OTB Football

On Wednesday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you news of Ireland’s U21s famous night at a sold-out Turner’s Cross, coming from behind to beat England 3-1 and book their place in the European Championship play-offs.

Jim Crawford reacts to a huge performance, while two-goal hero Tommy Lonergan and scorer Connor McManus look ahead to November’s draw and the challenge of doing it again as underdogs.

Plus, Stephen Bradley backs Gavin Bazunu after his international withdrawal, Kevin Kilbane on what’s next for Seamus Coleman, and the latest from around the football world — including Messi stepping away from Argentina duty and Arteta signing a new long-term Arsenal deal.

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Colm Boohig and Enda Coll are joined alongside former Blackburn, Brentford, Leeds and Irish international Jonathan Douglas.

Jonathan runs the lads through some of his ‘You had to be there’ moments, from his one and only Premier League goal to his beloved GAA.

Off The Ball Breakfast LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am with Amazon.ie, Irish brands at local prices. Start your search at our dedicated and curated ‘Brands of Ireland’ section!

Catch The Off The Ball Breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app.

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With the Premier Division title race on a knife-edge, Stephen Bradley gives an update on Shamrock Rovers’ squad ahead of Drogheda, and explains why the focus stays firmly on “us” with five games to go and no points separating the contenders.

Bradley also addresses the fallout from the recent Ireland-Israel window, speaking about Gavin Bazunu’s decision not to play, and why he’s “extremely proud” of the courage it took — while acknowledging the situation “could have been handled better”.

Plus, Bradley on links to the vacant Hibs job, and tributes to League of Ireland stalwart Greg Bolger as he calls time on an incredible career.

Shamrock Rovers midfielder Matt Healy also joins to preview Drogheda and reflect on a breakout season.

The League of Ireland on Off The Ball

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Stephen and Gareth are back, sadly Vinny can't make it, but that makes the focus on Derry even more special.

It's a big week in Off The Ball towers as we prepare to bring you both Club Orange Men's FAI Cup Semi-Finals this weekend.

Ben Symes and Vinny Perth will be at Dalymount Park on Friday night for the final ever FAI Cup tie in the home of Irish Football, as Bohs go for the double with Waterford standing in their way of another trip to the Aviva Stadium. Listen live from 7PM on Off The Ball on Newstalk for that one.

Then, on Saturday, Stephen and Shane Keegan go west to Atlantic Coast as John Caulfield hopes to bring Galway United to the final for the first time since the Tribesmen won their only Cup in the early 90s.

And then there's Derry, what a week it's been so far, a semi-final ahead on Saturday, and a former Republic of Ireland International releasing a statement with the PFAI over contracts and playing.

Gareth weighs in on the situation, as well as Derry's hopes to also get to the Aviva for the 3rd time this decade.

You can listen to live commentary of that other semi-final on Off The Ball Saturday on Newstalk or the GoLoud App from 1PM.

But, there's more to this week than the cup, Shamrock Rovers play a rare Thursday match against Drogheda United, something that has angered Bohs into protesting media arrangements as the Dublin Derby awaits on Monday evening.

The title race rumbles on, the league is certainly not short of drama and Off The Ball is the place to get all your news, reaction and coverage as we enter the real 'Business' end of the season

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The LOI Pod on Off The Ball.

The Green Scene is back as Matthew Brennan, Ben Symes and David Wilson look back on a truly chaotic Ireland international window — from the flat night in Kosovo to the highs and late collapse against Austria, and the strange setting of playing Israel in both rural Serbia & Hungary...

We get into UEFA’s investigation into the alleged spitting incident, the big meeting in Berlin, and why this fixture pairing has become a mess on and off the pitch.

On the football side, there’s real optimism: Adam Idah’s impact, Jack Moylan’s rise, Conor Coventry’s steadiness, and who Ireland’s best XI might be right now — plus a word on the pressure around Heimir Hallgrímsson and the media storm.

Fancy getting in touch? You can do so by emailing [email protected]

Contact us on socials @offtheball across all our platforms.

Or if you want to contact us directly message the @offtheball.football account on Instagram.

And as ever, we are on WhatsApp on 087 9 180 180.

Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join

The Green Scene on Off The Ball with Cadbury, a proud sponsor of the Republic of Ireland football teams. 

On Tuesday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you news that UEFA has opened an investigation into an alleged half-time incident during Ireland’s Nations League clash with Israel in Serbia, after a member of the Irish backroom staff claimed he was spat at by an Israeli player.

It’s also a massive evening for Ireland’s U21s at Turner’s Cross, where Jim Crawford’s side know a win over group winners England will secure a Euro play-off spot.

Plus, Carla Ward and the Ireland women arrive in Kazakhstan for Friday’s World Cup play-off first leg, with key suspensions to contend with and a new assistant coach added to the staff.

And there’s reaction to the men’s international window with Dion Fanning and Keith Tracy, before Lionel Messi brings the curtain down on his Argentina career.

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On this week's episode of The COYGIG Pod, Kathleen McNamee, Karen Duggan & Scarlett Herron begin the build-up to the Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-off double-header against Kazakhstan, and look back at the final weekend of WSL action before the first international break of the season. Man City look unstoppable, Arsenal's title hopes are already smashed and London City Lionesses are starting to click.

The COYGIG Pod on Off the Ball is brought to you by Cadbury, a proud sponsor of the Republic of Ireland football teams.

Phil Egan rounds up Monday’s Football Daily as Ireland’s international window ends with a tense 1-1 draw with Israel in Serbia. Troy Parrott’s first-half penalty had the Boys in Green ahead before Dor Peretz levelled after the break, leaving Ireland third in the group.

Heimir Hallgrímsson reflects on an emotionally charged camp, an allegation of spitting involving an Ireland staff member, and why he left out Southampton’s Finn Azaz.

Plus, Ran Ben Shimon denies targeting Jason Molumby, Keith Treacy hails Jack Moylan’s rise, and there’s news on Craig Bellamy, Erling Haaland, Ronaldo, and more.

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Colm Boohig, Keith Treacy, John Fallon & Ben Symes react to Ireland v Israel last night, and sum up the last week in Irish football.

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Catch The Off The Ball Breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app.

SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join

Off The Ball Breakfast is live weekday mornings from 7:30am across Off The Ball

Off The Ball’s Ben Symes was in Serbia for the second of Ireland’s Nations League B games against Israel. He confirms that a member of the Irish coaching staff alleges that an Israeli player spat at him, which sparked the incident at half time.