OTB Football

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.
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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.
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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.
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It's been a quiet week on the LOI front, with most of us recovering from a hectic weekend of title and relegation race swings and now the focus on Pristina and the Republic of Ireland's Nations League opener against Kosovo.
But fear not, as Vinny Perth is in studio for this week's LOI Pod, and with him he brings one of the greatest LOI strikers of the 21st century, David McMillan. Meanwhile, Stephen Doyle joins on the line from ROI media duties in Pristina to discuss the news from across the league, such as:
The league's striker issue, with less goals coming from the men up top, and more spread throughout the XI's across the Premier Division.
How all Rovers, Bohs and Pats can manage their run-in, especially with Stephen Kenny's Saints having a long period without a match.
Sligo's impending relegation, McMillan gives his thoughts on his former club's current form.
Shelbourne's future, after picking up their first win since June with a late 3-2 away win over Dundalk last Friday with Sean Boyd proving that he can still be the man to guide the Reds to good form.
This Friday, there's only one match, with Shelbourne heading west to face off against John Caulfield's Galway United in Eamonn Deacy Park. Former Tribesman and current Salthill Devon manager Greg Cunningham will be alongside Jonathan Higgins for the call. You can listen LIVE on Off The Ball on Newstalk or the GoLoud App from 7PM.
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The LOI Pod on Off The Ball.