LOI Central

4.9 (10)
SPORTS
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

#LOICentral is a podcast with opinion, analysis and interviews on all the latest happenings in the League of Ireland, hosted by Johnny Ward & Dan McDonnell

12/22/2025

S09E40: The Christmas Wrapping Up and New Year Wish List

Ho, Ho, Ho..It's the 40th and final podcast of the year and the lads convene to talk Christmas, Conference League and a bit of James Clarke amongst other things. How did 2025 compare to expectations? What do we want from 2026? Was Dave Mulcahy this generation's Bob Dylan? Will we get a title race? A visit to Grano? A David Partridge on a pear tree? All of these questions and more are summed up inside an hour with thanks, as ever, to our friends from Collar & Cuff, Future Ticketing, Rascals Brewing and Sport Cosanta. We'll be back with a live show to kick off 2026 in February but in the meantime have a Kool Yule!

53 min
12/16/2025

S09E39 It’s Almost Christmas! with John O’Sullivan

Stranger Things in studio today as John O’Sullivan joined us for a midwinter chat. Yes, that John O’Sullivan, the one who played for Shelbourne until everything changed in August. He tells the story of an unhappy end to a happy time and the ruthless nature of football before sitting in for a series of European reflections, fixture ruminations and much more besides. There’s Duff memories, managerial inspirations and news on the Fresh Prince of Kildare. All of this pre Christmas penultimate episode of fun comes courtesy of our own Santa Clauses at Future Ticketing, Sport Cosanta, Rascals Brewing and Collar & Cuff. One more show to go before we tuck ourselves in for the winter!

1h 3m
12/01/2025

S09E38: Review of 2025 and Plans for 2026 with Mark Scanlon

We were live in Collar & Cuff this week where League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon joined us to reflect on the 2025 season and look ahead to the plans for 2026. In a wide ranging discussion, we discussed fixture lists, financial plans, facilities issues, Foyleside fan issues and some other things that start with f before we eventually got to the league's future within the FAI. We hope the conversation answers some questions you have about the general state of play. Before that, we do have an abridged mailbag with Jack Byrne discussions, Galway United exodus concerns, and reflections on European events both on and off the park. All of this tailored discussion was brought to you in association with our hosts Collar and Cuff and our friends at Future Ticketing, Sport Cosanta and Rascals Brewing

1h 19m
11/12/2025

S09E37 Cup Final Review & Shields/Ward Reunion at Rascals

This week’s show is half double winners, half double act. Firstly, we reflect on Shamrock Rovers’ success over troubled Cork City in the cup final and discuss the impact of Harry Nevin’s red card amongst other talking points arising from the day and the season for both clubs. In a packed mailbag, there’s a fair bit of playoff chat, pitch complaints, transfer talk, journalism advice and more. For part two, we go back to Rascals where old pals Chris Shields and Keith Ward offer their take on the season just gone amongst other things. We think you’ll enjoy the chat, which we couldn’t have brought to you without our friends at Rascals, Collar & Cuff, Future Ticketing & Sport Cosanta. Like the lads at Shels we know you’ll get the picture..

1h 30m
11/05/2025

S09E36 Live from Rascals with Dunleavy & Amond

It was LOI Central Live, and the entirety of Monday's gathering in Rascals Brewing was exclusive only to those who joined us for the tantalising combination of pizza, beer and League of Ireland related musings. The league's top scorer Padraig Amond defied expectations to join Johnny Dunleavy on stage for a chat that was part reflection of the season, part Ollie Horgan memories and part their respective relationships with FAI Cup finalists Cork City and Shamrock Rovers. Not all of it made it past the editorial powers that be but there's enough to get a flavour of the conversation. Johnny and Dan reflect on the season that was with a heavy trace of disappointment around Dublin 8 while we also catch up with some of the news around the last 24 hours as silly season gets underway with a LinkedIn post for the ages. All of this couldn't be possible without our Brotherhood of Belief - Rascals Brewing, Sport Cosanta, Future Ticketing and Collar & Cuff

1 hr
10/28/2025

S09E35 PFA Ireland Premier XI with Paddy Barrett and Michael Duffy

There’s a dual focus to this show as we reflect on an incredible week while also taking an overall look at the year as our friends at PFA Ireland have given us the honour of naming the Premier Division team of the year on this week’s show. Is that why Paddy Barrett and Michael Duffy are on? You’ll just have to tune in to find out but the good friends chat about their respective journeys including Michael’s Ireland near miss and Paddy’s rebirth with the Shelbourne defender also talking us through the drama and emotion of the last week and THAT own goal. Oh and there’s Duffer chat too. On top of that we have a packed mailbag with Bohs angst, Johnny’s new toy, Derry bus drama, Dundalk’s annual crisis and a lot more besides. All of this with thanks to Future Ticketing, Collar & Cuff, Sport Cosanta and next Monday’s live show hosts Rascals Brewing. We have a handful of tickets left but get this week’s trivia question right and you could be joining us. Cue rimshot!

1h 16m
10/20/2025

S09E34 Dalymount Draw, Friday Feelings & Permutations Paradise

We are back from an international break to begin the countdown towards the climax of the season – our live show in Rascals on Monday November 3 with tickets going on sale on Wednesday. Oh, and there’s the end of a thrilling European race, the playoff battle and the prospect of an FAI Cup Final at the Aviva Stadium where the fans – and not the SHOUTY PA GUY – will hopefully provide the volume. That’s a bit of a garbage time rant in a show which is heaven for those who like permutations as the lads unpick the significance of the weekend’s results with Johnny, fresh back from Dalymount, gathering the thoughts of both Stephen O’Donnell and Barry Baggley. Johnny tackles some criticism from Shels heads with the same relish he approaches small talk at a creche, a starter to a diverse mailbag that veers from Flann O’Brien to Usher before ending up in the cycle lane. As ever, we’re trying to stay on the right track with the help of Sport Cosanta, Future Ticketing, Collar & Cuff and Rascals Brewing.

1h 9m
10/07/2025

S09E33 International Break Time with Kevin Doherty

On a week where skeletons are being found lying around all kinds of closets, a squeaky clean Kevin Doherty stops by Oliver Ireland for an international break chat on the highs and lows of 2025 – so far. While hedging his bets on talented non-Drogheda players, he is quite clear about his priorities and ambitions for his current crop of Drogs as well as his plans for a guaranteed Premier Division run again next season. Inside the hand-stitched Collar & Cuff mailbag is a lot of Saint Pat’s disillusionment as Stephen Kenny’s reign comes under scrutiny. There’s the obligatory Damien Duff mention, the overlong intro monologue, and a teaser date for the next live show. It’s all a bit hectic this time of the year and the adrenaline-fuelled banter is brought to you by Future Ticketing, Collar & Cuff, Rascals Brewing(ery) and Sport Cosanta. Oh – and didn’t we mention Cork City are in the cup final?

1h 22m

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4.9

out of 5

10 Ratings

NY LOI

05/05/2025

Toffee4Life

Love the podcast lads, living in NY and have not missed a podcast since ye started. Ye have had some great guests on the show with brilliant interviews. One man that i would love to hear on the show is Pat Dolan, he comes up on yer show a lot and I’m sure he has a lot to tell from his time in the league . Hoping ye can pull it off !!!!!!!
Deadly stuff

07/21/2018

bohstillidie

Bohs fan listening in from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Brilliant stuff lads. Get Brian Kerr back on.
They have a strong passion for LOI

03/23/2019

rossivalentino07

I used to love these lads, but they go on like they absolutely hate each other. It’s a football podcast, shut up about horses lads! For the knowledge they have of the sport in Ireland they don’t dive in to details like they should. Preseason podcast with squad transfers, expectations etc would add to the experience. I’d love them to talk more about the leagues future; could a reserve/u21 league work pros cons, where could new teams come from, broadcasting, push for FAI representative to come on. The podcast could easily be 2/3 hours long with their knowledge and I’d love to see them just slightly up the professionalism of it. Good listen though.
Top Quality

08/18/2017

swimmer_hoop

Any show that can get Ollie Horgan on to talk is worthy of 5 stars in my eyes. Great pod, really helps me stay in touch from abroad. Look forward to listening every week.

#LOICentral is a podcast with opinion, analysis and interviews on all the latest happenings in the League of Ireland, hosted by Johnny Ward & Dan McDonnell