OTB Football

On Thursday's Football Daily, Phil Egan previews the day’s stories, including Ireland’s striker search, Euro 2028 ambitions, and controversy involving Katie McCabe.
The FAI continue efforts to convince Liam Delap to switch allegiance, with assistant coach John O'Shea in contact over a potential senior call-up.
Heimir Hallgrímsson looks ahead to building for Euro 2028, including a May training camp in Spain and friendlies against Grenada and another opponent.
Selection constraints mean Ireland will rely heavily on Championship and League One players, with prospects like Jack Moylan and Jaden Umeh under consideration.
Football writer Dion Fanning highlights growing optimism around Ireland’s future and discusses shifting public mood.
Former Ireland midfielder Andy Reid outlines plans to support youth development and collaborate with League of Ireland clubs.
League of Ireland focus returns as Drogheda United face Bohemians, while discussion continues on the shortage of goal-scoring midfielders in the domestic game.
Spain winger Lamine Yamal condemns Islamophobic chanting during a friendly with Egypt, prompting investigation and possible FIFA action.
Championship and League One updates include promotion pushes for Frank Lampard’s Coventry and Michael Skubala’s Lincoln, plus Jermain Defoe aiming to make history as a manager.
Women’s Champions League controversy as Katie McCabe escapes punishment for a hair-pull incident, drawing anger from Sonia Bompastor, while Renée Slegers defends her player.
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Happy Thursday everyone! It's been a week since Ireland's World Cup dreams came to an end in Prague on penalties. This week, Eve and Rachel chat to Performance Psychology Coach Rob Kelly, Sports Psychologist Dr Aoife Quinn and Friend of the Show and former Ireland International Keith Treacy about the pressure of taking penalties for your country

Have a topic or thought in mind? Send us a DM on @offtheball on all our social platforms or send us a WhatsApp at 087 9 180 180!

OTB’s Matthew Brennan travelled out to Blanchardstown yesterday to chat with former Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid & take in the first assessment day of his brand new Transition Year football course which will essentially replace The FAI’s version when it ceases to exist come September!

Off The Ball Breakfast with Viagra Connect 50mg film-coated tablets. Contains sildenafil. For adult men with erectile dysfunction. Subject to suitability. Maximum dosage one 50mg tablet per day. Always read the label.

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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The League of Ireland is back this week and you can listen to live commentary of Drogheda United’s meeting with Bohemians this Friday from 7 o’clock on Off The Ball on Newstalk and the GoLoud App.
Jonathan Higgins will be joined in the gantry by former League of Ireland Premier Division title-winner Vinny Perth.

We have full Leinster v Edinburgh commentary in the last-16 of the European Champions Cup this Sunday April 5th, 5:30pm kick-off at the Aviva Stadium - Cuán O’Flatharta and Brent Pope on commentary on an extended show on Off The Ball Sunday on Newstalk from 1-8pm.

Stephen Doyle was joined by Gareth McGlynn and Barry Murphy on this week’s episode of The LOI POD.
The trio look forward to the return of domestic action after the international break as double gameweek of fixtures returns to kick us all back into the swing of things.
This week's live commentary comes from the banks of the River Boyne as Drogheda United’s meeting with Bohemians takes centre-stage this Friday from 7 o’clock on Off The Ball on Newstalk and the GoLoud App.
Jonathan Higgins will be joined in the gantry by former League of Ireland Premier Division title-winner Vinny Perth.
And of course they answered YOUR questions which you can send to [email protected].
Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join
The League of Ireland is back this week and you can listen to live commentary of Drogheda United’s meeting with Bohemians this Friday from 7 o’clock on Off The Ball on Newstalk and the GoLoud App.
Jonathan Higgins will be joined in the gantry by former League of Ireland Premier Division title-winner Vinny Perth.
We have full Leinster v Edinburgh commentary in the last-16 of the European Champions Cup this Sunday April 5th, 5:30pm kick-off at the Aviva Stadium - Cuán O’Flatharta and Brent Pope on commentary on an extended show on Off The Ball Sunday on Newstalk, and the GoLoud App from 1-8pm.

So, there we have it folks, Ireland's dreams of going to the World Cup in 2026 are over, and it is ok to wallow collectively as we all try to process coming so close.
North Macedonia came and played their part in the 'contractual obligations match', and we thank them for it. But what does that game really mean for the future of this team?
Well, join Ben Symes and David Wilson, with a remote roving reporter in Matthew Brennan as the trio discuss the campaign as a whole, and where does Irish football go from here?
The lads reflect on the lows of Yerevan, coupled with the highs of Dublin and Budapest, and what comes next.
There were the advents of Bosun Lawal and James Abankwah's debuts, but are the days of the legendary Seamus Coleman really coming to an end?
Who are the new leaders of this team? And what do YOU have to do to get on the bandwagon for Euro 2028?
And as ever, we are looking for your inspiration to help us, 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 is brought to you by Cadbury, proud sponsor of the Republic of Ireland football teams.
The League of Ireland is back this week and you can listen to live commentary of Drogheda United’s meeting with Bohemians this Friday from 7 o’clock on Off The Ball on Newstalk and the GoLoud App.
Jonathan Higgins will be joined in the gantry by former League of Ireland Premier Division title-winner Vinny Perth.
We have full Leinster v Edinburgh commentary in the last-16 of the European Champions Cup this Sunday April 5th, 5:30pm kick-off at the Aviva Stadium - Cuán O’Flatharta and Brent Pope on commentary on an extended show on Off The Ball Sunday on Newstalk, and the GoLoud App from 1-8pm.