The Boys We've Seen: Recent Episodes
Conor Heffernan & Jonathan Cooper
This is a journey through Irish footballing history. Every week Conor and Johnny discuss a player or moment from the Republic of Ireland's history. Beginning with the 1992/1993 Premier League season, these two diehard fans have a simple purpose - to talk about every Irishman to grace the Premier League!
Send us Fan Mail
It was supposed to be so easy
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
Should we dare to dream?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send a text
In the Shadow of Benbulben: Dixie Dean at Sligo Rovers is a romantic tale of divine intervention, uncanny timing and drama on and off the pitch. It's the tale of former Everton and England legend 'Dixie' Dean's four months with Sligo Rovers in the west of Ireland - a spell that would leave an indelible mark on the player, the club and the town.
Paul Little is an Irish freelance football writer making his debut as a solo artist in the world of books. Paul has worked in sports broadcasting and has written for numerous publications, including Football 365 and more recently, the Irish Daily Star, where he spent several seasons covering European football
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
Underrated and then some
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
One of Ireland's most exciting players of the 1990s. Got off to a blistering start with the Republic before injuries and ill luck curtailed his career
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
And not in the way you think...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
Remember, you can contact the FAI directly about this issue, as well as your local TD.
https://www.fai.ie/about/contact/
Expert Sources on Israeli Atrocities
UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (September 2025 Report): Concludes Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, citing acts like massive killings, siege-induced starvation, healthcare destruction, and attacks on children/cultural sites. Full report details Israel's breaches of international law and urges states to end complicity.
Link: OHCHR Commission Report
International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) Resolution (September 2025): The world's leading genocide experts voted 86% to declare Israel's actions meet the genocide definition, including intent to destroy Palestinians as a group. This is a milestone scholarly consensus.
Link: IAGS Resolution (or see coverage at BBC or PBS)
Human Rights Watch World Report 2026 (Israel/Palestine Chapter): Documents Israel's escalation of atrocities in 2025, including acts of genocide like extermination via starvation and deprivation of water/electricity, violating ICJ orders. Cites over 69,000 Palestinian deaths.
Link: HRW Report
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese Report (October 2025): Titled "Gaza Genocide: A Collective Crime," it analyzes the ongoing genocide as an international issue, with evidence of systematic destruction and complicity by other states.
Link: UN Report
Amnesty International (July 2025 Statement on Israeli Reports): Responds to B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel concluding genocide, documenting deliberate destruction of Gaza's healthcare and broader dehumanization under apartheid.
Link: Amnesty Statement
International Court of Justice (ICJ) Ongoing Case (South Africa v. Israel): Preliminary 2024 ruling found genocide claims "plausible," ordering Israel to prevent acts and allow aid. Full merits pending (Israel's defense due January 2026).
Link: ICJ Case Page
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Report (2025/2026): Exposes Israel's "campaign of total destruction" in Gaza, aligning with expert conclusions of genocide based on witnessed mass killings, displacement, and health system collapse.
Link: MSF Report
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
Insert a witty joke about testicles and goalposts here.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
Oasis or Blur? No... sorry... Roy or Mick?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
Only a Game? The Diary of a Professional Footballer. 50 years and counting
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
Spending 43 million on reports. My my my. Join Conor and Jonny this week as they discuss the ill-fated 'Bertie Bowl'. In 1999 the FAI and Irish government began planning for a new football stadium, first Eircom Park and then the 'National Stadium'. The latter became known by another name, the 'Bertie Bowl.' Pushed forward by then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, the Bowl's cost escalated rapidly over a three-year period and, with little fanfare, was discarded in late 2002. In the interim, the FAI attempted to bid for Euro 2008 with the Scottish FA despite having some major issues with the stadiums it could pitch. This entire thing is a hot mess and I love every minute of it.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
Whose been loudly brilliant and quietly overlooked?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
From 1990 to 2000, the Republic of Ireland featured five one cap wonders which, if we do say so ourselves, make up quite the decent 5-a-side team. Join Conor and Johnny as they discuss they five players good enough to play for the Republic of Ireland but who sadly failed to make it back for a second date. We'll discuss the cult hero goalkeeper good enough to play in a cup final, the centre back who had to fight off nationality suspicions, a cracking Premier League Caption, a Scotsman turned Irishman and a lower league cult hero. Have we given away too much? Nah! Also shout outs for two players who banged around Ireland's youth set ups but never progressed to the internationals—included because Conor loves a tryer!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
Far-right agitators, insufficient police numbers and a failure to respond to security intelligence. What could possibly go wrong?!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
Join Conor and Johnny as they discuss the immediate aftermath of the Saipan saga. Daddy Roy has gone home to Ireland and the country is losing the run of itself. There's protests outside the FAI headquarters, bishops calling for a resolution and people camping out at Cork airport. Good times eh? Oh there's also the small matter of an underwhelming pre-tournament friendly which injures several players and an upcoming World Cup game against Cameroon for Mick McCarthy et al. to prepare for. Pressure? Pressures for tires!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of Boys We've Seen, we dive deep into the heated FAI redundancy dispute with SIPTU's Adrian Kane, exploring how proposed job cuts threaten the heart of Irish grassroots football. Adrian shares insider insights on the union's fightback against what they call a 'rogue management team,' highlighting impacts on staff morale, youth development, and community programs. Join us for a discussion on workers' rights in sports and why solidarity could reshape the future of football in Ireland.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
Let us dream
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us Fan Mail
9 goals for the Republic and Crystal Palace's 4th highest goalscorer. More importantly, he once turned Steven Gerrard into a furious ball of rage
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
This week we chatted with Paul Joannou about his new book Bill McCracken: The Offside King. Paul walks us through McCracken’s career at Newcastle United, how he turned the offside trap into an art form, and why his influence quietly changed football’s laws. It’s a lovely look at an overlooked figure and the early tactical mind of the game. A gentle, nerdy episode for anyone who likes their football history with a bit of curiosity and understatement.
Available to buy here
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Irish Eyes Are Smiling
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Have we found the next Gary Doherty?!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Liam O'Brien played under Jack Charlton, Alex Fergusan, Kevin Keegan, Jim McLaughlin and several other legendary managers during a career which brought him across Bohs, Shamrock Rovers, Man United, Newcastle, Tranmere, the Republic of Ireland and more.
Liam has just released a brilliant book about his career in the Ireland set-up and English football with Pitch Publishing and we were delighted to get him on to reflect on the many turns of a professional footballer's career.
Check out the book below
https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/pass-master
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Turns out the Europa Conference was a brilliant idea and we loved it all along. No more questions thank you.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
1-0 loss to Portugal but a 1-0 win over Armenia. Are we seeing progress or is it just more of the same? Next week we're back to history... glorious and happy history
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Initially bought for a bag of of footballs and appeared 88 times for a country he believed he didn't qualify for... Ladies and Gentlmen this week we discuss the hardworking, mercurial, and at times deeply controversial Tony Cascarino. Beginning his career in the non-league, Cass worked his way to top clubs in England, Scotland and France. More importantly, he set a then record 88 caps for the Republic during his career, only to claim he didn't qualify as an Irish citizen in a tell-all biography published soon after his retirement. Join Conor and Johnny as they discuss one of their favorite Irish strikers of the 90s, Tony Cascarino or, as the French so stylishly named him, Tony Goal!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Portugal away and Armenia at home... 6 points in the bag? A tonking on the way? Let us know what you think
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
This week we sit down with Philip O’Rourke, the man behind Forgotten Football Clubs. Philip’s project shines a light on the lost, disbanded, and overlooked teams of the beautiful game. We talk to him about his brand-new second book, Forgotten Football Clubs of Great Britain and Ireland: Gone But Never Forgotten. We look at the stories that fascinate him most, and why remembering these clubs matters for football history today.
You can find his latest book here and his previous book on Forgotten Football Clubs from around the world here. Also be sure to give him a follow on X and Insta!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
6% of all Premier League footballers were Irish. 6%!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Okay... cards on the table. Maybe Conor has unwarranted optimism
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
An apt repeat given the Saipan movie has been released in festivals...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Discussing the upcoming WC Qualifiers and why there is reason to be optimistic
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Join Conor and Johnny this week as they discuss the most tumultuous episode in Irish sport history - Roy Keane storming out of the Irish set up on the eve of the 2002 World Cup. Here we talk about dodgy training facilities, journalists swooping each other's stories, dressing downs from player to manager and oh so much more. It's all one great big shame really isn't it? We use biographies, World Cup diaries and newspaper articles to chronicle a bizarre moment in Irish history. Join us next week for part two (honestly we could have spent weeks on this so two parts is doing well!)
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Premiership isn't looking great folks... but Europe is a different matter
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Championship, League One and League Two... proper football innit? Which Irish players, and proxy Irish teams, should we be checking out this year?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Join Conor and Johnny this week as they discuss the long history of the 2002 Saipan saga. Unlike other outlets (cough cough) we begin with Keane's early career with the Republic of Ireland and show just how bloody troublesome his interactions with the FAI had been. Insult your captain in 1992? Check! Blamed for a training ground spat? Check! Playing under a Manager you fundamentally don't respect? Check, check, check! We use newspaper archives, World Cup diaries and some tasty autobiographies for you to enjoy. Next week... the first 48 hours after Saipan
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Steve Staunton left before the final game, Joe Lapira got a cap and a family wedding got in the way...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
There's been six Irish managers in the Premier League before Keith Andrews...Whose left the biggest legacy?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Yes its true. It's damn true. Conor's doing victory laps....
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Kevin Moran won two All-Irelands with Dublin and two FA Cups with Manchester United. Not bad eh? Today's episode sees Conor and Johnny discuss one of Ireland's most talented, and fascinating players, Kevin Moran. Initially a GAA star with Kevin Heffernan (no relation)'s Dublin team, Moran signed for Man U while still a young man. There he played over two hundred games, winning two FA Cups and coming close to the League title on several occasions. He next played in Spain for two seasons with Sporting Gíjon before coming back to England as part of Jack Walker's Blackburn experiment. Importantly for us, Moran was an absolute rock in Ireland's defence for the better part of a decade. 71 caps, 6 goals and two stellar tournaments in Euro 88 and Italia 90. What a player!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Anthony Stokes is a former Republic of Ireland international who scored 160 goals across 400 odd appearances and earned nine caps for the Republic. From Arsenal’s academy to starring roles at Falkirk, Hibs, and Celtic, he became one of Ireland’s most talked-about strikers of his generation.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
In this episode Conor sits down with Paul to discuss his new book, Shattered Dreams, Sliding Doors, The Republic of Ireland's 1982 World Cup Qualifying Campaign
Link: https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/shattered-dreams-sliding-doors
See Paul's previous book with Pitch Publishing about Dixie Dean's remarkable time in the League of Ireland
Link: https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/shadow-benbulben
And our previous interview with Paul here
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/paul-little-on-dixie-deans-time-with-sligo-rovers/id1598860627?i=1000682092919
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Insert a witty joke about testicles and goalposts here.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Which top flight players had a breakout season and who had a season to forget? More importantly, who needs to kick on next year?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Shamrock Rovers meet Samba football
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Played during the Halycon Days of Middlesbrough's South American influx. Has anyone played with a better team? 10 Caps for Ireland and always gave his all.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Is that hope I'm feeling?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Forget your Premier Leagues or La Ligas. This week we talk about the Irish players who lit it up this season from Championship to League Two. Real footballing men
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Somehow even worse than the 1995 Lansdowne Riot. Sectarian abuse, away fans told to stay at home and Jack Charlton giving it big licks against Billy Bingham...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
A community-centred Club whose 3 year existence was truly remarkable.
For anyone interested in the League's co-op model in the modern age check out the free to access paper
Kearney, Barry, and Olive McCarthy. "Ownership in the League of Ireland: why Irish professional football clubs are transitioning to the co-operative model." Soccer & Society (2025): 1-16.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
531 appearances for Leeds United, 52 Ireland Caps, 1994 Premier League team of the season and uncle to one Ian Harte. This week the Boys discuss Leeds United legend Gary Kelly! Debuting under Howard Wilkinson, Kelly became a mainstay in both the Leeds and Ireland teams of the mid to late 1990s. The Boys run through the peak of Kelly's career, his competition for an Ireland and a Leeds shirt and the time Leeds chairman allegedly tried to hire hit men to injury him - all in a days work for a proper Prem legend!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Out in Cinemas Now!
When an Irish football club becomes embroiled in an international match-fixing scandal, their hapless assistant manager, Fran, finds himself way out of his league.
In this week's Episode Johnny and Conor sit down with actor Darragh Humphreys about his role as football coach Fran. We discuss his original role as Fran the Male in the television series on Setanta, and the revival of our favorite Irish coach. A must-listen episode.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Futsal? In Ireland?
Join Conor and Adam Kavanagh from Futsal Ireland as they discuss the history and future of futsal in Ireland. More associated with the skilful one-touch passes of South America, futsal had a brief push in Ireland during the 2000s before a more recent revival. Here we examine the game itself, what skills it brings - that an Irish team might want! - and the futsal team's upcoming tournament aspirations
Follow the Team's progress @Diaeuro_ireland on Instagram. If you would like to support Team Ireland's journey to the Euros please visit their fundraising page
https://diabetesie.enthuse.com/pf/diaeuroireland
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Yes, John Delaney really made a whole documentary about himself
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Ireland's player of the year for 1998, Captain for Brian Kerr's Ireland and even crowned Birmingham's player of the decade!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Chris Lee is a writer, podcaster and lecturer on the history of football across multiple continents. Chris has written three books, Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World (2021), The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism (2022), and, more recently, Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football(2025). In this Episode we ask Chris about his latest book, which has just been published, Shades of Green and the often underappreciated history of Irish football. This is a must listen for LOI and International fans alike
For more on Chris, check out his website Outside Write, his podcast Outside Write and his socials @outsidewrite.bsky.social on Bluesky. His latest book is available from all major retailers or can be found be clicking on the following link. Enjoy!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Where do we begin? Along with Roy Keane and Steve Heighway, Denis Irwin is Ireland's most successful ever player. Synonymous with Manchester United, Denis Irwin is widely regardedManchester United's best ever fullback For Sir Alex Ferguson, Irwin is the only player guaranteed a spot in his all-time United XI. Join us this week as Conor and Johnny explore the highs, and at times, lows, of Denis Irwin's career for the Republic of Ireland, Take in treble-winning seasons, pinging play off goals and having to 'prove yourself' internationally.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
A more nuanced situation than you think...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Lets see, 5-2 loss to Cyprus, narrow victories over San Marino and Stan the Man put under pressure. What could be wrong?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Join the Boys this week as they examine every FA Youth Cup final from the 1990s and, more importantly, the Irish representatives during the 1990s. Some big names and bigger stories in them hills
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Is that hope I am feeling?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Recap Ep. Join Conor and Johnny this week as they discuss the history of penalty kicks and then Irishman who invented them! Willie McCrum from Milford Armagh proposed a penalty kick in 1890 to the English FA and, from there... history was made. This week our boys discuss the history of the penalty, the creation of the penalty shootout and Ireland's luck in shootouts. We also devote some time to saving and reforming the penalty for the better. All in a day's work for this Pod. Enjoy x
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
6 Caps and 2 goals but, more importantly, a character case in why Irish players should go abroad.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
The Boys interview Swansea Legend, Soccer AM hero and one of our favorite ever footballers Lee Trundle. In this episode, Lee discusses his rise through the ranks, navigating fame and his years-long flirtation with an Ireland cap.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
The Young Liam Brady according to George Graham. It was an incredible start and a wonderful resurrection for one of the classiest midfielders of his generation
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Who had the best calendar year for club and country? And who had a year to forget?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
In the Shadow of Benbulben: Dixie Dean at Sligo Rovers is a romantic tale of divine intervention, uncanny timing and drama on and off the pitch. It's the tale of former Everton and England legend 'Dixie' Dean's four months with Sligo Rovers in the west of Ireland - a spell that would leave an indelible mark on the player, the club and the town.
Paul Little is an Irish freelance football writer making his debut as a solo artist in the world of books. Paul has worked in sports broadcasting and has written for numerous publications, including Football 365 and more recently, the Irish Daily Star, where he spent several seasons covering European football
Buy the book from Pitch Publishing at:
https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/shadow-benbulben
and find Paul on X/Twitter
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Initially bought for a bag of of footballs and appeared 88 times for a country he believed he didn't qualify for... Ladies and Gentlemen this week we discuss the hardworking, mercurial, and at times deeply controversial Tony Cascarino. Beginning his career in the non-league, Cass worked his way to top clubs in England, Scotland and France. More importantly, he set a then record 88 caps for the Republic during his career, only to claim he didn't qualify as an Irish citizen in a tell-all biography published soon after his retirement. Join Conor and Johnny as they discuss one of their favorite Irish strikers of the 90s, Tony Cascarino or, as the French so stylishly named him, Tony Goal!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
We actually have some prospects. Is that hope I feel?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Michael is the author of a wonderful book on 90s football, Don't Cry For Me, Next Door Neighbour: Five Nations, One Decade: A Nineties Football Journey. It gets two thumbs up from the pod! Please do buy Michael's book and give it a review.
Paperback: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Dont-Cry-Next-Door-Neighbour/dp/1906796882/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
eBook: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dont-Cry-Next-Door-Neighbour-ebook/dp/B0D9DMS7Z5
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Do we have reason to hope?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Sometimes you have to look back to look forward...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Somehow even worse than the 1995 Lansdowne Riot. Sectarian abuse, away fans told to stay at home and Jack Charlton giving it big licks against Billy Bingham...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
In 1955 the Catholic Church attempted to cancel a Republic of Ireland friendly against Yugoslavia. This is a story about the Church's power, government overreach and, ultimately, ordinary people's defiance towards the Church.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
From the archive as Johnny and Conor continue to celebrate Duffer's successes at Shels the Boys discuss the early career of one of Ireland's best, and most exciting, players. Enjoy!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Scotsmen, and Limerick and Ghosts... oh my!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
John Williams is the author of the upcoming history of British football, Football in Wind and Rain: The British Game, published by Pitch Publishing. This is an all-encompassing and fascinating history of the Beautiful Game and its evolution. Defintely one for the Christmas wishlist!
Link to Book: https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/football-wind-and-rain
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
International break brings out the best, and worst of us. On Jake O'Brien's exclusion from the squad, many fans have blamed his move to Everton. Cutting Jake some slack, we look at some of the worst Irish transfers of all time
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
9 goals for the Republic and Crystal Palace's 4th highest goalscorer. More importantly, he once turned Steven Gerrard into a furious ball of rage
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
All hail Kevin Doyle... goal machine!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Replay: As Johnny is away and Conor is snowed under with the return to University we go bac into the archive to discuss how many great footballers Ireland has produced.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
In light of Heimir Hallgrímsson's first two matches we do a historical deep dive to show yes...sadly... it has always been this awful
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Or Golden Oldies versus the Millennium bunch
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
The great career renaissance since Paul McGrath? Captained Spurs, Newcastle and Birmingham, won two League Cups, two team of the year inclusions and forty plus Ireland caps.
Are you not entertained?! Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr. Stephen Carr
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a text
Welcome to Movie Corner/Casting Couch as we discuss the upcoming film about the 2002 Saipan controversy
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a Text Message.
Given the news that the infamous Saipan incident will be the subject of the film, we decided to revisit what happened immediately after Roy Keane walked out of the 2002 World Cup.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a Text Message.
From the dawn to the 2010 season. Who were the impactful signings?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a Text Message.
Tis the season for silly predictions. Tra la la la la...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a Text Message.
Were you a Lounge player? Or a Pro-Evo head? What about the all-hallowed but rarely discussed This is Football Franchise? Join Conor and Johnny this week as they discuss the FIFA videogame franchise, how it changed football and not always, as we show, for the better.
See Conor's longer form article for further reading 'It’s in the game’: FIFA videogames and the misuse of history'
Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17460263.2024.2343914
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Send us a Text Message.
9 goals in 26 games for the Republic of Ireland excluding 'THAT' goal against England in the infamous Lansdowne Riot match. This week Conor redeems himself as the Boys do a deep dive on striker David Kelly. Learn about his late start in football, opportunity to play for Bayern Munich (yes really) and his career ups and downs.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Join Conor and Johnny this week as they provide a deep dive on new Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson. We explore the rise of the Icelandic National Team under his tenure, his so-so time at Al-Arabi and of course, his most recent job with the Reggae Boyz. We talk about his coaching philosophy, playing pragmatism, and his unusual way of connecting with the fans.
Is this a new dawn?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Join Conor on a solo episode as we explore the first-ever League of Ireland season ... 1921/1922! This story has it all... nationalism... the War of Independence ... high-scoring games and terrible teams! Huzzah
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
From the archive as Johnny recovers from a stag and Conor recovers from life. In light of Duffer's current successes at Shels the Boys discuss the early career of one of Ireland's best, and most exciting, players. Enjoy!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
A late career surge with a big man/little man combo. We are in heaven
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
A Manchester City disco pant-wearing legend when they didn't have a pot to piss it. Fancy that...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
13 Games, One Goal, a League Title and a Scottish Cup. Not a bad return for Roy Keane's last season!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic. What fun!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Here come the good times!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Safe to say the country well and truly lost the run of itself. Here come the good times!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Long balls and lovely Scotsmen...Ireland finally qualifies for a major international tournament!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
This week with sat down with footballer, manager and pundit Roddy Collins. With a playing and managerial career that spans the Republic of Ireland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Malta, Roddy has had one of the most fascinating careers of his generation. Part one covered Roddy's playing career and this week we cover his managerial experiences and thought on the state of Irish football. Sit back and enjoy
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
This week with sat down with footballer, manager and pundit Roddy Collins. With a playing and managerial career that spans the Republic of Ireland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Malta, Roddy has had one of the most fascinating careers of his generation. Part one covers Roddy's playing career and part two will cover his managerial experience. Sit back and enjoy
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
One of Ireland's most exciting players of the 1990s. Got off to a blistering start with the Republic before injuries and ill luck curtailed his career
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
More of them than you think and if anyone uses the 'plastic Paddy' moniker Conor will scream.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Content Warning - Addiction, Suicide and Mental Health
The Boys sit down with League of Ireland, Birmingham City and Ireland legend, Keith Fahey. In the episode we discuss Keith's initial time in England, restarting his career in the League of Ireland and an incredible time at Birmingham City. This is to say nothing of his Ireland career. Throughout it, Keith speaks candidly about his past struggles and his new beginnings in faith.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Is the FAI corrupt, incompetent, both or neither? Join Johnny and Conor this week as they look some of the common claims made against Irish football's governing body!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Why was he so exciting and we never talked about it?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Join a single (but not ready to mingle) Conor this week as he explores Ireland's worst result... a 7 (SEVEN) - 0 loss to Brazil in May 1982. This is one of the worst instances of FAI mismanagement and includes canceled friendlies, an international war and not paying players. Can't imagine why they lost...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
From 1990 to 2000, the Republic of Ireland featured five one cap wonders which, if we do say so ourselves, make up quite the decent 5-a-side team. Join Conor and Johnny as they discuss they five players good enough to play for the Republic of Ireland but who sadly failed to make it back for a second date. We'll discuss the cult hero goalkeeper good enough to play in a cup final, the centre back who had to fight off nationality suspicions, a cracking Premier League Caption, a Scotsman turned Irishman and a lower league cult hero. Have we given away too much? Nah! Also shout outs for two players who banged around Ireland's youth set ups but never progressed to the internationals—included because Conor loves a tryer!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
20 goals a season? 8 goals and 2 assists? Conor and Johnny tackle some BIG chats around Evan Fergusan 'only' scoring 6 goals this season to ask what counts as success for an Irish striker in the Premiership? The history ain't great kids...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
The end of Brian Kerr, and the beginning of the Staunton era. We were so bafflingly optimistic during this time
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
At the time we thought it was the beginning of a decline in Irish football... things can always get worse kids.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
A positive story? Well yes actually... especially compared to the last ten years. Join us this week as we discuss Irish players' progress this season. We then look at the last decade or so of Irish development and prophesize about the future. Stay tuned
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
You put your Carsley in, you take your Carsley out. In out in out and shake it all about. You do the hokey pokey and you hire a manager, that's what its all about... Ohh ohh the FAI ... Ohh ohh the FAI...
Can we please just be normal for one minute!?!?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Please God let him be Ireland manager. Learn about his career from Derby to Coventry (it's more glamorous than it sounds).
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
In the Shadow of Benbulben: Dixie Dean at Sligo Rovers is a romantic tale of divine intervention, uncanny timing and drama on and off the pitch. It's the tale of former Everton and England legend 'Dixie' Dean's four months with Sligo Rovers in the west of Ireland - a spell that would leave an indelible mark on the player, the club and the town.
Paul Little is an Irish freelance football writer making his debut as a solo artist in the world of books. Paul has worked in sports broadcasting and has written for numerous publications, including Football 365 and more recently, the Irish Daily Star, where he spent several seasons covering European football
Buy the book from Pitch Publishing at:
https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/shadow-benbulben
and find Paul on X/Twitter at
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Yes its true. It's damn true. Conor's doing victory laps....
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
This week our Boys discuss the FAI's plans to save the Eircom League/League of Ireland during the mid-2000s. They look at the often forgotten Genesis II Report ( or the White Paper on the Strategic Direction of the Eircom League) which detailed how poorly run the League was at this point. Really important retrospection on why Irish players struggled to develop during this point, why domestic teams suffered and, ultimately, why the League of Ireland is currently in a resurgence
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
The Boys interview Swansea Legend, Soccer AM hero and one of our favorite ever footballers Lee Trundle. In this episode, Lee discusses his rise through the ranks, navigating fame and his years-long flirtation with an Ireland cap.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Less Declan Rice and Jack Grealish chat, more Paul Gascoigne and Dave Kitson fun...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Somehow even worse than the 1995 Lansdowne Riot. Sectarian abuse, away fans told to stay at home and Jack Charlton giving it big licks against Billy Bingham...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Ireland, Spain and Denmark in a group. Oh and Northern Ireland too at the height of the Troubles. What could go wrong?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Far-right agitators, insufficient police numbers and a failure to respond to security intelligence. What could possibly go wrong?!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
So many trophies it's hard to count. As the kids say, put some respect on his name
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Content Warning - Addiction, Suicide and Mental Health
The Boys sit down with League of Ireland, Birmingham City and Ireland legend, Keith Fahey. In the episode we discuss Keith's initial time in England, restarting his career in the League of Ireland and an incredible time at Birmingham City. This is to say nothing of his Ireland career. Throughout it, Keith speaks candidly about his past struggles and his new beginnings in faith.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
The boys react to Off the Ball's recent comments...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Great goals and managed to beat the Sun in Court!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
How dare we get our hopes up... To be fair, the French cajoled Zidane out of retirement...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
It began so well... genuinely!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Who are your most impactful 4 Irish players? Of the 90s? Or of the Premier League Era?!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Hey... it's actually a positive season
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Yes, John Delaney really made it...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Anything to be said for another mass? Conor and Jonny run through every 'sack the manager' campaign in the press dating to Big Jack.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
The comeback kid? It's an incredible story
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
My god what an electric start to a career. The underrated free kick specialist
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
And of course Evan Ferguson nets a hat-trick hours after recording...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
His disco pants are not yet on fire but we'll get there...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
This is definitely not a segment that will embarrass us in twelve months time. Big shoutout to Johnny for becoming Statto for a day.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Insert a witty joke about testicles and goalposts here.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Best in the World?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
If you haven't already, check out our young Roy Keane episode... otherwise a lot of this makes no sense
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Some sports emotions may arise
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
They meant well didn't they?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Just four slices please, we're not hungry.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
A mixture of It's a Wonderful Life and Black Mirror... but for the second time!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
A mixture of It's a Wonderful Life and Black Mirror
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Episode is Live
As Conor works on his tan in Spain, enjoy our interview with the tireless Joe Murphy!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Episode is Live
Published: Oct. 17, 2022 @ 5AM Edit
From Pelé's Soccer to the FIFA Ultimate Team... €50 to play Jonny
Follows us on those socials and don't forget to leave a review xox
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
What goes up, must come down. Alas...
Follows us on those socials and don't forget to leave a review xox
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Alex Fergusan once called Joe Kinnear the best club manager in England. Nuff said
Follows us on those socials and don't forget to leave a review xox
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
From Middlesborough to Time Man of the Century .... for 12 hours
Follows us on those socials and don't forget to leave a review xox
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
"He’s always labelled a long-ball merchant but it was never just a hopeless long ball"
Follows us on those socials and don't forget to leave a review xox
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Do you believe in life after love?
Follows us on those socials and don't forget to leave a review xox
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Join Conor and Jonny as they go back in time to 2003. Mick McCarthy has resigned as Ireland manager and the race to replace him is an odd podge of exotic French managers, former England captains and Irish legends. Leading the race is Brian Kerr but there is significant challenge from Peter Reid, King Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Moran and many others. Here we discuss the 'what ifs', the 'why bothers', and the 'why nots?' in great detail.
Follows us on those socials and don't forget to leave a review xox
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Join Conor and Jonny for a slightly later episode this week as they reflect on a successful Kit Con expedition and, more importantly, a Classic Irish XI based entirely on the jerseys that Irish footballers wore from the Premier League era to the present day. Laugh, cry, and certainly disagree with our decisions but we are driven by fashion darling and make no apologies for it.
Follows us on those socials and don't forget to leave a review xox
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Spending 43 million on reports. My my my. Join Conor and Jonny this week as they discuss the ill-fated 'Bertie Bowl'. In 1999 the FAI and Irish government began planning for a new football stadium, first Eircom Park and then the 'National Stadium'. The latter became known by another name, the 'Bertie Bowl.' Pushed forward by then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, the Bowl's cost escalated rapidly over a three-year period and, with little fanfare, was discarded in late 2002. In the interim, the FAI attempted to bid for Euro 2008 with the Scottish FA despite having some major issues with the stadiums it could pitch. This entire thing is a hot mess and I love every minute of it.
Follows us on those socials and don't forget to leave a review xox
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Join a Conor-less podcast as Jonny and Paul from Kitcon discuss the upcoming Kit Con Éire event on April 16 in Dublin. The two boys discuss their favorite retro kits, the joys of collecting, and their shared passion over esoteric 90s footballers. Tickets still available for Kit Con at http://kitconeire.com/.
We'll be back next week with more from the weird and wonderful of Irish football. Follows us on those socials and don't forget to leave a review xox
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Oh my lucky stars and your lucky days! Join Conor and Jonny this week as they discuss the 2002/2003 season. Blockbuster doesn't even begin to describe it. On the domestic front, John O'Shea has a breakout season with Manchester United where he plays 30 odd League games and... oh yeah... nutmegs Luis Figo in the Champions League in the definition of tekkers. Elsewhere Stephen Carr has the season of the lifetime to make the PFA team of the year and Robbie Keane has begun his Spurs story. Internationally Mick McCarthy steps down from the Republic of Ireland shortly into the Euro 2004 campaign to be replaced by Brian Kerr. The FAI and Scottish FA are also shaping up to try and host Euro 2008. What could possibly go wrong!??
Follows us on those socials and don't forget to leave a review xox
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Join Conor and Johnny this week as they discuss Stan the Man! Steve Staunton is a former professional football player and manager from Ireland who is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation. In this podcast, we delve into his career, from his early days at Liverpool to his time playing for Ireland on the international stage. We explore his World Cup records and his tasty hattricks (yes really!)
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Join Conor and Johnny this week as they discuss the history of penalty kicks and then Irishman who invented them! Willie McCrum from Milford Armagh proposed a penalty kick in 1890 to the English FA and, from there... history was made. This week our boys discuss the history of the penalty, the creation of the penalty shootout and Ireland's luck in shootouts. We also devote some time to saving and reforming the penalty for the better. All in a day's work for this Pod. Enjoy x
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
He played abroad before it was cool... Join Conor and Johnny this week as they delve into the career of Ireland striker David Connolly. Breaking out at Watford, where he played his first game at 16, Connolly was quickly thrown into the Ireland set up where he remained from 1996 to 2005. Quick, and with a keen eye for goal, Connolly was compared with everyone from George Best to Paul Dickov. He had some great moments for the Republic, and nearly cemented his place in Irish history with 'that' miss against Spain in the 2002 World Cup. Criminally under-rated during his playing days - he only played one season in the Premier League - Connolly's long club career is 'expertly' dissected by the boys this week.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
At 18 years old Gary Breen declared that he wanted to captain Ireland. Fast forward a few years and the man is beloved by the Green Army! Join Conor and Jonny as they discuss of the hardest working, inspiration, and arguably unlucky Irish superstars in recent memory. Worked his way up from the lower leagues? Check. Had a dream and achieved it? Check. Should have joined Inter Milan but got twarted by a dodgy medical? Check. We trace Breen's rise from lower league obscurity to being the first name on the Irish team sheet (from I to XI etc etc.)
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Who is Ireland's greatest-ever midfielder? We put it to the Twitter polls and the results did not disappoint... Johnny. The results did not disappoint Johnny as Roy Keane trampled over Liam Brady and John Giles. Listen as Conor makes an impassioned plea for Giles as Ireland's greatest-ever midfielder and the populist Johnny refuses to change his mind! Never a dull moment eh?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
The 2002 World Cup is in the review mirror as the boys go back. How far back? WAAAY back to one of Ireland's greatest ever players... Liam Brady. Learn how Brady forged his reputation at the Arsenal. How he nearly moved to Manchester United for a tidy little fee and, most importantly, how he led Arsenal to three FA Cup finals in year consecutive years (the results were a different story). Chippy arguably made his fame in sunny Italia but his near ten years at Arsenal in the 1970s brought joy and disbelief in equal measure. Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
It's time for the post-World Cup transfer window! Join Conor and Jonny as they discuss the winners and losers from Ireland's monumental 2002 World Cup run. Whose reputation... and price tag... was enhanced? Who lost momentum? And who went on to better things domestically and why. Join Conor and Jonny as they delve into wicked transfer rumours, THAT Gary Green link and the little known transfers that could have been pulled off in the dying embers of the summer of 2002.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Okay not a great start... at all. Spain have scored after eight minutes and our lack of pace is exposing Mick McCarthy's men. But fear not, the tide is beginning to turn and the Irish look dangerous in this 2002 knockout match. Will the Irish score? Will we go to extra time? Will we be killed by the ill-fated Golden Boy? Join Conor and Jonny as they begin to discuss the highs, lows and middles (?) of a heartbreaking match for the Boys in Green.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Mick's men have made it to the knockout stages. This is it... Ireland's greatest chance of a proper run in the World Cup. Standing in our way is a Spanish side featuring a baby-faced Iker Casillas and an immense combination of Raul and Morientes. But... fret now we have Robbie Keane and Damien Duff pulling up trees in the World Cup. Join Conor and Jonny as they begin to discuss the highs, lows and middles (?) of a heartbreaking match for the Boys in Green.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
COME ON YOU BOYS IN GREEN... COME ON YOU BOYS IN GREEN .... COME ON YOU BOYS ... COME ON YOU BOYS IN GREEN!
Get on board, the Boys are on their way to the last 16 of the 2002 World Cup. Join Conor and Johnny this week as they discuss the Republic's last group match of the 2002 World Cup. For the first time in history, the Boys hold their fate in their own hands at a major tournament. If we win, we go through. What could go wrong? Well, Mullingar is courting Bin Laden's brother, Jason McAteer is threatening to go home and Eamonn Dunphy has been suspended from RTE. Sigh... some day we'll have a boring and normal World Cup. But not today baby... not today!!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Join Conor and Johnny as they discuss one of Ireland's greatest ever World Cup victories... the 1-1 draw with Germany on 5 June 2002. There's only one Keano now baby! Robbie Keane goal machine saves the Republic against Germany and sets Ireland on course for the good times. Listen as we detail dodgy match commentary, Eamonn Dunphy's about-face and the pace problems of some Irish defenders. Oh there was also the matter about the Junior and Leaving Cert being on the same day Ireland took on Germany. Boo urns!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Join Conor and Johnny as they dust off the Christmas hangovers to discuss Ireland's first group match at the 2002 World Cup. Daddy Roy has gone home to Ireland and Mick's men are seeking... nay SCRAMBLING to make a good impression on the world stage. In their way stand Cameroon - that year's African Nations Cup Champions and the winners of the 2000 Olympics in football. It's not an easy task and, as our boys discuss, we get very lucky in the first half! Learn about the pacy strikers, the injury prone midfielders and the surprisingly good will of the English commentators. Oh and Eamonn Dunphy makes some bold fashion choices...
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
I've got to get the water to the lads!
Join Conor and Johnny as they discuss the Boys in Green at the 1994 World Cup in the United States of America (USA, USA, USA!). Was this a stellar performance from our boys? Yes and no. We got some great moments, and even better stories but, being honest, this was very much a last hurrah for Charlton's army. Here our boys discuss the highs, and lows, of Ireland's World Cup outing.
Have a suggestion for a player or moment?
Let us know on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com.
Join Conor and Johnny as they discuss the immediate aftermath of the Saipan saga. Daddy Roy has gone home to Ireland and the country is losing the run of itself. There's protests outside the FAI headquarters, bishops calling for a resolution and people camping out at Cork airport. Good times eh? Oh there's also the small matter of an underwhelming pre-tournament friendly which injures several players and an upcoming World Cup game against Cameroon for Mick McCarthy et al. to prepare for. Pressure? Pressures for tires!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Join Conor and Johnny for part two on the most tumultuous episode in Irish sport history - Roy Keane storming out of the Irish set up on the eve of the 2002 World Cup. Here we talk about RTE tell all interviews, official reports into the FAI's shenanigans, and a definitive conclusion on who was to blame (okay maybe not...) We use biographies, World Cup diaries and newspaper articles to chronicle a bizarre moment in Irish history. Join us next week for part two (honestly we could have spent weeks on this so two parts is doing well!)
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Join Conor and Johnny this week as they discuss the most tumultuous episode in Irish sport history - Roy Keane storming out of the Irish set up on the eve of the 2002 World Cup. Here we talk about dodgy training facilities, journalists swooping each other's stories, dressing downs from player to manager and oh so much more. It's all one great big shame really isn't it? We use biographies, World Cup diaries and newspaper articles to chronicle a bizarre moment in Irish history. Join us next week for part two (honestly we could have spent weeks on this so two parts is doing well!)
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Join Conor and Johnny this week as they discuss the long history of the 2002 Saipan saga. Unlike other outlets (cough cough) we begin with Keane's early career with the Republic of Ireland and show just how bloody troublesome his interactions with the FAI had been. Insult your captain in 1992? Check! Blamed for a training ground spat? Check! Playing under a Manager you fundamentally don't respect? Check, check, check! We use newspaper archives, World Cup diaries and some tasty autobiographies for you to enjoy. Next week... the first 48 hours after Saipan
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
The train has left the station... the die has been cast ... and the horse has bolted the stables folks! Join Conor and Johnny this week as they review the 2002 World Cup Squad. Who were the main winners and losers? What were the talking points and who were the players to watch? The Saipan Controversy is looming large but at the moment its all sunshine and rainbows. Learn about each player's form going into the tournament and the expectations going into Ireland's third World Cup. Here come the good times... Ireland!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
There's too many Irishmen in the Premier League ... Send Helps! Man United have won the League and Leeds have gotten to the semi finals of the Champions League with Irish players playing a pivotal role in both campaigns. It's good to be the king eh? Yes yes, join Conor and Johnny this week as they discuss the 2000/2001 season. World Cup 2002 is on the horizon, players are trying to play themselves into contention, or at least give themselves a shout. Unlikely Irish players make the team of the season, some are robbed and Conor's ongoing love affair with Gary Doherty (a top ranking Irishman this season) ever deepens.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Episode is Live
Published: Aug. 29, 2022 @ 5AM Edit
My goodness Irish goalkeeper has had a fantastic career. Sit down with the Boys as they interview Joe Murphy, the Irish goalkeeper won won the u16 European Championship with Kerr's Kidds, was part of Aldo's swashbuckling Tranmere side and a man who saved a Michael Owen penalty in his first-ever Premier League match. Join us as we interview Joe Murphy as we discuss his career, his time with the underage and senior set up and his career highlights.
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Good morning, Good day and Good night. Ireland are going to the World Cup and does it feel ever so good. After heartbreak in 1998 and 2000, Mick McCarthy has only gone and gotten Ireland to a major tournament. And the good news is, the Republic's two play off games against Iran went off without a hitch. No incidents or bad blood whatsoever. Oh who are we kidding? Listen as Conor and Johnny discuss the ever-growing deterioration of Mick's relationship with Roy Keane, the Republic's difficulties in getting to the away leg and why Iranian fans lit fire to their own stadium. All in a day's work. Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Once... Twice.... Three times a hero! Join Conor and Johnny as they discuss the 2002 World Cup qualification campaign. At the third time of asking Mick McCarthy leads his charges to a major tournament, avenging the heartbreak fo the '98 and '00 campaigns. In a group of death with Portugal and Holland we manage to not only qualify for the playoffs, but finish a qualification campaign unbeaten. My days! We have stellar performances from Roy Keane, Gary Doherty and a host of future Ireland legends. We also have Keane and McCarthy's relationship become even more fractious. What could possibly go wrong?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Join Conor and Johnny this week as they discuss the remarkable story of former Ireland footballer, Eamonn O'Keefe. Born in Manchester in 1951, Eamonn appeared destined for greatness before a broken leg in a training match appeared to end his career. He regained fitness and form in the non-league before making a shock move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. There Eamonn made friends with a Crown Prince, lived a lavish lifestyle and, as we discuss, was eventually propositioned by the Chairman of his club. Never has the phrase 'I love you' been as problematic as when it happens by a Crown Prince, whose drunk, and part of a country which criminalises LGBTQIA+ groups. Eamonn returned to England and began his career (Again!). He eventually signed with Everton and got his first Ireland cap before FIFA banned him for two years... Is Eamonn's football's most unlucky player or the most determined man on Earth? You decide!
Shoutout to Fintan Kiernan for tipping us off to this story.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Join Conor and Johnny this week as they discuss Liverpool and Ireland legend Ray Houghton. Born in Castlemilk, Glasgow, Houghton is undoubtedly one of the most impactful of the 'Granny Rule' generation under Jack Charlton. He played in European Championships and World Cups, was ever-present in the Irish set up from 1986 to 1997 and scored two of the most iconic Irish goals ever. Oh he also played over 700 league games in England for West Ham, Fulham, Oxford, Liverpool, Aston Villa and a host of other teams. We discuss wonderful stories such as Houghton stopping a mugging, supposedly being related to Chris Hughton and, there's even some poo related football chat.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Conor and Johnny have decided to be humans this week and are away from the country and, in Conor's case, reliable Wifi. With that being said, we've decided to replay our most popular episode to date. The thing which started it all... the 1992 USA Cup!
Tie Games! Join Conor and Johnny for the inaugural Boys We've Seen Podcast. In this episode our co-hosts set out the basic premise of the show before diving right into the inaugural 1992 USA Cup which saw the Boys in Green finish third in a group featuring the United States, Italy and Portugal. Listen as they uncover the origins of the Saipan fiasco, how Ireland avoid becoming wooden spoonists and how Ireland lost to the United States. Was drink involved? Arguably yes.
For questions/comments/criticisms (none of that last one please), email us at boysweveseen@gmail.com.
Join us every Monday for fresh content and hot takes.
And now for something completely different... Why did Bobby Charlton, George Best, Geoff Hurst, Gordan Banks and a host of other British footballing legends play in the League of Ireland during the 1970s and 1980s? Were they big money signings or money well spent? Join Conor and Johnny this week as they take a break from regular proceedings to discuss a strange trend in Irish football wherein big name signings were made for Irish league clubs, played for two games, and then returned home significantly richer. Were they worth it? You decide!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Jock Stein's last signing, an absolute goliath for the Republic of Ireland and, a man who saved Celtic on many an occasion... This week Conor and Johnny discuss the long career of Irish goalkeeper Packie Bonner. A one-club man for Celtic where he played over 600 games, Bonner was in sticks for the Republic's greatest-ever period under Jack Charlton. He had incredible highs, and incredible ill fortune, especially in the '94 World Cup. Prior to the arrival of Shay Given, Bonner was nailed on to be the greatest goalkeeper the Republic had ever produced. Learn why he was held in such high esteem. Also he came 19th in the 1989 Balon D'or... so there's that too.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
'We are the Champions.... The Champions of Europe!
In 1998 the Irish u16s won the European championships with a team containing John O'Shea, Andy Reid and a host of other names familiar to the Republic. We beat Spain, Portugal, and Italy to boot! This came two months before the u18s won the European championship and is quite rightly seen as the special in the Irish youth set up. Join Conor and Johnny as they examine something truly special in Irish football. Who made the team? Why were they so successful and, most importantly of all, who progressed to star for the full men's side?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
The Magic of the FA is dead but Irish strikers are finally on form in the Premier League! Yes yes, join Conor and Johnny this week as they discuss the 1999/2000 season. New year, new you... New Millenium, new megastars! This is undoubtedly the best Premier League thus far from an Ireland perspective. Roy Keane is in the form of his life, David O'Leary's Leeds babies are taking Europe by storm (thanks in part to Ian Harte and his uncle Gary Kelly). Niall Quinn is in a traditional big man/little man combo at Sunderland. Oh my word the possibilities!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Kevin Moran won two All-Irelands with Dublin and two FA Cups with Manchester United. Not bad eh? Today's episode sees Conor and Johnny discuss one of Ireland's most talented, and fascinating players, Kevin Moran. Initially a GAA star with Kevin Heffernan (no relation)'s Dublin team, Moran signed for Man U while still a young man. There he played over two hundred games, winning two FA Cups and coming close to the League title on several occasions. He next played in Spain for two seasons with Sporting Gíjon before coming back to England as part of Jack Walker's Blackburn experiment. Importantly for us, Moran was an absolute rock in Ireland's defence for the better part of a decade. 71 caps, 6 goals and two stellar tournaments in Euro 88 and Italia 90. What a player!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
From 1990 to 2000, the Republic of Ireland featured five one cap wonders which, if we do say so ourselves, make up quite the decent 5-a-side team. Join Conor and Johnny as they discuss they five players good enough to play for the Republic of Ireland but who sadly failed to make it back for a second date. We'll discuss the cult hero goalkeeper good enough to play in a cup final, the centre back who had to fight off nationality suspicions, a cracking Premier League Caption, a Scotsman turned Irishman and a lower league cult hero. Have we given away too much? Nah! Also shout outs for two players who banged around Ireland's youth set ups but never progressed to the internationals—included because Conor loves a tryer!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Liam Brady, Steve Heighway, Frank Stapleton, Ronnie Whelan, David O'Leary... Ireland's squad for the 1982 World Cup campaign under Eoin Hand was undoubtedly the greatest collection of players the country has ever put together... or so say us! Managed by Eoin Hand, the Republic entered a group of death with European Championship runners up Belgium, the dying embers of the Total Football Dutch team and a French team being powered by Platini. Despite these trials, the Republic narrowly missed out on qualification on goal difference... GOAL DIFFERENCE! More egregiously, we lost a match away to Belgium in which (a) an Irish goal was disallowed for no reason (b) the Beglians scored from a very dubiously awarded free kick and (c) the referee couldn't explain his decisions even twenty years after the fact. Hmmm... Join Conor and Johnny as they discuss Ireland's greatest World Cup team that never was and the scandals surrounding this campaign.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Niall Quinn's Disco Pants are on Fire! Quinn equals Frank Stapleton's goal scoring record, Dominic Foley hits the ground running, Gary Breen comes into his own and Ireland nearly win a (major?) tournament. Yes yes everyone it is time to discuss the most wonderful of all international tournaments... the USA Cup. Johnny, Conor and guest Cuán discuss the 2000 USA Cup. Coming at a time when the Irish had narrowly missed out on qualification, again, the USA Cup was an excellent opportunity for Ireland's next crop of young players to show their mettle and, more importantly, an opportunity for goalslingers like Niall Quinn to begin breaking records. Join us as we discuss the last ever USA Cup, and fret not, this Cup brings us offside goals, spats between Football Associations, blackouts and all the chaoticness we come to expect from this little Cup that could.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Episode is Live
Published: May. 30, 2022 @ 5AM Edit
We're all melting thanks to the heat and Johnny is on form. Yes yes ya'll, its the year Man United win a historic treble!
This week our Boys talk about United's once in a lifetime successes, the mastery of Roy Keane and Denis Irwin and, more importantly, the Irish stars slowly making a name for themselves in the Premier League. Ireland have two... TWO ... players in that United season but we're interested in those across the League (Hello Ian Harte with 4 goals!) Join Conor and Johnny for a season review with an eye to the Boys in Green. Who lit up the League? Who were the ones to watch? And... most importantly, who made the First Division team of the year?!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Keano, Keano, Keano .... no not that one!
Join Conor and Johnny this week as they discuss one of Ireland's greatest ever footballers, Robbie Keane. Learn about his breakout season at Wolves in the First Division, his debut for the Republic of Ireland and big money moves to Coventry, Inter Milan and Leeds United. The young Robbie Keane was one of the most exciting players of his generation... compared by contemporaries to Michael Owen and even George Best. Find out why!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Controversial times for our Boys this week as they debate the best Irish XI of the 1990s. Do we just choose Jack's World Cup teams from 1990 and 1994, or do we look to Mick McCarthy's younger squads from the end of the decade. Who was the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder or Striker? Join Conor and Johnny as they engage in the very best (or worst) of Irish pub talk ... the difference is our Boys have done their research! Pity Conor can't stop changing his mind.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Initially bought for a bag of of footballs and appeared 88 times for a country he believed he didn't qualify for... Ladies and Gentlmen this week we discuss the hardworking, mercurial, and at times deeply controversial Tony Cascarino. Beginning his career in the non-league, Cass worked his way to top clubs in England, Scotland and France. More importantly, he set a then record 88 caps for the Republic during his career, only to claim he didn't qualify as an Irish citizen in a tell-all biography published soon after his retirement. Join Conor and Johnny as they discuss one of their favorite Irish strikers of the 90s, Tony Cascarino or, as the French so stylishly named him, Tony Goal!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Robbie Keane is on the scene and Niall Quinn is still a goal machine! Well... for the First Divison that is.
This week our Boys talk about another an Arsenal double, a Premier League packed with Irish players... but no strikers, and a First Division were Irish players are hitting double digits on the goal tallies. What's more, we have an Irish player... a friend of the Pod Garreth Farrelly, scoring the goal to keep Everton in the Prem. What a season ladies and gents... what a season! Join Conor and Johnny for a season review with an eye to the Boys in Green. Who lit up the League? Who were the ones to watch? And... most importantly, who made the First Division team of the year?!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
'We are the Champions.... The Champions of Europe!
In 1998 the Irish u18s only went and won the blooming European championships. We beat Croatia, Germany, and Cyrpus. Okay it was only four games, and we lost 1-0 to England but a wins, a wins, a win . This was 'Kerr's Kids' at its very best. We featured Robbie Keane, Richard Dunne and a soon to be Juve bound Ronnie O'Brien. Join Conor and Johnny as they examine something truly pecial in Irish football. Who made the team? Why were they so successful and, most importantly of all, who progressed to star for the full men's side?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Chris Mulhall has been following the Boys in Green since 1986 and boasts an encyclopedic memory of the team's successes and failures. Couple that with a near-complete collection of matchday programmes and a series of coaching licences and you make a pretty good superfan! Fans are an integral part of the international experience, especially for the Republic of Ireland. Join us in a special episode where we delve into what it means to be an Irish fan. Who are the players to capture fans' hearts and, more importantly, why the Ireland B team needs to be resurrected!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
How many mirrors did Mick McCarthy break?!?! This week our boys talk about Mick McCarthy and the Republic's failed efforts to qualify for the 2000 Euros. In a group with Yugoslavia, Croatia, Macedonia and Malta, the path to Holland/Belgium seemed a tough one. That was, until we were top of the bleeding group! It all seemed so easy, a young Damien Duff and Robbie Keane were tearing it up, we had good results against great teams and, once again, the Irish fans were dreaming of something bigger. Just like the '98 campaign we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Sigh... Learn what went wrong and who was to blame!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
When Johnnys away, Conor will play! As Johnny goes galavanting across Europe to follow Elton John, Conor and guest Cuán discuss the 1996 USA Cup. This was Mick McCarthy (Big Mac)'s first tournament and also another nail in the McCarthy/Keane coffin. Here we discuss McCarthy's quest to get his first international win, a 2-2 draw with crowd trouble and a rare Niall Quinn red card and a dodgy referee. This was a breakout time for Ireland's next crop of young players and a moment when McCarthy finally began to turn the tide.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
"All you need is Duff, na na na na nahh, All you need is Duff, na na na na nahh"
Join the boys this week as they discuss the early career of the young Damien Duff. A hot prospect from a young age, Duff was one of Ireland's most exciting youth prospects in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Signing with Blackburn in 1996, Duff spent seven years at Ewood Park before making a big money signing with Chelsea in 2003. Here we discuss Duff's time at Blackburn and, more importantly, his Ireland career. Duff was part of the Ireland Youth Squads which made a big splash intentionally in 1997 and 1999 and THAT 2002 World Cup with the Senior Team.Learn the good, bad, and mad of Duffer's time before Chelsea!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Where do we begin? Along with Roy Keane and Steve Heighway, Denis Irwin is Ireland's most successful ever player. Synonymous with Manchester United, Denis Irwin is widely regardedManchester United's best ever fullback For Sir Alex Ferguson, Irwin is the only player guaranteed a spot in his all-time United XI. Join us this week as Conor and Johnny explore the highs, and at times, lows, of Denis Irwin's career for the Republic of Ireland, Take in treble-winning seasons, pinging play off goals and having to 'prove yourself' internationally.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
From Arsenal to Italia '90! Join us this week as Conor and Johnny look back on the career of one of Ireland's classiest ever defenders David O'Leary. Beginning his career in the mid-70s, O'Leary's career ran for twenty years, where he amassed over 700 appearances for Arsenal, over 60 caps for the Republic and was widely regarded as one of Europe's best defenders. Not all was happy however, we talk about O'Leary's three year exclusion from the Republic of Ireland in the 80s after a turmultous fall out with manager Jack Charlton. As we all know, O'Leary found redemption with THAT penalty in Italia '90. Join us as we discuss the man, the myth and the O'Leary!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
From Kerr's Kids to Kenny's Town! This week the Boys interview League of Ireland legend Alan Kirby. Listeners will no doubt remember Alan as the hardworking and creative midfielder who played for Waterford, Longford, Pat's, Sporting Fingal and Sligo Rovers. He was also a pivotal part of the Brian Kerr u20 side which finished third in the 1997 Youth World Cup in Malaysia. Tune in as we discuss his time with the Aston Villa academy, being part of Ireland's most successful underage team and his successful domestic career.
For you statisticians out there
439 career appearances and 62 goals.Honors Include Republic of Ireland
- FIFA World Youth Championship: bronze medal 1997
Longford Town
- FAI Cup: 2003, 2004
- League of Ireland Cup: 2004
- League of Ireland Cup: runners-up 2003
St Patrick's Athletic
- League of Ireland: runners-up 2007, 2008
Sporting Fingal
- FAI Cup: 2009
Sligo Rovers
- FAI Cup: 2011
- League of Ireland: runners-up 2011
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
From water rants to Tranmere Rovers! Join us this week as Conor and Johnny look back on the career of Irish striking legend, John Aldridge. Aldo didn't technically play in the Premier League [although he was once linked with Man United] but he was a tour de force for the Irish international team in World Cup 90 and 94. 19 international goals in total and a heap of appearances to boot, Aldo is an Irish legend who helped lead the line in some of Ireland's greatest international moments. Here we discuss the highs and lows of his domestic and international career.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Back by popular demand! This week our boys talk about Mick McCarthy and the Republic's failed efforts to qualify for the 1998 World Cup. Listen as we discuss the FAI's refusal to back McCarthy's appointment, learn why Ireland fans booed Roy Keane and discover the Irish players that time has forgotten. Was this a glorious period? Not at all. Was it exciting? You can bet your ass it was! Cast your minds back to a second-place finish, a lacklustre play-off against Belgium and a time when the Irish media criticised the manager (who could imagine such a thing happening now?)
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
The first Premier League of the Mick McCarthy era and the year of the great Superspenders Middlesborough!
This week our Boys talk about another (double sigh ...) Man United win in the Premier League. We also see Middlesborough manage to sign a striker from Juventus, get deducted three points, and be relegated with one of the best teams in Prem history. We're not here for that though... What we want to know is which Irish players were tearing up the League! Join Conor and Johnny for a season review with an eye to the Boys in Green.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Six Republic of Ireland Caps, spells with Villa, Bolton and Everton and an absolute corker of a goal which saved Everton from relegation in the 1997/1998 season! Here the Boys interview Gareth Farrelly about his career in England and Ireland. Listen as we talk about his early upbringing in the 1990s Villa team before solidifying his cult status at Everton and Bolton. Here we learn about the trials facing young players in England, the need to move to progress one's career and just what it means to be a Republic of Ireland player.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
A secret Greek ticket tout, £300,000 goes missing, and a 'Night of the Long Knives.' No this isn't Conor's Game of Thrones fan fiction, but the Merriongate scandal which rocked the FAI in 1996. This was the beginning of the Mick McCarthy era of Irish football and a sign of things to come in later FAI corruption charges. Join Conor and Johnny this week as they discuss FAI treasurer Joe Delaney's confusing ticket-selling shenanigans during the 1990 and 1994 World Cup which resulted in the FAI losing £300,000. What makes it even worse is that no one knows where the money went!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
531 appearances for Leeds United, 52 Ireland Caps, 1994 Premier League team of the season and uncle to one Ian Harte. This week the Boys discuss Leeds United legend Gary Kelly! Debuting under Howard Wilkinson, Kelly became a mainstay in both the Leeds and Ireland teams of the mid to late 1990s. The Boys run through the peak of Kelly's career, his competition for an Ireland and a Leeds shirt and the time Leeds chairman allegedly tried to hire hit men to injury him - all in a days work for a proper Prem legend!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Like the Ireland team ... but not! In today's episode, Conor and Johnny look at the history of the Ireland B team under Jack Charlton. Best known for an international match against an England B team in 1994 which featured Robbie Fowler, Andy Cole and Chris Sutton among others, the Ireland B served as a pathway from u21 to the full international team. Learn all about Ireland B's top goalscorers, how it was used, and, importantly, how Stephen Kenny could use a B team in the future!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
In 1995 Tony Sheridan signed with Shelbourne and, to the delight of Shels fans, quickly set about establishing his legend. 2 FAI Cups, 1 LOI Cup and 1 Player of the Season Award built his reputation as did a certain wonder goal against Sligo. Before this time, however, Sheridan played for Coventry City in the early years of the Premier League. In the interview, the Boys and Tony talk about his time in England, the vagaries of the English academy system and his time in the League of Ireland.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
In 1997 the Irish u20s finished third in the youth World Cup. This was the beginning of the fabled golden generation of Irish soccer... the birth of 'Kerr's Kids'. How often do Ireland finish third in a World Cup? Never is your answer! Join Conor and Johnny as they examine the beginnings of something special in Irish football. Who made the team? Why were they so successful and, most importantly of all, who progressed to star for the full men's side?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Is Terry Phelan Ireland's most underrated fullback? Join Conor and Johnny as they discuss the career of Irish stalwart Terry Phelan. Born in Salford, Phelan was part of the great Jackie Charlton teams of the early 1990s. Plagued by injury in the latter half of his career, Phelan's early career was full of promises and successes. Here we discuss his greatest moments, greatest goals and his fascinating afterlife in football.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
In 1994 Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear rang friend Eamon Dunphy with an exciting proposal. Could Wimbledon move from London to Dublin? The next two years saw frantic efforts made to bring 'the Crazy Gang' to Dublin. Today Conor and Johnny discuss one of the strangest moments in recent Irish football. Where would the stadium be built? Who would pay for it and who, ultimately, killed this idea? Find out!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Keano, Keano, Keano!
Join us this week as Conor and Johnny discuss one of the greatest (and most controversial) Irish footballers of all time, Roy Keane. As Ireland's most decorated ever player, Keane was known for his aggression and ambition. Today our boys discuss the early stages of Keane's career from his move to Nottingham Forest in 1990 to his first big injury in 1997. Here we track the origins of Keane's controversial status in Irish football as well as the nurturing influences on his career.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
The last Premier League of the Jackie Charlton era and the year of the famous 'I would love it' rant from Keggie Keegan.
This week our Boys talk about another (sigh ...) Man United win in the Premier League. More than that... United managed to win the double. Was this the beginning of the United 1999 treble team? Who cares! What we want to know is which Irish players were tearing up the League! Join Conor and Johnny for a season review with an eye to the Boys in Green.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Captained Ireland to a World Cup? Won multiple trophies? Coveted by Sir Alex? Opened his own soccer academy? Andy Townsend did it all during his illustrious career.
Still sombre from last week's episode on the end of the Jack Charlton era, our boys took to the career of Andy Townsend this week as a much needed pick me up. Now better now for his commentary, Townsend was an engine in the centre of Ireland's midfield. This week Conor and Johnny discuss the life, times, career and successes of certain Andy Townsend.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
No more water for the lads?
To quote Nelly Furtado, why do all good things come to an end? In today's episode Conor and Johnny talk about the dying days of the Jackie Charlton regime. We had incredible Euro and World Cup memories but, by 1995, it was clear the international team was in disarray. Ireland failed to qualify for the 1996 Euros and Big Jack resigned with his head held high. What were the key moments? And could it have been different? Find out!
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Goals, medals and bribes? Blackburn win the Premier League in one of the most controversial Premier League seasons ever and the Boys in Green become some of the hottest players in the transfer market. Join Conor and Johnny as they discuss the aftermath of the 1994 World Cup in Ireland, the big name players from Ireland who move clubs in Britain and the Irish players who made an impact that season in the 'best league' in world football.
Have a suggestion for a player or moment?
Let us know on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com.
I've got to get the water to the lads!
Join Conor and Johnny as they discuss the Boys in Green at the 1994 World Cup in the United States of America (USA, USA, USA!). Was this a stellar performance from our boys? Yes and no. We got some great moments, and even better stories but, being honest, this was very much a last hurrah for Charlton's army. Here our boys discuss the highs, and lows, of Ireland's World Cup outing.
Have a suggestion for a player or moment?
Let us know on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com.
Man United win the Premier League, Andy Cole bangs in 34 goals and the Boys in Green don't do half bad either. This is the year that the Republic of Ireland qualify for the 1994 World Cup in the USA. Join Conor and Johnny as they explore the weird and wonderful of the 29 Irish players to grace the League. There's goals, disco pants and the slow emergence of the next generation of Irish footballing greats.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com.
"Oh Ah Paul McGrath I said Oh Ah Paul McGrath"
Join Johnny and Conor as they delve into Paul McGrath's colossal 1992/1993 Premier League season. Here our co-hosts marvel over McGrath's playing time, his best moments and his struggles off the pitch. As fans of Ireland's greatest center half (bar none), the two are brimming with praise! Have a suggestion for a player or moment?
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com.
Join Conor and Johnny for a conversation about greed, disco pants and the best full back in Premier League history. Today our boys discuss the inaugural Premier League season and the Irish players who played within it! Learn how the Premier League was created, where the Irish players were situated, the top Irish goal scorer and much more.
Follows us on those socials
boysweveseen on Instagram
@boysweveseen on TwitterOr email us at
boysweveseen@gmail.com
Tie Games! Join Conor and Johnny for the inaugural Boys We've Seen Podcast. In this episode our co-hosts set out the basic premise of the show before diving right into the inaugural 1992 USA Cup which saw the Boys in Green finish third in a group featuring the United States, Italy and Portugal. Listen as they uncover the origins of the Saipan fiasco, how Ireland avoid becoming wooden spoonists and how Ireland lost to the United States. Was drink involved? Arguably yes.
For questions/comments/criticisms (none of that last one please), email us at boysweveseen@gmail.com.
Join us every Monday for fresh content and hot takes.
Tie Games! Join Conor and Johnny for the inaugural Boys We've Seen Podcast. In this episode our co-hosts set out the basic premise of the show before diving right into the inaugural 1992 USA Cup which saw the Boys in Green finish third in a group featuring the United States, Italy and Portugal. Listen as they uncover the origins of the Saipan fiasco, how Ireland avoid becoming wooden spoonists and how Ireland lost to the United States. Was drink involved? Arguably yes.
For questions/comments/criticisms (none of that last one please), email us at boysweveseen@gmail.com.
Join us every Monday for fresh content and hot takes.