The Milltown Way

Episode 15 – Waiting for kick-off | Shelbourne away now the opener
The 2026 League of Ireland season still hasn’t started for Shamrock Rovers. With the scheduled opening night clash against Dundalk postponed due to adverse weather, the Hoops’ league campaign remains on hold, but not for much longer. All roads now lead to Tolka Park next Friday as Shelbourne away becomes the new curtain-raiser .In Episode 15 of The Milltown Way, we react to the postponement and ask whether this unexpected delay changes anything for Stephen Bradley and his squad. Does an extra week help sharpen fitness and integrate new signings like Adam Brennan? Or does it simply extend the frustration after the narrow President’s Cup defeat to Derry City? We look ahead in depth to Shelbourne away, the atmosphere, the edge, and the narrative stakes. Starting a season at home is one thing. Starting it in Tolka Park, under the lights, against a rival who will treat it as a statement night, is something else entirely. This is a shorter episode than usual, but it’s one built around anticipation. The season feels like it’s paused before it has even begun, and that only increases the significance of what now becomes a high-profile opening night in Drumcondra. Will Rovers lay down an early marker? Or will Shelbourne attempt to disrupt the rhythm of another title defence before it gathers pace? The wait continues, but not for long. Subscribe and follow The Milltown Way wherever you get your podcasts.

Episode 14 - We react to Friday night’s President’s Cup defeat to Derry City at Tallaght Stadium, where fine margins once again separated the sides.
We look at what went right, what didn’t, and whether the performance offers encouragement heading into the league campaign. With the League of Ireland Premier Division kicking off this Friday with a home game against Dundalk, we turn our attention to the opening league fixture.
What can Rovers take from pre-season? What should expectations be for matchday one? And how important is a fast start in 2026?
There’s also plenty of transfer chat:
Michael Noonan looks set to stay put despite strong interest from abroad
Adam Brennan’s arrival from UCD and what he adds to the squad
Stephen Bradley’s comments suggesting one or two more signings could still arrive before the window closes
We also take a few minutes to highlight the Shamrock Rovers club lotto, why it matters, and how supporters can get involved in backing the club off the pitch.
To wrap up, we give a shout-out to Leanaimid, the As Gaeilge Shamrock Rovers podcast hosted by 13-year-old Rovers fan Daniel. With eight episodes already recorded and a new season launching on 5 February, it’s another great example of the growing fan media scene around the club.
As always, thanks for listening. You can find The Milltown Way across all major podcast platforms.

Episode 13 - The Milltown Way is back for 2026
In our first episode of the new year, we take a deep dive into Shamrock Rovers’ preparations for the season ahead as competitive action returns with the President’s Cup against Derry City.
We discuss Rovers’ pre-season so far, the business on and off the pitch, and how Stephen Bradley’s side are shaping up after a long and demanding 2025 campaign that delivered a historic double and another European run.
The January transfer window is bringing movement. We assess the arrival of Jake Mulraney, the departure of Darragh Nugent to St Patrick’s Athletic, and what those changes mean for the balance of the squad. We also touch on wider transfer speculation, including interest in Michael Noonan and how Rovers may approach recruitment with European ambitions still firmly in mind.
With the President’s Cup just around the corner, we look ahead to the clash with Derry City, what it represents beyond silverware, and what we want to see from Rovers in their first competitive outing of the year.
To round things off, we zoom out and ask the bigger questions: what does success look like for Shamrock Rovers in 2026? Can they defend their league title, push further in Europe, and manage the challenges that come with being the team everyone wants to beat?
It’s a season reset, a tone-setter for the year ahead, and the start of another busy campaign at Tallaght.

Episode 12 – €400k Secured, Honohan Farewell & Signing Off 2025
Shamrock Rovers signed off their European campaign, and the 2025 season, with a 3–1 victory over Hamrun Spartans at Tallaght Stadium, banking a vital €400,000 in UEFA prize money in the process.
In the final episode of 2025, we review a night that brought both satisfaction and reflection. Goals from Graham Burke, Danny Grant and John McGovern ensured Rovers finished the Conference League league phase on a positive note, even if qualification was already out of reach. We break down the key moments, performances, and what the win says about the squad’s depth and mentality after a demanding year.
We also discuss the confirmation of Josh Honohan’s move to Lincoln City when the January transfer window opens. Honohan’s journey, development at Rovers, and the significance of the transfer for both player and club are all reflected on, as the Hoops say goodbye to one of their standout performers of 2025.
With this being the final episode of the year, we zoom out to assess Shamrock Rovers’ 2025 season as a whole — domestic success, European highs and lows, and what Stephen Bradley’s side can take forward into 2026. We touch on squad evolution, transfer priorities, and the expectations that come with sustained success.
Thank you to everyone who listened, shared, and supported the podcast throughout the year. We’ll be back in January as Rovers prepare for another title defence and a new season ahead.

In this episode, we take a full look at Shamrock Rovers’ European campaign, dissecting their disappointing result against Breidablik and what it reveals about the team’s performance on the continental stage.

We break down the tactical issues, defensive struggles, and squad questions that emerged, while also highlighting the players who stood out and those who struggled. Beyond the result, we reflect on the campaign as a whole, including the home versus away form, moments of promise, consistency challenges, and what it reveals about the squad’s depth and European readiness.

Looking ahead, we preview the final European game against Hamrun Spartans, exploring the financial and psychological stakes, and discuss what lessons Rovers can take into the off-season and into 2026. This episode is a mix of honest assessment, tactical analysis, and forward-looking insight for fans and followers of the club’s European journey.