Kicking Match: An Irish League Podcast

In a special summer edition of the podcast, one of the most recognisable voices in modern Irish League history, Michael Clarke shares some of his favourite Irish League memories. Plus, tickets now on sale for Kicking Match: Live 3! Join Matthew Brown, Joe McCallion, Ross Welsh and Peter Cinnamond for our Season Preview Live Show, Friday 31st July 2026 @ The Linen Hall Bar, Belfast. LINK: https://w...

The season is finally over, which means it's time for the podcast you've all been waiting for. Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion from Around the Grounds NI join Peter to atone (or bask in the kudos) of their early season predictions - in the big 25/26 review special. Every team, every prediction, and every huge moment from the season gets the full look-back treatment as the lads revisit the cal...

Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion from Around the Grounds NI jump on the pod to see off the season in style. As an appetiser to the End of Season Review, we recap Coleraine's victory in the Irish Cup Final, Crusaders securing their top flight status after penalties against Annagh United. Plus, the traditional favourite, the Team of the Season.

Michael Scott and Dave Watt join the podcast to do the episode they've been dreading all season. After losing to Crusaders, their relegation was confirmed. What lessons can be learnt from their fall from grace and what position are they in to bounce back? Plus, Niall Currie ousted from Shamrock Park. Plenty of fans have called out the move, but are they right? Also , the title isn't sorted...

It's the end of season (almost) everybody wanted. Two games to go and the most impactful fixtures at the top and bottom of the Premiership are primed and ready to go. Will we see Glenavon relegated or Larne crowned champs? Or will there be a dramatic twist in the tail ahead of potentially the most dramatic final day in over a decade. Barry Flynn is the man to prognosticate it all!

Damian Mullan jumps aboard the pod following a significant set of results in the chase for the Gibson Cup . Larne remained unmoved and Coleraine fought back, but a deadlock in East Belfast does neither of Linfield or Glentoran any favours. We'll reflect on where this leaves us. Chat about another blow to Crusaders top flight status as well as look ahead to the Irish Cup Semis.

This is your one stop show for everything you need to know about the final games in the Irish league's top flight, known as the split. From the title chase to relegation scrap, journalist Stewart McKinley is here to cover it all.

The Blues outlast their Belfast rivals to claim the first prime piece of Irish league silverware this season. Can this league cup success propel them towards a strong end to the season? For the Glens, how much will this latest cup failure derail their own title push? We chat with former Linfield General Manager David Graham about how the cup was won and the challenges the South Belfast side face i...

Johnny McNabb of the Newsletter joins the pod to review a pivotal week in this Irish League season. We have our Irish Cup Semi-Finalists, but not without controversy. Where Glentoran hard done by again, or architects of their own downfall? We also look ahead to one of the biggest League Cup Finals in recent memory, Linfield are set to face off against Glentoran - What will be the keys to victory f...

Matthew Brown joins the podcast to react to the bombshell that VAR is coming to the Irish League...kinda. The League Cup final is set to be the first game in domestic football to use some form of VAR. There has been a backlash, but is it fair? If VAR is to come, what would it look like? On top of that, significant results at the top of the league and a seismic week at the bottom. Are Glenavon in p...

It's on! Stewart Cherry pops by to chat all things title race. Larne defensive woes has blown the hinges off their polite trot towards another Gibson cup. With the Split in touching distance and massive games penciled in before the top 6 gauntlet, any one of Linfield, Glentoran, Coleraine or Larne could now realistically be celebrating come April. Who is hitting form at the right team? Who wil...

Keelan Leeper joins the podcast to recap a busy double gameweek. Linfield seemed to have bounced back from crisis on the pitch. The Glens are furious with big refereeing calls after they let a lead against Larne slip through their fingers. Plus the Invermen lose for the first time in 18th games, could any sort of title race still be on?

Are Linfield in crisis? Ross Welsh and Mark McGuiggan assemble to try and answer why this season has gone so badly for the Blues? What lessons can be learnt as fans pounder if David Healy is the right man to turn things around.

Michael Scott, former Editor at Newry Reporter and Bandbridge Chronicle, joins the podcast to react to the announcement that Glenavon is the latest club set to agree to investment. Football International Limited have agreed to a deal which will seem them acquire a majority shareholding in the Club. Could this change their fortunes? Why would Glenavon be appealing to an investor? Who are Football I...

Stephen Alexander joins the podcaster to help a big week off the pitch in the Irish League. We react to the breaking news that the much protracted Cliftonville take over has fallen through - for now - as the Toronto Investment Group pull out of the agreement. Plus, questions around sustainability in the Irish League comes to fore again as some headline transfers are rushed through the door ahead o...

Ally McCalmont reviews a gameweek which saw the top flight games back on the schedule. Larne outlast Linfield and Glentoran to further cement their clear stride to another title. Cliftonville crumble agianist Carrick at how ahead of the two sides meeting the Co. Antrim Shield Final. Plus all the latest January transfer moves and rumours in the Irish league.

Irish League writer and reporter Barry Flynn returns to the podcast for his annual look back at the Irish Cup 5th Round. He also reflects on the early moves in the January transfer window so far.

Joel Neill joins the first pod of 2026 to look back the Inver men's success this season. With the league title theirs to lose, how did we not see this coming? Are they really as good as ever before? Or have other teams just not stood up to the mark. We also look ahead to one of the most intriguing weekends the year in the Irish Cup 5th Round.

Mark McGuiggan dusts off the turkey sandwich crumbs off his new jumper to recap one of biggest Boxing Days in recent memory. Plus, your feedback from the first outing of NIFL TV.

Stewart Cherry joins to pod as we look ahead to a busy Boxing Day schedule. Ask what Gerarld Lawlor's latest big press interview could be signalling about what is happening behind the scenes at clubs? Plus big results for Glenavon, Larne Glenavon!

Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion from Around the Grounds NI are back to celebrate the 150th Kicking Match with the Team of the (Half) Season special episode.

There's new man in the hotseat of the Ballymena Showgrounds, and he's a familiar foe. Stuart McKinley joins the pod to ask what Oran Kearney can bring to Warden Street and what will the expectations be for his tenure? A lively Irish League weekend as Glentoran battled back to draw with Cliftonville, while Bangor, Dungannon Swifts and Portadown all grabbed big wins. Coleraine climbed to the...

Packed show this week as we dive into the Irish League January Transfer Window. Previewing potential key moves. Going team-by-team to breakdown each side's positional needs Plus reaction to Jim Ervin’s Ballymena United departure. Did the Sky Blues make the right call? Who’s in the frame to become the next boss at Warden Street? All that and more, joined by special guest Matthew Brown.

Big swings at the top of the table this week as Coleraine and Glentoran continue their recent stumbles. Which leaves Larne (and to a less extend Linfield) with the opportunity to take advantage in the title race stakes. There was also wins for Portadown and Cliftonville, as Ballymena and Crues are unable to be seperated in a an entertaining draw. All that and more recapped in the company of Dave W...

Ex-Irish League player and manager Matthew Tipton joins the pod to discuss how he views some of the big talking points in Irish League circles in 2025. Including player development, impact of full time teams and a potential international break for the league?