LOI Central

This week we are joined by an Englishman and an English as the summer brings us to new destinations. ESPN journalist Mark Ogden tells us about his quirky trip to Iceland to find out what lies ahead for Shamrock Rovers and what Champions League football means to the minnows. Then we head west to talk with Michael English about Mayo FC’s attempts to break into the Irish mainstream. Aside from all of that we’ve got the usual mailbag chat featuring Bohs angst, Pat’s kids, Peak6 taking over Twitter and RTE’s value for money. Available under the Freedom of Information Act you will find that this entire production is funded by the barter accounts managed by Future Ticketing, Rascals Brewery and Collar and Cuff, and Johnny's fee does not include any form of bus pass. It's episode 21 and it's blackjack!

It’s a value for money virtual podcast this week as the lads mull over the purpose of their existence in journalism if chatting rubbish for an hour doesn’t entitle them to a substantial six-figure salary from licence fee payers. Georgie Kelly is a real national treasure, the late developing Donegal man dialling in from pre-season training in Rotherham to discuss his old love rival Pat Hoban, his respect for the mentality of the real love of his life, and the climate of football in England – not the climate chat that JW wanted. As usual there’s a mailbag with a bit of Damien Duff and a bit of Mayo sandwiched between title talk discussion and we hear from Pico Lopes and Ruaidhri Higgins after Tallaght on Monday. Unlike Westlife, this is one band that always sticks together...

Dan's back but his memory of Antalya isn't. He'd also like to forget about Ireland's Greek tragedy but can't and neither can Paul Corry as the old friend of the pod returns with two phones and a new love to analyse what went on in the Mediterranean last week and we take a live look at the European draws as they come in. Johnny, fresh from his first festival of the year, reckons stabbing a crustacean in the brain is better than boiling it alive but can't get the last look the twitching lobster gave him out of his memory and apparently Evan Ferguson won't reach 100 caps before the doomsday clock strikes midnight. If all this is a bit too weird for you, blame Collar and Cuff, Rascals Brewery and Future Ticketing for continuing to support this ridiculousness and ask yourself is the "Pat McDonnell" Dan may or may not be related to, the lad from Father Ted or the annoying paint ad on the radio. So sit back and eat your lobster as the world burns and be thankful we're under an hour this week.

No Dan this week as he's away on International duty so we left it up to Johnny to round up the guests. Wembley wonder with Coventry and back at Burnley, we have Premier League defender Luke McNally, who's back in the country where he reminisces about his days at Enfield, the NECSL, marking a 16 year old Evan Ferguson and his fortuitous move to Drogheda where he hooked up with our second guest, none other than ex manager of Drogheda and Pats, Tim Clancy, who speaks candidly about his time at Pats, the fanciful ambitions in Inchicore, the culture of social media, why there are fewer and fewer easy games and Kevin Doherty's success at United Park. The format may be different but the chat is still red hot and all of this is thanks, as ever, to Collar and Cuff, Rascals Brewery and Future Ticketing!

As Johnny's Saudi past comes back to haunt him, the boys wonder if Galway United saying no was the catalyst for our oil overlords to bring sporting domination to another level. Irish football could do with cash to build some stadiums and Pat Fenlon joins us in studio to talk about the FAI infrastructure plan, his new job at Bohemians, and how transfer windows work. St. Pats' Dean Lyness chats with Dan about living away from family as the daddy of his teammates in a new country. Beyond that there’s the big "Love Island" mystery, Dan’s bird troubles and all the big stories from the main event of the double header weekend - Enda’s wedding. Tallaght Stadium’s Coppers like status, fire drills in Cork and more recurring anecdotes from Johnny’s private life are brought to you in conjunction with Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff and Rascals Brewery. It's episode 17 as we head towards an International break.

Journeys. That's todays topic. Whether it's the Kerouac-esque 'On The Road' lift bumming Johnny Ward or the Tallaght to Cobh goalkeeping journey that Lee Steacy takes, we've a restless road feeling to todays show. Our guests, from the First Division, talk openly about their journeys, even if Shane Keegan is driving, how their clubs may fare in the Premier Division, and how all work and all play for an Irish footballer could be more lucrative than the alternative. We also look at the 'red cards a go-go' from the weekend, Johnny's fascination with CJ, the best goal songs played at stadiums, who's wedding will be the new Fyre festival and whether the Wisconsin postal votes means anything at all! As usual we rely totally on the steadfast support of Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff and Rascals Brewery to allow us all to decide whether or not Mark Knopfler marks a goal better than a Monkees song on repeat.

The seven year itch remains unscratched and, as the bromance dwindles, talk turns to goalkeepers, fixing the FAI Cup draw, the Irish 2023/24 clubs in Europe, bouncy castles and cursing with Crowley. If that isn't enough to pique your curiosity we also have a chat with Garry Buckley about fatherhood, injuries, Sligo Rovers and the amazing story of two brothers. There's also cameos from Declan Devine and Kevin Doherty as we cast our eye over the week that was. As usual we owe it all to the good people at Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff and Rascals Brewery for making all of our dreams come true every single week. It's heating up out there so put on plenty of sunscreen before you plug in... 

This week we blur the lines between sports and politics as we welcome in Aodhán Ó Ríordáin to the pod. On the back of Damien Duff's crusading comments about the league, Aodhán talks candidly to us about how and why football is where it is and faces an uphill struggle while Johnny faces a downhill struggle despite his penchance for the hills. There's Viper Room nostalgia, hypocritical oaths, Stadiums with no respect and a whole host of the usual Collar and Cuff, Future Ticketing and Rascals Brewery fuelled deep dives into why this game of football continues to define us. It's here, its a tad late but it's episode 14 and, trust me, its as good as it gets..

It’s Eurovision week and while  Ireland’s Wild Youth fell at the first hurdle, this week’s show looks at how our young footballers are beating the odds to compete on the European stage. Academy heads Mike Geoghegan (Waterford) and Craig Sexton (Bohs) drop by to discuss funding difficulties, staff shortages and the differences between Dublin and the rest of the country. Johnny Logan is on the menu at Rascals but our own Johnny is back in the virtual house with a viral Dan to discuss Galway rising, managerial clobber and the innocence of tunnel blocking teens. All with the usual undying support of Rascals Brewery, Collar and Cuff and Future Ticketing.

In Johnny's absence this week we have guest presenter Garry Doyle from The Star joining Dan in studio for a wide range of topics which includes a  look back on the double header with interviews from Richie Towell and Ruaidhri Higgins, the breaking news departure of Tim Clancy from Pats and the continuing debate on funding from government gambling revenue. Brian Gartland, the new Head of Football Operations for Dundalk also joins us to discuss the plans for community integration, signing policy, and his opinions on the trajectory of the league as a product offering. There's a lot covered in a pod with a small smattering of Galway Utd and not a mention of The Simpsons or The Coens! With the usual help from Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff and Rascals Brewery, it's Episode 12 and it's jam packed!