S09E35 PFA Ireland Premier XI with Paddy Barrett and Michael Duffy
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. As ever, we’re trying to stay on the right track with the help of Sport Cosanta, Future Ticketing, Collar & Cuff and Rascals Brewing.
-------- Â
1:09:05
--------
1:09:05
S09E33 International Break Time with Kevin Doherty
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?
-------- Â
1:22:07
--------
1:22:07
S09E32: European Odysseys, Waterford Whispers and Seani Maguire’s FAI Cup Feelings
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.
-------- Â
1:09:31
--------
1:09:31
S09E31 Double Header Review. How good are Shamrock Rovers? What next for Galway United?
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.
#LOICentral is a podcast with opinion, analysis and interviews on all the latest happenings in the League of Ireland, hosted by Johnny Ward & Dan McDonnell
Listen to LOI Central, Talk of the Devils: The Athletic FC's Manchester United show and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
Ireland