NIFL want your thoughts. They’ve launched a fan survey asking if summer football (and a new league schedule) is the way forward.

Meanwhile, Linfield have it all to do at Windsor after a 3-1 loss to Shelbourne in Dublin - can they pull off a big Euro comeback on home turf?

We're also asking: is it really fair to make teams play three games in one week? Portadown boss Niall Currie certainly had something to say about it!

Plus, we’ve got a full round-up from a jam-packed week of action. All in the company of Mark McGuiggan who is here to help make sense of it all.

After only 10 games in charge, Nathan Rooney's time in charge of Larne FC is over. We ask why the sudden move? How did we get here? What could it signal for Larne moving forward? And who might the Inver Park board look to for their next boss?

We also chat Linfield in Europe and all the latest Irish League games, all in the company of Keelan Leeper.

The Irish League is back and Matthew Brown from the Shout at the Oval podcast is here to review it all!

The new Premiership season burst into life over the weekend with goals, shocks and plenty more to get us buzzing. Carrick Rangers pulled off the big comeback, edging Crusaders 4–3 in a seven-goal rollercoaster, while Ballymena United were all business in a 2–0 win away to Glenavon.

On Sunday, Bangor made a dream return to the top flight by toppling Cliftonville 3–1. While Linfield flexed their title-chasing muscles with a crisp 3 goal victory over the Swifts.

The podcast is back for its fourth season. Bigger and better than ever, with our longest ever episode!

Over two hours of pure Irish League chat.

Your ultimate guide to the upcoming season of top-flight Irish League football. Every club’s prospects for the campaign ahead put under the microscope. Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion from Around the Grounds NI join the pod to share their predictions, including where they think every team will finish.

All that and more, right here on your latest weekly edition of Kicking Match.

TIMESTAMPS

Cliftonville - 00:09:12

Crusaders - 00:22:29

Glenavon - 00:34:01

Linfield - 00:41:14

Bangor - 00:55:26

Coleraine - 01:02:50

Glentoran - 01:10:46

Carrick Rangers - 01:18:50

Ballymena United - 01:24:40

Larne - 01:31:52

Portadown - 01:36:37

Dungannon Swifts - 01:44:40

Weekend's Games Preview - 01:52:46

Kicking Match is coming back for a fourth season. Get involved!

The episode you’ve all been waiting for. Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion join Peter to look back at the 24/25 season, which is finally in the books.

Going through each team individually, predictions from the start of the season will be faced. Good, bad and the very ugly.

Plus, Dungannon Swifts topple Cliftonville to win their first ever Irish Cup, Carrick Rangers hang on their top flight status and Ruaidhrí Higgins is the brand new Coleraine boss.

Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion of Around The Grounds NI jump back onto the podcast for the first in a double header of season look backs.

Covering the final gameweek of the league campaign, look ahead to the Irish cup final and share our Irish League Team of the Seasons.

Writer and reporter Barry Flynn returns to the podcast as ‘Mr Championship’ shares his insight into Bangor finally confirmed their ascension back into top flight football next season.

However the future is not looking so bright for Newry City who had their relegation into intermediate football made a formality.

We also discuss Cliftonville fans rubberstamping their newCanadian ownership and look ahead to the final league gameweek of the season.

Keelan Leeper returns to the podcast to give his thoughts on the NIFL Awards, the chase for 2nd/Automatic European place and shares a behind the scenes perspective on inking an Irish League kit deal.

Linfield proudly paraded the Gibson cup around Windsor Parkover the weekend after finally overcoming Glentoran in their final attempt ofthe season. Proud Blueman Mark McGuiggan joins the pod to reflect on the seasonand ponder how the Blues recent failures may have shaped this team of leaguewinners.
Plus, the latest in the chase for Europe and despite a win on Saturday Loughall’stime in the top flight is essentially over, are they in a good place to bounceback next year?