LOI Central

Stranger Things in studio today as John O’Sullivan joined us for a midwinter chat. Yes, that John O’Sullivan, the one who played for Shelbourne until everything changed in August. He tells the story of an unhappy end to a happy time and the ruthless nature of football before sitting in for a series of European reflections, fixture ruminations and much more besides. There’s Duff memories, managerial inspirations and news on the Fresh Prince of Kildare. All of this pre Christmas penultimate episode of fun comes courtesy of our own Santa Clauses at Future Ticketing, Sport Cosanta, Rascals Brewing and Collar & Cuff. One more show to go before we tuck ourselves in for the winter!

We were live in Collar & Cuff this week where League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon joined us to reflect on the 2025 season and look ahead to the plans for 2026. In a wide ranging discussion, we discussed fixture lists, financial plans, facilities issues, Foyleside fan issues and some other things that start with f before we eventually got to the league's future within the FAI. We hope the conversation answers some questions you have about the general state of play. Before that, we do have an abridged mailbag with Jack Byrne discussions, Galway United exodus concerns, and reflections on European events both on and off the park. All of this tailored discussion was brought to you in association with our hosts Collar and Cuff and our friends at Future Ticketing, Sport Cosanta and Rascals Brewing.

This week’s show is half double winners, half double act. Firstly, we reflect on Shamrock Rovers’ success over troubled Cork City in the cup final and discuss the impact of Harry Nevin’s red card amongst other talking points arising from the day and the season for both clubs. In a packed mailbag, there’s a fair bit of playoff chat, pitch complaints, transfer talk, journalism advice and more. For part two, we go back to Rascals where old pals Chris Shields and Keith Ward offer their take on the season just gone amongst other things. We think you’ll enjoy the chat, which we couldn’t have brought to you without our friends at Rascals, Collar & Cuff, Future Ticketing & Sport Cosanta. Like the lads at Shels we know you’ll get the picture..

It was LOI Central Live, and the entirety of Monday's gathering in Rascals Brewing was exclusive only to those who joined us for the tantalising combination of pizza, beer and League of Ireland related musings. The league's top scorer Padraig Amond defied expectations to join Johnny Dunleavy on stage for a chat that was part reflection of the season, part Ollie Horgan memories and part their respective relationships with FAI Cup finalists Cork City and Shamrock Rovers. Not all of it made it past the editorial powers that be but there's enough to get a flavour of the conversation. Johnny and Dan reflect on the season that was with a heavy trace of disappointment around Dublin 8 while we also catch up with some of the news around the last 24 hours as silly season gets underway with a LinkedIn post for the ages. All of this couldn't be possible without our Brotherhood of Belief - Rascals Brewing, Sport Cosanta, Future Ticketing and Collar & Cuff.

There’s a dual focus to this show as we reflect on an incredible week while also taking an overall look at the year as our friends at PFA Ireland have given us the honour of naming the Premier Division team of the year on this week’s show. Is that why Paddy Barrett and Michael Duffy are on? You’ll just have to tune in to find out but the good friends chat about their respective journeys including Michael’s Ireland near miss and Paddy’s rebirth with the Shelbourne defender also talking us through the drama and emotion of the last week and THAT own goal. Oh and there’s Duffer chat too. On top of that we have a packed mailbag with Bohs angst, Johnny’s new toy, Derry bus drama, Dundalk’s annual crisis and a lot more besides. All of this with thanks to Future Ticketing, Collar & Cuff, Sport Cosanta and next Monday’s live show hosts Rascals Brewing. We have a handful of tickets left but get this week’s trivia question right and you could be joining us. Cue rimshot!

We are back from an international break to begin the countdown towards the climax of the season – our live show in Rascals on Monday November 3 with tickets going on sale on Wednesday. Oh, and there’s the end of a thrilling European race, the playoff battle and the prospect of an FAI Cup Final at the Aviva Stadium where the fans – and not the SHOUTY PA GUY – will hopefully provide the volume. That’s a bit of a garbage time rant in a show which is heaven for those who like permutations as the lads unpick the significance of the weekend’s results with Johnny, fresh back from Dalymount, gathering the thoughts of both Stephen O’Donnell and Barry Baggley. Johnny tackles some criticism from Shels heads with the same relish he approaches small talk at a creche, a starter to a diverse mailbag that veers from Flann O’Brien to Usher before ending up in the cycle lane. We’re trying to stay on the right track with the help of Sport Cosanta, Future Ticketing, Collar & Cuff and Rascals Brewing.

On a week where skeletons are being found lying around all kinds of closets, a squeaky clean Kevin Doherty stops by Oliver Ireland for an international break chat on the highs and lows of 2025 – so far. While hedging his bets on talented non-Drogheda players, he is quite clear about his priorities and ambitions for his current crop of Drogs as well as his plans for a guaranteed Premier Division run again next season. Inside the hand-stitched Collar & Cuff mailbag is a lot of Saint Pat’s disillusionment as Stephen Kenny’s reign comes under scrutiny. There’s the obligatory Damien Duff mention, the overlong intro monologue, and a teaser date for the next live show. It’s all a bit hectic this time of the year and the adrenaline-fuelled banter is brought to you by Future Ticketing, Collar & Cuff, Rascals Brewing(ery) and Sport Cosanta. Oh – and didn’t we mention Cork City are in the cup final?

The finishing line is in sight for everyone apart from Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne as the closing stretch of the league clashes with the beginning of European league phase excitement. Dan and Johnny convene to discuss a busy week on a variety of fronts; and return to the familiar theme of Shamrock Rovers levels and Shelbourne’s 2024 standards, discussions that might just happen more frequently than Waterford changing managers. Our mailbag listeners do ask us to go there in the search to put respect on names, while there’s also talk of Damien Duff sightings, ungentlemanly transfer speculation and Derry dramas amongst other things. Johnny hears from Cork City’s Seani Maguire ahead of a big weekend for the final four in the FAI Cup. We couldn’t do this without our fab four; Collar & Cuff, Rascals Brewing, Future Ticketing and Sport Cosanta.

The boys are back in Oliver Ireland for a quickfire review of a double header that could prove very significant come the end of the season. Johnny has Galway’s woes on the mind, while Dan debates the potential legacy of this Shamrock Rovers side before we hear from Andrew Quinn and Joey O’Brien about another Drogheda v Shelbourne meeting where possession equals defeat. On top of that, we’ve got a mailbag searching for new words on Mason Melia, some worries about Waterford’s slump and a call for European predictions that the lads skilfully manage to swerve before Dan changes course with a big call for 2026. All of these definitive guesses are brought to you in association with Future Ticketing, Collar & Cuff, Sport Cosanta and Rascals Brewing.

We are back after an international break to forget and savouring a weekend to remember in the FAI Cup unless you happen to be from Connacht. Kerry FC's heroic exploits take top billing, but there's a heavy Sligo Rovers angle to that drama too while Johnny was down at Richmond Park to hear from Kian Leavy and John Caulfield after St Patrick's Athletic got the better of Galway. Dan details a dramatic night in Drogheda and there's a bit of Derry chat too in a crowded mailbag that includes TV statistics, Israel, the DUP and why the difficult child has become the FAI's favourite distraction. In a week of 4-3 wins, we remain grateful to our four sponsors who make this happen consistently - our friends at Future Ticketing, Rascals Brewing, Collar & Cuff and Sport Cosanta