Shelbourne keeper & PFAI Chairman Brendan Clarke joins Breifne this week to discuss the Make-A-Wish Crossbar Challenge taking place this weekend alongside his former team mate at St. Patrick’s Athletic and Sporting Fingal, Conan Byrne.

They start with a look back at the last year starting with his decision to leave St. Patrick’s Athletic and sign for recently relegated Shelbourne, finishing the year with a comfortable First Division winners medal and being selected between the sticks on the PFAI First Division Team of the Year.

Clarke outlines the achievements within the league over the last few weeks since taking on the PFAI role thanking all clubs who ensured that not one single player was owed wages at the end of the league season, a situation which hasn’t always been the case in previous years.

Having supported Conan in some of his previous fundraising endeavours Brendan has joined Conan to attempt to hit all 20 League of Ireland crossbars over Saturday, Sunday and Monday working anti clockwise around the entire Island.

It’s FAI Cup First Round weekend and we’re looking back at some of the excellent performances from the clubs participating in the first round with Kilnamanagh manager Keith Foy and the LOITV commentator for ‘that’ viral Athlone IT goal, Gordon Brett.

The show starts with hosts Dean Zambra and Breifne Earley taking a look back at the the weekends first round results in the FAI Cup.

Keith talks us through his Kilnamanagh’s 4-1 victory at St. Kevin’s Boys, the club’s recent journey with three consecutive promotions in the Leinster Senior League to their historic first ever appearance in the top flight of that league this season.

He chats about the addition of Gary McCabe, Dean Clarke and Conor Kenna to the squad and specifically Conor’s impact with his dual role as Head of Youth Development in the club in recent seasons.

LOITV commentator for Athlone Town, Gordon Brett joins us to talk about the most exciting game of the weekend as comebacks, sendings off, last minute goals, even later goals, penalties and a rollercoaster of emotion for both teams. We obviously discuss the viral sensation that was the Glen McAuley strike to complete his debut hat-trick and force penalties against Waterford.

He chats about the development of the coverage and the excellent work of Anthony Quinn and his production team at Quinn AV who have been key partners on the project. He discusses the work being done behind the scenes at the club and the positive steps which have been taken in recent years to create the foundations for the improved senior performances this season.

Finally Dean chats through the recent European games and previews the weekend’s action in the Premier and First Division of the SSE Airtricity League.

We’re crossing swords with some of our rivals this week as we spar with League of Ireland legend Conan Byrne who recently announced his retirement from the game after a distinguished career with UCD, Sporting Fingal, Shelbourne, St. Patrick’s Athletic and most recently in the Irish League with Glentoran.

The show starts with hosts Alan Keane and Breifne Earley taking a look back at the last weeks domestic results and the first rounds of the European games which have had a mixed result for Irish sides so far ahead of Bohs and Sligo Rovers performances this very evening.

Alan and Conan remind each other decade old memories about FAI Cup Final clashes where each found themselves on the winning side, Conan with Sporting Fingal in 2009 and Alan in 2011 for Sligo Rovers against Shelbourne.

Conan chats about his charity work, including his work in Zambia, his road to the Aviva walk last year and the lockdown chats he organised with LOI stars reaching out to their vulnerable supporters for a chinwag at the height of the isolation of the pandemic.

Alan and Breifne discuss the upcoming fixtures, the FAI Cup draw and the second leg european games set for this evening.

This week on the show we’re pulling back the curtain at UCD with their long standing staff member and current Director of Football Diarmuid McNally as he joins Dean Zambra and Breifne Earley to chat about how the Belfield club prioritises developing promising talent both on and off the pitch.

Firstly Dean (0:16) gets a dressing down for conveniently omitting some big news the last time we recorded an episode before Dean starts the show properly with a look back at the weekend’s action (1:31) in the Premier and First Divisions including his own sides valuable point in Finn Park with a controversial opener for Aaron Dobbs, Chris Shield’s final outing at Oriel Park and Sligo Rovers demolition of Bohemians inspired by Johnny Kenny’s great performance.

Diarmuid McNally (18:11) discusses the ethos of UCD, how they’ve gravitated back towards being a student club and the differing impacts that decision has had on their results and financial situation. He talks about the changing face of player development in the country as the League of Ireland becomes more involved in the process and the traditional schoolboy clubs are feeling the pinch.

Diarmuid discusses their link up with Mount Merrion at underage level which keeps that nursery involved in the elite side of the game and muses on some of the options which might allow historic clubs to stay involved.

He finishes with a trip down memory lane to discuss some of the stars who have won Leagues, Cups and enjoyed long professional careers at home and abroad after spending a few years with the College.

Finally, Dean and Breifne take a look at the weekend’s action (46:53) in both divisions of the league.

This week we’re joined by Drogheda United manager Tim Clancy who drops in to chat about his side’s impressive return to the top flight despite their recent results.

Alan and Breifne look back over the action from both divisions of the SSE Airtricity League this weekend with a double round of fixtures in the top flight (0:33). They discuss how Bohemians have impressed with a big win over the Drogs and victory in the Dublin Derby against Shamrock Rovers, how Sligo Rovers are starting to struggle as suspensions and injuries start to impact their small squad and Vinny Perth’s return to the dugout in Dundalk as their turmoil rumbles on with Chris Shiels the latest departure from Oriel Park.

Alan’s former team mate in The Showgrounds and current manager of Drogheda United Tim Clancy (29:09) pops in to discuss keeping faith with the majority of his First Division title winning squad, recruiting some experienced steel into the spine of his side, having the support of the club’s board and where they can go from here.

Alan (49:12) also takes a look through the full set of fixtures which end the second round of games and mark the half way point in this season’s Premier Division campaign.

It’s back to the future this week on the show as Premier Division new boy Longford midfielder Aodh Dervin discusses their season so far with another Longford Town midfielder, his skipper Dean Zambra, the show’s co-host alongside Breifne Earley.

Dean takes a look back at the re-opening round of games (6:44) after the mid-season break including his own side’s 3-1 defeat at home against St. Patrick’s Athletic, Waterford’s shock victory in Dundalk, Drogheda’s solid performance to talk all three points in Sligo, Finn Harps rescuing a point out of Tallaght while Derry left it late to rescue a point at home to Bohs.

Dean’s central midfield partner at Longford Aodh Dervin (19:20) discusses their start to the season, playing alongside from Dean and his ambitions of forging a full time career in the game.

Finally Dean looks forward at the draws for the European competition (38:05), FAI Cup Qualifying Round (45:17), First Division action (52:42) and this weekend’s double round fixture list (56:54) including his own clash with Dundalk and other big derby clashes coming up in the coming week of another double round in the Premier Division.

It’s a little bit different on the show this week. While both divisions of the league take a well earned mid-season break we’re looking back at some of the highlights of the last few months action across both divisions.

Our regular co-hosts Alan Keane & Dean Zambra are both on the show this week taking a look at the final rounds of games into the break and a look at some of the highlights and lowlights of the season so far.

They share their opinions on the best goals, team performances, player and young player of the season so far as well as a general chat about the highs and lows on and off the pitch.

This week on the show we revisit the ongoing troubles at Dundalk FC with their former goalkeeper Gary Rogers while Ollie Horgan pops in to talk about his high flying Harps side ahead of yet another north west derby against table toppers Sligo Rovers this weekend.

First though former favourite at the Showgrounds, Alan Keane has to try and hide the smile as he chats about Sligo Rover’s (0:15) return to the summit of Irish football with a hard fought 1-0 victory against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght on Monday.

Alan and Breifne look back over the action from both divisions of the SSE Airtricity League this weekend with a double round of fixtures in the top flight (1:32). Top of the discussion was Shamrock Rovers losing their unbeaten record in Oriel Park on Friday, Dundalk themselves being haunted by former striker Georgie Kelly’s hat-trick in Dalymount on Monday and Finn Harps late turn around to bring all three points back from Waterford.

Former Dundalk & Sligo netminder Gary Rogers (15:57) tells us all about his retirement, his new scouting role and the developments that led to his decision to hang up the boots at the end of last season.

He discusses the souring of the high performance environment at Oriel Park in recent times, how there was no firm offer to stay at Oriel Park in a coaching capacity and the opportunity to depart the game on his terms, at a high point with FAI Cup success and Premier League opposition in the Europa League.

Despite a ridiculous schedule of a Monday night trip to Waterford, teaching on Tuesday and training again on Tuesday evening, Finn Harps boss Ollie Horgan (34:39) drops in to the show to share his thoughts on the impressive season so far for the Donegal side.

He discusses the improved performances from his squad and some big milestones including the club’s first victory in the Brandywell over near neighbours Derry City.

Alan (50:41) also takes a look through the full set of fixtures set for this weekend’s final round before the Mid Season break next week.

This week on the show Drogheda United defender Daniel O’Reilly discusses their bright start to the season while Treaty captain Jack Lynch waxes lyrical about his first goal in the league this weekend as they join Dean Zambra and Breifne Earley.

Dean chats back through his Longford side’s defeat (0:20) to Bohemians the results and news of the last week in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division (5:28), a full First Division slate (17:42) and the new arrival of Ian Ryan at Ferrycarrig Park.

Drogheda’s Daniel O’Reilly (28:13) reflects on their fine performance on Friday with a 3-1 victory over St. Patrick’s Athletic at Head in the Game Park. He chat’s about the club’s impressive start to the season, the lose-lose situation against Waterford’s youth side a week ago and how the performances have justified the results in the league campaign so far.

He refuses to be drawn on whether Drogheda can sustain a push for European qualification but is excited about the manner in which the new arrivals in Drogheda have gelled into the title winning side of last year and the politics of deciding who’s on free kicks at the club after some phenomenal dead ball strikes in recent weeks.

Treaty United captain Jack Lynch (44:08) drops in to talk about his first goal in the league which sealed an important victory against Athlone Town. He talks about the importance of having a team in the mid west region, having been around the grounds at Cobh, Waterford and Galway’s he’s delighted with the shorter commute to training and the impact it’s having on the local football community.

Jack discusses the potential for bringing big crowds back to the Market’s Field later in the summer and reminisces on his own memories of watching games at the venue and the honour of potentially leading his local side out into that later in the season.

Finally Dean looks forward at the fixture list (56:22) including his own visit to Sligo and other big clashes coming up in the coming week of another double round in the Premier Division and the penultimate set of fixtures in the First Division before the mid-season break next month.

This week on the show Sligo Rovers centre half John Mahon chats about the upturn in form for the Bit O’Red and former League of Ireland & WNL coach Larry Mahony discusses his new coaching book with Alan Keane and Breifne Earley.

Recorded before the cancellation of the Sligo Rovers V Waterford fixture this weekend we kick off with a look back at the action from the last two rounds of games. Alan (0:24) discusses his commentary debut on WatchLOI recently for the visit of St. Patrick’s Athletic to The Showgrounds.

Alan chats back through the results and news of the last week (1:12) with a double round of Premier Division fixtures, a full First Division slate and some of the turmoil around the grounds.

Sligo Rover’s centre half John Mahon (17:46) gives a rare interview to discuss his career in the north west, the various influences on his career from Ballisodare to the Underage National Leagues. He shares his experience of not just stepping into the first team during an injury crisis back in 2018 but planting both feet firmly into those first team boots at the back for Sligo.

Former FAI Cup winning coach Larry Mahony (36:25) comes on the show to talk about his new book “Let The Players Play” which gives grassroots coaches the specific tools to develop individual skills in young players.

He shares the lessons learned from coaching players at all levels from local underage teams to FAI Senior Men’s & Women’s Cup finals and Irish International players including telling a few stories of that famous FAS Course which helped to kickstart the careers of names like Roy Keane and Pat Fenlon.

His book is available at: https://bigpicturecoachingireland.com/ with the foreword by Irish manager Stephen Kenny.

Alan also takes a look through the full set of fixtures (58:27) for this week’s Premier Division and First Division fixtures. (Recorded prior to the cancellation of the Sligo Rovers v Waterford fixture)