View Full Version : LOI Podcast Discussion Thread
I think it's worth having a separate thread for discussing any interesting topics we hear discussed in podcasts seeing as the amount of coverage the league gets it's bigger than ever.
I got a 20 quid annual subscription to the 42.ie and enjoyed their season preview. Gav Cooney is in my view up there with Dan McDonnell and Ken Early as the best Irish football journalists.
LOI Central, the RTE soccer podcast and any LOI Second Captains episodes are generally always worth a listen.
Anyone hear anything interesting in any of the podcast season previews?
Also, can we just avoid using this thread as a platform to complain about how much certain presenters annoy us.
Dave77
11/02/2025, 5:30 PM
Always listen to LOIcentral which is very good. Off the ball LOI improves all the time. Never really listened to 42.
Never liked second captains podcast, always thought they took the **** out of the league, maybe with duff this changed. They Always came across as smug and only mentioning LOI if something negative/ bad had happened in the league. Haven’t listened to them in ages so maybe I’m wrong.
Between the striped is good especially for first division
RealJohn91
11/02/2025, 6:11 PM
Second Captains have been much better over the last 12/18 months. Had a lot of coverage around the title race last year.
Always listen to LOIcentral which is very good. Off the ball LOI improves all the time. Never really listened to 42.
Never liked second captains podcast, always thought they took the **** out of the league, maybe with duff this changed. They Always came across as smug and only mentioning LOI if something negative/ bad had happened in the league. Haven’t listened to them in ages so maybe I’m wrong.
Between the striped is good especially for first division
Have only been on the Second Captains World Service since maybe '21 but they've generally done some good coverage around the cup finals and bigger games in general. They've brought in Kevin Brannigan as a producer who is a massive Bohs man so he has been part of the increased coverage. Even though the complaint there could be we often get a bohs angle rather than a wider LOI one.
As you've said I wouldn't underestimate the Duff factor either. He's given the media plenty to work with headline wise so podcasts like SC are much likely to discuss his quotes.
Shearer
11/02/2025, 8:00 PM
New podcast out recently that looks at the history of Irish football both domestically and internationally that I'm really enjoying.
It's called Green Shoots - A History of Irish Football. It's hosted by Kehlan Kirwan and Gary Spain and comes out on Thursdays, they're currently 4 episodes in.
Click here for Spotify. (https://open.spotify.com/show/3X5kR9TTnN87IJgfSloFOI?si=WoiO_MTORrOw-0z-CvHpnw)
total hoofball
11/02/2025, 8:18 PM
Through my Shels-tinted ears I pretty much only listen to the Shels 1895 Podcast though I occasionally listen for bits of LOI Central, RTÉ Soccer Podcast, Second Captains basically whatever I can find on Spotify
A few years ago I listened regularly enough to the now defunct podcasts by Con Murphy/Conan Byrne (Greatest League in the World) and Alan Cawley/Stuey Byrne (Cawley's Call)
Shearer
11/02/2025, 8:41 PM
My podcast listens are:
- LOI Central.
- The Other 3 Amigos
- The Other 3 Amigos Las Damas
- Green Shoots
- Indo Sport with Joe Molloy - Only came about during off season but they have touched on LOI.
joey B
11/02/2025, 9:12 PM
It’s finished up now but the Pressbox podcast covering Dundalk was excellent,James Rogers in particular very good,The Other 3 Amigos is decent aswell apart from the clown who presents it,LOI Central is my only regular listen though,Dan and Johnny are the standard bearers for LOI podcasts…..
ger121
11/02/2025, 9:14 PM
The Bohs one is back after a hiatus. I listen to a lot of them travelling around but my favourite ones would be LOI Central, BTS and I like ET’s post match pod.
Martinho II
12/02/2025, 3:37 PM
New podcast out recently that looks at the history of Irish football both domestically and internationally that I'm really enjoying.
It's called Green Shoots - A History of Irish Football. It's hosted by Kehlan Kirwan and Gary Spain and comes out on Thursdays, they're currently 4 episodes in.
Click here for Spotify. (https://open.spotify.com/show/3X5kR9TTnN87IJgfSloFOI?si=WoiO_MTORrOw-0z-CvHpnw)
Interesting with this podcast. Im pretty certain GS was a regular poster in the early days of foot.ie!
Was pleasantly surprised yesterday when the first topic of discussion on Second Captains yesterday was the Dublin Derby on Sunday and not the Spurs v United game.
They also spoke about Bradley's attack on HH telling LOI players they need to play elsewhere if they want to get into an Ireland squad, which I thought was a little overblown by Bradley to be fair. Didn't agree at all that moving games to the Aviva diluted the product.
Martinho II
19/02/2025, 3:24 PM
Was pleasantly surprised yesterday when the first topic of discussion on Second Captains yesterday was the Dublin Derby on Sunday and not the Spurs v United game.
They also spoke about Bradley's attack on HH telling LOI players they need to play elsewhere if they want to get into an Ireland squad, which I thought was a little overblown by Bradley to be fair. Didn't agree at all that moving games to the Aviva diluted the product.
I listen to that podcast that Joe Molloy does be on not off the ball but the irish independent one called Indo Sport and they reckoned that Bradley was way over the top in his criticism!
ger121
19/02/2025, 4:04 PM
I listen to that podcast that Joe Molloy does be on not off the ball but the irish independent one called Indo Sport and they reckoned that Bradley was way over the top in his criticism!
Of course they would. It’s the Indo and despite their new found love for the LOI, they are still a EPL and MNT newspaper at heart when it comes to Football content. And I say that will all due respect to the work Dan and the lads do.
Of course they would. It’s the Indo and despite their new found love for the LOI, they are still a EPL and MNT newspaper at heart when it comes to Football content. And I say that will all due respect to the work Dan and the lads do.
Did you think what HH said was as disgraceful as what Bradley made out?
Nah Nah Nah Nah
19/02/2025, 5:56 PM
It wasn’t that bad. Bradley just wanted to give out about something after losing.
outspoken
19/02/2025, 6:49 PM
I think Bradley's comments tonight show it had nothing to do with the results and more so the attempted silencing of him. New FAI eh.
Acornvilla
20/02/2025, 7:48 AM
I think it's largely good for Irish football that Bradley and Duff especially are in positions of relative power, and people are listening. I don't always love how us against the world and moany they can come across, but a bit of agitation/friction to improve standards is never a bad thing.
JC_GUFC
20/02/2025, 7:57 AM
One thing I didn’t understand is why would Bradley have programme notes in a Bohs programme?
Or does he mean that they won’t be in the programme notes for tonight’s game as he’s seen that already?
As for the Podcasts it’s great that the likes of the Indo Sport and Second Captains are covering the League, which shows how much it’s progressed and gone mainstream.
Tbf on Second Captains it’s probably a lot to do with Kevin Brannigan joining. Ken Early, though a very good journalist, used to be very disrespectful towards the league I thought. Back in the Newstalk days he used to leave studio when Dan McDonnell would come in once a week for the League of Ireland hour.
The BTS lads put in a great amount of work and get some good exclusive interviews but the show is usually way too long. Cutting the 5 minute reviews of matches they haven’t seen is an easy way to start shortening the show.
LoI Central is very professionally done but I’d like to hear from more people, in the way BTS do. Often guests are repeated on LoI Central, which just leads to the same conversation as before.
Acornvilla
20/02/2025, 7:59 AM
One thing I didn’t understand is why would Bradley have programme notes in a Bohs programme?
There was space given for Rovers to have a few pages too given the event that it was, from my understanding.
Another Bohemia
20/02/2025, 8:51 AM
There was space given for Rovers to have a few pages too given the event that it was, from my understanding.
I imagine it also had something to do with the program proceeds going to Barretstown. Need to incentivise both sets of fans buying a copy when it's for a good cause.
outspoken
20/02/2025, 9:16 AM
One thing I didn’t understand is why would Bradley have programme notes in a Bohs programme?
Or does he mean that they won’t be in the programme notes for tonight’s game as he’s seen that already?
As for the Podcasts it’s great that the likes of the Indo Sport and Second Captains are covering the League, which shows how much it’s progressed and gone mainstream.
Tbf on Second Captains it’s probably a lot to do with Kevin Brannigan joining. Ken Early, though a very good journalist, used to be very disrespectful towards the league I thought. Back in the Newstalk days he used to leave studio when Dan McDonnell would come in once a week for the League of Ireland hour.
The BTS lads put in a great amount of work and get some good exclusive interviews but the show is usually way too long. Cutting the 5 minute reviews of matches they haven’t seen is an easy way to start shortening the show.
LoI Central is very professionally done but I’d like to hear from more people, in the way BTS do. Often guests are repeated on LoI Central, which just leads to the same conversation as before.
Cheers for the feedback but we're probably very different to the other pods in that we want to ensure no matter what club you support you'll get to hear something about your club every week. A lot of the other pods it's the big 4 or 5 you'll hear about at best most weeks.
placid casual
20/02/2025, 10:21 AM
I imagine it also had something to do with the program proceeds going to Barretstown. Need to incentivise both sets of fans buying a copy when it's for a good cause.
If I put my tinfoil hat on, can it be argued that Bohs caved in to fai demands:)
Another Bohemia
20/02/2025, 10:45 AM
If I put my tinfoil hat on, can it be argued that Bohs caved in to fai demands:)
That can certainly be argued and I honestly can't see Bohs putting up a massive struggle to defend their rivals comments to the FAI given Bohs likely needed the FAI to do the selling if the program. It wasn't Bohs volunteers doing the selling afaik.
Shearer
20/02/2025, 11:04 AM
Ken Early, though a very good journalist, used to be very disrespectful towards the league I thought. Back in the Newstalk days he used to leave studio when Dan McDonnell would come in once a week for the League of Ireland hour.
Matt Cooper is another who hates anything under the auspices of the FAI.
LoI Central is very professionally done but I’d like to hear from more people, in the way BTS do. Often guests are repeated on LoI Central, which just leads to the same conversation as before.
Stephen Rice, Mark Rossiter, Barry Murphy. I'm sure there is other repeat offenders.
Stephen McGuinness has his yearly visit where he tells everyone how they need to spend more money, then he's the first one on the airwaves when a club get into bother.
outspoken
20/02/2025, 3:23 PM
Matt Cooper is another who hates anything under the auspices of the FAI.
Stephen Rice, Mark Rossiter, Barry Murphy. I'm sure there is other repeat offenders.
Stephen McGuinness has his yearly visit where he tells everyone how they need to spend more money, then he's the first one on the airwaves when a club get into bother.
Cooper too busy wetting himself talking to Cascarino about Liverpool. Any time he mentions LOI it's always disparaging. Then again, he struggles to breath these days without uttering the word Trump every 5 seconds.
Martinho II
20/02/2025, 3:31 PM
One criticism with LOI Central over the last 2 weeks when they were showing extracts from the live event and you could barely hear a lot of them speak!
Shearer
25/02/2025, 3:38 PM
Stephen Rice, Mark Rossiter, Barry Murphy. I'm sure there is other repeat offenders.
Barry Murphy is on LOI Central again.
2 Year Contract
25/02/2025, 9:34 PM
Barry Murphy is on LOI Central again.
Haven't listened to this weeks podcast yet but to be fair to Barry Murphy, he puts in a lot more research and effort into his punditry than most in this country. He’d regularly put up 5-10 minute long videos focusing on European opponents of LOI clubs, breaking down how they play, their dangermen, stats etc and watching their game(s) in advance of the ties. When he goes on podcasts he always seems to come prepared with stats written down to back up his points and it often catches people off guard at how good his knowledge on the game is, which happened a couple of times last year on LOI Central with their more off the cuff, roll out of bed and show up style (which I enjoy also by the way, not having a go there). Murphy seems to definitely be putting his best foot forward in the LOI punditry game and Dan McDonnell seems to be helping him with the regular podcast appearances which are deserved. In the past they’ve seemed to focus on goalkeeping with him on the podcast which can get repetitive but they should tap into his general knowledge of the game more often IMO
ger121
25/02/2025, 11:38 PM
Barry Murphy is on LOI Central again.
He was on the RTE Soccer one too and I saw him on OTB. A much in demand person. I think he comes across very well and is very informed.
Martinho II
26/02/2025, 3:52 PM
Heard on LOI central thro Barry Murphy that Roddy Collins will be on Virgin panel for this fridays game! I always liked him as hes witty but has great experience in the LOI!
total hoofball
26/02/2025, 5:16 PM
Roddy back inevitably stirring it against Shels on Virgin Media on Friday night will certainly be an entertaining nostalgic blast from the past
Johnnie C
07/03/2025, 5:35 PM
Podcast which has started recently, This is Your LOIfe which features ex players. The likes of Harry Kenny, Greg Costello, Tony O'Connor and Dave Barry have featured so far.
Martinho II
08/03/2025, 3:05 PM
Podcast which has started recently, This is Your LOIfe which features ex players. The likes of Harry Kenny, Greg Costello, Tony O'Connor and Dave Barry have featured so far.
Yeah listening to it at mo. They have one more episode left of its current run which is a pity considering Im a fan of Neil ORiordan as a journalist.
The indo sport podcast has had some decent coverage of the league so far this season. I usually found LOI coverage in general sport (mainstream) podcasts to not provide any value to active LOI fans.
I could be making this up but I feel like Joe Molloy as the host, genuinely has an interest in the league this year. I guess it is just the bare minimum but knowing about the upcoming fixtures, mid-season breaks and euro football and how that'll effect the second part of the season all make the conversation on the LOI just move along much smoother.
It's a small thing but I feel like it makes a huge difference when the host actually has an interest in the subject instead of just needing to provide coverage of a topic.
Martinho II
05/06/2025, 1:06 PM
The indo sport podcast has had some decent coverage of the league so far this season. I usually found LOI coverage in general sport (mainstream) podcasts to not provide any value to active LOI fans.
I could be making this up but I feel like Joe Molloy as the host, genuinely has an interest in the league this year. I guess it is just the bare minimum but knowing about the upcoming fixtures, mid-season breaks and euro football and how that'll effect the second part of the season all make the conversation on the LOI just move along much smoother.
It's a small thing but I feel like it makes a huge difference when the host actually has an interest in the subject instead of just needing to provide coverage of a topic.
Yeah with JM movin to irish indo its OTBs loss ! Have to agree with ya on JM!
Shearer
05/06/2025, 1:59 PM
The indo sport podcast has had some decent coverage of the league so far this season. I usually found LOI coverage in general sport (mainstream) podcasts to not provide any value to active LOI fans.
I could be making this up but I feel like Joe Molloy as the host, genuinely has an interest in the league this year. I guess it is just the bare minimum but knowing about the upcoming fixtures, mid-season breaks and euro football and how that'll effect the second part of the season all make the conversation on the LOI just move along much smoother.
It's a small thing but I feel like it makes a huge difference when the host actually has an interest in the subject instead of just needing to provide coverage of a topic.
Joe Molloy is brilliant. The podcast blows OTB out of the water, and you don't have to look at someone who looks like Worzel Gummidge.
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