LOI Central

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

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

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

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

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



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

The second week of Europe is here and as usual that means

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

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

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

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