Laois Soccer Podcast

Are you watching the World Cup? Nobody these days can go too far without being asked that question. And it's a global show that grabs so much attention every four years.  It's a show that Ireland are missing out and looking at the group that they would have been in - alongside Mexico, South Korea and South Africa - it really is a missed opportunity.  Steven and Alan have been watching as much of i...

After a three month hiatus, the Laois Soccer Podcast returns just in time for the start of the World Cup.  The biggest competition in the world gets underway at 8pm this evening as Mexico, one of the hosts, take on South Africa.  It is bittersweet for Ireland fans as this is the group that we would have been in should we have come through the playoffs.  On the domestic front, Alan Hartnett is join...

JP Cushen can vividly recall the first time he ever watched the Ireland soccer team in the flesh.  He was a primary school student in Stradbally and it was a friendly against Wales in the old Lansdowne Road, a midweek afternoon kick off as the stadium then didn't have floodlights. It was ahead of the 1990 World Cup. Ireland won 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Bernie Slaven. Cushen was hooked and has...

After a one week sabbatical, the Laois Soccer Podcast is back and we have an absolutely massive guest.  Alan is delighted to be joined on this week's episode by a Laois man who has just signed for a Premier League club.  Ade Solanke recently transferred to AFC Bournemouth and has been registered with their U-21 side.  Originally from Sli na Mona in Portarlington, Ade shot to prominence late last y...

After a string of fine guests, the Laois Soccer Podcast returns to basics this week.  Steven Miller is joined by Alan Hartnett where the lads look ahead to the start of the League of Ireland First Division. The Premier Division got underway last weekend and the second tier, which has plenty of Laois involvement, starts from Friday.  Treaty United contain two Laois players with Portlaoise's Colin C...

The latest episode of the Laois Soccer Podcast is here and this is guest is certainly our most high profile to date.  Alan is joined by a Republic of Ireland international who played in the Champions League and is now a dedicated coach - Sylvia Gee.  Originally from Ballacolla and now living in Shinrone, Sylvia was educated in Abbeyleix South School. She then attended secondary school in Wesley Co...

The Laois Soccer Podcast returns and we are joined by a very special guest - Chris Nestor.  Chris is the chairman of the Midlands League - the juvenile soccer league comprising of teams from Laois, Westmeath, Offaly plus parts of Roscommon, Tipperary and Galway.  But Chris has a fascinating story that has taken him to this point in life.  He was born to Irish parents and grew up in Cricklewood, Lo...

Our second episode of the Laois Soccer Podcast is here and while we don't have a guest this time, we do have plenty of information.  Steven Miller is joined by Alan Hartnett where the pair give a comprehensive run down of the local soccer scene.  There are Laois clubs competing in six different leagues spanning multiple counties and provinces.  Laois teams are in the Combined Counties Football Lea...

After many months of talking about it, we have finally gone and done it - the LaoisToday Soccer Podcast is here.  We’ve had numerous soccer interviews over the past couple of years and the chat on our other podcasts have meandered into soccer discussion at times too. But this is a new semi-regular dedicated Laois Soccer Podcast by LaoisToday. We can’t guarantee it’ll be every week but it will be e...

When we last spoke to Aaron Doran, he had just assisted Evan Ferguson to help Bohemian's win the U-17 League of Ireland.  Fast forward almost five years, and the Ratheniska man is still playing the sport that he loves.  While some of his teammates from that game are plying their trade in England, Italy and Scotland, the midfielder's journey has taken him around Ireland.  When his time at Bohemian'...

Alan sat down with Portlaoise teenager Jack Cleland who spoke about his journey in the world of soccer.  The 16-year-old, who started out with Portlaoise AFC, is now ripping it up with St Patrick's Athletic in the U-17 League of Ireland.  Comfortable as a striker or on the wing, Jack details how he has ended up where he is today.  He highlights the ups and downs of such a cut throat sport and talk...