OTB Football

Phil Egan brings you Thursday’s Football Daily as Ireland step up preparations for Friday’s World Cup play-off semi-final away to Kazakhstan.
There’s a major injury blow for Carla Ward with Jess Ziu ruled out of the first leg, while Katie McCabe and Marissa Sheva are suspended and Denise O’Sullivan is being rested. Jesse Stapleton also explains why Ireland won’t take Kazakhstan for granted.
Plus, Shamrock Rovers host Drogheda United in a potentially title-shaping clash at Tallaght, with Stephen Bradley leaning on hard-earned experience.
We’ve also got FAI Cup semi-final build-up, Arsenal backing Mikel Arteta long-term, and more from across the football world.
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Keith Long & Vinny Perth joins Colm Boohig & Kathleen McNamee to chat through his new role as Academy Director at Shelbourne, and why stepping away from first-team management was a conscious move after spells with Bohs and Waterford.

They dig into what increased government funding means for League of Ireland academies: full-time roles, higher standards, and clearer pathways from U14s to the first team - with tools like Kitman Labs helping clubs benchmark talent.

They also tackle equality across boys’ and girls’ sections, the need for real accountability, and the wider grassroots picture — why the game can’t forget the volunteers and kids on pitches in the wind and rain.
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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Off The Ball Breakfast is live weekday mornings from 7:30am across Off The Ball

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.

SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join

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

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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