Kicking Match: An Irish League Podcast

Veteran Irish League writer and reporter Barry Flynn shares his views on all the latest happenings throughout the league. What's gotten into Larne as they fail to win for a second weekend in a row. Glens are outwitted by former manager Rodney McAree. And Niall Currie also gets one over on a employer as Portadown snatch and grab three points as Taylor's Avenue. We take a look at how the Cha...

Joel Neill joins the pod to reflect on the greatest week in the history of Larne FC. An Irish League team is playing the league/group phase of a modern European Club Competition for the first time. Incredible scenes at Inver Park after a tense encounter with Lincoln Red Imps ends in victory thanks to a hattrick from Andy Ryan. We recap the entire European journey - so far - and look ahead to what&...

Journalist Mark McIntosh shares his view on a whirlwind weekend for David Healy and Linfield fans, after the much publicised approach by Scottish side Raith Rovers to snag the Blues manager. But the five time Irish League winning boss recommitted his future to the Belfast club. How did we get here? And what does it mean long term for Healy's future at Windsor Park? Plus, Larne only a win away...

Damian Mullan, Sports Editor of the Coleraine Chronicle, features on the pod to discuss an intriguing week of Irish League developments. Larne cruise into Conference League play off round, but can they get the job done against opposition from Gibraltar? With a Lee Bonis shaped hole in their team will the Inver Reds secure a replacement within the league? Plus, morale boosting wins for Coleraine an...

Matthew Brown from the Shout at the Oval podcast to look back at the opening weekend of the NIFL Premiership season. We discuss Larne's chances of following up on their winning exploits in Europe and finish the task at Inver. Reflect on the success of Lee Bonis' Irish League career and review his chances of breaking into the Northern Ireland squad after his latest move. Plus we react to su...

Your ultimate guide for the upcoming season of top flight of Irish League football. Every club's prospects for the campaign ahead put under the microscope. Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion from Around the Grounds NI join the pod to share their predictions, including where they think every team will finish. TIMESTAMPS Irish League in Europe Reaction - 00:02:20 Linfield - 00:17:02 Portadown - 00:29:...

Matthew Brown from the Shout At The Oval podcast is our guest to go through all the latest news in the world of Irish League. From the long awaited European draws, concerns over a majority of top flight teams failing to break even, price for games hitting £15 and all the recent Irish league transfers.

The men's Irish League season is in the books, therefore it's that time of year to look back at a campaign full of thrills, chills and drama. With a special look at Cliftonville's Irish Cup heroics, the European play off and the action in the Promotion/Relegation play off. All in the company of guests Mark McGuiggan and Dave Watt.

Preparing to play at a sold out Windsor Park, Cliftonville and Linfield go under the microscope ahead of a huge Irish Cup final. Can the Blues end their season on a high note? Or can the Reds turnover a multi-decade hoodoo in the competition. Plus, we're looking at all flavours of Play Offs, from Europe to Promotion/Relegation Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion from Around The Grounds NI are this we...

The Inver Reds have done it! (almost) Bar the greatest one game goal difference swing in football history, the Gibson Cup will stay on the Antrim coast. How have the done it? What will Kenny Bruce and Co do next? And what should Linfield learn from this tight title chase? Plus, the Ports return to the Premiership at the first time of asking, Declan Devine is confirmed as Glentoran's full time...

A 30 seconds of Irish League football which no fan will ever forget, Title Tuesday (working title) will go down in footballing folklore when goals deep into injury time across two games flipped the power balance in the championship chase. Former Ballymena Times sports editor Stephen Alexander is on hand the relieve all that action, look ahead to the NI Football Awards & give insight into Bally...

This season shows no sign of slowing down as it speeds towards the finish line. Football writer and blogger Lewis Bennett joins the pod to share an in depth look at everything that's on the line across all three Irish League divisions. Plus a preview of Tuesday night's (GW 36) games.

What a start to The Split as both of the top two fluffed their lines in winnable games. Was it a mere blip for both, or could this be a sign for either team of a late season chink in the amour. Elsewhere, Ballymena take a huge step away from the automatic drop zone (relatively) gaining three points on Newry by sneaking the three points late on against Loughgall. Can Newry pull it back with a sudde...

Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion from Around the Grounds NI jump back onto the pod this week for an extensive team by team preview of the upcoming split. How have the fixtures fell? Who has something still to play for? And what are the big games to keep an eye on. Plus, we look back at the gripping Irish Cup Semi-Finals.

Sports reporter from the News Letter, Johnny McNabb joins the pod ahead of an Irish Cup Semi-Final Easter Weekend special. The four best sides in the country face off for a place in the Irish Cup final. A truly season defining weekend. We preview the games and assess all teams path to victory. Elsewhere, we recap the past weekends games, stick the latest goings on at the top of the championship un...

Glentoran are once again on the look out for a new manager, their forth permanent boss in the space of just over a year. Who is the right person to take over and what kind of job do they have on their hands? Will it require revolution or just evolution? Did Feeney get a fair shake at the job and what led to his eventual parting of ways. Matthew Brown from the Shout at the Oval podcast is our guest...

Sports Journalist with the Belfast Telegraph, Stuart McKinley, joins the pod to recap NIFL's showcase final where the Blues were triumphant over an unsteady Portadown side on Mother's Day. Can they use this success to propel themselves toward the Gibson Cup? Elsewhere, a collection of Glentoran supporters clubs have made their opinion clear, they want change in the East Belfast dug out. Ar...

Ahead of Linfield and Portadown facing off in the League Cup Final, Peter is joined by Podcaster & Blueman Mark McGuiggan and Portadown media man Jonny Dunlop to preview the big clash. Could the second tier Ports upset an injury ravaged Linfield? Or will the blues show their class and lift their second League Cup trophy on the bounce. Also on the pod, the panel recap the latest Irish Cup Quart...

After starting off the last week with so much potential, Cliftonville will look back at the past couple of days thinking 'what could have been?'. Outclassed by Linfield at home and then toppled by Dungannon away, things could not have gone worse for the Reds as they attempt to keep their season from completely going off the rails. Damian Mullan, Sports Editor of the Coleraine Chronicle joi...

Matthew Brown from Shout at the Oval joins the podcast to review a week where Coleraine make Linfield look all at sea with a surprising 3-0 victory, Glentoran smash sorry Newry - scoring 8 goals - & Carrick, Larne and Crusaders all win out on less than ideal grass surfaces.

Last season's Champions are back on top. Undefeated in 19, they've crawled back Linfield's point cushion - in part - due to the blues dropping 5pts in two game weeks. Cliftonville continue to breath down both teams necks after they continued their own streak without death by thumping Coleraine. Elsewhere it was stalemate in the battle of the basement and Glentoran throw away a two goal...

The Irish League might be steam rolling towards the business end of the season, but our compadres in the League of Ireland are preparing to kick off their brand new season for 2024. To keep us all up to date with the latest comings and goings in the league we contacted broadcaster and host of League of Ireland podcast Between The Stripes help answer all our big questions - including if the recentl...

Massive news in the Irish League as one of the longest serving managers is to step down. What legacy will Stephen Baxter leave on Crusaders and the league as a whole? Who might take over in Seaview? And what might the future hold for the red and black team in North Belfast. Reporter and football writer Barry Flynn joins the pod to discuss all that plus recap the Irish Cup 6th Round.

Dungannon make a huge comeback at Windsor Park to score the biggest shock of the season and further blow the title race open. How will Linfield react as their rivals for the Gibson Cup kept up their end of the deal with victories on Friday night. Coleraine finally won a game for the first time since the start of November, we also ask what the latest is on their mooted takeover. Plus, we preview th...

The three at the top come up trumps again as they all win out in a weekend impacted by weather cancellations. Elsewhere, Carrick heap more misery onto Coleraine as they claim first win away at the Ballycastle Road for over 30 years. Ally McCalmont jumps around to review all that, plus looks back at the entertaining League Cup Semi finals.