LOI Central: Recent Episodes

LOI Central

@LOICentralPod is a podcast with opinion, analysis and interviews on all the latest happenings in the League of Ireland, hosted by Johnny Ward & Dan McDonnell

Alliteration is the thread on which we hang this week's show. Yes, episode 31 gets overly concerned with what type of Friday we have in store. Our two intrepid wordsmiths cajole, conjure and contrive to to describe the night on which Derry host Shamrock Rovers in the key game of the league season and four FAI Cup quarter finals are up for decision. 'Fabulous', 'Flowery' and 'Far Out', this Friday may give Johnny further chest pains and Dan may have to be drug tested. Kevin Doherty is on the line fresh from his and our mailbag to weigh in on the Ireland situation and whether he is next in line for the big job. He also has a little matter of a cup game on 'Fan-ominal' Friday! Throw in the usual Simpsons, Father Ted and Grunge references and it could very well be 1995 again. As the year slips away from us and the Indian Summer draws to a close we can still rely on Future Ticketing, Rascals Brewery and Collar and Cuff to keep the lights on in Glasnevin. So throw your Xg in the bin and settle down to 64 minutes of poetic licence on this Wonderful Wholesome Witty Wednesday!

After being stalked at every airport in Europe Johnny evaded the air traffic chaos to arrive unscathed in Glasnevin for episode 29. On this week's show we talk to James Clarke about his route from Meath to Rovers to Bohs and how he's likely to celebrate if he scores in this weekends big game. Dan caught up with Ruaidhri Higgins after a 2-2 draw in Dalymount and a topsy turvy season for the Candystripes. A deep dive into the mailbag reveals Finn Harps and Bray angst, we ask will Drogheda march on despite their obviously substandard stadium, we compare the league with similarly ranked leagues across Europe, there's Fine Gael rugby wall charts and after 3 years of Brexit, we audit whether it was a good thing or a bad thing. All of your Midweek listening would be impossible without those good people at Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff and Rascals Brewery who have probably made the best decision ever made. Its just over an hour and it's raring to go!

We have a title race but we don't have the man who likes to call it so with Johnny AWOL in Bilbao or Belfield, we call in supersub Garry Doyle to pour over Derry's disappointments, the permutations of a fascinating race to the finish and why LOI fans should channel their inner Free Presbyterian. Dan also brought his microphone to Virgin Media studios to catch up with Graham Burke and Daniel Kelly about European woe and the weight of their respective clubs' recent history. Beyond that there's a busy mailbag, cup final preferences, Storm Betty's new club and an Ollie Byrne impression from the highest level. All of this with thanks to our friends at Collar and Cuff, Rascals Brewing and Future Ticketing

It's an optimistic pod this week as August starts to slip away like a bottle of wine. Mark Connolly is on ahead of Thursday nights big game and we speak to him about his return from the great unknown against the team whose name we are struggling to remember, and stealing from his child to pass the time. Ticket prices and Cork City's college woes are topical as we delve into a mailbag filled with talk of a Bohs windfall from a Gary Lineker inspired transfer that may or may not spark another twitter spat. There's more than enough to keep your conversations going well into school uniform shopping season and it's all thanks to Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff and Rascals Brewery, and if there's a body in the room, well, then it really is time to clean the house. Episode 27 is here to answer all your lingering doubts.

Episode 26 in the ClaireFontaine of podcasts tackles the era defining debate on whether we need a RedZone, a DMZ zone or a demolition of the Carlisle Grounds. As we look forward to Derry's adventures in Kazakhstan, Andy Myler, who's not as knowledgable on Kazakhstani football as you might think, takes a break from party pooping and reunites with another ex student Conan Byrne to explain the future of the UCD model, and offer neutral opinions on the developments at the top of the table. Conan gives his take on the negative influence of stats and our mailbag takes in Longford gripes, Bohs optimism and the usual Galway tangents with the continued support of Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff and Rascals Brewery. If home is where you're weaned it's also where your potty trained. It's episode 26 and its fresh as a daisy.

Back from our daytrip down memory lane in Morton Stadium, Johnny wastes no time in getting Galway and climate change into the fray as we dwell on the wettest July on record and a wet blanket on Irish teams in Europe. Ireland chief scout and analyst and ex Rovers and Bohs midfielder Stephen Rice drops by to bedazzle Johnny with his attention span and takes a deep dive into our European challenges. In a multiverse of Milhouses, we pore over alternate futures for GAA players, marching in the rain, top goalscorer stakes, and all the rest of your e-lec-tronic letters with Future Ticketing, Rascals Brewery and Collar and Cuff still signing the cheques to make sure we keep delivering this kind of quality, in depth, edge of the seat, cutting edge broadcasting without ever having seen a hurling match! It's episode 25 and it's still raining.

On our 24th lap of the season, we reunite two old teammates in the unlikely surrounds of Morton Stadium to discuss the circle of their football life. Owen Heary talks Dream Team, Dream Managers and Dream Tacklers and his new found passion for running as he catches up with his old pal Mark Rossiter - fresh from a positive knee episode - to go over old arguments and pick through the details of the last week and the broader European picture. We dodged a few javelins to get to the bottom of who's posting our social media, who took the most famous television penalty, where the youngsters are coming from and whether Longford needs a bar or not? It’s neither a marathon nor a sprint, so stick with us, Collar and Cuff, Future Ticketing and Rascals Brewery until we cross the finish line.

Rover and out. It's a late night reaction pod to start this week as the lads pour over Icelandic disappointment for Shamrock Rovers and the questions it raises before taking a trip back in time with Sam and Al to earlier in the day to deal with your mailbag queries and emerge from the overpriced coffee houses of Inchicore to do some work. After reflecting on the enormity of turning 40, the lads ask Chris Forrester about turning 30 as the start point for an open chat about his relationship with football. Beyond that, there's FAI Cup chat, ruminations on Dan's uncoached football career, Galway pub tips, another twist in the Roddy Collins book saga, and more handwringing about departing players and unfinished stadiums. Take the quantum leap with us into this seventy minute journey with Collar and Cuff, Rascals Brewery and Back to the Future Ticketing!

It's summer in Dublin and we have just the cure for those rain soaked blues. From Icelandic encounters en route to what used to be JJ Smyths, to the race between the Dalymount evolution and Armageddon. The well dressed Gary Cronin brings us some current affairs while Ciaran Kilduff delves into his bank of European memories while Johnny struggles to remember what is even happening next week. We have KD Lang v Sinead O Connor, fantasy five-a-sides, the age old TV debate and a group of sponsors still willing to support this malarkey. Yes, a big shout to Collar and Cuff, Future Ticketing and Rascals Brewery for making it to episode 22 and a bigger one to Johnny for remembering it!

This week we are joined by an Englishman and an English as the summer brings us to new destinations. ESPN journalist Mark Ogden tells us about his quirky trip to Iceland to find out what lies ahead for Shamrock Rovers and what Champions League football means to the minnows. Then we head west to talk with Michael English about Mayo FC’s attempts to break into the Irish mainstream. Aside from all of that we’ve got the usual mailbag chat featuring Bohs angst, Pat’s kids, Peak6 taking over Twitter and RTE’s value for money. Available under the Freedom of Information Act you will find that this entire production is funded by the barter accounts managed by Future Ticketing, Rascals Brewery and Collar and Cuff, and Johnny's fee does not include any form of bus pass. It's episode 21 and it's blackjack!

It’s a value for money virtual podcast this week as the lads mull over the purpose of their existence in journalism if chatting rubbish for an hour doesn’t entitle them to a substantial six-figure salary from licence fee payers. Georgie Kelly is a real national treasure, the late developing Donegal man dialling in from pre-season training in Rotherham to discuss his old love rival Pat Hoban, his respect for the mentality of the real love of his life, and the climate of football in England – not the climate chat that JW wanted. As usual there’s a mailbag with a bit of Damien Duff and a bit of Mayo sandwiched between title talk discussion and we hear from Pico Lopes and Ruaidhri Higgins after Tallaght on Monday. Unlike Westlife, this is one band that always sticks together...

Dan's back but his memory of Antalya isn't. He'd also like to forget about Ireland's Greek tragedy but can't and neither can Paul Corry as the old friend of the pod returns with two phones and a new love to analyse what went on in the Mediterranean last week and we take a live look at the European draws as they come in. Johnny, fresh from his first festival of the year, reckons stabbing a crustacean in the brain is better than boiling it alive but can't get the last look the twitching lobster gave him out of his memory and apparently Evan Ferguson won't reach 100 caps before the doomsday clock strikes midnight. If all this is a bit too weird for you, blame Collar and Cuff, Rascals Brewery and Future Ticketing for continuing to support this ridiculousness and ask yourself is the "Pat McDonnell" Dan may or may not be related to, the lad from Father Ted or the annoying paint ad on the radio. So sit back and eat your lobster as the world burns and be thankful we're under an hour this week.

No Dan this week as he's away on International duty so we left it up to Johnny to round up the guests. Wembley wonder with Coventry and back at Burnley, we have Premier League defender Luke McNally, who's back in the country where he reminisces about his days at Enfield, the NECSL, marking a 16 year old Evan Ferguson and his fortuitous move to Drogheda where he hooked up with our second guest, none other than ex manager of Drogheda and Pats, Tim Clancy, who speaks candidly about his time at Pats, the fanciful ambitions in Inchicore, the culture of social media, why there are fewer and fewer easy games and Kevin Doherty's success at United Park. The format may be different but the chat is still red hot and all of this is thanks, as ever, to Collar and Cuff, Rascals Brewery and Future Ticketing!

As Johnny's Saudi past comes back to haunt him, the boys wonder if Galway United saying no was the catalyst for our oil overlords to bring sporting domination to another level. Irish football could do with cash to build some stadiums and Pat Fenlon joins us in studio to talk about the FAI infrastructure plan, his new job at Bohemians, and how transfer windows work. St. Pats' Dean Lyness chats with Dan about living away from family as the daddy of his teammates in a new country. Beyond that there’s the big "Love Island" mystery, Dan’s bird troubles and all the big stories from the main event of the double header weekend - Enda’s wedding. Tallaght Stadium’s Coppers like status, fire drills in Cork and more recurring anecdotes from Johnny’s private life are brought to you in conjunction with Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff and Rascals Brewery. It's episode 17 as we head towards an International break.

Right before Dan goes to Qatar and Johnny loses another laptop we've gathered for the last dance. Regular sideman, Pat Fenlon is joined in studio by the man who once saved his job! Yes, none other than Eoin Doyle, who scraped over the Mendoza Line by half a goal this season but will be fresher next season after dragging his heart around Saint Anne's Park in the off season trying to remember who Stevie Nicks is. Alan Reynolds is f*cking live from Derry were low key celebrations and pre season planning is well under way following the minor distraction of a game last weekend. As 40 year old Johnny prepares for his one man crusade against Galway Utd next season, Dan has an insight on how to wear flares, the mailbag has the LOI drinking game (had to happen), and the lads in studio cast their thoughts forward to next season. All of this is subject to the continued and rather frivolous use of a marketing budget by Future Ticketing, Collar & Cuff, Porterhouse Brew and Malone Financial Services. They think it's all over.....

It's the second to second last episode of the pod and cup final fever is intertwined with Johnny's playoff sickness in a colourful episode. Our roving Galway reporter took a break from venting his frustration to make the unfamiliar trip to the Aviva Stadium where he interviews Ruaidhri Higgins without impersonating him and finally gets up close and personal with his old mate Damien Duff, who is in reflective mood and content to let sleeping giants lie. We also hear from Luke Byrne and Brandon Kavanagh for a player perspective on Sunday's showpiece, while Dan expands on the new minimum wage, Shels investment and the other big stories of the week in a packed mailbag. In this exciting time for fans of big events, we also talk Dylan (McGlade), (Joe) Kendrick Lamar tickets, and muse over what the Finn Harps show will be like without Ollie Horgan. All this because Future Ticketing, Porterhouse Brewery and Collar and Cuff have stuck with us through thick and thicker. It's not dark yet....but it's getting there!

This episode takes us from Dundalk to Dubai. You might think this brings us to discussion of carefree spending in a controversial environment and we do that before getting to the Dubai part. Yes, Andy Boyle chats with Dan about the exhilaration of qualifying for Europe after living through a rollercoaster of emotion at Dundalk as he reaches the end of a contract handed out in the calm before the storm of the Peak6 era. Will he stay or will he go? Our other guest, Sean O'Shea, was willing to pack up his stable existence in Dubai last month and relocate to Dalymount but his ambition to take over Bohemians didn't come to pass. We hear from Sean about why working in Ireland was an attraction and what Shamrock Rovers can expect in Sweden after his time there. On top of that, we've got John Caulfield, dangerous Galway optimism, windy Johnny, quiz controversy and giveaway shirts and beer as the winter draws in. Get warm and join us.

This week's show takes us from Two Stars to the Lone Star State, from Tallaght to Texas, with the confirmation of three leagues in a row for Shamrock Rovers the natural starting point. With his ears burning from repeated mentions, Pico Lopes dialled in to reflect on his central role in the Rovers rise to their 20th title, the surreal nature of winning it while sitting on the couch and a crazy year which will live long in his memory. We didn't get to ask where appearing on this pod ranked in comparison to AFCON in Cameroon, buying a house, getting engaged and turning 30. After your mailbag thoughts on playoffs, Brayoffs and Johnny's anti-Supermacs agenda, we go Stateside to check in with former Sligo Rovers midfielder Richie Ryan about a storied football life that was reignited by a slap in the face at just the right time. We also get to the bottom of the age old Vegas or Sligo debate? Tune in for the definitive answer

Title race? Anyone? Anyone? Well this week we are joined by two lads who know a thing or two about them. Mark Rossiter and Colin Hawkins join us for a healthy dose of nostalgia and bad knees. There are four sided stadiums, badly planned birthdays, Jose Duffrinho, and self confessed shouty man from Donegal, Aidan McNelis, telling us how Finn Harps are hoping to upgrade their stadium. As usual we've to thank Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff, and Porterhouse Brewery for the non stop roller coaster ride that won't be going on all day!

As the Bohs search for a new manager continues, we bring two together on this week's show with Colin Healy in Cork and Gary Cronin in studio talking First Division matters, playoff games, future plans and the difficult business of knowing when it's time to say goodbye. We also get a bit of FAI Cup insight, evidence that Paul Doolin once admitted he got something wrong and much more besides. On top of that, there's carbon footprints all over the studio, soundalike competition winners, the big Rovers in Europe debate, and Dan's breakdown of breaking Bohs news. The one thing we do know is that Future Ticketing, Porterhouse Brew, and Collar & Cuff keep on keeping us on. Enjoy the ride folks, it's fun while it lasts!

While Dan is in Molde with Shamrock Rovers, which is basically a colder Craggy Island where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be wearing an "I Shot JR" t shirt, Johnny hooks up with footballer/publican John Mountney who discusses Stevie, dodgy knees, and JW’s quest for a free pint. We also have Brian Maher on size being irrelevant, the pain of Israel and the joy of being the most obvious keeper in Derry since that nice lad in Derry Girls. There's the finest cakes in all of humanity for the niche Richard E Grant fans, the early finishes at Oktoberfest and all of the shenanigans are courtesy of Collar and Cuff, Future Ticketing, Malone Financial Services and Porterhouse Brew. You want it here and you want it now...

In a turn of events more unexpected than Armenia's comeback at the Aviva, Keith Long came to join us this week for a discussion on Bohs and much more besides. We discussed the all-consuming nature of management, the highs and lows of his Dalymount era and discuss his difficult departure, the emotions of 2022 and the lingering what ifs after eight years in charge. Keith also grapples with our mailbag questions and suggests he might even make this more than a one-time appearance. Before that, we have Johnnys 40th birthday scheduling conundrum, alternative uses for hoovers, Rovers' mini slump, and blazer watch. As usual you can blame Future Ticketing, Collar & Cuff, Porterhouse Brew, and Malone Financial Services for putting you though all of this silliness!

The boys are back in town....but only at the right time. Luke Byrne and Sean Boyd join us in studio after Shelbourne's defeat of Bohemians on Sunday to reflect on the big win, Boyd's rebirth, Damien Duff's video making skills and the pre-season training rules that brought the old pals closer together. We also hear from Tommy Barrett about Treaty United's unlikely cup run, and a jibe about the Galway flavour in the dressing room that leaves Johnny even more hot and bothered than when he wore his Collar and Cuff blazer to Greece. The lads debate Shamrock Rovers' European concessions, a pub debate that could just as easily take place in a jacuzzi. We find out that Sean and Luke know where we can get one as quick change Johnny sports a Christian prayer group, jacuzzi-ready look. Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff and The Porterhouse Brew are at least partly responsible for this 87 minutes of your life that you'll never get back!

In a week where a nation mourned the passing of its royalty, our LOI royalty went on holidays! This week, Dan and Johnny and a huge carbon footprint come together to bring you the second instalment of our Lost Lane Livecast with Chris Shields, Dave Webster and Eoin Doyle. During a night of high spirits we talked about stealing FAI cups and jollies to Scottish ones, the reflex action to fill the petrol tank on deadline day, religious flip flops, sirloin steaks, and which one of our panelists was a sliding door away from playing up front with David Villa for a season? All of these shenanigans would not be possible without Future Ticketing, Collar & Cuff, and Porterhouse Brew. Listen responsibly, there may be the odd swear word!

After 6 podcast seasons, an aborted season of TV shows, 3 studios, 3 producers, half a dozen engineers, and a bucketload of flat whites, Dan and Johnny have made it to the big time! Recorded before a live audience in Dublin 2 at Lost Lane on a Sunday evening, Ireland manager Stephen Kenny joins the LOI community for a memorable chat from Tallaght Town to Serie B, from best players to adapting formations to Longford Town and everything in between, even Johnny gets "managed". On the couch alongside the Dundalk legend is another legend of the north east, Chris Shields and between the two of them they field a host of questions from our audience. It's all in association with the Porterhouse Brew, Collar & Cuff, Malone Financial Services and Future Ticketing. It's almost live and it's here now!

It's live show week - please come and join us this Sunday (tickets are here https://eventlist.store/loicentral/leagueofirelandcentral?ftredirect=1) - and while live podcasting isn't as risky as live radio, we learned that it can get complicated this week with Bohemians parting company with Keith Long AFTER we had recorded our show and our chat with Pat Fenlon about affairs at Dalymount. Fear not; we come to you with podcast version 2.0 with the instant reaction to the Long news from Dan and Johnny inserted into our wide ranging chat with Pat about Linfield regrets, the scope of the Shamrock Rovers revolution and all the other news of the week. We hear from Patrick McEleney post-Derry and reflect on Dan's 40th as we prepare to test that theory that life does really begin at that age - you'll find out the answer in Lost Lane this Sunday

Why is Lorcan Fitzgerald so angry? We try to get to the bottom of that question this week but Johnny just wants to hear about our studio guest’s favourite trip to Galway back in the day when he was just a player and not a player/coach wondering what the future holds for him. We were delighted to have Lorcan pop in ahead of Wexford’s big cup date with Dundalk and the only disappointment is that the clock defeated Keith Ward’s injury time text to Johnny. Dan also recounts his trip to Hungary, and we hear Rory Gaffney’s extremely modest theory on the areas where LOI clubs struggle on their travels. Meanwhile, Drogheda United chairman Conor Hoey drops in via Skype to discuss the reaction to his article declaring the club should go pro. And we debate if fitting a GoPro to a LOI player would result in some horrible misdeeds coming to light. As usual there's the mailbag and the Porterhouse Brew quiz, the live show update (tickets on sale Thursday folks!), and all of this comes thanks to our great friends at Future Ticketing and Collar & Cuff. Summer’s almost over and we've still got lots more to come...

For fear of being sued for adapting a Nobel Laureate's lyrics, we're coming out of Como and Budapest. Radio signal, clear as can be expected, as we check in with Cesc Fabregas' team mate Liam Kerrigan in Como who is holed up indoors before 4pm and will be looking for Johnny's English girl approximately under the leaning tower. Liam also fills us in on his years at UCD and his relationship with Marc Bircham, and the joys of Italian arm waving. Dan looks forward to the Rovers Hungarian trip, out of Dublin, there's a full mailbag, a dispute over an article in the Sunday papers, and a St Pats Euro analysis as well as full league lookahead and a quiz with Porterhouse brews. Plus! Save the date, buy a hat, book a taxi, because we're giving you a day out! All of this is with Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff and Porterhouse Brews. So stay on the road, follow the highway sign, it's all going down in a lost lane.

As we bask in the summer heatwave drinking Ice-T, Stephen Bradley's Shamrock Rovers bask in European glory after 'routinely' disposing of Shkupi Shkupi Dog Dog. We hear from the manager of the victorious team from Tallaght as well as welcoming another Tallaght native into our studio. Graham Gartland returns to the pod to cast his assessment of Bradley's performance, a look ahead to Saint Pats big game, the young talent at Rovers, Johnny's apparent development of ADHD, stock car racing in the 80s, and Paul Doolin's inside legs. On top of that Johnny gets new shorts from our very good friends at Collar and Cuff, there's an article that Dan may or may not have written, a Porterhouse Brew quiz prize, and let's not forget the good people at Future Ticketing for making all of this malarkey possible! Oh, and if you've spotted the Father Ted reference give yourself an extra star!

By all accounts this week's pod takes 'interesting' to a new level. This weeks mistakenly identified guest is John Martin, who didn't play as a number 10 for UCD in either 1999 or 2000, but did play in midfield and was assistant manager with Longford Town. John drops by LOI towers to talk about the business of sport, CEO training, the FAI's strategy plan, his experiences as a player and a coach, and the exploits of his football family. The dynamic duo also have time to discuss what was the best Irish goal in Europe, inflationary croissants, the Dalymount saga, and why we should play Scottish teams in every round! There's the usual Porterhouse Brew competition, the mailbag, look ahead to the weekend and as usual a detailed examination of how Galway United are going to win the cup. Thanks, as always, to Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff, and Porterhouse Brew and by all accounts, thats it!

This week, Didi and Gogo are unaccompanied in studio as the pod takes a darker turn. Suitably dressed in all black, our accidental heroes ruminate on life, death, and European competitions. With voices from far flung lands, like John Russell from Sligo, Jamie Lennon and Jon Daly from Saint Pats and Gary O'Neill from Shamrock Rovers, our protagonists try to see the bright side of the week's adventures while fondling bread and lamenting the fiver coffee. There are lighter moments to this weeks tragi-comedy, like Pat Dolan's Celtic Tiger shirts, pint prices in 1988, not so ironic anagrams and extra Porterhouse Brews. "One day we'll go deaf, one day we were born, one day we shall die", but not before we thank our good friends at Future Ticketing, Malone Financial Services, and Collar and Cuff. Danger here.....

This week, Didi and Gogo are unaccompanied in studio as the pod takes a darker turn. Suitably dressed in all black, our accidental heroes ruminate on life, death, and European competitions. With voices from far flung lands, like John Russell from Sligo, Jamie Lennon and Jon Daly from Saint Pats and Gary O'Neill from Shamrock Rovers, our protagonists try to see the bright side of the week's adventures while fondling bread and lamenting the fiver coffee. There are lighter moments to this weeks tragi-comedy, like Pat Dolan's Celtic Tiger shirts, pint prices in 1988, not so ironic anagrams and extra Porterhouse Brews. "One day we'll go deaf, one day we were born, one day we shall die", but not before we thank our good friends at Future Ticketing, Malone Financial Services, and Collar and Cuff. Danger here.....

This week, Didi and Gogo are unaccompanied in studio as the pod takes a darker turn. Suitably dressed in all black, our accidental heroes ruminate on life, death, and European competitions. With voices from far flung lands, like John Russell from Sligo, Jamie Lennon and Jon Daly from Saint Pats and Gary O'Neill from Shamrock Rovers, our protagonists try to see the bright side of the week's adventures while fondling bread and lamenting the fiver coffee. There are lighter moments to this weeks tragi-comedy, like Pat Dolan's Celtic Tiger shirts, pint prices in 1988, not so ironic anagrams and extra Porterhouse Brews. "One day we'll go deaf, one day we were born, one day we shall die", but not before we thank our good friends at Future Ticketing, Malone Financial Services, and Collar and Cuff. Danger here.....

On the anniversary of his Real Madrid debut we talk in depth with Chris Ronaldo's best friend over the last thirteen years. Yes, ex Rovers defender Pajo Flynn, whose relationship with Ronaldo has blossomed since their first meeting on that Tallaght pitch over a decade ago bares his soul in a no holds barred interview that details his part in Ronaldo's rise, that famous Coca Cola bottle controversy, defending Del Piero free kicks, the similarity of arses in League of Ireland, coaching the under 14s, and, in a world exclusive, finally reveals his most hated adversaries. We look forward to the European games to come this week and back at a disappointing night for Shamrock Rovers as well as discussing Alan Mannus and the third leg of the tie. All thanks to Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff and there's beers to be won from Porterhouse Brew.

European football is a Ciaran Kilduff time of year and he dropped into studio to reflect on magic memories with Johnny and Dan and talk about his plans to make some new ones in management. His old team-mate and rival Colin Healy is living that life right now and he dialled in from Cork ahead of Friday's big game in Turner's Cross to talk about the transition to the dugout and dismiss mind games from our in-house Galwegian. We also hear about Ciaran's brief but memorable spider heavy stint on Leeside where the blind quite literally ended up leading the blind. Beyond that, we hear about Shamrock Rovers' Euro exploits from Stephen Bradley and look ahead to a big Sligo Rovers night with the help of John Russell and Aidan Keena. And your mailbag brings us down an unusual path towards suspiciously cute animal videos and the eternal question of whether an elephant actually forgets. This is all brought to you by our good friends at Collar and Cuff, Future Ticketing and Porterhouse Brew.

As the giddy July evenings of European football take hold, Paddy Kavanagh joins us to speak of his vision for beauty, love and truth or maybe it was just Bohs. Either way, we went on an entertaining journey through his career, from character building Leinster Senior League days to the Belgrade bomb squad and a thriller in Turkey before he found his happy place scoring in front of the Dalymount Park chip van. Culinary issues dominate the mailbag as we find the one subject that prompts a 'no comment' from Johnny while we also hear from the evergreen Ronan Finn about his European goal and Riga expert Ruaidhri Higgins about Derry City's next test. All this and a trip to Collar & Cuff for a suit for a young Perry Mason, a question of four Porterhouse brews and thanks as always to our friends at Future Ticketing.

Is it just us or is the whole world looking for the next South Dublin coffee house? Well you won't find it here. We've got cheesy chips, curry chips, and Stephen Bradley, who wasn't bad at chips in his day. As Bradley's team gets ready for the ex British colony of Malta and their high temperatures, we narrowly avoid an international incident of the Kay Burley variety, when talking with Gianluca Lia of the Maltese sporting press. He tells us about the weird impact Irish refereeing is having on the upcoming Rovers v Hibernian tie. We also have a cameo from Tim Clancy on the transfer window while there's cats and dogs in the mailbag, cryogenically frozen actors, the entire first division team narratives, and not a falcon in sight. So, with thanks to Future Ticketing, Porterhouse Brew, Malone Financial Services and Collar and Cuff, this really is the stuff that dreams are made of.

This week's special guest is Trevor Croly. Over a decade and a half in coaching, he talks about his time as manager of Shamrock Rovers, what he learned, the Bohs bus-inspired jersey, their up-and-down season and a lot more besides. We also hear from John Caulfield ahead of Alex Murphy's move to Newcastle, much to Johnny's sadness. And Dan is off to Berlin – after an admission that the lads had a something-other-than-ten out of ten performance last week. All this and much more with thanks to Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff, and Porterhouse Brew.

It's another remote-arama podcast with Johnny going nineteenth century on the Blaskets and Dan just back from his eastern European International duty. We have Stephen O'Donnell checking in along with Greg Bolger as we anticipate the big European nights for the LOI clubs in the coming weeks. It's all in all not quite as good as a Nathan Collins wonder goal but not quite as bad as a George Best hangover. Yes, it's somewhere in the middle but it's available now! Thanks to Future Ticketing, Porterhouse Brew and Collar and Cuff.

It's another roadshow of sorts this week with Johnny in Kinsale and Dan back from Yerevan and we return from our non Galway-Cork related mid-season break to speak about the planned LOI expansion into Kerry with Billy Dennehy speaking with Johnny about what's going on down in the Kingdom and where it might go. The lads discuss the potential, wonder how long it is before US tourists in Killarney are LOI groundhopping and ponder the irony of Saudi Arabia finally doing something for Galway. Derry slumps, John Russell's Sligo Rovers appointment and wedding suit reviews also feature in a show that is a tight fit by our standards

On Bob Dylan's 81st birthday we have a show with absolutely no reference to the poet laureate of Rock 'n Roll but do have the poet laureate of LOI, Brian Kerr, giving his views on the Liam Buckley dismissal. Whilst Dan dials in from Europe, Johnny finally get's a Long(ish) chat with Keith before a discussion on the SARI promotion of it's work and a chat with Europe bound, teenage sensation James Abankwah. As usual the mailbag is stuffed and the Porterhouse brews are flying out the door. And yes, you guessed it, Collar and Cuff and Future Ticketing are along for the ride as usual. Episode 15, my friends, is blowing in the wind!

Johnny's fantasy of being in a forensic cop show came a step closer to being realised as the Operation Brookweed news broke just before going into studio. Dan and Johnny discuss the match fixing story as well as religious bookstores and relics before welcoming noted author, actor, topless model and entrepreneur Brian Gartland in to discuss his new book and his story so far. There's Ray Charles, Hotel Shenanigans in both Portugal and Abbey Street, that rivalry with Cork, Love Hate and away games with Ireland. You can also win a signed copy of Brian's book to read along with your Porterhouse brews, Johnny's Collar and Cuff suit is still in the news and Roy Keane even gets in on the action. All thanks to Future Ticketing, Porterhouse Brew, Malone Financial Services and Collar and Cuff

This week we welcome first-time caller, long-time listener, Padraig Amond, who made the trip from Carlow to Exeter and he tells us about life in league one with The Grecians, getting papped at a Florida airport and how he might not be playing at Galway United next season. Johnny talks to Stephen Bradley about quadruple substitutions in an effort to manoeuvre around a large bleached mastodon that may have been in the room at the time before chatting to Liam Buckley about how good or otherwise the pitch was. Music this week comes from Dr Alban, Haddaway, Picotto and the Shels supporters. There's a birth name reveal and how a Duncan became a Bob, Johnny gets his suit stretched out a bit, and the boys lose touch with the kids. As usual we have to thank Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff and The Porterhouse for allowing us to create more tangents than a Raymond Chandler novel. I'll stop talking now and let the rest of it float in the air.

There's only one talking point to discuss this week. It's the big news that stopped us in our tracks. Did Johnny really go for a curry with Alan Patchell instead of a day at the races with Dan? Oh, there's also the whole Stephen Bradley to Lincoln thing, which the lads discuss in depth at the top of the show. We get the thoughts of Rotherham hero and exam student Georgie Kelly, the footballer who doesn't want to be known as a footballer and a friend of many pods but the only player to give an on-air review of this one. Johnny catches up with Countdown's Dinny Corcoran about his 100 goals and the ales that cost him a few more.

We've got a doozy of a show for you this week as we welcome back Mark Rossiter to the show and this time he brings Drogheda's best bearded northsider with him. Yes, in a wide ranging chat, Gary Deegan helps Johnny exorcise the ghosts of cup finals missed, reflects on how a brush with death changed his perspective on life and opens up on the fake and fickle nature of the ruthless football industry over the water. He also explains why nutsacks don't mix well with carpenters' tools and the practical reason he used to bring his dog to training. There's the demise of the mystery voice because you said so, designated flare operators, and a whole lot of other stuff in an extra long episode brought to you by Future Ticketing, Collar & Cuff, Porterhouse Brewery and Malone Financial Services. You wanted it easy, and it couldn't be any easier.

The gloves are off this week and Nancy Reagan's continuing war on drugs means that Bradley, Higgins, and O'Donnell are retained for their thoughts on what happened over the weekend. As we stumble into the middle age of this season's pod and lose touch with the kids Dan speaks to English born, Drogheda based, Scottish U-21 international Sam Long & Johnny catches up with Kildare raised, Oxford based and likely future Ireland international Luke McNally. And if that's not confusing enough we also have a message from the future (and not talking Future Ticketing) about the demise of Ian Morris at Waterford. Roads!, where we're going we don't need roads. It might not be 1985 Nancy but Roy Keane wasn't always a pundit kids. Episode 10 with our bare hands!

Just before Jesus rising time we've got a Shelbourne Special for you. It's a biblical tale of hateful revenge turning into brotherly love for Mark Coyle and Aodh Dervin - two new disciples of Damien Duff's gospel at Tolka. They talk about getting the call from the Messiah and what it means to go full time as well as spreading the good news via on field chats. There's loaves and chicken, excited mothers, mysterious text messages, a postman, scientist, the big bag of Mail, the voice of God and monk brewed Porterhouse. Collar and Cuff are tasked with a suit for Johnny's wedding at Canaan and if that's not enough bible for you there's always the church of LOI with two rounds of games this weekend! All thanks to Future Ticketing.

In this week's carbon neutral pod we travel forward in time to chat to Tom Grivosti of St. Pats and virtually welcome Derry and Ireland Under 21 Assistant Manager Alan Reynolds back to the pod to talk about handshakes, housewreckers, headcases and a small bit of football. There's the continuing saga of the mystery voice, the new Johnny Ward voice of advertising, the increasingly popular mailbag, the usual legal wranglings of O'Donnell, Clancy and Higgins, and a milk run gone wrong. All of this over a few laughs and a coffees in our Oliver Ireland studio and of course thanks to our usual sponsors, Future Ticketing, Porterhouse Brewing and Lou Feringo's favourite tailors, Collar & Cuff!

What's the difference between X-Factor and X-Rated? It's not quite a PC discussion but we do have a PC to join us this week with Paul Corry dropping in along with Pat Fenlon to discuss the relationship they could have enjoyed, Troy Parrott's development, the coaching of Irish midfielders and much more besides. Johnny's favourite young managers get a mention but there's credit for some old dogs too. Don't do a Corry on it and leave before the end.

Sun's out and Johnny's out, well out from the cloud of CoVid and back in studio for episode 6. Guitar hero, winged wonder and ex PFAI executive Ollie Cahill, joins us for a chat about Dan's dubious predictions, Away days in Kyiv, "The Gaza Strip" in Abbotstown, Paul Doolin, the other 'Ollie' at Shels and a whole heap of miscellany too random to work into this piece. All of this plus a roundup of the weekend games, Dan's twittering, the ever popular mailbag and the Porterhouse mystery voice. All of this as ever is brought to you in conjunction with Collar & Cuff, Future Ticketing and Malone Financial Services, so fire up the outdoor grill and tune in!

This weeks show is brought to you by the letter 'C'. C is for Cheltenham, CoVid, Clattering, Custodians and Chunes. With Johnny isolating, Dan grabs words with Stephen O’Donnell and the Irish sounding German Leon Pohls after Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers before the separated duo joust over mystery voices, echo chambers, double week of fixtures,and season passes. Topically there's a Ukraine Charity Match with excellent Guinness on the northside. You get all this without the usual all American Patty's day palaver that goes with this weekend, so turn your porterhouses green, tune in, drop by and you might get a winner!

A downright giddy pod has Johnny shoulder dancing with GAA players, those Kiwi gypsies who apparently rejuvenated a championship winning team, and should you get a player sent off? If that wasn't enough we have a very special guest as Ireland Under 21 manager Jim Crawford drops by for a lengthy chat. As well as the upcoming Sweden game and the lowdown on the current class of '22, there's tackling a cheeky little Bordeaux, the granny rule, eligibility drama, marking the pitch in Harolds Cross and the Shels connection. Throw in the mailbag, the mystery voice with the Porterhouse, losing your shirt at Cheltenham with Collar & Cuff, and the mystery of the missing winner and you have all you need to get warmed up for another double fixture week!

It's episode 3 and Mark Scanlon, the League of Ireland Director, drops by the pod for an extended chat about the big issues. There's third tiers, women's leagues, season tickets, LOI TV, Stadia, rankings and everything in between. As well as all that we have your mailbag questions answered , a sprinkling of Damien Duff, and our new and improving Mystery Voice competition where you can win beer if you're not off it for Lent, and if you want to drink it in a nice suit, our friends from Collar & Cuff will look after you. Yes, your 40 days and nights of sacrifice begins right here!

On the day the national underage league launches, we have a fascinating talk with two people employed full time to run an academy in Ireland. Cork City's Liam Kearney and Shamrock Rovers' Shane Robinson drop by the studio to look at how the underage game has developed and hopes to develop in light of Brexit and the new European football landscape. Also on this weeks captivating episode Dan delves further into the Cork City story and Johnny offers a spellbinding insight into the Russian situation and Vlad the Impaler. There's a mystery voice winner draw, a new mystery voice that's slightly less mysterious and the usual enthralling look at the weeks action. All of this and not one mention of the 'I' word!

It's a brand new season but with some old favourites. Johnny's ankle is fixed after his cup final cliffhanger and his first two legged assignment is to welcome Damien Duff to his world of young management. Johnny McDonnell drops in on his way back from Karachi to explain the St Patrick's Athletic/Pakistan/Michael Owen alliance which raised more eyebrows than Johnny's winter move to the FAI. Dan isn't sure if he really, really wants our new mystery competition and we catch up with Derry's Ronan Boyce for a supervised interview ahead of the 2022 campaign. There's also a club by club preview, a Troy McClure impression and a pod you may remember for such partners as Future Ticketing, Malone Financial Services & Porterhouse Brewing Company.

For our 2021 swan song we have cup winning captain Ian Bermingham in studio to talk new season, new contract, new manager and new baby! We also have some of his old manager's press conference as Johnny poses a few questions to Stevie O'Donnell. Georgie Kelly zooms in and explains why he had to strike while the iron was hot. Johnny and Dan discuss the big news stories over the last week and Aisling Fennin from Future Ticketing looks ahead to what Johnny is so very very very excited about. Ask any taxi driver!

Unlike a book of Charlie Haughey's broken promises we do return for a penultimate show with Johnny the one legged wisecrackin' reluctant beer drinking sidelined journalist and Dan, the Woodstein of the current breaking news week in his own version of 'All the Presidents Men' where Michael D has tape recordings of this week's guests Shane Supple and Ian Morris in compromising conversations. Probably not about breaking in to any offices or in Ian's case getting awards and then getting taken out of office! Lots and lots of chat about the year that was, the year that could be, who's going, who's staying and whether Johnny will avoid CoVid before the last show! It's episode 39 and its a humdinger.

After perhaps the craziest ten days in the history of the League of Ireland, Shels keeper Brendan Clarke and Pulitzer candidate David Sneyd join the lads to talk a crazy managerial merry-go-round, the FAI Cup final, Marc Bircham's Waterford demise, and UCD's playoff win. Our penultimate podcast of the year had to be recorded on Zoom because as Dan was breaking stories, Johnny was breaking his ankle. What did the lads make of the FAI Cup final, and how did it all end like this for the winning team and their manager?

On this week’s super special extra bonus party golf club pod we have PFAI awards nominees Georgie Kelly and Ross Tierney from Bohemians who completely break the mould and stereotypes of footballers as they delve into heartfelt discussions of family, personal loss, mental health, sustainability and economics. They do mention football once or twice too. And on cup final week we also hear from St Patrick’s Athletic star, the award nominated Chris Forrester, who shirks his iconic Ian Curtis lookalike status for a more workmanlike Michael Carrick comparison and talks about how football is giving him joy again. Looking ahead with Dan and Johnny to the cup final, he's bullish about the youngsters at Pats and how they look to cause a bit of an upset. But not as much of an upset as Johnny was feeling after his encounter with the mannequins during the week. Stephen McGuinness helps us to set the scene for the awards and details his own battle. This is episode 37.

Dan is back from the Grand Duchy after watching Ireland turn a corner and negotiate a tricky road. Unlike Johnny who ended up in an ambulance trying to do the same. Dundalk’s Brian Gartland stops by with an old team mate, Dane Massey of Drogheda United to talk about the seismic Oriel Park takeover, the restoration of class and dignity, Mexican nightclubs, 2016 memories, Brian’s book and the Galway Under 14s. Or was that Johnny....I think it was Johnny...

Even if you were at The Beatles in the Adelphi in '64, U2 at The Dandelion in '79, Green Day in The Attic in '90 or Bob Dylan in Vicar St. in '00, unless you were also at the Galway United Under 14 Cup triumph last week your passport is missing a vital stamp. So much so we invited Will Clarke, the FAI League of Ireland Academy Development manager, to join this week's pod where he talks about the plans for developing our young players and clubs as well as his affiliation with Shelbourne. Dan also nabbed Garry Buckley from Sligo Rovers for an extended chat after their 3-0 win against St. Pats on Friday. All this, the latest rumoured Dundalk management trio, The young managers law firm updates and a little bit about Galway.

D Day today! Duffer is in, Doolin and Doyle are out! Amid all the comings and goings, we welcome Shamrock Rovers defender Roberto 'Pico' Lopes to studio to reflect on the title win for the Hoops and give us sketchy details on a weekend of celebrations. The only Crumlin man in the Cape Verde squad has tales of African airports and incarceration in a Santry hotel as well as the low down on today's big news, Damien Duff as Shelbourne's new manager. We have a bit of Damien from his press conference and Paul Doolin on the phone to Johnny lamenting the M50 traffic that caused him to end his spell at Athlone. All this and the usual crossed wires, Galway United trivia, and long lost cousins on the Green Cape.

As Johnny returns from his stopstart trip around Europe, Ireland chief scout Stephen Rice dropped by on his way to Dublin Airport and another week of planes, trains and automobiles for the sake of his country. We talked about his Irish role, playing style and directors box style and managed to fit in a bit of Brexit implications and young manager bingo. Ricer also reflected on his favourite memories of managers although there was a tactical blank when it came to one former boss. Beyond that, we have an FAI Cup review, Walsall trivia and Lithuanian wedding throwbacks so sit back and let Episode 33 take flight.

Allez oop! With Johnny donning his Maillot Jaune in the south of France and dishing out geography lessons from a hotel lobby we return to a more normal running time after last week's Doolothon. Dan is in studio A with Killian Brennan and Mark Rossiter. Old team mates who share stories of crowd chants, hairdryers, dressing room bust ups and silly yellow cards. There's also time to reflect on Stephen Kenny's tenure to date, the cup semi finals, and brothers in football. All of this and squeezed into just over an hour!

Last May, the stars of 'Friends' reunited for a marathon two hour special to reflect on the good times with the added bonus of lining their pockets. This week on the show, Paul Doolin and Graham Gartland came together for the price of a cup of coffee to reflect on their days at Drogheda where the tough taskmaster boss - who is now back in the game with Athlone - kept a dressing room which included Gartland on their toes. Why didn't they get on? Why doesn't Paul pick up the phone? Is tough love the best kind of love? Are they on a break? We get to the bottom of all these questions and more in a discussion that goes to unexpected places for a bingeworthy 2 hours with no ad breaks, no plastic surgery and more laughs than that 'other' reunion.

School's out for Wexford manager Ian Ryan who joins Shelbourne's Georgie Poynton during a free class with a Baku-bound Dan and a Covid-free Johnny. The lads reminisce on their favourite dressing rooms, the Dundalk conundrum, influential managers and Johnny bingo! There's an extra tricky Four Star Pizza question, a truncated fixture review and extra kebabs in Azerbaijan. It's a day early this week and just in time for the last bell.

When Tom Petty ditched the heartbreakers to record the seminal "Full Moon Fever" back in 1989 he actually ended up using most of the band on separate tracks. So as Johnny goes solo this week he zooms Dan in for the first half, where he discusses todays big news as well as the avalanche of reaction to last weeks RTE debate. Then after leaving Dan to enjoy his 5 star hotel and dodge bank tellers he welcomes in studio, Jason McGuinness to discuss his new role as an education pioneer with Shels and Gary Cronin, who's Bray team is competing in a strong and very competitive first division. The lads discuss education as part of the game, the Stephen Kenny saga, the changes within the game, phones in dressing rooms and lots lots more. Oh and there's a Rovers' themed anniversary Four Star Pizza draw all the way from the Kingdom. It's episode 29 and it's early.....

It's showtime this week as RTE Group Head of Sport Declan McBennett steps into our Glasnevin studio to discuss the station's coverage of the League of Ireland in a wide ranging discussion that covers a lot of bases after a fractious summer centred around the absence of European games from the screens. The issues and challenges of the past, present and future are debated in a robust manner. Meanwhile, the undercard features quick hits with Ian Bermingham and Eoin Toal after their weekend games and there's also a pizza to be won from a brand new box of eighties undiscovered gold.

Early and late this week. Missing keys, Cork mountains and a tardy Johnny who cant stop talking mountains even if they're in the flattest country in europe. Joining himself and Dan is Ciaran Kilduff, who drops by on his way to spy on Bohs in Donegal and tells us why Maynooth was the right choice for him. Longford manager, Daire Doyle keeps Ciaran company and weighs in on Longford luck, referees, Stephen Kenny and the Dundalk story. With Four Star Pizza, the cup, sideline parents and timekeeping all mixed into an early treat of a podcast it's time to put on the headphones and enjoy! Think of it like having a curry chips on a Monday...

Early and late this week. Missing keys, Cork mountains and a tardy Johnny who cant stop talking mountains even if they're in the flattest country in europe. Joining himself and Dan is Ciaran Kilduff, who drops by on his way to spy on Bohs in Donegal and tells us why Maynooth was the right choice for him. Longford manager, Daire Doyle keeps Ciaran company and weighs in on Longford luck, referees, Stephen Kenny and the Dundalk story. With Four Star Pizza, the cup, sideline parents and timekeeping all mixed into an early treat of a podcast it's time to put on the headphones and enjoy! Think of it like having a curry chips on a Monday...

So this week, we have, to the tune of 'We Didn't Start The Fire'..
"Stephen Kenny, Gavin Bazunu, Ireland's got a draw again.
Pat Fenlon, Tommy Barrett, Wedding Bells and Futsal
Old Irish Magazines, Treaty have a better team
Pizza Draws, previews, angry men on sidelines..."

Yes, it's always been burning right here on LOI Central, for more than four years now

We're out earlier than usual this week with Dan en route to Portugal where he hopefully doesn't pull a Johnny Ward and end up on the beach when he realises the game is on. Johnny did make it to Dalymount eventually where the lads caught up with Andy Lyons after a breathless Dublin derby before he scooted off to his own Irish adventure. Lyons reflected on a rare strike with his left, which some would say is a tribute to Bohs' political leanings. Johnny certainly had Bohs on the brain after a night where he went from Des Kelly to Luke Kelly with the company of Damien Dempsey. We also asked where Shamrock Rovers go from here and reflected on the rest of the cup games

You can’t always get what you want but on this week’s pod we reflect on Rovers disappointment in Estonia and the challenge ahead with some words from Stephen Bradley. We have former Rovers keeper turned fireman Craig Hyland and the sun loving gym instructor and born again footballer Mick Daly in our ultra modern new studio to discuss the FAI Cup tie they both have with Saint Mochta's. Paul Doolin is back and the Galway United Press Officer caught up with him after a welcome victory for Athlone. It all goes Sergio Leone too, with the Good (Man City's Michael Johnson), the bad (Dundalk's partying regime), and the ugly (decide for yourself). All this and the usual pizza question and analysis. Sadly we've had a few losses this week in the league and in the world of music. Rest easy all you who've gone.

On this week's reboot of the pod Dan McDonnell separates Finn Harps' electric tattooed forward Sean Boyd who's lounging around our brand new hipster studio humming 'Flower of Scotland' from former Shamrock Rovers darts target and soon to be Presidential aide de camp Johnny Ward. Sean now boasts a burgeoning film career, with a debut performance in "The Cave" premiering at Galway Film Festival but don't get over excited because it's not the one about the daring rescue of the Thai youth football team. We're not clear what Sean's role is and we're not sure his mother or girlfriend know either. There's more Joey O'Brien cameos, a house renovation, a possible road trip to the Aras, and an "An Post" ad that no one can remember. Throw in your usual Four Star Pizza question and some analysis and what've you got? The same old story... but now with Dolby Atmos!

After discovering they had no culinary skills during the kitchen episode a few weeks back, Johnny and Dan have moved to a Santry diner where the recently retired, unlikely arthritis victim Karl Sheppard, steps in like a character out of a Tom Waits song. The striker, formerly of Shamrock Rovers and Cork City, is adjusting to the real world where it's easier to get a mortgage and harder to get fired up and angry. Set to a background of fully vaccinated 'Nighthawks at the Diner', there's chat about his past life and his future plans and we also pour over the lessons of another big European week ahead of a super Thursday for Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk. Thankfully no one got hurt during the recording except for a couple of eggs that got beat up and a cup of coffee that wasn't strong enough to defend himself against a hard ass Four Star Pizza question.

Fresh from going on holiday by mistake Johnny doesn't make the kitchen but a great show zooms onto the airwaves. Joey O'Brien talks Guinness with Gary Speed and Nightclub assassinations in Eastern Europe. Keith Long gives the post Bohs review and his thoughts on footy on the telly. Alessio Abibi on Dundalk's big match, a Big Sam Four Star Pizza question that isn't "What's the capital of Celtic?" and lots more on a huge week for Irish football.

It's bye bye to zoom as the kitchencast begins in earnest. St Patrick's Athletic manager Stephen O'Donnell shows up for a cuppa and talks about signing players over zoom, those big tackle cheers and fatherhood. In between kettle boils there's "The Big Barrett House", needless texts, Brian Kerr's sideline antics in an empty ground, and Jessie's Giants 5 a side team. There's also a European preview where Bohs' Keith Ward shows he can be as entertaining off the pitch as on it and we also talk red list countries, cup draws, top of the table clashes and the latest update in the red hot Four Star Pizza scandal. Tune in, turn on...whatever!

Well whaddya know, Gary Rogers dropped by to tell us about Zoom calls in Vienna and who his favourite keeper is, chief bottle washer Dan McDonnell talked to Vinny Perth while the other half of the odd couple chipped in with his thoughts on the boy Devoy and what comes next for Bohs. Its a jam sambo packed episode 19 filled with all cup ties and european fondu with a big fat pizza question to boot . It's just a bit weird that no one mentioned this weeks Bob Dylan livestream event, but that's football...(and now you know who wrote this weeks pod description)

On this weeks eccentrically pronounced episode we have, St Patrick's Athletic academy chief Ger O'Brien discussing why government needs to get serious about player production, while clubs have to lead the way in their decision making. His old boss Liam Buckley on European progression with Sligo Rovers young guns, and while Johnny contains his excitement at a certain cup tie he catches up with the erudite Andy Lyons and the guarded James Talbot ahead of Bohs' big night at the Aviva. The lads also pick over the wreckage of a frustrating Champions League exit for Shamrock Rovers and try to deflect from another Galway United Four Star Pizza win. All this and more on your slightly later than normal LOI Central

European fever hits the show this week as we reflect on a tough night for Shamrock Rovers in Bratislava , and look ahead to Icelandic dates for Bohemians and Sligo Rovers. We get the professional view from Iceland, and some insight from an ever youthful Keith Long. Johnny also puts a few questions to Vinny Perth ahead of Dundalk's Covid affected clash with Newtown. Dan tries hard to remain undefined by his 'Square United' experience. There's a nineties supermodel getting frisky on a beach whilst pondering a Four Star Pizza question and finally..who will be the anti-Schillaci on Sunday.... you know what I mean!

Fact! Dolly Parton wrote one of the greatest country songs of all time in an afternoon and then went and wrote 'I Will Always Love You' in the same afternoon. This weeks pod took double that length of time to record but it too has a distinct Country and Western theme to it and despite Johnny's best attempts it's not all about Galway. St Patrick’s Athletic’s Mayoman John Mountney talks about fresh starts, Dundalk memories and his statue ambitions before we go to Sligo to hear from Bit’O’Red youth guru Conor O’Grady about their academy fuelled success and the broader state of play in Ireland. On top of that we’ve got a Sligo flavoured quiz question, title race thoughts, European speculation and a special rewrite of that very same Dolly Parton hit. Yes it's vaccine…vaccine, vaccine, vaccinnnnee

We welcome back our old pal Shane Supple to the show this week to reflect on a dramatic derby win for Bohemians over Shamrock Rovers. Several big questions on Bohs get an airing. How will they cope if Georgie Kelly gets injured? Why did Keith Long snap at Johnny's opening question on Monday? Will Bohs management be out shopping for cats in the coming weeks? We also promise not to talk about Dundalk but still talk about Dundalk as Chris Shields exit raises questions. Johnny checks in with John Caulfield and the lads also spin tales of European train journeys, LOI sibling spotting and art of the perfect nickname. It's a hell of a Manic Monday but who did the better version? Prince or The Bangles? Oh and that's not the Four Star Pizza question this week...

On this week's bumper Summer Special Shane Keegan and Neal Horgan have an extended chat about the rise and fall of two of the league's most famous clubs, Cork and Dundalk. In a week where pints on the side of the road are back, Ollie Horgan talks points on the road with a zoological Dan Mc Donnell. The return of Vinny Perth to Oriel, European ties, cheap flights to Bratislava, our best wishes to Christian Eriksen and we never find out why Johnny was at the Four Courts. All this and a Four Star Pizza quiz in our best value episode to date!

In this weeks sepia tinged episode we cue the Hovis music as our old eir Sport pal Shane Dawson dons his flat cap and denies plastering northside Dublin lamposts with “Save Tolka” posters but does explain what the campaign is all about. Johnny joins us from surviving a seal infested swim on an island and breakfast with the stars while Liam Holton from Future Ticketing gets us all excited about the return of fans. All of this prompts a debate from the likely lads about the demographics in the stands and the changing face of Irish football. Johnny finally reveals his favourite player in the league and there’s a pizza to be had for anyone who can remember the Ollie Byrne era . So grab your Marietta and Bovril for some good old wholesome analogue entertainment

In this nostalgia filled week, we take every club in the top two divisions and analyse them more than Ross and Rachels on again off again who cares again courtship. Talking courtships and nostalgia, our main guest is Ruaidhri Higgins who opens up on his transition to management and how Derry nostalgia played a part in him taking the gig. All of this, the Four Star Pizza draw and the first time we kept the Galway United Media Officer under an hour, means there's a lot more to celebrate than some botoxed Hollywood has beens crying about their lost youth. You wouldn't see the Derry Girls at it....

There's a Brummie theme to this week's show as Jordan Gibson tells us about his new sense of duty to Sligo Rovers even if he can't find a way to watch Line of Duty. Jordan showers praise on Liam Buckley and Greg Bolger, delivers an insight into the cold world of the lower reaches of English football, and explains how fate sent his career in a different direction. We also hear audio dispatches from Athlone Town boss Adrian Carberry and his Galway United counterpart John Caulfield in addition to ruminating over the issues that matter and a good deal more which don't after a week of drama. Like most ill-advised rambles, this episode ends up in the urinal.

There's a Scottish theme to this week's show as Drogheda boss Tim Clancy reflects on his playing days there and opens up on his managerial ambitions, including his desire to escape the double jobbing life that has made his exploits in Louth all the more impressive. Meanwhile, Aaron McEneff joins us to discuss his winter move to Hearts and a lifechanging start to 2021 with a nod back to some happy memories at Shamrock Rovers. The lads reflect on the lessons of the last week, bemoan their short lived TV career, daydream about their stadium wishes and both ask and answer the question for our pizza giveaway.

On this week's 'must win' podcast we do something different this week as footballer turned agent Jonathan Douglas looks at the league from an english point of view, recounts his journey from Monaghan to an eventful life in the UK and gives us his take on what players from these shores need to do to succeed. . Galway United media officer Johnny overcomes another loss by speaking to Gary Cronin. There's art deals gone wrong, Covid breaches, Waterford managers, missing accents and title race declarations. All of this, a pizza draw, Tony Holohan, and the definitive discussion on what constitutes a ‘hard place to go’. It's really all about the roads..

Exclusive! Revealed! No not the Sheedy and Newell replacements, this is much more important! Dan's past comes back to haunt him in a series of confessional pieces that cast him as a failed coke addict tennis prodigy, the star of the famously unreadable "Infinite Jest", who sidled into a journalism career alongside Johnny, a failed teenage website administrator whose only real guest was this weeks star man Kevin McHugh. Kevin pays tribute to the late Alan Keely and details the support that is needed to bring the Finn Harps academy to the next level. Meanwhile, his onetime goalscoring rival Andy Myler regales us with Billy Bagster stories and speaks about the differences between the UCD team he manages and the one he came into in his teenage years . We have Stephen Bradley, Daniel Kelly and Jim Magilton on Monday's action, the Four Star Pizza question and an even bigger talking point. Did Dan ever prank call the Ardee Police Station just to giggle at "Ardee Gardai"...?

Later today a Corkman will indicate to us when we can go to a match again and until Micheal puts us out of our misery it's time for your favourite similarly depraved matey partnership of Dan and Johnny who take a look inside the dugouts and ask, are the youthful managerial class of 2021 bringing on a renaissance? Either way, there's definitely a renaissance of sorts at Derry City and we have the soon to be star of Johnny's new "Monkey Tennis" style documentary and the yet to be conceived "Derry Lads" pilot, Daniel Lafferty to help us understand what's going on at the "title contenders". Also on the pod, Cork City's Steven Beattie and his old roomy, Finn Harps' secret defender Johnny Dunleavy talk about coming home, getting older, the differing fortunes of Cork and Harps, and how being 21 points clear and having a teetotal flatmate affects your social life.As always, there's the Four Star Pizza question, the results roundup and a look forward to the Bank Holiday fixtures. "The summer will be outside", said the Taoiseach, let's hope there's a ball getting kicked around!

In a week that saw no involvement of John Delaney in the demise of a European Super League, we talk people power with Daniel Lambert and Tommy Higgins and ponder if dogs hold the key to the post covid LOI world. We’ve got the latest news from the pizza draw tribunal, a midweek review with Johnny talking to both Stephen O'Donnell and Kevin Sheedy whilst Dan hears from Drogheda assistant Kevin Doherty and discusses the latest Dundalk twist. Plus the shameless exaggeration of Bray Wanderers' role in European Football history and Johnny brings up the S word!

This week as the sun finally comes out Johnny and Dan reflect on Graham Burke's moment of magic and we hear from League of Ireland legends Pat Fenlon and Alan Reynolds on the best goals they witnessed, Shels and Waterford memories, coaching dynamics inside and outside the dressing room, Pat's Pro Licence gripe and why having a cat in the engine room is normally a bad idea. Finn Harps' Adam Foley gets booksmart on his academic endeavours to explain why he's suddenly come to prominence aged 31 and Johnny's media officer alliance provides us with a brief Mark McChrystal snippet as Derry toil. All of this and your chance to win a Four Star Pizza in the country's most compliant raffle. As long as you read Dan's Ezine that is....

As the dog chews on the lamb bone, the lilies wilt and the last creme egg causes a slight dry retch, we leave Easter behind with Brian Murphy and Mark Rossiter's reflections on Bohs, Red Bull regrets and a dressing room that was no place for young men. We also ask Murph about the challenges of coming home to Waterford, life as an understudy in England and hear how the sleep patterns of Neil Warnock's wife influenced team selections. The Galway United media officer talks to Adam Wixted, we reflect on the President's dubious taste in terrace chants and we also set the challenge for the weekly Four Star Pizza treat! Where else would you get all this with extra cheese?

On this weeks epic widescreen shaggy dog story of a show, Johnny and Dan look back on an International break that still feels hungover. New kid on Drogheda's block, Ronan Murray talks about his east coast adventure, the Covid dose and Roy Keane missing him at Cobh. The Paddy Barrett show gets piloted today as Saint Pat's defender Paddy talks Killing Fields in Cambodia, Killing Time in Lockdown, and Killing a packet of Digestives when sharing a house with his manager! Daire Doyle weighs in on Longford's weekend and don't forget about our Four Star Pizza quiz. Say what you like about LOI Central, at least it's an ethos Dude!

On this weeks algorithm run robotic pod we have Tommy Barrett on a new beginning at Treaty United, Colin Healy on his proper start at Cork, and our main chat is with nomads Greg Bolger and Conor McCormack who tell us about how football has programmed them to never get too comfortable anywhere. There's also Titus Bramble, Bob Geldof, Pixie Lotts and Dexys Midnight Pizza Question, all this and a snazzy new theme tune....

Tunnels, lights, injections… Remember when these used to be football terms. Well let's take them back. With the help of our friends at Future Ticketing, we're back with a whole new fresh look at a brand new season from Jack Byrne, sunning himself in Cyprus, Keith Long doing his Teresa Mannion impression, and Gary Rogers all weighing in on the season to come. Jack also reflects on the lessons he learned and the best players he encountered during his time in the league. Dan and Johnny are still a virtual presence but thank heaven for small mercies. Oh and there’s free pizza….seriously!

We've reached the end of the road for 2020 and a 30 episode journey from the studio to the sitting room. Ireland chief scout Ruaidhri Higgins and good friend of the show Johnny Dunleavy join us to reflect on Dundalk's cup final joy, their Europa League ending and to ask if they can push Shamrock Rovers in 2021. Even Johnny Ward agrees that might be possible, although his Dundalk friends may not believe him. Paul Corry, Mark Rossiter, Conan Byrne and Shane Supple also send in their brief reflections on the year as we wonder aloud if 2021 will be any different--

We’re back after Dan went MIA to present our annual PFA Ireland awards special and we have Roberto Lopes, Danny Grant and Mark Doyle with us to discuss their nominations for the various awards. ‘Pico’ looks ahead to the cup final, and tells us some Zlatan and Cape Verde tales while Danny discusses his future career plans and Mark explains his late development. PFAI chief Stephen McGuinness also calls for clarity on the 2021 season and a say for players in what happens.

After a league season like no other, Finn Harps avoid the drop, Shelbourne face into an anxious playoff against Longford and Sligo somehow finish fourth, despite losing half of their games, and are very likely to be playing European football next season. Dan has the week off but sends in his appraisal of each of the Premier Division teams' campaign, with Pat Fenlon in the house to talk about what was a truly bonkers 2020 season. Pat is joined by Ollie Horgan to discuss perhaps Harps' greatest escape, Daire Doyle talks about Longford's chance of beating Shels and a somewhat tired and emotional Garry Buckley dials in from Sligo just before heading out for training.

Management is a big theme of this week's show. Drogheda manager Tim Clancy joins us after leading his side to promotion and explains the 24/7 commitment of dealing with the role and trying to fit real life around it. Alan Reynolds talks about his own transition and reflects on his dramatic year that started at Waterford, veered to Dundalk and has brought him to the Ireland U21 backroom team working with an exciting generation of players. We hear from John Caulfield after their massive win against Bray last weekend and look ahead to their Premier Division finale with Longford, while asking where all the goalscorers have gone.

Shamrock Rovers are champions and we are joined by their manager Stephen Bradley for a wide ranging chat about Rovers plans for the future, the lessons of the recent past, Jack Byrne, the overall direction of Irish football and much more. We also look ahead to Dundalk's big date with Arsenal with the help of Lilywhites midfielder Greg Sloggett and hear from the Drogheda camp after they prevailed in the dramatic First Division finale. The lads also discuss the Finn Harps revival, trusting Galwegians and the other burning issues of the week

We talk to Joe on this week's show, with Cork City legend and former assistant boss Joe Gamble following up on his request for a right to reply to last week's pod (35:00). He explains the struggles faced by himself and Neale Fenn, the budgetary complications, recruitment lessons and the logic behind Daire O'Connor's abrupt exit. Prior to that, we look ahead to Dundalk's big European date with Molde with the help of Norwegian football expert Ben Wells (10:48).

There's a Wicklow theme to this week's show with Arklow's Daire O'Connor giving us the lowdown on his abrupt exit from Cork City, his relationship with Neale Fenn and his plans for the future. We then hear from Bray Wanderers boss Gary Cronin on their promotion charge, his early season fears, and the process of rebuilding the club after a turbulent era. The lads also discuss Rovers' imminent title party, more batshit goings on at Dundalk and a look back to the summer of 1995

We're bringing people back together on this week's show as former team-mates Robbie Benson and Stephen Folan reflect on days gone by at Dundalk and their current missions with St Patrick's Athletic and Finn Harps respectively. Stephen travelled around the world in 2020 whereas Robbie was stuck at home during lockdown but they were both grateful for the return of the League of Ireland for their own reasons. There's also a bit of Stephen Kenny chat, Johnny and Dan's take on Filippo Giovagnoli's week, breaking news at Cork and Galway and a farewell to Kris Twardek

‘We didn’t start this year with plans of interviewing a Faroese football expert come September but this is 2020 and we look ahead to Dundalk’s big date with Ki Klaksvik with the help of Kasper Neesgaard who tells us what we can expect from the underdogs. Daniel Kelly gives us a flavour of the mood in the Dundalk camp. We then go back in time and also look to the future with the help of LOI legend Colin Hawkins who discusses assisting players with the next step in their career, the lessons from his experience and his hopes for Stephen Kenny and Irish football’s future.

It’s a Graham themed show this week with two for the price of one. Graham Gartland and Graham Cummins crossed paths in Scotland and they are reunited on the show to discuss their careers in football, European experiences, the Scottish culture, adjusting to becoming an older player and all of the challenges that come with it. We also discuss Cork’s struggles, Rovers ambitions, Dundalk’s European opportunity and there’s the mandatory Galway reborn interview with Shane Duggan.

It’s a role reversal this week as Johnny is on the working beat and Dan is traversing the country ahead of a historic Europa League tie in Tallaght. We hear from Stephen Bradley, Jack Byrne and Graham Burke ahead of Shamrock Rovers v AC Milan and Italian based Irishman Mark Doyle gives us the lowdown on the guests. We also discuss Dundalk’s European date in Andorra, John Sheridan’s Waterford farewell and Kerry’s untapped potential.

This surreal season is another twist in the lengthy League of Ireland careers of our two guests, both of whom have been around the block New Galway United manager John Caulfield joins the show to discuss his fresh start, the end of his Cork City adventure and coping with the likes of Johhnny Ward. Ronan Finn discusses a hard fought derby win, the experience he hopes to bring to the title-run in and the change of position and change of off-pitch focus that has come hand in hand with his graduation to senior status. We also discuss Stephen Kenny's Irish start, Royal Rumble style entrance and the age old 'Is Finland in Scandinavia?' debate.

After a week with a news cycle dominated by European ties, Stephen Kenny's new dawn and bizarre goings on at Dundalk, we welcome two guests with some experience of all of the above. Mark Rossiter and Ciaran Kilduff discuss the Kenny factor, what Dundalk have lost, and how the Shamrock Rovers players will feel about their AC Milan opportunity. Killer also discusses life at Shelbourne and shared experiences with Gary Deegan, while Rossi breaks down Sligo's improvement and also reflects on his role in the Bohemians and Wolves friendly that set Matt Doherty off on the road towards stardom.

We're back after a week of high drama and Paul Corry joins Johnny and Dan to pick through Dundalk's journey from Perth to Italy, the lessons of the European results so far and what we can expect from Rovers and Bohs tomorrow. Dan talks with Andre Wright about Bohs' trip to Hungary, Johnny wrestles with his emotions around John Caulfield's Galway arrival and we hear snippets from the League of Ireland's Big Fil - Filippo Giovagnoli - about what he's got to offer during his kamikaze mission

Dundalk's Champions League campaign ended abruptly at the first hurdle and Johnny and Dan pick through the bones to ask what their exit says about where the club stands right now and where they go from here. We also have a lengthy chat with Alan Bennett about Cork's upturn in fortunes, the buzz of watching youngsters develop on their potential and the dynamic of being a 38-year-old veteran in a young man's league. Johnny also hears from Tim Clancy in the aftermath of a Drogheda win that prompted more upheaval at Galway.

This may be a year of restricted travel, but there's a global feel to this week's show. Sligo Rovers' South African born New Zealand international Ryan De Vries tells us about Japan, love, life, his roundabout route to The Showgrounds and his uncertain future (54:13). Conor McCormack reflects on almost a decade in the LOI, his Italian adventures and his favourite European experiences ahead of Derry's jaunt to Lithuania (25:30). And Dundalk's Patrick McEleney discusses his relief at getting back on the pitch ahead of a Champions League tie in Hungary against Slovenian opposition (09:02). There's all of that and the review and preview of a big week for Shamrock Rovers with a bit of live FAI Cup draw reaction thrown into the mix.

We've a busy show after a lively return to action. Dundalk's (sort of) new signing Dave McMillan joins us to discuss returning home from Scotland and opens up on the lessons of his time away and the differences between football in the two countries. Pain loving Gary Deegan talks to Dan in Donegal and we hear from Declan Devine on Derry's up and down resumption. There's also FAI politics fatigue, streaming reviews, Cork's loud suffering and whether it's too early for Johnny to call the league yet.

The LOI is back and LOI Weekly is weekly again. With our new sponsor, Lottoland, coming on board, we're returning to our audio roots for the rest of a season which has turned from a marathon into a sprint. Georgie Kelly joins us to discuss his move from Dundalk to St Pat's and Daire O'Connor (Cork), Rob Cornwall (Bohs) and Luke Byrne (Shelbourne) share their enthusiasm about the short road. Johnny and Dan are back under the same roof to discuss football without fans, the LOI's pandemic politics, new LOI directors, Euro dilemmas and a lot more besides.

We're still in limbo about whether the League of Ireland 2020 season will return and the FAI's interim deputy CEO Niall Quinn is central to the attempts to try and make it happen. He joined the lads to discuss the health challenges, the financial risks, and the search for support to remove the concerns of clubs who feel they won't be able to afford a behind closed doors return. We hear about UEFA's stance, the First Division position and why waiting until 2021 could pose serious problems for the league's short and long term future. We also discuss the FAI's broader vision for the league, Ruud Dokter's role, the national underage leagues, All-Island league plans and more...

We're back with another bumper show, longer than your average FAI Cup final with the standard extra-time and penalty shootout, to pass away some lockdown time. Dan explains the thinking behind his Irish Indo list of the top 50 League of Ireland players 2000-2020, with Johnny offering his brief take on each selection before we bring in our special guests. Conan Byrne runs through the results of his poll on the all-time greats and puts forward flaws in Dan's thinking and admits the Covid-19 crisis could have an unexpected impact on his career. Then we are joined by high ranked stars Paddy McCourt and Stephen O'Donnell to discuss comparing eras, the attributes of the best players they encountered, and also get the lowdown on Stephen Kenny and Ruaidhri Higgins based on their shared experiences. We also discuss if it's possible to open minds to closed doors.

‘It might be a while before we are on the road again but we were joined for our latest lockdown production by Eoin Doyle who gave us an entertaining account of his journey through the League of Ireland en route to his career in England. Bus trips with Paul Cook and Pat Scully feature heavily and he also explains why plans to move home are on the backburner for now. We also catch up with referees Paul McLaughlin and Alan Patchell to learn what attracted them to the lifestyle and what they would change about it. Johnny and Dan also discuss Dundalk statements, Trump press conferences and much more besides.

It's the LOI Weekly Easter special which means a feast of words about Stephen Kenny's appointment as Ireland manager. We hear a portion of Kenny's virtual press conference (17:58), break down some of the commentary around what his promotion represents and mull over how things might go before speaking to three people who were given a front seat view for sections of his journey. Alan Murphy reflects on the Longford days (37:13), and the passion of the young manager that convinced him to go there. We have a fantastic chat with David Forde about Kenny's role in his Irish ascension (1:02:26), a wide ranging discussions which takes us to unexpected places. Mark Rossiter talks Dundalk and his reservations about the speed of the handover (1:42:18). It's basically a Kenny show but we also ponder when football might return, amongst other things, in this bumper edition. Like an Easter egg, you may not want to devour it all at once. Just space it out and make sure to remember to come back to it.

We don't know what the future holds but we got through the past and the present on this week's show. Dundalk manager Vinny Perth joined us on the line to discuss the challenges presented by the Covid-19 crisis and the encouraging response of the club's owners. He also helped the lads down memory lane as they picked their teams of the 21st century - with terms and conditions that complicated the selection process. Cork City's Declan Carey also offered us an update on where the Leesiders stand following a turbulent period. We also discuss Setanta Cup nostalgia, haircut dilemmas & the next socialist portrait for the Bohemians boardroom.

No make-up, no lingering looks to camera, no Facebook likes. The coronavirus has sent LOI Weekly back to its roots with an audio only Skype special broadcast from designated bunkers around Dublin. We discuss the serious business of what the Covid-19 crisis means for Irish football and the uncertainty over what happens next. We hear Niall Quinn discuss the LOI's position and managers Tim Clancy and Alan Reynolds offer their take on their club's response to the unprecedented situation. A posse of players let us know how they are keeping busy, while listeners questions takes us down some strange paths. Tune in as we try to keep you company.

It's week five and Johnny phones in from Cheltenham, a sporting event that is continuing uninterrupted in spite of Covid-19, but it's unlikely that we will be saying the same about the League of Ireland. Shane Dawson takes the chair to discuss with Dan about what it all means for the league after the first FAI meeting on the subject. We break down what it could all mean. Ger O'Brien joins the lads to discuss the St Patrick's Athletic structure, the league's best winter signings, and the weekend's games. They might be our last ones for a while.

It's episode four. Or episode phwoar as we digest the Jordan Flores wonder strike and a thrilling game in Tallaght that showcased all that is good about the league. Pat Fenlon joins the lads to digest what the game says about Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk and what the gap between the top two and the rest says about the league today. We also discuss pitch battles, politics and Jack Byrne's royal seal of approval.

It's week three and friend of the show Johnny Dunleavy returns to studio to discuss a tough start to the season for Sligo Rovers, the sudden decline of his old club Cork City and the ups and downs of the League of Ireland and Las Vegas. We touch on some of the big issues of the week; Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk, grass v astroturf and fan owned models v private investment. And there's the obligatory Cheltenham references too.

It’s week two and safe pair of hands Shane Supple joins the lads to review an opening weekend that was low on goals but high on talking points. We talk Brian Murphy, the derby debacle, overseas recruits, Cork concerns and First Division predictions. Send us your thoughts and we might even read them out.

We’re back, and this time it’s visual. Season 4 is here in full colour on Eir Sport and YouTube but the audio experience lives on too with Paul Corry joining Dan and Johnny to preview the 2020 season. Who wins the league? What about the people running it? What has Nigel Farage done for it? We cover that and more on this week’s show.

It’s Christmas Eve, and what better present than an LOI Weekly Christmas podcast. Shane Supple and Brian Gartland joined the lads for a special televised edition of LOI Weekly to look back on the year that was, as well as casting a glance towards 2020.

Emotional times here at LOI Weekly as it’s the penultimate episode of season three, with an appropriately high-profile guest to close out our 40th episode of 2019. Dundalk head coach Vinny Perth joins us in studio for an in-depth chat about a trophy filled season, European disappointments & a cheeky hint about upcoming developments both on and off the park. He also reveals what episode of the pod he turned off after listening for just ten minutes! We also have an exclusive chat with PFAI team of the year member & Derry City striker David Parkhouse with a special appearance from his girlfriend nonetheless. It’s the final pod of the year, enjoy!

After ending Shamrock Rovers 32 year wait in the FAI Cup, we were joined by their manager Stephen Bradley & the clubs sporting director Stephen McPhail in studio to give their accounts on how it all unfolded. As well as discussing the game, tactics & regrouping after Dundalk’s last second equalizer, ‘Bradser’ discussed how he once hated football as a teenager, how he knew he wanted to coach from a young age & how his career path is similar to one Jack Byrne. McPhail talked about how LOI clubs must back themselves at the negotiating table & also expressed his distrain for the idea that Ireland doesn’t have the players to play attractive football. The lads also wrap up the playoffs, as well as look ahead to Dundalk FC’s Unite the Union Champions Cup tie with Linfield FC.

It's FAI Cup final fever in the House of Eir as Dan and Johnny discuss at length their predictions and aspirations for Sunday's decider. Dan hears from Dundalk's Dan Cleary and Shamrock Rovers' Sean Kavanagh before we throw open the Whatsapp lines to a collection of regular guests from across the season who send in their predictions for the big game. Managers, ex-players and current players all give their two cents. Who needs Twink and Logan when you've got Derek Pender and Neal Horgan? This finally trails off into a debate about the most famous LOI personality, Johnny Logan or President Michael D Higgins…It’s a good debate & an even better pod.

It’s the PFAI awards special with Stephen McGuinness in studio to reveal the identity of the Premier Division team of the year and the player of the year shortlists. Nominees Sean Gannon and Dano Mandroiu are in studio and we also hear from St Pat’s boss Stephen O’Donnell

With the title race wrapped up and the relegation battle devoid of drama, we covered a few bases this week. Ireland U19 boss Tom Mohan joins us to discuss an interesting squad selection, but finds that Georgia bound Johnny really only has Galway on his mind. Dan reminisces with St Patrick's Athletic board member Alan Mathews about his days on the front line of management. Neal Horgan has written books about that kind of thing and he dials in to discuss his latest effort as Irish football quite literally approaches a crossroads.
Beyond that, there's mini leagues, Sideshow Bobs and ticket giveaways all set to soundtrack of Johnny's life. If you're looking to while away an hour waiting for the new "Breaking Bad" movie to pop up on Netflix...You could do worse--

1985 Ahoy! Bus pass carrying Pat Devlin cranks the podcast DeLorean up to 88mph and revisits the roots of all evil in the upside down world of Opel sponsored candlelit stadia. The big number 5 from Donaghmede, Lee Desmond, lights his own candle for the under performing Saints and the 'signing on' generation of pre Brexit, post Delaney semi pros. Johnnys taxi drivers go back to Milltown and Dan ends up on page 3. It really is 1985, so put this cassette in your walkman and just press feckin' PLAY

Dundalk are Premier Division champions once again & we hear from their Head Coach John Gill on his journey & on the pressures of success at Dundalk. Paul Corry joins Johnny in studio as does Dan via Skype to discuss Dundalk’s dominance, their treble chase & Johnny’s famous declaration. Sligo Rovers Canadian winger Kris Twardek also joined the show to discuss how he ended up in Sligo, his career in England & what making the FAI Cup in the Aviva Stadium would mean for the town.

Luke Byrne joins us, not quite fresh from promotion celebrations but happy to reflect on a morale boosting year at Shelbourne. We also hear from his manager Ian Morris and check in on two other bosses experiencing a different range of emotions right now - Limerick’s Tommy Barrett and Waterford’s Alan Reynolds. Cup draws, cup wins and the now customary Galway tangent also feature on the show.

After a massive week in Irish football & a week full of famous debuts, Eir Sport reporter & lifelong Shels fan Shane Dawson makes his debut on Episode 31. Shane joined Johnny in studio as Dan dials in from his so called ‘holiday’ to discuss the buzz around the U21’s, the FAI Cup semi-final draw & Dundalk’s pursuit of the elusive treble. We also hear from Jack Byrne who spoke to Shane following his international debut on Tuesday night, as well as Derry City manager Declan Devine who spoke ahead of their EA Sports Cup Final this Saturday against Dundalk.

Paul Doolin is our studio guest, discussing his career and future in light of four managers losing their jobs in the space of just over one week in the League of Ireland. He talks about being snubbed for jobs, his belief that the game is populated by spoofers and also reflects on his time as Irish u19 boss - including his reasons for excluding Jack Byrne. Derry City boss Declan Devine talks about the positives of the Cup defeat to Dundalk, while the two lads discuss cup results, Cork’s week and why Shamrock Rovers could really do with beating Bohs on Friday.

We go FAI Cup crazy this week, with Drogheda United goalkeeper/goalkeeping coach Paul Skinner coming in to talk about his strange days at Celtic and the art of goalkeeping coaching, ahead of their trip to Tallaght on Friday. Also on Friday Cork City make the trip to Eamonn Deacy Park to face Galway United, whose manager Alan Murphy attempts to set the record straight in regard to some of Johnny's comments this season. Dan battles with a cold to clarify some of the debate about our clubs' progress in Europe last week, while the lads also discuss two shocking developments: Dan Carr's move to Cyprus (and Stephen Bradley's remarks) as well as the dismissal of Collie O'Neill at UCD.

Johnny is on tour again but we have another Johnny on tap as Johnny McDonnell joins us along with LOI legend and Shamrock Rovers U19 boss Stephen Rice to reflect on Dundalk’s European exit and discuss what our top teams need to do to reach the next level.

Johnny and Dan are back on home soil this week, but we go to Bratislava to get the view on the ground from Dundalk’s man in Slovakia Donal Greene ahead of another big European night. Shane Supple dials in to discuss where the league stands in Europe and to look ahead to Friday night’s Dublin derby at Dalymount. Keith Cowan speaks to us about the Finn Harps revival. Bucket theft, banana skins and slanted pool tables also feature in our review of the week.

This week's pod comes to you 5000km from home as Dan and Johnny are in Baku ahead of Dundalk's big Champions League tie with Qarabag tomorrow. The lads talk local customs, travelling & Ringsend matters with Sean Gannon and Daniel Kelly. Local journalist Oqtay Atayev gives us the Azerbaijani perspective on the game and two of Dundalk's local press contingent - Adrian Taaffe and James Rogers - give us their take on the match. We also discuss anthem whistling, cosy airport chats and also preview Shamrock Rovers' big tie with Apollon Limassol.

Episode 24 is here and as Johnny takes his monthly holiday, Dan is joined in studio by former Galway manager Shane Keegan and has his say on the Baku or Ballybrit debate. LOI stalwart John Sullivan was also in studio with St.Josephs Boys & Bray Wanderers Academy Director Will Clarke to discuss the U19’s success in Armenia, the skills of Tom Mohan and the impact that coaching philosophies and LOI structures will have on Irish football’s future. We also look ahead to a big week in Europe.

The second week of Europe is here and as usual that means
Dan is somewhere else on the continent, this week its Latvia and from their capital Riga, Dan gives his thoughts as well chatting to Robbie Benson (in a busy Dublin Airport) about what lies ahead for Dundalk on Wednesday. With Dan away Aidan Fitzmaurice is back in the hot seat with Johnny to delve into the other 3 teams in Europe’s chances of progression on Thursday as well as the pros and cons of an All Island League. While PFAI General Secretary Stephen McGuinness & newly appointed Player Development Manager Emma Connaughton joined us in studio to discuss a new role within the association swell as some potential positive momentum within Irish football.

European week has arrived and Mark Rossiter joins the lads to run through the games and take us on an entertaining journey back through the highs and lows of his own career - from the compassion of Mick McCarthy at Sunderland to the unique approach of Stephen Kenny at Dundalk and the business life he was developing on the side. Latvian journalist Edmunds Novickis gives us the rundown on volatile Riga FC ahead of their Irish date while Cork City chairman Declan Carey gives us the state of play on Leeside after a turbulent spell. And we also find time to discuss the merits of whiskey, steak and Supermarket Sweep.

It's our 100th episode and we mark the occasion with the presence of two former Irish internationals, Kevin Kilbane and Irish 21s assistant Keith Andrews. The lads talk coaching standards, League of Ireland standards, Stephen Kenny, Sam Allardyce, Gary or Phil and Liam or Noel. We've also two tickets to give away -- it is, after all, our 100th episode.

Andy Boyle is in studio after his return to Dundalk to discuss the challenge of trying to prove yourself in a different football environment. He talks us through the highs and lows of life in England and Scotland and explains his reasons for coming back to a club that has changed quite a bit since his departure. Talk of a cross-border league has added to the debate around Irish football and the lads also check in with Gerard Lyttle to try and find out what the response has been in Belfast circles.

We're quick off the block this week in reaction to the Champions League and Europa League draws, with Paul Corry – who curiously never played European football – coming in to chat about the draws and reaction to the Bohs-Rovers game over the weekend. As well as discussing that man Mandroiu, Corry discusses how life is going post-footballl but this show is mainly about the European action ahead. We talk to Ruaidhri Higgins on skype and get reaction from Stephen Bradley, John Cotter and Harry Kenny.

We were joined by two advertisements for the UCD production line on this week's pod. Shelbourne's Ciaran Kilduff discusses his move home from the US and reflects on his career in the league while offering some insights into life under Stephen Kenny and the European doors it opened. Current UCD winger Neil Farrugia should be with Kenny in Toulon this week but the 20-year-old joins us to discuss his longer term ambitions, his European hopes, and there's also an unexpected diversion into the tactics of hockey and the merits of Spanish wine. He's no ordinary footballer.

LOI WEEKLY S03 EP17 with Oscar Brennan

It's a quiet time in the League of Ireland Premier Division, with games cancelled due to Toulon, but Oscar Brennan comes in to discuss the First Division with his new club Shelbourne now top after beating Longford on Friday. Oscar has some strong views on coaching standards in Ireland at all levels, while he reveals his new part-time job, which does in-fact involve craft beer. The lads have some thoughts on Shane Ross, the Sports Minister's forum last Friday and some of the reactions to Niall Quinn's propositions. We also talk Ireland about a great start in Toulon & about the upcoming trip to Denmark.

It's a union of central defenders this week as multiple league winner Brian Gartland comes into the studio, joined on Skype by Bermuda captain and Sligo Rovers fans' favourite Dante Leverock, who is slowly recovering from getting a serious blow to the head in their victory at Bohemians Friday. Dante tells us about life in Sligo, his plans to help Bermuda create history next month, and his wife potentially helping out an "in-love" Johnny Dunleavy. Gartland has some fascinating insights into Dundalk's European matches down the years, as well He also discussing Niall Quinn's ideas – and his own – for the League of Ireland.

With Dan away on International duty, Johnny was in studio to mind the house. Dan did dial in from the Ireland camp in Portugal as the league season enters the halfway stage. Bray Wanderers boss Gary Cronin, fresh from the win over Galway, comes into studio while the man with 'BOSS' on his t-shirt, Jack Byrne, lives up to the moniker. In a packed show, betting expert Julian Canny comes in to discuss extremely worrying gambling trends in the First Division. And Jack also weighs in about the twist and turns of his career and puts the issue to bed as to what his best position is.