Three Late Late Show talking points, from rugby legends to Garron Noone
Garron Noone and some of Ireland's rugby stars were among Friday night's Late Late Show guests
Mayo TikTok star Garron Noone returned to the Late Late Show on Friday night having impressed during the country music special – not least for his flirting skills with Margo.
He reflected on his path to fame on the app, being an ambassador for Ireland online, and shared his opinion on the flip-flopping TikTok ban earlier this week. He also spoke with host Patrick Kielty about how much his life has changed, having suffered with agoraphobia.
“I used to suffer from agoraphobia. I started having panic attacks at about 16; one of my friends had died and that sort of started them and they got worse over and over time, over a few years. Eventually got to the point where I couldn't leave the house without having a panic attack. I spent about five years completely housebound, having panic attacks every day.”
"It’s for that that I do it”
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We couldn’t love Garron Noone any more ❤️#latelate pic.twitter.com/e5ZtUJi6yf
He said he was unable to go to the shops and “have panic attacks at work” during his job in a phone shop.
“I didn't do anything else, no social life, pretty much. I put it out there [on social media] on New Year's Eve that I felt at that time, for many, many years, I felt that my life would never go anywhere, I was never going to have a life that was going to be worth living. I felt really hopeless.”
Noone highlighted the importance of discussing anxiety.
“I think severe anxiety has become a lot more common, especially since the lockdowns. It's one of those things where I feel like people don't really talk about it,” he said.
“It is something we can get through. Things can get better, and it takes time.” Noone also dismissed the notion that he would run in this year’s presidential election, not least because at 30 he is too young to be President, and added he would back comedian Tommy Tiernan in such a race.
Irish rugby’s head coach Andy Farrell was in the studio to reflect on his career, including back-to-back Six Nations wins.
Farrell described moving to Dublin from England a decade ago for the role with the Irish team as a dream come true.
“We've been here for 10 years now, and we couldn't be in a better place as a family, to live here and be so welcome. This is a dream come true,” he said.
When he moved from assistant coach to head coach, Farrell said he was surprised that coaching doesn’t take up as much time in his role as he anticipated.
“I would say 20% of it is in the coaching. Most of it's in the managing of the people in and around the staff so that they're able to be their best self as well. So it took some getting used to at the start, but absolutely loving, loving, loving the job, loving life in in Ireland.”
Now that’s what we call a tribute to your coach 👌#latelate pic.twitter.com/WVgJJAQZD0
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) January 24, 2025
He also spoke about coaching Ireland while his son Owen was the England captain, calling it “very easy”.
“I know that sounds sadistic in a way, but it was very easy,” he said. “On a serious note, I coached him when he was a junior coming through at Saracens and when it's your job and it's your duty, you get on with it. I suppose it's harder for everyone else around the family, etc, but for us, it's always just been about the job at hand and doing the best that you can for your team.”
Farrell added that the Irish team members have “no ego” and it makes him proud to work with them.
“With the Irish guys, 100% this is the main thing that sticks out. There's no egos whatsoever. It's always just about the team and everyone giving themselves to that. When you feel the power of that, then it makes you proud to be involved.”
Rugby royalty in the studio tonight ☘️🏉#latelate pic.twitter.com/Jp71ntj0JO
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) January 24, 2025
Rugby legend Rory Best spoke about the bright future of Irish rugby while sitting beside rising rugby stars Aoife Wafer, Erin King and Craig Casey.
Ahead of the Six Nations, the Late Late Show was celebrating 150 years of the IRFU and Best, 42, reflected on the sport’s successes in recent years – including the growth of the women's and sevens teams.
“It's incredible to see that evolution of Irish rugby,” he said.
“I remember being a kid going down in the 90s, and used to just hope that Ireland could put in a bit of a performance for 60 minutes and then hang on. Whereas you look at where it is now, the men's and women's games, they now go in expecting to win.”
Ross O'Carroll Kelly author Paul Howard and Grand Slam winner Gordon D'Arcy also spoke on the show about their unlikely collaboration for children's books.
