OTB Football

Kathleen McNamee sat down with Jamie Finn to chat about getting back on the pitch with Burnley after an ACL injury, the great job Lily Agg is doing with Athlone Town as they prepare to meet Finn's old club Shels and her dream to make it to a World Cup with Ireland.

It’s just after midnight in Pristina, and Ireland’s Nations League campaign has started with a dismal 1-0 defeat to Kosovo at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium.

On this late-night Green Scene, we break down a performance that felt “way off it”: a back five packed with centre-backs, a midfield bypassed, and an attack that never really got going. We dig into the missed moments, the 1v1 battles Ireland lost, and whether Heimir Hallgrímsson’s set-up left the team with too little ambition.

Plus, the off-pitch strain around this window, and what comes next.
SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join

Vinny Perth and Keith Treacy join Enda Coll and Colm Boohing alongside David Wilson live from Pristina airport to dissect the Republic of Ireland's dismal 1-0 defeat away to Kosovo.
The panel breaks down Heimir Hallgrímsson's ultra-defensive setup, the total lack of offensive direction, Troy Parrott's isolation up front, and the heavy off-pitch strain on the squad ahead of their Nations League clash with Israel.
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.

SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join

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

Off The Ball’s David Wilson was in Kosovo to get the immediate reactions to Ireland’s 1-0 defeat in their opening Nations League B campaign. He spoke with Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, captain Dara O’Shea, as well as players Jason Knight and Chiedozie Ogbene.

David Wilson is in Pristina as Ireland kick off their Nations League campaign away to Kosovo, with Heimir Hallgrímsson warning of a tough night and a ferocious atmosphere.
Hear the Ireland boss size up Kosovo’s key threats, from Vedat Muriqi to Milot Rashica, and why matching their physicality and work-rate is non-negotiable.
Stand-in captain Dara O’Shea speaks after a difficult week in the Irish camp, while Kevin Kilbane tells Eoin Sheahan why the players have been left exposed by the ongoing Israel fixtures saga.
Plus: Hibs’ new manager, Ronaldo’s latest milestone chase, and a full Nations League round-up.
Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join