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 top after a comeback against Carrick Rangers. And the much-anticipated Larne vs Linfield showdown? A scoreless stalemate.
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 Watt.
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?
It's tough being a Linfield fan at the moment, or so Blues fans will tell you. Is their recent and relatively brief dry spell in the league something to be seriously concerned about or a minor blip in what will be a vicious title chase?
It's good news for Larne and Coleraine on that front as they look to continue to build a head of steam.
Mark McGuiggan joins the pod to look back as a big weekend of games.
The team top of the league who spent big, everything is looking rosy if you're a fan of the Bannsiders right now. But what have the done right, where others who've spent the big bucks haven't done well? Is their form bubble set to burst? Or have they cracked the code earlier than expected. Coleraine Chronicle Sports Editor Damian Mullan joins the pod in an attempt to answer those questions and more. Plus a recap of a another busy weekend in the Irish league, and a look ahead to some forthcoming key match ups.
It's never boring in the Irish League as top teams are made to work for their victories. It a weekend where we say Bangor continues their sterling start to the campaign, Glenavon still have work to do and Portadown end up playing an outfield player in goal after McCarey sees red.
Writer and journalist Barry Flynn makes his welcome return to the podcast to recap the recent games and spotlight what has been happening in the Championship.
It's the annual tradition which see every teams early season offerings go under the microscope. All inspected by the luring eyes of Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion from Around The Grounds NI. n
Few games but plenty to talk about. Coleraine climbed to the top of the table with a solid win at derby foes Ballymena United. Dungannon Swifts pulled off a surprise victory against Glentoran after falling behind early on. Carrick Rangers narrowly got the better of Portadown and Bangor rounded off the weekend in style, sweeping aside Glenavon to continue their impressive run of form.
Re-caped in full in the company of Stephen Alexander.
Stormy Amy blew a gust on Friday but Saturday held firm to give us an eventful weekend of games which shook up the early table.
Stuart McKinley from the Belfast Telegraph joins the pod.
For the third season on the bounce there's a managerial change at Glenavon. Following a heralded start to his time in charge of the Lurgan Blues, Paddy McLaughlin follows in the footsteps of Gary Hamilton and Stephen McDonnell in leaving the club after a difficult start to a campaign. What went wrong on this occasion and what direction which Glenavon turn to in order to save their top flight status?
Dave Watt joins the pod to chat all things Glenavon as well as recap the latest games.
The men from East Belfast claim their biggest scalp of the season by beating Coleraine on their own patch. Can this early momentum be maintained for Glentoran? Or is it setting up fans for another winter of discontent?
Elsewhere, Linfield get back to winning ways, Bangor claim a big win at Portadown as Mid-Ulster is plunged into further relegation anxiety.
All that and more, recapped in the company of Joel Neil.
PFA NI CEO Michael Carvill shares the concerns and hopes of the Irish League playing fraternity in 2025.
Aaron Vennard aka Irish League Grounds/@NIFLGrounds joins the podcast to share his reaction to the NI Football Fund's September announcement.
A howler, a shocker, a calamity?
Whatever way you describe the decision to award Linfield’s second goal on Saturday, Irish League fans are almost united in outrage at the latest refereeing blunder.
But what happens next? With NIFL CEO Gerald Lawlor hinting at change in his latest statement, the big question is: what will that actually look like?
Ally McCalmont joins the podcast to share his thoughts, plus a full recap of all the weekend’s games.
Stewart Cherry joins the podcast to break down Linfield’s humbling European exit at the hands of Shelbourne. Why does the Irish League continue to falter on the big stage?
We also recap the latest domestic action as Glentoran and Carrick Rangers play out a draw to remain unbeaten, while Glenavon and Dungannon Swifts continue to struggle, still searching for their first points of the season.
NIFL want your thoughts. They’ve launched a fan survey asking if summer football (and a new league schedule) is the way forward.
Meanwhile, Linfield have it all to do at Windsor after a 3-1 loss to Shelbourne in Dublin - can they pull off a big Euro comeback on home turf?
We're also asking: is it really fair to make teams play three games in one week? Portadown boss Niall Currie certainly had something to say about it!
Plus, we’ve got a full round-up from a jam-packed week of action. All in the company of Mark McGuiggan who is here to help make sense of it all.