LOI Central LOI Central

The seven year itch remains unscratched and, as the bromance dwindles, talk turns to goalkeepers, fixing the FAI Cup draw, the Irish 2023/24 clubs in Europe, bouncy castles and cursing with Crowley. If that isn't enough to pique your curiosity we also have a chat with Garry Buckley about fatherhood, injuries, Sligo Rovers and the amazing story of two brothers. There's also cameos from Declan Devine and Kevin Doherty as we cast our eye over the week that was. As usual we owe it all to the good people at Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff and Rascals Brewery for making all of our dreams come true every single week. It's heating up out there so put on plenty of sunscreen before you plug in...

This week we blur the lines between sports and politics as we welcome in Aodhán Ó Ríordáin to the pod. On the back of Damien Duff's crusading comments about the league, Aodhán talks candidly to us about how and why football is where it is and faces an uphill struggle while Johnny faces a downhill struggle despite his penchance for the hills. There's Viper Room nostalgia, hypocritical oaths, Stadiums with no respect and a whole host of the usual Collar and Cuff, Future Ticketing and Rascals Brewery fuelled deep dives into why this game of football continues to define us. It's here, its a tad late but it's episode 14 and, trust me, its as good as it gets..

It’s Eurovision week and while Ireland’s Wild Youth fell at the first hurdle, this week’s show looks at how our young footballers are beating the odds to compete on the European stage. Academy heads Mike Geoghegan (Waterford) and Craig Sexton (Bohs) drop by to discuss funding difficulties, staff shortages and the differences between Dublin and the rest of the country. Johnny Logan is on the menu at Rascals but our own Johnny is back in the virtual house with a viral Dan to discuss Galway rising, managerial clobber and the innocence of tunnel blocking teens. All with the usual undying support of Rascals Brewery, Collar and Cuff and Future Ticketing.

In Johnny's absence this week we have guest presenter Garry Doyle from The Star joining Dan in studio for a wide range of topics which includes a look back on the double header with interviews from Richie Towell and Ruaidhri Higgins, the breaking news departure of Tim Clancy from Pats and the continuing debate on funding from government gambling revenue. Brian Gartland, the new Head of Football Operations for Dundalk also joins us to discuss the plans for community integration, signing policy, and his opinions on the trajectory of the league as a product offering. There's a lot covered in a pod with a small smattering of Galway Utd and not a mention of The Simpsons or The Coens! With the usual help from Future Ticketing, Collar and Cuff and Rascals Brewery, it's Episode 12 and it's jam packed!

The pod finally makes it to the 21st century this week and embraces AI, but not the East Galway interpretation. As well as kinky kebabs, the Bohs singles charts, Galway's lack of sustainability and Johnny recast as the lone ethical ranger (almost) we had veteran goalkeeper Barry Murphy in studio to look back on his career, the complicated emotions of retirement and the litany of characters he met along the way from Magnum Mondays with Roddy to preparing for TNS with Mike Tyson. On the serious side, Dan gives us the lowdown on his story on the state funding for horse and greyhound racing and the discussion it should provoke. All this busy week in sport is in conjunction with Collar and Cuff, Future Ticketing and Rascals Brewery who have a big festival weekend ahead. It's episode eleven and its a banger.

It's a giddy mood in Glasnevin where we host Drogheda manager Kevin Doherty and Dundalk's Keith Ward fresh from the post round and the training ground respectively. The lads pick up where our referee debate ended last week as well as chipping in on the great 2023 Astro Debate! They also find time in our extended edition to touch on Daire Doyle's gas meters, landlord Enda Stevens, post-wedding friendlies, and European balls! Like we said, it's a giddy affair as our hosts recount toilet adventures with The Monk, the bus who wants to be Roy Keane, confectionary cooking tips and a lot of TLAs. It's episode ten with Collar and Cuff, Future Ticketing and Rascals Brewery and think El Duderino, if you're not into the whole brevity thing!