football pitch. We also dive into the unique dynamic of being trained by his father, Steven, and his desire to ignite a massive domestic rivalry with Pierce O’Leary—a Northside vs. Southside "mill-up" with the potential to echo the legendary Gus Farrell v Ske Mullen battles of the 60s.

‘Ohh, Anto Cacace’ came the chant at the end of a blistering night in Dublin that saw the Belfast man crowned a two-time world champion. The Apache beat Jazza Dickens by unanimous decision to claim the Liverpudlian’s WBA super-featherweight strap. That came after the Big Bang – with Pierce O’Leary’s homecoming, at last, proving he hadn’t bitten off more than he could chew, not by a long shot. He told his team to get him on a show at the 3Arena and he’d do the rest. He certainly did, filling the place before filling in Maxi Hughes to take the IBO belt at 140lb. Another local fella celebrating was Jono Carroll, who edged Belfast’s Colm Murphy for the IBO strap at super-featherweight and he’ll surely be eyeing a clash with Cacace. But will it come to fruition? How far can Pierce climb? What got Dublin boxing back on top, and who found Adam Olaniyan’s debut opponent? Discussing it all on The Rocky Road, we’re joined by Gavan Casey of the42.ie to chat all things #IrishBoxing. With three reigning world champions now – harking back to the 90s – do the wider public realise how good we have it? They might soon.

Belfast’s Michael Conlan and Brockton’s Kevin Walsh meet at the SSE Arena on March 20, with the stakes sky-high for both men. For Conlan, at 34, it’s about navigating the final chapter of a storied career. For the unbeaten Walsh, it’s the opportunity he’s been chasing since got the gloves back on while awaiting his fate in a jail cell. In this episode, we sit down with both men to break down a fascinating featherweight clash.Mick discusses the influence of world champion stablemate Dalton Smith, and the psychology of fight week. ‘King’ Kevin Walsh shares his remarkable path from the streets of Massachusetts – home of Rocky Marciano and Marvelous Marvin Hagler - to a Belfast ‘homecoming’. He talks about his Irish roots, his late father’s influence and why he believes his "equalizer" power will play spoiler on the night.

Kelsey Leonard has got off to a flyer in professional boxing. Fittingly, that’s exactly how she started as an amateur: spotting a flyer at age nine inviting youngsters to her local club, showing up, and never looking back.Inspired by her idol, Katie Taylor, the Kildare native stormed the amateur ranks, securing eight Irish titles and medals at both the Junior European and World Championships. While Taylor cleared the path for women in the Olympics, Leonard faced a formidable domestic roadblock in Belfast’s Michaela Walsh. In this episode, Kelsey opens up about the lengths she went to for that Olympic dream—and the weight of eventually leaving it behind.Now, she’s trading one rivalry for another. After a perfect 4-0 start in 2025, Leonard returns to the National Stadium on April 4 to face Mayo’s Elaine Harrison. It’s a landmark moment for the sport: the first all-Irish BUI-sanctioned female fight in history.Kelsey also breaks down the grueling transition to the pros, from managing an intense training load and media scrutiny to the nuances of mental self-preservation. We also talk about fighting lads and the benefit of having supportive mams and dads. After a shared training session—and a swift arse-kicking on the chessboard—The Rocky Road can confirm: Kelsey Leonard is one fearsome competitor. (Podcast photo by Babs Daly).

Gary Cully could write a book about what’s happened since he last joined us. He’d have a chapter on the best win of his career and perhaps his worst defeat. We’d hear about the realisation that a drugs cheat cut him down in his prime, derailed his momentum and potentially cost him millions of euro. Eye surgery, getting engaged, becoming a dad, developing his businesses, making peace with his inner pain, starting the game of snakes and ladders a few rungs down, rediscovering his passion for boxing, moving up in weight, hustling behind the scenes… it’s all part of The Rocky Road the Kildare man has travelled in recent times. As always, a compelling listen from the engaging Naas boxer who’s determined to put his name up in lights again soon ahead of his 3Arena return to the ring on March 14. Podcast image credit: Babs Daly