OTB Football

On this week's edition of the LOI Wrap-Up, a new series highlighting all the action, reaction and storylines of the weekend's League of Ireland Action, Ross Flanagan brings you through last night's topsy turvy action as: Galway pounce on a shook Derry City A tight encounter is marred by a sudden injury. Pats comeback to win and top the table The Champions falter yet again Shelbourne's New Stand Opening is spoiled by a rampant Dundalk Cork City remain unbeaten in the First Division The All-Island Cup begins today A Packed Monday of LOI Fixtures. We send our best wishes to Shane Farrell and hope he makes a speedy recovery following last night's incident. Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join 

On Thursday's Football Daily, Phil Egan previews the day’s stories, including Ireland’s striker search, Euro 2028 ambitions, and controversy involving Katie McCabe.The FAI continue efforts to convince Liam Delap to switch allegiance, with assistant coach John O'Shea in contact over a potential senior call-up.Heimir Hallgrímsson looks ahead to building for Euro 2028, including a May training camp in Spain and friendlies against Grenada and another opponent.Selection constraints mean Ireland will rely heavily on Championship and League One players, with prospects like Jack Moylan and Jaden Umeh under consideration.Football writer Dion Fanning highlights growing optimism around Ireland’s future and discusses shifting public mood.Former Ireland midfielder Andy Reid outlines plans to support youth development and collaborate with League of Ireland clubs.League of Ireland focus returns as Drogheda United face Bohemians, while discussion continues on the shortage of goal-scoring midfielders in the domestic game.Spain winger Lamine Yamal condemns Islamophobic chanting during a friendly with Egypt, prompting investigation and possible FIFA action.Championship and League One updates include promotion pushes for Frank Lampard’s Coventry and Michael Skubala’s Lincoln, plus Jermain Defoe aiming to make history as a manager.Women’s Champions League controversy as Katie McCabe escapes punishment for a hair-pull incident, drawing anger from Sonia Bompastor, while Renée Slegers defends her player.Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join

Happy Thursday everyone! It's been a week since Ireland's World Cup dreams came to an end in Prague on penalties. This week, Eve and Rachel chat to Performance Psychology Coach Rob Kelly, Sports Psychologist Dr Aoife Quinn and Friend of the Show and former Ireland International Keith Treacy about the pressure of taking penalties for your country Have a topic or thought in mind? Send us a DM on @offtheball on all our social platforms or send us a WhatsApp at 087 9 180 180!

OTB’s Matthew Brennan travelled out to Blanchardstown yesterday to chat with former Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid & take in the first assessment day of his brand new Transition Year football course which will essentially replace The FAI’s version when it ceases to exist come September!Off The Ball Breakfast with Viagra Connect 50mg film-coated tablets. Contains sildenafil. For adult men with erectile dysfunction. Subject to suitability. Maximum dosage one 50mg tablet per day.  Always read the label.Catch The Off The Ball Breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app.SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/joinOff The Ball Breakfast is live weekday mornings from 7:30am across Off The BallThe League of Ireland is back this week and you can listen to live commentary of Drogheda United’s meeting with Bohemians this Friday from 7 o’clock on Off The Ball on Newstalk and the GoLoud App.Jonathan Higgins will be joined in the gantry by former League of Ireland Premier Division title-winner Vinny Perth. We have full Leinster v Edinburgh commentary in the last-16 of the European Champions Cup this Sunday April 5th, 5:30pm kick-off at the Aviva Stadium - Cuán O’Flatharta and Brent Pope on commentary on an extended show on Off The Ball Sunday on Newstalk from 1-8pm.

Stephen Doyle was joined by Gareth McGlynn and Barry Murphy on this week’s episode of The LOI POD.The trio look forward to the return of domestic action after the international break as double gameweek of fixtures returns to kick us all back into the swing of things.This week's live commentary comes from the banks of the River Boyne as Drogheda United’s meeting with Bohemians takes centre-stage this Friday from 7 o’clock on Off The Ball on Newstalk and the GoLoud App.Jonathan Higgins will be joined in the gantry by former League of Ireland Premier Division title-winner Vinny Perth.And of course they answered YOUR questions which you can send to [email protected] a member and sign up at offtheball.com/joinThe League of Ireland is back this week and you can listen to live commentary of Drogheda United’s meeting with Bohemians this Friday from 7 o’clock on Off The Ball on Newstalk and the GoLoud App.Jonathan Higgins will be joined in the gantry by former League of Ireland Premier Division title-winner Vinny Perth.We have full Leinster v Edinburgh commentary in the last-16 of the European Champions Cup this Sunday April 5th, 5:30pm kick-off at the Aviva Stadium - Cuán O’Flatharta and Brent Pope on commentary on an extended show on Off The Ball Sunday on Newstalk, and the GoLoud App from 1-8pm.

So, there we have it folks, Ireland's dreams of going to the World Cup in 2026 are over, and it is ok to wallow collectively as we all try to process coming so close.North Macedonia came and played their part in the 'contractual obligations match', and we thank them for it. But what does that game really mean for the future of this team?Well, join Ben Symes and David Wilson, with a remote roving reporter in Matthew Brennan as the trio discuss the campaign as a whole, and where does Irish football go from here?The lads reflect on the lows of Yerevan, coupled with the highs of Dublin and Budapest, and what comes next. There were the advents of Bosun Lawal and James Abankwah's debuts, but are the days of the legendary Seamus Coleman really coming to an end?Who are the new leaders of this team? And what do YOU have to do to get on the bandwagon for Euro 2028?And as ever, we are looking for your inspiration to help us, fancy getting in touch?You can do so by emailing [email protected] Contact us on socials @offtheball across all our platforms.Or if you want to contact us directly message the @offtheball.football account on Instagram.And as ever, we are on WhatsApp on 087 9 180 180.Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/joinThe Green Scene on Off The Ball is brought to you by Cadbury, proud sponsor of the Republic of Ireland football teams.The League of Ireland is back this week and you can listen to live commentary of Drogheda United’s meeting with Bohemians this Friday from 7 o’clock on Off The Ball on Newstalk and the GoLoud App.Jonathan Higgins will be joined in the gantry by former League of Ireland Premier Division title-winner Vinny Perth.We have full Leinster v Edinburgh commentary in the last-16 of the European Champions Cup this Sunday April 5th, 5:30pm kick-off at the Aviva Stadium - Cuán O’Flatharta and Brent Pope on commentary on an extended show on Off The Ball Sunday on Newstalk, and the GoLoud App from 1-8pm.

As Novibet, our new sponsor for all things Football sent us in a signed Santos (of Brasil) jersey to the office, Ger, Mick and David sat down to discuss and reminisce over their favourite jerseys from childhood to adulthood and beyond.Football on Off The Ball with NovibetThe League of Ireland is back this week and you can listen to live commentary of Drogheda United’s meeting with Bohemians this Friday from 7 o’clock on Off The Ball on Newstalk and the GoLoud App.Jonathan Higgins will be joined in the gantry by former League of Ireland Premier Division title-winner Vinny Perth.The Champions Cup is back with a bang this week, and we will be at the Aviva Stadium with live commentary this Easter Sunday for Leinster’s clash with Edinburgh in the last-16.Kick off is at half-past-5, whilst John Duggan will be in the hot-seat from 1 o’clock on Off The Ball Sunday on Newstalk and the GoLoud App.

Carla Ward announces her team for the Poland games in what was a massive weekend in the WSL as well.Scarlett Herron joins Kathleen McNamee to chat about it all.The COYGIG Pod with Cadbury, a proud sponsor of the Republic of Ireland football teams.

On Wednesday's Football Daily, Phil Egan rounds off all the international action as Ireland’s campaign ends with a 0-0 draw with North Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium.Troy Parrott has two goals ruled out for offside, with the second likely standing if VAR had been available.Senior debuts for James Abankwah and Bosun Lawal, while Harvey Vale makes his first Dublin appearance.Mark Travers replaces Caoimhin Kelleher at half-time; Seamus Coleman receives a standing ovation on what could be his final Ireland outing.A total of 17 substitutions made, with Johnny Kenny going close late after Adam Idah’s flick.Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson describes the game as “strange” after the stalemate.Bosun Lawal reflects on a proud moment making his senior international debut.Nearly 40,000 fans attend; Jayson Molumby praises the continued support.Assistant coach John O’Shea calls working with Ireland a privilege amid contract uncertainty.Finn Azaz impresses in attack, with Hallgrimsson highlighting his growing importance.Ireland U21s beat Kazakhstan 1-0, and the U17s qualify for another World Cup after a 7-0 win over Slovakia.League of Ireland coverage returns with Drogheda United hosting Bohemians.Italy miss a third straight World Cup after losing on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina.Sweden, Türkiye, DR Congo, Czechia and Iraq confirm World Cup qualification.Scotland lose to Côte d’Ivoire, England fall to Japan, and Northern Ireland draw with Wales in friendly action.Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join

On Tuesday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you all the latest ahead of Ireland’s friendly against North Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium, with live commentary from Stephen Doyle and Stuey Byrne.Heimir Hallgrimsson stresses the importance of performance and continued team growth.Squad update: Robbie Brady, Sammie Szmodics and Jack Taylor ruled out of tonight’s game.Potential senior debuts for Milenec Ali and Bosun Lawal discussed.Dara O’Shea reflects on repaying fans’ support ahead of his possible 43rd cap.Keith Treacy argues Ireland should avoid becoming a possession-based side.Highlights from Off The Ball Breakfast, including analysis and debate.Joe Murphy explains why penalties are tougher for goalkeepers in the modern game.Kevin Kilbane on the mental challenge of recovering from play-off disappointment.Ireland Under-21s face Kazakhstan despite qualification hopes already ending.European World Cup play-off finals preview, including Czechia vs Denmark and Bosnia vs Italy.Key talking points: Edin Dzeko’s longevity, Sweden’s hopes, and Kosovo chasing history.Home nations friendlies: Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England all in action.Club news: Roberto De Zerbi linked with Tottenham and Mauricio Pochettino comments on Spurs.Additional updates: Ghana sack Otto Addo, Roy Hodgson’s interim return, and Newcastle’s backing of Eddie Howe.Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join The League of Ireland is back this week and you can listen to live commentary of Drogheda United’s meeting with Bohemians this Friday from 7 o’clock on Off The Ball on Newstalk and the GoLoud App.Jonathan Higgins will be joined in the gantry by former League of Ireland Premier Division title-winner Vinny Perth.The Champions Cup is back with a bang this week, and we will be at the Aviva Stadium with live commentary this Easter Sunday for Leinster’s clash with Edinburgh in the last-16.Kick off is at half-past-5, whilst John Duggan will be in the hot-seat from 1 o’clock on Off The Ball Sunday on Newstalk and the GoLoud App. 

Carla Ward sits down with OTB's Ben Symes after she announced her squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers vs Poland. The Irish Women's National team on OTB is brought to you by Cadbury #paintmarchgreen