The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Author and journalist Donald McRae has written his latest book “The Last Bell: Life, Death and Boxing”. He’s followed the careers of some of the biggest names in the sport, including Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury and Katie Taylor. But after 50 years of covering boxing so intently, why did he find himself falling out of love with it? Donald joined Will O’Callaghan on Friday’s The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Manchester United unveils plan to build a new stadium beside Old Trafford, gardaí prepare for St Patrick's Day in Dublin and was the Taoiseach's trip to the White House a success? Joe O’Shea, editor of Cork Beo, and Sinead O’Carroll, editor of TheJournal.ie, join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

A new report has shown that climate whiplash is making an impact in cities such as Madrid and Riyadh, which sees the weather swing between extreme wet and dry spells as a result of rising global temperatures. Environmental commentator John Gibbons joined Will O’Callaghan to discuss the findings. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Are you thinking of shopping online but want to find alternatives to Amazon? On this week’s Tech Thursday, Andy O’Donoghue spoke to Will O’Callaghan to give his recommendations on the options available to you. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Irish folk singer Maria Kelly was the latest guest to be inducted into The Last Word’s Culture Club. She talked to Ian Guider about the music, literature, film and TV that influenced her from when she was young to the present day. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear her choices.

Many Irish retailers have given up challenging shoplifters stealing from their stores due to the number of defamation actions being taken, according to a group representing small and medium enterprise. Neil McDonnell, chief executive of Isme, estimates defamation cases are costing small businesses in Ireland up to €70 million each year. He joins The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button!

Tariffs, Gaza and the 'massive' trade deficit between Ireland and the US were among the issues raised during Taoiseach Micheál Martin's meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Daniel McConnell, editor of the Business Post, and Sarah Carey, Irish Independent columnist, join The Last Word to discuss how the Taoiseach's White House visit went and what could come from it. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The US stock market has plunged again after US President Donald Trump announced he will double the already planned tariffs on Canadian metal imports. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss the market's reaction to Trumps latest moves and more of the day's business news. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

US President Donald Trump's plan to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50% is the latest in a series of trade policy moves that are driving concerns about a recession in the United States. Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and journalist Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss the latest news from the United States. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

On Tuesday, Manchester United announced plans to build a new 100,000-capacity stadium, which is estimated to cost approximately two billion pounds. But given the financial difficulties that United have faced in recent years, is the idea feasible? Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with The Independent, spoke to Matt on The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Ireland’s grand slam hopes in this year’s Six Nations came crashing down on Saturday after a scintillating 2nd half display by France at the Aviva Stadium. Is this Irish team about to enter a rebuilding phase, what positions are we lacking in depth, and should Jack Crowley start at outhalf for the final round game against Italy? Former Ireland international, Paul Wallace, and Off The Ball’s Will O’Callaghan spoke to Matt about the weekend’s results. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to discuss her recent trip to the Gastein valley in Austria. While Gastein has great skiing, there are lots of activities for non skiers from relaxing thermal spas to thrill-seeking ice climbing. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence has the potential to 'supercharge' financial fraud by creating more and more convincing scams, the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland has warned. Niamh Davenport, head of financial crime with the BPFI, and tech journalist Andy O’Donoghue join The Last Word to discuss the increasing frequency and sophistication of financial scams. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Meghan Markle's lifestyle programme takes the world by storm, and not in the way she might have hoped, Fair City's Carrigstown gets a Lidl, and should the FIFA World Cup have a half-time show? Aoife Barry, journalist and author of Social Capital, and Lorcan Nyhan, head of training at the Communications Clinic, join The Last Word to discuss the week’s trending stories. Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page!

As part of The Big Busk for Focus Ireland, Matt is joined in studio by a special musical guest, rising star of Irish pop Moncrieff! He chats to Matt about his upcoming debut album, performs his latest single and is enlisted to help with the return of Karaoke Cooper. Catch the chat and both performances by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Andy O'Donoghue had the latest in smart kitchen tech including a smart air fryer, smart washing machines and smart blinds. To catch the full conversation, press play on this page.

Fionnuala Moynihan, International concert pianist, was the latest entry into The Last Word’s Culture Club. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear all her music, TV, film and literature favourites.

Tax revenue for the first two months of this year rose to €15.2 billion, boosted by a €1.7 billion payment from Apple as part of its tax settlement. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss Ireland's latest exchequer returns and more of the day's business news. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Dr Mark Rowe, GP, and expert in burn out prevention, talks about his latest book. He outlines some of the things we can do today, from walking in nature, taking cold showers and making memories, that will improve our lives tomorrow. To listen to the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

US President Donald Trump made a number of exaggerated and inaccurate claims during his first address to a joint session of Congress since he returned to power. In a bonus installment of The Last Word on the US, Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and journalist Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss what Trump said during his lengthy speech as he outlined his vision for his second term as president. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!