Larne's humbling defeat at the hands of Shamrock Rovers in the UEFA Conference League highlighted the recently untested gulf in class between the Irish league and the League of Ireland. Despite significant progress for the Irish League over the years, the result at Windsor Park was a clear indicator that there is still a long way to go until there …

Football writer Lewis Bennett returns to the pod to look back at a week of Irish League action, including a deeper look at the NIFL Championship and beyond. We preview Larne's all Ireland clash with Shamrock Rovers in the Conference League and preview this weekend's forthcoming games. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sho…

Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion return to the pod to celebrate a century of episodes! The Around the Grounds NI boys ponder if Ballymena's imperious form puts them in the box seat for a top seat spot. With a win in his back pocket Stephen Baxter off to a great start as the new Carrick Rangers boss, but is he the right fit? Linfield survive a late surg…

Ally McCalmont is the guest for a week full of headlines. Glentoran's second half surge earns them the bragging rights in the Irish League's most watched fixture. Glenavon were joyous victors over their rivals as they give the Ports a taste of their own late goal medicine. We look back at Stuart King's time in charge of Carrick Rangers after he ste…

Mark McGuiggan joins the pod was we talk about another high profile manager who did all but sign on the dotted line with a club in Scotland. Why are these managers turning down the opportunity and are they just biding their time for the right gig? Elsewhere, Ballymena and Dugannon keep up their recent hot streaks, Carrick lose again to make it 8 de…

David Watt is this week's guest to reflect on a turbulent couple of results in the NIFL Premiership. Shock results, upkeep of form and a multitude of team all scrambling for position. It just felt like the right time to plant our feet and attempt to judge which teams are looking like the real deal, and whom have not been up to scratch. We like the …

Former Sports Editor of the Ballymena Times Stephen Alexander is this weeks guest to reflect on the first big battle between this season's title favourites. Lusty's unlikely drive the catalyst for Larne's winning goal. Are Blue's set to spiral or can they bounce back in a big way against Cliftonville? Elsewhere, an inspired Ben Kennedy keep Ballyme…

Veteran Irish League writer and reporter Barry Flynn shares his views on all the latest happenings throughout the league. What's gotten into Larne as they fail to win for a second weekend in a row. Glens are outwitted by former manager Rodney McAree. And Niall Currie also gets one over on a employer as Portadown snatch and grab three points as Tayl…

Joel Neill joins the pod to reflect on the greatest week in the history of Larne FC. An Irish League team is playing the league/group phase of a modern European Club Competition for the first time. Incredible scenes at Inver Park after a tense encounter with Lincoln Red Imps ends in victory thanks to a hattrick from Andy Ryan. We recap the entire E…

Journalist Mark McIntosh shares his view on a whirlwind weekend for David Healy and Linfield fans, after the much publicised approach by Scottish side Raith Rovers to snag the Blues manager. But the five time Irish League winning boss recommitted his future to the Belfast club. How did we get here? And what does it mean long term for Healy's future…

Damian Mullan, Sports Editor of the Coleraine Chronicle, features on the pod to discuss an intriguing week of Irish League developments. Larne cruise into Conference League play off round, but can they get the job done against opposition from Gibraltar? With a Lee Bonis shaped hole in their team will the Inver Reds secure a replacement within the l…

Matthew Brown from the Shout at the Oval podcast to look back at the opening weekend of the NIFL Premiership season. We discuss Larne's chances of following up on their winning exploits in Europe and finish the task at Inver. Reflect on the success of Lee Bonis' Irish League career and review his chances of breaking into the Northern Ireland squad …

Your ultimate guide for the upcoming season of top flight of Irish League football. Every club's prospects for the campaign ahead put under the microscope. Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion from Around the Grounds NI join the pod to share their predictions, including where they think every team will finish. TIMESTAMPS Irish League in Europe Reaction - 0…

Matthew Brown from the Shout At The Oval podcast is our guest to go through all the latest news in the world of Irish League. From the long awaited European draws, concerns over a majority of top flight teams failing to break even, price for games hitting £15 and all the recent Irish league transfers. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.sp…

The men's Irish League season is in the books, therefore it's that time of year to look back at a campaign full of thrills, chills and drama. With a special look at Cliftonville's Irish Cup heroics, the European play off and the action in the Promotion/Relegation play off. All in the company of guests Mark McGuiggan and Dave Watt. --- Support this …

Preparing to play at a sold out Windsor Park, Cliftonville and Linfield go under the microscope ahead of a huge Irish Cup final. Can the Blues end their season on a high note? Or can the Reds turnover a multi-decade hoodoo in the competition. Plus, we're looking at all flavours of Play Offs, from Europe to Promotion/Relegation Ross Welsh and Joe Mc…

The Inver Reds have done it! (almost) Bar the greatest one game goal difference swing in football history, the Gibson Cup will stay on the Antrim coast. How have the done it? What will Kenny Bruce and Co do next? And what should Linfield learn from this tight title chase? Plus, the Ports return to the Premiership at the first time of asking, Declan…

A 30 seconds of Irish League football which no fan will ever forget, Title Tuesday (working title) will go down in footballing folklore when goals deep into injury time across two games flipped the power balance in the championship chase. Former Ballymena Times sports editor Stephen Alexander is on hand the relieve all that action, look ahead to th…

This season shows no sign of slowing down as it speeds towards the finish line. Football writer and blogger Lewis Bennett joins the pod to share an in depth look at everything that's on the line across all three Irish League divisions. Plus a preview of Tuesday night's (GW 36) games. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show…

What a start to The Split as both of the top two fluffed their lines in winnable games. Was it a mere blip for both, or could this be a sign for either team of a late season chink in the amour. Elsewhere, Ballymena take a huge step away from the automatic drop zone (relatively) gaining three points on Newry by sneaking the three points late on agai…

Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion from Around the Grounds NI jump back onto the pod this week for an extensive team by team preview of the upcoming split. How have the fixtures fell? Who has something still to play for? And what are the big games to keep an eye on. Plus, we look back at the gripping Irish Cup Semi-Finals. --- Support this podcast: https…

Sports reporter from the News Letter, Johnny McNabb joins the pod ahead of an Irish Cup Semi-Final Easter Weekend special. The four best sides in the country face off for a place in the Irish Cup final. A truly season defining weekend. We preview the games and assess all teams path to victory. Elsewhere, we recap the past weekends games, stick the …

Glentoran are once again on the look out for a new manager, their forth permanent boss in the space of just over a year. Who is the right person to take over and what kind of job do they have on their hands? Will it require revolution or just evolution? Did Feeney get a fair shake at the job and what led to his eventual parting of ways. Matthew Bro…

Sports Journalist with the Belfast Telegraph, Stuart McKinley, joins the pod to recap NIFL's showcase final where the Blues were triumphant over an unsteady Portadown side on Mother's Day. Can they use this success to propel themselves toward the Gibson Cup? Elsewhere, a collection of Glentoran supporters clubs have made their opinion clear, they w…

Ahead of Linfield and Portadown facing off in the League Cup Final, Peter is joined by Podcaster & Blueman Mark McGuiggan and Portadown media man Jonny Dunlop to preview the big clash. Could the second tier Ports upset an injury ravaged Linfield? Or will the blues show their class and lift their second League Cup trophy on the bounce. Also on the p…

After starting off the last week with so much potential, Cliftonville will look back at the past couple of days thinking 'what could have been?'. Outclassed by Linfield at home and then toppled by Dungannon away, things could not have gone worse for the Reds as they attempt to keep their season from completely going off the rails. Damian Mullan, Sp…

Matthew Brown from Shout at the Oval joins the podcast to review a week where Coleraine make Linfield look all at sea with a surprising 3-0 victory, Glentoran smash sorry Newry - scoring 8 goals - & Carrick, Larne and Crusaders all win out on less than ideal grass surfaces. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kickingma…

Last season's Champions are back on top. Undefeated in 19, they've crawled back Linfield's point cushion - in part - due to the blues dropping 5pts in two game weeks. Cliftonville continue to breath down both teams necks after they continued their own streak without death by thumping Coleraine. Elsewhere it was stalemate in the battle of the baseme…

The Irish League might be steam rolling towards the business end of the season, but our compadres in the League of Ireland are preparing to kick off their brand new season for 2024. To keep us all up to date with the latest comings and goings in the league we contacted broadcaster and host of League of Ireland podcast Between The Stripes help answe…

Massive news in the Irish League as one of the longest serving managers is to step down. What legacy will Stephen Baxter leave on Crusaders and the league as a whole? Who might take over in Seaview? And what might the future hold for the red and black team in North Belfast.Reporter and football writer Barry Flynn joins the pod to discuss all that p…

Dungannon make a huge comeback at Windsor Park to score the biggest shock of the season and further blow the title race open. How will Linfield react as their rivals for the Gibson Cup kept up their end of the deal with victories on Friday night. Coleraine finally won a game for the first time since the start of November, we also ask what the lates…

The three at the top come up trumps again as they all win out in a weekend impacted by weather cancellations. Elsewhere, Carrick heap more misery onto Coleraine as they claim first win away at the Ballycastle Road for over 30 years. Ally McCalmont jumps around to review all that, plus looks back at the entertaining League Cup Semi finals. --- Suppo…

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 …

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…

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. --- Support this…

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 G…

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 g…

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. --- Suppo…

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? € --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kickingmatch/support

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 thr…

Football writer from The Newsletter', Johnny McNabb joins the podcast to talk about the latest happenings in the Irish League. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kickingmatch/support

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…

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 podca…

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 McGu…

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 bott…

Matthew Brown from then Shout At The Oval podcast joins Peter to review all the latest comings and goings in the Irish League. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kickingmatch/support

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 st…

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. …

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. --- Support this pod…

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 …