RTÉ Soccer Podcast

Richie Towell and Barry Murphy join Raf Diallo on this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast as they react to the weekend's action including matters on and off the field during the Louth derby between Dundalk and Drogheda United.
They also look ahead to Friday's Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers derby and discuss the Republic of Ireland goalkeeping status quo as March begins to loom large.
Meanwhile, Shelbourne's Rachel Graham and RTÉ Sport's Anthony Pyne run through Carla Ward's Republic of Ireland squad for next week's opening FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers against France and the Netherlands.
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Keith Treacy and Richie Towell join host Alan Cawley to reflect on a weather-affected weekend in the League of Ireland.
Derry are battling but not yet showing title winning form, while Bohemians showed how dangerous they can be away to Sligo.
But it's Drogheda United who have the perfect record and top the top the early season table.
The panel also discuss Ireland's Nations League draw and the implication of pulling Israel out of the hat.
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Alan Cawley is once more in the presenter's chair to review the first week of the season. He is joined in studio by Barry Murphy and Richie Towell.
Alan had some interesting interactions with Bohemians fans at Aviva Stadium on Sunday and asks Richie to perhaps elaborate on his comments regarding Dalymount Park on last week's pod (1:30).
To matters on the pitch and the lads agree it was a poor spectacle on Lansdowne Road (3:00), with Pat's in particular needing to generate more attacking threat. Richie likes the look of Dawson Devoy in deep position for Bohs.
There is some sympathy for slow starts after a long off-season.
Friday was a huge win for Derry (16:30) against an impressive Sligo but Barry has fears for the Candystripes' defence.
Could John Russell get fed up of the Sligo talent drain and look to progress his club at a bigger club who can retain their best talent?
Waterford impressive in 1-1 draw at home to Shels (27:35) as Joey O'Brien's team once again fail to put the game to bed due to lack of a top-notch striker.
Finally, Galway United will be devastated to suffer last gasp defeat to Drogheda (38:00).
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The new season of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division is just days away, so the RTE Soccer Podcast is back with a bang.
Standing in for Raf Diallo is presenter/pundit (he can't decide) Alan Cawley, who is putting the questions to Graham Gartland and Richie Towell (and answering some of them himself).
The lads give their predictions on who will be champions, who will be relegated, the league's top scorer and the best signing. Richie also has some choice words regarding certain grounds and certain teams.
To hear what the lads think of your own club's prospects, check the timecodes below.
Shamrock Rovers (3:10)
Derry City (10:20)
Shelbourne (15:00)
Bohemians (19:05)
St Patrick's Athletic (24:20)
Waterford FC (32:40)
Galway United (34:45)
Sligo Rovers (36:35)
Drogheda United (40:55)
Dundalk (45:15)
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And breathe.
What an afternoon for Irish soccer! What a week for Irish soccer. Troy Parrott, where do you want your statue?
An elated Raf Diallo is joined by an ecstatic Kevin Doyle and a buzzing Ray Houghton to try and make sense of Troy Parrott's hat-trick in Budapest.
Ray dials in from the press box in the Puskas Arena, where the Republic of Ireland twice came from behind to beat Hungary and qualify for next March's 2026 World Cup play-offs.
The hero of Euro '88, Italia '90 and USA '94 gives us a sense of what it felt lke to be in the stadium as a new generation of Irish football fans got their 'I was there' moment.
Kevin, after doing a few laps of the TV studio, had calmed down enough to reflect on Parrott's performance and his emotional post-match press conference.
We hear from the man of the moment and Heimir Hallgrimsson, plus there is time for a quick preview of the Under-17s last-16 game this Tuesday at the World Cup in Qatar.
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