Kicking Match: An Irish League Podcast

Who ordered the battle for a top six place/European play off spot? Because it's here and it's toasty hot. The Irish League continues to get more interesting by the week. Add in a couple more transfers and a sprinkling of some further rumoured ones, and that all adds up to a rather delectable pod offering to indulge in. No better person to join the pod this week to skim their eyes and ears...

Football writer and broadcaster Barry Flynn returns to the podcast the recap the entire 5th Round of the Irish Cup. Where we saw another comeback at home from Linfield, the Glens left it late to avoid another embarrassing cup exit to Annagh United and Crusaders two year reign as Irish Cup holders will come to an end after they were slain by Ards at home. We'll summarise all the latest Irish Le...

Linfield enter 2024 as the team atop the pile in the NIFL Prem after escaping Inver Park with a point. But it's all eyes on the cup on as the big boys enter the fray in the Irish Cup this weekend. Plus we also look at the early January business already completed the Irish League. Reporter and commentator Mark Strange joins the pod.

Blues keep their Boxing Day record at Windsor sparkling, Ben Wilson delivered another North Belfast win for the Reds as Larne are unflustered by a battling Carrick. This festive period also saw the end of Garry Boyle's time in the Newry City managerial hot seat. Joining the pod to chat through it all was Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion of Around The Grounds NI. .

Just before you get started on that last minute Christmas dash, your weekly fill of Irish League chat is here, and this time round we're taking a look beyond the upcoming festive schedule and ponder every Premiership team's potential needs in the January transfer window. Football blogger and writer Lewis Bennett joins the pod to review the latest games and give the latest on the potential...

A weekend with huge potential ramifications on the title chase, Linfield's young guns helped the Blues recover from some horrendous mistakes to claim three points late against Dungannon, while Cliftonville are unable to repeat the feat as they come up short against Glentoran at home. Peter is joined on the pod this week by Stewart Cherry.

An inspired McGinn helped lead Glentoran to a resounding victory over a shell-shocked Linfield. Could this be the start of the Feeney turnaround and why did the Blues capitulate in he manor which they did? €

We're pretty much at the half way point of the Irish League top flight season, so we decided to reflect on the campaign so far by picking our best XI from what we've seen. Gareth Frazer and Conor Houston jump aboard the pod from the good ship The Waffle to share their feelings. They also aid in running their eye over a weekend which saw the top three win out and Glenavon complete their rou...

Football writer from The Newsletter', Johnny McNabb joins the podcast to talk about the latest happenings in the Irish League.

Larne remain Linfield's true kryptonite as the Inver Reds do what only they can seemingly do, beat Linfield & do it at Windsor. Exquisite goals from Thompson and Randall earn Larne the points to halt the Blues runaway title run at least for now. Elsewhere, Stephen McDonnell has finally turned the ship around in Lurgan after they secured their third win in a row, while Carrick win a goal fe...

The wind and rain couldn't keep the football away, a full slate of Irish League top flight games delivered twists, turns and plenty of goals. A clinical Larne were able to withstand a sparky Cliftonville frontline, Linfield swagger to a victory against Newry and Glenavon sneak past Dungannon to make it two wins in a row. Football reporter and podcaster Mark Strange joins the pod.

Glentoran and Crusaders couldn't be separated in a high octane clash where the true winner looks to have been Linfield. There was stalemate at the bottom of the division two as Ballymena and Dungannon share the spoils, but Glenavon capitalise with a victory over Carrick to take them out of the basement position. Podcaster and Linfield fan Mark McGuiggan joins the pod this week to review all of...

In the battle of the top two it was the Blues who were able to withstand the Cliftonville pressure and grab all three points after McKee makes short work of a one off mistake by the Reds' back line. Loughgall return to winning ways, Glentoran keep the goals coming and Ballymena Utd win out to rise off last place leaving Glenavon lurking at the bottom Lewis Bennett is this week's guest as w...

Matthew Brown from then Shout At The Oval podcast joins Peter to review all the latest comings and goings in the Irish League.

Every team has played everybody else in the league which means it's the first opportunity for a proper temperature check to see how some of these NIFL Premiership teams are getting on this season. We review all the games as always and look ahead to a spooky Friday the 13th selection of games this week in the company of podcaster and Irish League statman, Ally McCalmont.

What a week for the wee side from Co. Armagh, Loughgall cement their top flight credentials by defeating the Champions at home and holding the free scoring Reds in North Belfast. We reflect on their recent success. Plus, a recap on Peter's big interview with NIFL CEO Gerard Lawlor and look ahead to a big weekend of games including the BelClassico. All in the company of pod guest, football repo...

Peter sits down with the head of the Northern Ireland Football League to share an sight into what went into the organisation's new 5 year strategy plan. In the interview he discusses support for a change in the league schedule, how the league has grown over the years and aims to review when games are played throughout the week.

NIFL drop their biggest statement of intent yet, a five year strategy plan which includes implementing 'change to the professional game playing calendar', increasing attendance by 40% and breaking into Top 35 of UEFA Club Coefficient, all on the table, but will they get it done by 2028? Belfast Live football writer Steven Crawford joins the pod as he runs his eye over it, on top of reviewi...

Gary Hamilton's reign as Glenavon boss is over. After close to 12 years in charge of the team which saw him lead the club to a sustained period of success, the Lurgan Blues board decided it was time to move on from one the league's biggest characters. What legacy does he leave at Mourneview Park? Was it the right call to dismiss him? And who are the contenders to fill the hotseat? Joining...

A poor week for Northern Ireland's national team as the men's team took centre stage and laid another egg. It seemed like the straw which broke the camels back for some as goal scoring hero David Healy unleashed a passionate outburst about how the development of the team has been handled off the pitch. Was he right? Were his comments justified? And what action should the IFA take? Plus, St...

It's Kicking Match 50 and for this celebratory pod we've brought back podcast OG, football commentator Michael Clarke. Plenty of chat about this week as Loughgall snagged a huge result after going down to 10 men, Linfield shot right back up to the top of the table with a win and we have in-depth discussion about leadership/direction within refereeing in Northern Ireland.

After waiting ages for one investor to come into an Irish League club, all of a sudden this week...well you get the picture. Carrick and Coleraine have both said yes to external American business people get to help take their club to the next level. Potential exciting futures await. Back on affairs on the pitch, Linfield blow a lead at home to those previously mentioned Co. Antrim Rangers. Glenavo...

Peter is joined by Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion from Around the Grounds NI in the Kicking Match digital studio to talk about Linfield's and Cliftonville's 'perfect' start to the season so far ahead of their big clash. We ask, how is the weather getting games called off during the summer? Was Stephen Baxter right when he suggested Glentoran are to blame for 'silly money' in...

Coleraine Chronicle Sports Editor Damian Mullan is our guest this week as we shine a spotlight on Coleraine takeover talks as we approach what could be a critical week in discussions. Plus, a super early temperature check around the league, as some teams struggle to get their goal scoring mojo going. Is there a striker shortage or have Larne, Cliftonville and Coleraine just hoarded a load of the b...

Gameweek 1 of the NIFL Premiership is in the books and what we lacked in actual games we made up for it in drama and action. We review all the games, put the spotlight of the NIFL Championship and lookahead of a full schedule of games ready to kick off the season proper. This week joined by sports writer and blogger, Lewis Bennett.