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LOI Central

LOI Centralsoundcloud.com
#LOICentral is a podcast with opinion, analysis and interviews on all the latest happenings in the League of Ireland, hosted by Johnny Ward & Dan McDonnell
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Episodes

LOI Central 2021 Ep 32 with Killian Brennan & Mark Rossiter

Allez oop! With Johnny donning his Maillot Jaune in the south of France and dishing out geography lessons from a hotel lobby we return to a more normal running time after last week's Doolothon. Dan is in studio A with Killian Brennan and Mark Rossiter. Old team mates who share stories of crowd chants, hairdryers, dressing room bust ups and silly yellow cards. There's also time to reflect on Stephen Kenny's tenure to date, the cup semi finals, and brothers in football. All of this and squeezed in...

Oct 20, 20211 hr 8 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep. 31 with Graham Gartland & Paul Doolin

Last May, the stars of 'Friends' reunited for a marathon two hour special to reflect on the good times with the added bonus of lining their pockets. This week on the show, Paul Doolin and Graham Gartland came together for the price of a cup of coffee to reflect on their days at Drogheda where the tough taskmaster boss - who is now back in the game with Athlone - kept a dressing room which included Gartland on their toes. Why didn't they get on? Why doesn't Paul pick up the phone? Is tough love t...

Oct 13, 20211 hr 53 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep 30 with Georgie Poynton & Ian Ryan

School's out for Wexford manager Ian Ryan who joins Shelbourne's Georgie Poynton during a free class with a Baku-bound Dan and a Covid-free Johnny. The lads reminisce on their favourite dressing rooms, the Dundalk conundrum, influential managers and Johnny bingo! There's an extra tricky Four Star Pizza question, a truncated fixture review and extra kebabs in Azerbaijan. It's a day early this week and just in time for the last bell.

Oct 05, 202157 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep29 with Gary Cronin & Jason McGuinness

When Tom Petty ditched the heartbreakers to record the seminal "Full Moon Fever" back in 1989 he actually ended up using most of the band on separate tracks. So as Johnny goes solo this week he zooms Dan in for the first half, where he discusses todays big news as well as the avalanche of reaction to last weeks RTE debate. Then after leaving Dan to enjoy his 5 star hotel and dodge bank tellers he welcomes in studio, Jason McGuinness to discuss his new role as an education pioneer with Shels and ...

Sep 29, 20211 hr 8 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep28 with Declan McBennett, Eoin Toal and Ian Bermingham

It's showtime this week as RTE Group Head of Sport Declan McBennett steps into our Glasnevin studio to discuss the station's coverage of the League of Ireland in a wide ranging discussion that covers a lot of bases after a fractious summer centred around the absence of European games from the screens. The issues and challenges of the past, present and future are debated in a robust manner. Meanwhile, the undercard features quick hits with Ian Bermingham and Eoin Toal after their weekend games an...

Sep 22, 20211 hr 32 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep 27 with Ciaran Kilduff & Daire Doyle

Early and late this week. Missing keys, Cork mountains and a tardy Johnny who cant stop talking mountains even if they're in the flattest country in europe. Joining himself and Dan is Ciaran Kilduff, who drops by on his way to spy on Bohs in Donegal and tells us why Maynooth was the right choice for him. Longford manager, Daire Doyle keeps Ciaran company and weighs in on Longford luck, referees, Stephen Kenny and the Dundalk story. With Four Star Pizza, the cup, sideline parents and timekeeping ...

Sep 13, 20211 hr 5 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep26 with Pat Fenlon and Tommy Barrett

So this week, we have, to the tune of 'We Didn't Start The Fire'.. "Stephen Kenny, Gavin Bazunu, Ireland's got a draw again. Pat Fenlon, Tommy Barrett, Wedding Bells and Futsal Old Irish Magazines, Treaty have a better team Pizza Draws, previews, angry men on sidelines..." Yes, it's always been burning right here on LOI Central, for more than four years now

Sep 09, 20211 hr 4 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep 25 with Andy Lyons

We're out earlier than usual this week with Dan en route to Portugal where he hopefully doesn't pull a Johnny Ward and end up on the beach when he realises the game is on. Johnny did make it to Dalymount eventually where the lads caught up with Andy Lyons after a breathless Dublin derby before he scooted off to his own Irish adventure. Lyons reflected on a rare strike with his left, which some would say is a tribute to Bohs' political leanings. Johnny certainly had Bohs on the brain after a nigh...

Aug 30, 202151 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep24 with Craig Hyland & Mick Daly

You can’t always get what you want but on this week’s pod we reflect on Rovers disappointment in Estonia and the challenge ahead with some words from Stephen Bradley. We have former Rovers keeper turned fireman Craig Hyland and the sun loving gym instructor and born again footballer Mick Daly in our ultra modern new studio to discuss the FAI Cup tie they both have with Saint Mochta's. Paul Doolin is back and the Galway United Press Officer caught up with him after a welcome victory for Athlone. ...

Aug 25, 20211 hr 27 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep23 with Sean Boyd

On this week's reboot of the pod Dan McDonnell separates Finn Harps' electric tattooed forward Sean Boyd who's lounging around our brand new hipster studio humming 'Flower of Scotland' from former Shamrock Rovers darts target and soon to be Presidential aide de camp Johnny Ward. Sean now boasts a burgeoning film career, with a debut performance in "The Cave" premiering at Galway Film Festival but don't get over excited because it's not the one about the daring rescue of the Thai youth football t...

Aug 18, 20211 hr 21 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep22 with Karl Sheppard

After discovering they had no culinary skills during the kitchen episode a few weeks back, Johnny and Dan have moved to a Santry diner where the recently retired, unlikely arthritis victim Karl Sheppard, steps in like a character out of a Tom Waits song. The striker, formerly of Shamrock Rovers and Cork City, is adjusting to the real world where it's easier to get a mortgage and harder to get fired up and angry. Set to a background of fully vaccinated 'Nighthawks at the Diner', there's chat abou...

Aug 11, 20211 hr 17 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep 21 with Joey O’Brien, Alessio Abibi and Bohs v PAOK reflections

Fresh from going on holiday by mistake Johnny doesn't make the kitchen but a great show zooms onto the airwaves. Joey O'Brien talks Guinness with Gary Speed and Nightclub assassinations in Eastern Europe. Keith Long gives the post Bohs review and his thoughts on footy on the telly. Alessio Abibi on Dundalk's big match, a Big Sam Four Star Pizza question that isn't "What's the capital of Celtic?" and lots more on a huge week for Irish football.

Aug 05, 20211 hr 4 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep 20 with Stephen O 'Donnell

It's bye bye to zoom as the kitchencast begins in earnest. St Patrick's Athletic manager Stephen O'Donnell shows up for a cuppa and talks about signing players over zoom, those big tackle cheers and fatherhood. In between kettle boils there's "The Big Barrett House", needless texts, Brian Kerr's sideline antics in an empty ground, and Jessie's Giants 5 a side team. There's also a European preview where Bohs' Keith Ward shows he can be as entertaining off the pitch as on it and we also talk red l...

Jul 28, 20211 hr 12 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep 19 with Gary Rogers

Well whaddya know, ahead of another big week in Europe, we were joined by the well travelled Gary Rogers who dropped by to tell us about Zoom calls in Vienna, the impact of off field distractions and who his favourite keeper is right now. Chief bottle washer Dan McDonnell talked to the Dundalk camp ahead of their Estonian battle while the other half of the odd couple chipped in with his thoughts on the boy Devoy and what comes next for Bohs. It's a jam sambo packed episode 19 filled with all cup...

Jul 22, 20211 hr 10 min

Episode 18 with Ger O'Brien, Liam Buckley, Andy Lyons & James Talbot

On this weeks eccentrically pronounced episode we have, St Patrick's Athletic academy chief Ger O'Brien discussing why government needs to get serious about player production, while clubs have to lead the way in their decision making. His old boss Liam Buckley on European progression with Sligo Rovers young guns, and while Johnny contains his excitement at a certain cup tie he catches up with the erudite Andy Lyons and the guarded James Talbot ahead of Bohs' big night at the Aviva. The lads also...

Jul 15, 20211 hr 26 min

LOI Central 2021: Ep 17 European Special

European fever hits the show this week as we reflect on a tough night for Shamrock Rovers in Bratislava , and look ahead to Icelandic dates for Bohemians and Sligo Rovers. We get the professional view from Iceland, and some insight from an ever youthful Keith Long. Johnny also puts a few questions to Vinny Perth ahead of Dundalk's Covid affected clash with Newtown. Dan tries hard to remain undefined by his 'Square United' experience. There's a nineties supermodel getting frisky on a beach whilst...

Jul 08, 20211 hr

LOI Central 2021 Ep 16 with John Mountney and Conor O'Grady

Fact! Dolly Parton wrote one of the greatest country songs of all time in an afternoon and then went and wrote 'I Will Always Love You' in the same afternoon. This weeks pod took double that length of time to record but it too has a distinct Country and Western theme to it and despite Johnny's best attempts it's not all about Galway. St Patrick’s Athletic’s Mayoman John Mountney talks about fresh starts, Dundalk memories and his statue ambitions before we go to Sligo to hear from Bit’O’Red youth...

Jul 01, 20211 hr 16 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep 15 Manic Monday with Shane Supple

We welcome back our old pal Shane Supple to the show this week to reflect on a dramatic derby win for Bohemians over Shamrock Rovers. Several big questions on Bohs get an airing. How will they cope if Georgie Kelly gets injured? Why did Keith Long snap at Johnny's opening question on Monday? Will Bohs management be out shopping for cats in the coming weeks? We also promise not to talk about Dundalk but still talk about Dundalk as Chris Shields exit raises questions. Johnny checks in with John Ca...

Jun 23, 20211 hr 16 min

LOI Central Ep14 with Shane Keegan and Neal Horgan

On this week's bumper Summer Special Shane Keegan and Neal Horgan have an extended chat about the rise and fall of two of the league's most famous clubs, Cork and Dundalk. In a week where pints on the side of the road are back, Ollie Horgan talks points on the road with a zoological Dan Mc Donnell. The return of Vinny Perth to Oriel, European ties, cheap flights to Bratislava, our best wishes to Christian Eriksen and we never find out why Johnny was at the Four Courts. All this and a Four Star P...

Jun 16, 20211 hr 28 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep13: The return of fans & the 'Save Tolka Park' campaign

In this weeks sepia tinged episode we cue the Hovis music as our old eir Sport pal Shane Dawson dons his flat cap and denies plastering northside Dublin lamposts with “Save Tolka” posters but does explain what the campaign is all about. Johnny joins us from surviving a seal infested swim on an island and breakfast with the stars while Liam Holton from Future Ticketing gets us all excited about the return of fans. All of this prompts a debate from the likely lads about the demographics in the sta...

Jun 09, 20211 hr 13 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep 12: The one where Ruaidhri Higgins shows up

In this nostalgia filled week, we take every club in the top two divisions and analyse them more than Ross and Rachels on again off again who cares again courtship. Talking courtships and nostalgia, our main guest is Ruaidhri Higgins who opens up on his transition to management and how Derry nostalgia played a part in him taking the gig. All of this, the Four Star Pizza draw and the first time we kept the Galway United Media Officer under an hour, means there's a lot more to celebrate than some ...

Jun 01, 202157 min

LOI Central 2021 Episode 11 with Jordan Gibson

There's a Brummie theme to this week's show as Jordan Gibson tells us about his new sense of duty to Sligo Rovers even if he can't find a way to watch Line of Duty. Jordan showers praise on Liam Buckley and Greg Bolger, delivers an insight into the cold world of the lower reaches of English football, and explains how fate sent his career in a different direction. We also hear audio dispatches from Athlone Town boss Adrian Carberry and his Galway United counterpart John Caulfield in addition to r...

May 27, 20211 hr 15 min

LOI Central Ep10 with Tim Clancy and Aaron McEneff

There's a Scottish theme to this week's show as Drogheda boss Tim Clancy reflects on his playing days there and opens up on his managerial ambitions, including his desire to escape the double jobbing life that has made his exploits in Louth all the more impressive. Meanwhile, Aaron McEneff joins us to discuss his winter move to Hearts and a lifechanging start to 2021 with a nod back to some happy memories at Shamrock Rovers. The lads reflect on the lessons of the last week, bemoan their short li...

May 18, 20211 hr 22 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep 9 with Jonathan Douglas & Gary Cronin

On this week's 'must win' podcast we do something different as footballer turned agent Jonathan Douglas recounts his journey from Monaghan to an eventful life in the UK and gives us his take on what players from these shores need to do to succeed. . Galway United media officer Johnny overcomes another loss by speaking to Gary Cronin. There's art deals gone wrong, Covid breaches, Waterford managers, missing accents and title race declarations. All of this, a pizza draw, Tony Holohan, and the defi...

May 12, 20211 hr 35 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep 8 with Kevin McHugh & Andy Myler

Exclusive! Revealed! No not the Sheedy and Newell replacements, this is much more important! Dan's past comes back to haunt him in a series of confessional pieces that cast him as a failed coke addict tennis prodigy, the star of the famously unreadable "Infinite Jest", who sidled into a journalism career alongside Johnny, a failed teenage website administrator whose only real guest was this weeks star man Kevin McHugh. Kevin pays tribute to the late Alan Keely and details the support that is nee...

May 05, 20211 hr 42 min

LOI Central Ep7 with Steven Beattie, Johnny Dunleavy and Daniel Lafferty

Later today a Corkman will indicate to us when we can go to a match again and until Micheal puts us out of our misery it's time for your favourite similarly depraved matey partnership of Dan and Johnny who take a look inside the dugouts and ask, are the youthful managerial class of 2021 bringing on a renaissance? Either way, there's definitely a renaissance of sorts at Derry City and we have the soon to be star of Johnny's new "Monkey Tennis" style documentary and the yet to be conceived "Derry ...

Apr 28, 20211 hr 13 min

LOI Central ep 6 with Daniel Lambert and Tommy Higgins

In a week that saw no involvement of John Delaney in the demise of a European Super League, we talk people power with Daniel Lambert and Tommy Higgins and ponder if dogs hold the key to the post covid LOI world. We’ve got the latest news from the pizza draw tribunal, a midweek review with Johnny talking to both Stephen O'Donnell and Kevin Sheedy whilst Dan hears from Drogheda assistant Kevin Doherty and discusses the latest Dundalk twist. Plus the shameless exaggeration of Bray Wanderers' role i...

Apr 21, 20211 hr 24 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep 5 with Pat Fenlon, Alan Reynolds and Adam Foley

This week as the sun finally comes out Johnny and Dan reflect on Graham Burke's moment of magic and we hear from League of Ireland legends Pat Fenlon and Alan Reynolds on the best goals they witnessed, Shels and Waterford memories, coaching dynamics inside and outside the dressing room, Pat's Pro Licence gripe and why having a cat in the engine room is normally a bad idea. Finn Harps' Adam Foley gets booksmart on his academic endeavours to explain why he's suddenly come to prominence aged 31 and...

Apr 14, 20211 hr 33 min

LOI Central 2021 Ep 4 with Brian Murphy & Mark Rossiter

As the dog chews on the lamb bone, the lilies wilt and the last creme egg causes a slight dry retch, we leave Easter behind with Brian Murphy and Mark Rossiter's reflections on Bohs, Red Bull regrets and a dressing room that was no place for young men. We also ask Murph about the challenges of coming home to Waterford, life as an understudy in England and hear how the sleep patterns of Neil Warnock's wife influenced team selections. The Galway United media officer talks to Adam Wixted, we reflec...

Apr 07, 20211 hr 31 min

LOI Central Ep3 with Ronan Murray, Paddy Barrett and Daire Doyle

On this weeks epic widescreen shaggy dog story of a show, Johnny and Dan look back on an International break that still feels hungover. New kid on Drogheda's block, Ronan Murray talks about his east coast adventure, the Covid dose and Roy Keane missing him at Cobh. The Paddy Barrett show gets piloted today as Saint Pat's defender Paddy talks Killing Fields in Cambodia, Killing Time in Lockdown, and Killing a packet of Digestives when sharing a house with his manager! Daire Doyle weighs in on Lon...

Mar 31, 20212 hr 4 min
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