Loi Weekly

With Dan away on International duty, Johnny was in studio to mind the house. Dan did dial in from the Ireland camp in Portugal as the league season enters the halfway stage. Bray Wanderers boss Gary Cronin, fresh from the win over Galway, comes into studio while the man with 'BOSS' on his t-shirt, Jack Byrne, lives up to the moniker. In a packed show, betting expert Julian Canny comes in to discuss extremely worrying gambling trends in the First Division. And Jack also weighs in about the twist and turns of his career and puts the issue to bed as to what his best position is.

We went a different direction by going Stateside this week with ex LOI all-rounder Kieran Foley, who has made his way in the business world and was central to the growth of the Caribbean Cricket League, outlining his vision for football in Ireland. He is part of Niall Quinn’s group that is plotting a new vision. We also review and preview the latest games with more than a nod to Pat Mustard

Longford assistant Daire Doyle joined the lads in studio to talk about his football career, a journey which took him from talented team-mates in Tallaght and Coventry to the pint and payment culture of the English non-league and then back home to build towards his new life as a coach working with Neale Fenn. Neal Horgan also dials in to discuss Cork's changes, John Caulfield's future, and his desire to kickstart a debate around an All Ireland League.

Following the news this morning of John Caulfield's departure from Cork City, Dan & Johnny give their quick reaction on the end of his incredibly successful reign with Cork & what lies ahead for the club.

Yes we are a day early, but Punchestown Is calling. After another eventful 72 hours Dan & Johnny delve into two more busy rounds of the L.O.I, although Johnny isn’t that busy in truth. Luke Byrne was in studio to discuss why two old employers in Rovers & Bohs are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier Division, even though Dundalk have made an ominous return to form. He did also tell us about a very interesting encounter in Cobh, one that showed how the First Division created an unlikey offer to 'see the light'.

Brendan Clarke and Robbie Benson drop into studio to join the lads and digest the lessons of the Dublin Derby spectacle for the league as a whole - with Johnny's unlikely bromance with David McWilliams adding some audio to the discussion. We also get the lowdown from the lads on ongoing matters at St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk as Johnny admits that the league race might have some life in it yet. The merits of a smaller Premier Division and the importance of facilities are also discussed.

It has been a momentous few days for Irish football and Dan takes a quick break from the madness to recap on what has been going on with the FAI and what is likely to happen in the near future as the game begins to ready itself for a life post-John Delaney. Our star guests are Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers and ex-goalkeeper Shane Supple, both of the PFAI, with Gary the first guest ever on the show to bring his thesis in with him. All four discuss thoughts on the FAI's turbulent few weeks, the future and an exciting title league campaign so far. Johnny also spoke to Derry City Assistant Kevin Deery after they defeated St.Pats in Inchicore on Monday evening to go 2nd in the League Table.

Dan comes in – fresh or otherwise – from Wednesday's Oireachteas committee proceedings and gives his take on a potentially seminal day for football without a ball being kicked. We hear from Ger O'Brien after St Patrick's humbled champions Dundalk but our two studio guests are Owen Heary and Gary O'Neill. Heary reflects on a frustrating end of his Shelbourne reign while Gary is still on a high after UCD's recent win over Waterford and discusses his future as his time runs out at Belfield.

We could have spent all day talking to Ireland coaches Tom Mohan and Jim Crawford – but unfortunately Dan had to jet off to attend an Oireachtas Committee – as you do. Mohan, Ireland under-19s supremo, discusses his managerial career so far, and recalls his playing days & memories of Derry City playing Finn Harps ahead of the northwest derby this weekend. Ex-Newcastle United midfielder Crawford recalls Shelbourne's 2004 European odyssey, discusses what it’s like working with Stephen Kenny & looks ahead to the under-21s' Toulon tournament in June. The lads also give their views on the league season so far, while Mohan makes a plea for more improvements that can be made in a league he predicts is going to improve dramatically.

We couldn't find an Executive Vice President this week but we do have St Patrick's Athletic manager Harry Kenny, who explains how he made some new friends in his search for a dressing room en route to the studio. Harry talks about the Saints' sluggish goalscoring start to the season, and the all consuming reality of life as a full-time manager. Dan discusses the FAI mess, while the lads also discuss the win over Georgia.

Johnny McDonnell and Greg Bolger joined the lads in studio to talk about talented midfield players after Jack Byrne's call into the Ireland squad. Greg tells us about the physical changes that have contributed to an upturn in his performances with top of the table Shamrock Rovers - but says that nobody in Tallaght is getting ahead of themselves despite the best attempts of the two Johnnys to tell him that this could be Rovers' year. Gibraltar weather, Giovanni Trapattoni's boat to Athlone and the mandatory Galway reference also get an airing on this week's show.

No Ward no problem. Dan holds court in studio as Johnny is away on Cheltenham duty, but don't worry he still gives his thoughts on LOI proceedings & on Countdowns highest rated show ever. Six time league winner Stevie O'Donnell joined us in studio to discuss his new career off the pitch with his new club Dundalk, while PFAI Player Executive Ollie Cahill and his five league medals were also in attendance. We also caught with Derry City fan & player Ciaron Harkin, while reminiscing about European nights, Paddy McCourt and of course, "Weso".

Alan Reynolds and Johnny Dunleavy both make long trips to our Dublin studio for episode four, with "Rennie" discussing recent tensions with Cork City and his theory on why he was brought in to work with John Caulfield back in 2016. “JD” also reflects on his years at Turner's Cross but is revelling in his new role at Sligo Rovers. The lads also discuss the joys of coaching courses and the challenge of integrating overseas recruits to LOI dressing rooms. All the while, an under-par Dan struggles through the show as Johnny talks up the health of the First Division.

3 is the magic number, yes its an early pod, but only a few hours after losing a lead and the game away to champions Dundalk, making it three defeats from three games, UCD manager Collie O'Neill still comes into studio to chat to the lads about the season so far. Johnny catches up with Shane Supple after Bohs win another Dublin derby, while the lads discuss revolutionary new statistical data that managers have access to – as well as the second and third round of games. Aaron Greene red card, yes or no?

Belvedere boys Sean Kavanagh and Jake Hyland are reunited for this week's pod to reflect on their childhood penalty shootout heartache and the grown-up reality of football in England and Ireland. Sean discusses the loneliness of his final days at Fulham and the lift he received from coming back to Shamrock Rovers. Drogheda skipper Jake opens up on his horrific hospital experience after breaking his leg last October. We also hear from Limerick boss Tommy Barrett ahead of the First Division's big kickoff and St Patrick's Athletic stalwart Ian Bermingham discusses their opening win over Cork City.

Third season syndrome is upon us & LOI Weekly is going strong....somewhat so at least. Dan & Johnny return with a strong opening act as the new Shels boss Ian Morris & Bray's new recruit Paul Keegan join the lads in studio, while we also hear from Dundalk's Sean Hoare about life without Stephen Kenny & Derry City's new manager Declan Devine about his return at the helm.

It's the final show of the season and two of LOI Weekly's most consistent performers, Shane Supple and Ger O'Brien, joined the lads in studios to reflect on the year that was and outline their hopes for the year ahead. Are Dundalk streets ahead of the pack? Will the FAI repeat the same fixture mistakes? Why can't everybody just get along? Ger talks changes at St Patrick's Athletic and the challenges facing younger players who have reached a crossroads. Shane outlines his frustration at another exodus from Dalymount Park after a season that hinted at so much promise. We also discuss the early transfer business with a new addition to Johnny's wardrobe setting him up nicely for the winter.

Ger Lyttle, whose time at Sligo Rovers came to an end recently, calls to the studio to discuss his time in the League of Ireland and his future plans – including a job in the league that appeals to him. He also discusses the FAI Cup final with Dan and Johnny as the three guys agree on who will win the 2018 decider. Dane Massey speaks about the baby boom at Oriel Park and the reason to be excited about another game with Cork, Dan implores football fans in the southwest to get out and watch Paddy McCourt for the last time.

It’s awards season on LOI Weekly with Stephen McGuinness from the PFAI in to reveal the candidates for player of the year, young player of the year and the team of the year - as voted by the players themselves. Waterford’s Bastian Hery discusses Irish weather and why the League of Ireland climate is not attractive to some outsiders. And Bohs flier Daniel Kelly discusses his speedy rise from amateur football

'O amor está no ar’, which is Portuguese for ‘Johnny ain’t here’. He’s a long gone Johnny and he’s left Dan with the extremely capable if somewhat Aviva weary Aidan Fitzmaurice from The Herald. No goals in two games at Lansdowne but we have Dundalk assistant manager and serial head nodder Vinny Perth to agree again with Stephen Kenny and why shouldn’t he? Dundalk are top of the pile again and probably would’ve given Wales a better game. Bray’s John Sullivan juggles working in a Ben Dunne gym with a playing career, and Bohs marketing director Daniel Lambert on the plans for Dalyer 2. All this and no 4 minute hangover spiel from a lovesick racing hack. They’ll be all over twitter looking for it now, wait 'n see….