LOI Central

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

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

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

It's a Shels Special this week! Well kind of! We hear all about "Life after football!". Does it exist? who's fault is it anyway if it does? We give free reign to Johnny this week as he decides if Shane Dawson is a worthy successor to the Swiss Skyped Six Day absentee Dan McDonnell, who's in hiding from a Swiss chambermaid over a fifteen minute checkout breach. Spilling turkey salad all over his rather natty suit on his lunch break, is one time goalkeeper and now time corporate recruiter Shane Supple, and he is joined on our leather couch by Shels manager Ian Morris to debate, the Irish team's lack of performance, the European run in, and the collegiate life. Karl Sheppard dials in from Cork and Johnny doesn't mention Galway once. But can Ian Morris name every single player who's going to be at Shels next year? Can he? It's episode thirtysomething and whaddya know, there's no sign of Ken Olin.....

With the title race wrapped up and the relegation battle devoid of drama, we covered a few bases this week. Ireland U19 boss Tom Mohan joins us to discuss an interesting squad selection, but finds that Georgia bound Johnny really only has Galway on his mind. Dan reminisces with St Patrick's Athletic board member Alan Mathews about his days on the front line of management. Neal Horgan has written books about that kind of thing and he dials in to discuss his latest effort as Irish football quite literally approaches a crossroads.

Beyond that, there's mini leagues, Sideshow Bobs and ticket giveaways all set to soundtrack of Johnny's life. If you're looking to while away an hour waiting for the new "Breaking Bad" movie to pop up on Netflix...You could do worse--

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

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

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

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

Former UCD boss Collie O’Neill & St Pat’s Director of Football Ger O’Brien joined the lads in studio to discuss the recent upheaval that has affected both of them. Collie expands on the reasons behind his departure from UCD and discussed where the club stands going forward. Ger outlines his position at St Pat’s after Harry Kenny’s abrupt exit and Stephen O’Donnell’s arrival.