Crafty Rogues

John's headed to the homeland with his son, but not before a pre-trip show that involved female Vikings, lottery wins, a TV show, excessive rain, Mikel Arteta's personality, Cole Palmer's looks, and the relative merits of experts. All the intellectual food groups, really.

There was a bit of an Easter theme running through this week's show. Why? Well, Manchester City vs Arsenal was dull. John missed the game because he was at church. He was at church to attend Pastor Jeff Cowmeadow's final sermon. Oh, and it was Easter.

The boys were joined in the studio by Andrea Yoch, co-founder and board member of Minnesota Aurora FC. The Aurora's story is a compelling one, and it's doubtful that anyone tells it better than Andrea. This is great stuff.

On this week's show we learned what St. Recovery Day is...it was revealed that Totti loves pineapple on pizza...and there's a growing call for John to be an ambassador for Aer Lingus. It's basically only John and Quinno making that call, but still.

There was a distinct St. Patrick's theme about this week's show, what with the day itself on the horizon, and the imminent arrival of St. Patrick's Athletic FC to take on Minnesota United on Wednesday at Allianz Field. The boys had a chat about both, and were joined by St. Patrick's Athletic's Technical Director, Alan Mathews. Quality craic!

It's not very often that Barry White, The Ramones, Rugby League, Steve Archibald, and Larry Cunningham's 'Lovely Leitrim' are mentioned in the same show. But they all get a shout out in this one. Proceed at your own risk.

Callum Williams was the special guest on this week's show, and he was as entertaining and informative as always. Cosgrove and Quinno did quite well too, in their own Crafty way.

Things to know about this week's show: John played hurt...Quinno can't pronounce Gaelic names...there's a new boss at MN Utd FC...and Air Pardons are the hottest sneakers on the market. It's an understatement to say we live in interesting times.

In a week full of Super Bowl recaps, Quinno's pension eligibility, and football/futbol/soccer/sahhkerrr news, the biggest story of the week by far was Cosgrove's new coffee table. No, seriously.

On this week's show we learned about rugby, the future of French football, the demise of bands at the Grammys, and Graham Norton's latest career move. But, above all, we learned that Valentine's Day is Kevin Keegan's birthday. Breathtaking.

As one mighty Quinno set off south for a work gig, a fill-in Quinn so to speak. The man who played top level football for Arsenal, Man City and Sunderland as well as 92 times for Ireland landed in the Crafty Rogues studio for a chat. Adventures in football and football culture as well as highlighting his latest project, Team Taca. You can find more info on Team Taca at teamtaca.com. For now enjoy...

It was quite a week for John! He wore shorts in San Diego. He had Niall Quinn in his basement. (Seriously!) And he's going to snub the Oscars. Quinno has yet to declare his Oscars intentions. The world holds its breath.

Before John flew out to top up his tan in California, the boys pre-recorded a chat with raconteur, bon vivant, and ex-pat Spurs fan Danny Stockton. This is some quality craic!

The boys delivered a tasty show ahead of John's mid-podcast season winter break on the west coast. Ground was covered. Opinions were offered. Points were made. Craic was had. Have at it!

With Carl Craig as a guest, this was always going to be a football-centric show, and yet here are three of the biggest takeaways: It's the collective over the individual...chocolate solves the problems of the world...and US Newcastle Brown Ale is not the same as UK Newcastle Brown Ale. We demand answers!

The boys closed out the year in fine style with musings and observations on Rob Edwards (good), Bruno Fernandes (not so good), Mother Nature (not to be messed with), the new Minnesota state flag (your call), and Wynton Rufer (look him up). Oh, and the boys are bringing NYE back. So, enjoy it.

Festivus for the rest of us! The boys were in festive form the week before Christmas. Along with the usual football/futbol/soccer/sahhkerrr talk, there were rare mentions of Bruce Hornsby, Jim Reeves, Beyonce, and Scritti Politti. Yep, Scritti Politti. Look 'em up.

John revealed an outstanding holiday season hack...a professional athlete displayed some creative accounting skills...and Quinno kept calling Cristian Romero 'Sergio'...Clearly, it's been a long year. It's a pretty tasty show, just the same.

Here's a partial list of topics on this week's show: beige flags, Hobnobs, the Premier League TV deal, Luis Suarez, Taylor Swift, Mayo (the county, not the condiment), Christine Sinclair, Trevor Noah, and Ange Postecoglou's rizz. Look it up.

Try finding all of these topics in the same podcast: Downtown Saint Paul...nametags...stolen champagne...kidnapped KitKats...xenophobia...Billy Connolly...Gaelic football. Actually, don't bother looking. Just listen to this week's Crafty Rogues episode instead. Tasty.

This show went a bit 'off piste' and then some. Topics discussed included Blindboy, Derry Girls, Spanish tax authorities, Father TED Talks, funerals, Everton's points deduction, and Thanksgiving. Basically, the craic was mighty!

John's in Ireland. Quinno's not. And the show references Sligo pubs, David Cameron, Bruce Lee, Gotham FC, French fashion, dressing room politics, muscle memory, and Brendan from the rental car desk. You know, the usual

John's about to be on tour back home. Harry Kane wears football boots he can't pronounce. And Megan Rapinoe will close out her career on the stage she's built for. Really, was there ever any doubt?

There should be something for everyone in this week's show. Especially fans of Queen concerts, Kansas City, Korean movies set in Minnesota, Eddie Nketiah's mum, quality art, and kangaroos attacking dogs. Have at it.

Sahhkerrr, the weather, Dundalk/Fundalk, politics, slack jawed yokels, and the merits/perils of AI. All of these get a mention this week. Plus, Quinno said Harry Kane when he meant Harry Maguire. Which one needs an apology?