LOI Central

With three teams in deep in Europe, one playing in front of over 50,000, another likely to make the last stage before the Europa League group stages, why would anyone talk about the above? Then there was the fallout boys: two players who have vaguely featured for their clubs this year and the enduring madness of the League of Ireland. Owen Heary defends James McClean and Cian Barrett and tells John Russell how he might begin his defence. It's all here thanks to Collar & Cuff, Future Ticketing, Planify.ie and Chido as Dan enjoys his badly-needed holidays before the chaos of next week.

Johnny is on a well earned break this week so Dan holds the fort after another Shamrock Rovers home win in Europe to check in with Conor Kearns and Padraig Amond who give their view on the Hoops before discussing the rollercoaster of emotion they have both endured in 2026. Conor discusses the torment of a long term injury and reflects on his transition from Shels to Dundalk, while Podge tries to put his finger on the factors behind the Graham Coughlan inspired turnaround at the RSC. Dan deals with some James McClean queries in a busy mailbag that deals with the European fallout at a period of the season where a number of clubs appear to have reached a crossroads. As ever, we are pointed in the right direction with thanks to Collar and Cuff, Future Ticketing, Chido and Planify

Dave McMillan joins the lads this week to discuss his new status as the second top goalscorer in LOI in Europe history and his memories of the run a decade ago that really put his Dundalk side on the map. We discuss how some members of that group are getting on today with Stephen Kenny and Daryl Horgan still prominent members of the news cycle. Aside from that there’s a busy mailbag with anonymous Athlone, signing shy Saints and a forgettable Finn Harps year. Add in Darren Purse’s arrival, an unexpected Frank Spencer tangent and a side of Mayo and we’ve got another show with the help of of our friends at Chido, Planify, Future Ticketing & Collar and Cuff. Ooh Betty!

Dan is back in Ireland and making an unexpected appearance on the pod after a few last minute changes in the wake of another disappointing away day in Europe in Shamrock Rovers. Can they turn it around? That’s just one talking point of a football show which, ironically enough, debates if there is just too much football. Were things better in the old days of basic coffee, clean air and blank Augusts? John Russell must yearn for the era before Kerry FC, one element of a mailbag that touches on betting business, more crowd chat and a brief rundown of the European state of play. All of this in association with our friends at Planify, Collar and Cuff, Future Ticketing and Chido

Dan's still at the World Cup - he hasn't mentioned it - but he was still able to keep an eye on a big win for Shamrock Rovers in Europe but was it one of the great wins? Johnny gives his take, before discussing his train journey to the Connacht derby that was followed by John Russell making his way to a new destination. We debate his big move with the help of Owen Heary who reckons it was a left field switch, and then tells us that there's a few left wingers he would like to kick if it was possible to turn back time. There's a mailbag full of gear talk that brings us to border updates, airport sightings and the curious case of Johnny's childhood chocolate stash. All of these treats are brought to you in association with Planify, Future Ticketing, Collar & Cuff and Chido

Dan is still on location by the sea in Vancouver, joining Johnny to discuss events in another seaside destination as Shamrock Rovers unpick a European defeat in Malta that could prove very costly. Johnny also chats with Garry Buckley about retirement, mortgages and the up and down lifestyle of the LOI player. In a crowded mailbag there’s relegation chat, release clause regrets and inevitable chainsaw content. All of this and more in association with Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff, Chido & Planify

It's the biggest Ireland-Mexico crossover since 1994 as Monterrey based Dan joins big cheese Johnny at home. There's news to discuss. What's the story with Shelbourne's dismissal of Joey O'Brien? What next for Pico Lopes' World Cup odyssey? And what exactly are the Ringmahon Rangers players planning to do on July 19? All of these points feature in an express length show with a few words from Pico on his football friends and tributes from some of his old mentors in the shape of Keith Long and Stephen McPhail. Our mailbag ranges from Pat's pain to Tommy Lonergan love and the latest battery status for Alan Reynolds and Bohs. All of this delivered with the love of a matador costume by our friends at Collar & Cuff, Future Ticketing, Planify and Chido

It's a transatlantic effort this week as Houston based Dan joins up with JW from the city that will play host to Pico Lopes' final World Cup group game late on Friday night as his journey now looks likely to continue. From meeting Tajikistan lads in the lift or the travails of tuning into LOITV from a multinational press room, Dan gives his take on the last week while Johnny poses the big questions from home after another puzzling Shels-Bohs encounter, a win for St Patrick's Athletic that might build belief and the verdict on Galway's temporary home. In a packed mailbag there's James McClean book discussions, substitute host feedback and another dose of dodgy box chat. All of this familiarity is brought to you with the help of our friends at Collar & Cuff, Chido, Future Ticketing and Planify

This week, a momentous nil-nil in Atlanta, the biggest bug scandal since Watergate, a goalkeeper elopes mid season, Liam Boyce gives us his 2c and the Bohs bodhrain bangs on. We got the man who wasn't there in the studio, as Ruaidhri O'Connor keeps Johnny company in Glasnevin before dialling out to an airport bound Dan somewhere in the southern states. But the story is really only about a small African nation and it's Crumlin born defender keeping the world champions at bay. Zlatan couldn't make it, but Rascals, Collar & Cuff, Planify and Future Ticketing all showed up to bring you episode 18!

We’re back in business with a slightly different show this week as Conan Byrne dials in to join Canadian based Dan to reflect on the season so far and magic moments in Montreal for Dawson Devoy, Kian Leavy and Adam Brennan. We hear from Kian in a shameless Ardee themed segment before discussing the challenges faced by Dawson in an appearance where he was occasionally left up shit creek. There’s a mid-season themed mailbag with some Derry angst, more Robbie Benson goal nostalgia and a farewell to the verucas. There’s also the quiz question that wasn’t and some Conan halfway line goal nostalgia, all made possible by our friends at Collar & Cuff, Future Ticketing, Planify and Chido, our favourite Mexican themed lager.