Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast RTÉ Soccer Podcast

All the latest soccer news from Raf Diallo and the RTÉ Sport team - covering the League of Ireland and Ireland's international football sides. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keith Treacy and Alan Cawley join Raf Diallo to discuss the Republic of Ireland's fraught UEFA Nations League window so far, including Saturday's surreal events and the on-field performances, and look ahead to the Austria match, and also chat League of Ireland.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the journey back from Pristina after the Republic of Ireland's disappointing UEFA Nations League defeat to Kosovo, Stephen Kelly joins Raf Diallo on a bonus episode of the RTÉ Soccer Podcast to discuss what went wrong at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Kelly, Keith Treacy and Alan Cawley join Raf Diallo to preview the Republic of Ireland's trip to face Kosovo in the Nations League, and the latter two sift through a dramatic weekend in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division as all three title chasers were given a scare.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shelbourne's Rachel Graham and ex-Republic of Ireland team-mate Méabh De Búrca join Raf Diallo to build up to Sunday's Club Orange Women's FAI Cup final between Shels and Athlone Town, discuss the lay of the land in the league with the latter on the verge of the title, and react to Brian Sorensen joining Carla Ward's Girls in Green staff.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of the Republic of Ireland's UEFA Nations League opener in Pristina, former Kosovo manager Albert Bunjaki speaks to Raf Diallo.

The current head of academy at Swedish club IF Karlstad Fotboll served as head coach of his birth nation between 2009 and 2017 and shares an insight into his role in helping to build the national team from the ground up before they became official members of FIFA and UEFA ten years ago and in their first World Cup qualifying campaign.

TIMESTAMPS

01:00 Bunjaki discusses his early experiences growing up in Pristina and the role football played at a time when Kosovo was part of Yugoslavia.

03:00 Bunjaki explains the circumstances which led him to leave Kosovo for Sweden in 1991 and his years in exile while facing a 20-year sentence imposed in absentia for not accepting conscription into the Yugoslav army.

06:00 Working his way up the Swedish football coaching ladder and the road towards being appointed Kosovo manager.

11:00 The importance of late former Kosovo FA president and Yugoslavia international footballer Fadil Vokrri and putting the building blocks in place for a national team that was still seeking international recognition.

16:00 How Bunjaki began scouting players abroad who would be eligible to represent Kosovo in the future, the dilemma faced by the likes of Swiss greats Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri, and the important support he received from mentor and close friend, Tord Grip, who previously served as a long-time assistant to the late Sven Goran Eriksson.

28:00 How Bunjaki prepared for and put together a team for a milestone 2014 friendly against Haiti in Mitrovica after FIFA gave the green light for Kosovo to start playing its members in non-competitive games.

36:00 Kosovo admission into FIFA and UEFA in 2016 and the challenge in being ready for the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, including earning a draw against Finland away in their first game despite not knowing if key players could feature just hours before kick-off.

44:00 Bunjaki reflects on how Kosovo have built on his early work to almost qualify for the 2026 World Cup, beating Sweden - the country he has called home since 1991 - twice during the campaign.

46:00 The rapid growth of Kosovan football at club level and what the Republic of Ireland can expect against the national team on Thursday, 24 September and what Irish fans can look forward to in Pristina.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keith Treacy and Paul Corry join Raf Diallo to discuss the Irish abroad including James Abankwah, Trent Kone-Doherty and Troy Parrott, as well as Séamus Coleman's Stick To Football comments, and review a consquential weekend in the League of Ireland, while Rachel Graham reflects on Saturday's Women's LOI and Ireland players shining in WSL2.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan Cawley, Rachel Graham and Keith Treacy join Raf Diallo to react to all the latest from the world of Irish soccer including Troy Parrott's winner against Real Madrid, Irish transfers, the weekend's action in the FAI Cup and Men's and Women's Premier Division, as well as discussing Katie Taylor the footballer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan Cawley and David McMillan join Raf Diallo to talk Troy Parrott, Jake O'Brien, Gavin Bazunu and the other Irish abroad, react to Shamrock Rovers' European exit, the latest LOI action, and preview the FAI Cup quarter-finals, while Rachel Graham delves into the women's title race and the Irish on the move.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan Cawley and Keith Treacy join Raf Diallo to discuss Troy Parrott's move to Real Betis, great opening Premier League weekends for Brentford and John Egan, Shamrock Rovers' away leg at KuPS and Friday's Premier Division results, while Rachel Graham reacts to the Women's FAI Cup semi-finals and talks Emily Murphy's next step at Brighton.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keith Treacy and Alan Cawley join Raf Diallo to react to the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup third round weekend, discuss Shamrock Rovers' European travails as they look to bounce back against KuPS, Troy Parrott potentially joining Real Betis and the waning presence of Irish players in the Premier League, while Rachel Graham chats league action and the Women's Cup semis.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Corry and Keith Treacy join Alan Cawley to look at the latest in League of Ireland soccer.

Shamrock Rovers continue to pull away but what gear are they in?

St Pat's are their biggest chasers but is there a time when the Inchicore club will actually surpass the Hoops?

Might Bohemians play a weakened team in Europe or can they turn things around in Denmark?

What about the bottom of the table, who is going to get dragged into the relegation conversation with a Sligo side in big trouble?

Rachel Graham joins to look back on all the latest action in the Women's Premier Division.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Raf on his post-World Cup holidays, Alan Cawley steps into the host's seat as he's joined by Keith Treacy and Paul Corry to dissect the week that was in the League Of Ireland before Shelbourne ace Rachel Graham stops by to give us the inside line on the women's game.

All the latest soccer news from Raf Diallo and the RTÉ Sport team - covering the League of Ireland and Ireland's international football sides.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keith Treacy, Paul Corry and Rachel Graham join Raf Diallo as the League of Ireland clubs get set for their European second legs, the relegation battle takes centre stage as Sligo Rovers introduce their new manager and a number of Republic of Ireland women's internationals are on the move.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shelbourne's Rachel Graham joins Raf Diallo to react to winning the All-Island Cup final against Galway United, as well as discussing Athlone Town extending their lead in the league ahead of their Champions League qualifier and Maria Reynolds joining Sheffield United.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keith Treacy and Alan Cawley join Raf Diallo to dissect Spain's World Cup final win over Argentina, pick their Team of the Tournament, best player and young player, before reviewing the Club Orange Men's FAI Cup action and looking ahead to the LOI clubs' European games.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ray Houghton and Paul Corry join Raf Diallo on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast to preview Sunday's World Cup final between Spain and Argentina and reflect on the shortcomings of France and England after their semi-final defeats.

TIMESTAMPS

01:00 France v Spain review.

07:35 Argentina v England review.

16:00 Spain v Argentina World Cup final preview, predictions and the impact of the half-time show.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel Graham joins Raf Diallo to discuss reports of Denise O'Sullivan being on the verge of a return to the NWSL, react to the weekend's league action and look ahead to the All-Island Cup final that will pit her Shelbourne side against Galway United.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keith Treacy previews the World Cup semi-finals as France, Spain, Argentina and England vie for a place in Sunday's showpiece, before reacting to Shelbourne's appointment of John Russell and the weekend's action as well as previewing the FAI Cup second round and Euro qualifiers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shay Given and Alan Cawley join Raf Diallo to preview the three remaining World Cup quarter-finals including England and Norway, while also reflecting on favourites France's progressing past Morocco and the penalty prep that went into the 2002 tournament.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ray Houghton in Dallas and Alan Cawley join Raf Diallo to dissect the latest World Cup action, look-ahead to the fixtures to come and react to the Folarin Balogun situation, while Alan also reviews the weekend's League of Ireland and previews the Euro qualifiers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shelbourne's Rachel Graham joins Raf Diallo to discuss the latest news in the women's game including Áine O'Gorman's appointment at Bray Wanderers and Shamrock Rovers leaving Roadstone, while she reacts to the weekend's cup storylines and looks ahead to her own side's battle with Athlone Town.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keith Treacy and Alan Cawley join Raf Diallo on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast to discuss the latest from the World Cup and the upcoming last-32 ties, before delving into the League of Ireland, including Shelbourne's hunt for a new manager.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ray Houghton, Kenny Cunningham and Alan Cawley join Raf Diallo to chat through the latest from the World Cup group stages and start projecting ahead to the impending knockout stages.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Kelly and Keith Treacy join Raf Diallo to chat through the lates action from the 2026 World Cup and the games to come, while Keith also reviews last Friday's League of Ireland action and reacts to the draw European draw for the four LOI clubs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shelbourne's Rachel Graham joins Raf Diallo to react to the Republic of Ireland's Women's World Cup play-off draw which pits them against Kazakhstan and then either familiar foes Poland or Belgium.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ronnie Whelan and Kevin Doyle join Raf Diallo on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast to delve into the latest action from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ronnie shares an insight into the on-the-ground atmosphere in North America including a defence of the unpopular hydration breaks, before the two former Republic of Ireland internationals get stuck into recent results and upcoming group stage fixtures.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shelbourne's Rachel Graham joins Raf Diallo to review the Republic of Ireland's Women's World Cup qualifying defeat in France and looks ahead to the draw for the play-offs, as well as talking about the hopes of bringing the 2029 Champions League final to Dublin.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley and Alan Cawley join Raf Diallo to talk Pico Lopes' World Cup debut, Bradley's misgivings about Josh O'Dwyer's call-up into the Ireland senior squad, the latest League of Ireland action and much more.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South American football expert Tim Vickery joins Raf Diallo on a bonus episode of the RTÉ Soccer Podcast to provide a sharp insight into the six teams from CONMEBOL at the World Cup including holders Argentina, record champions Brazil and a Paraguay that bears similarites to Jack Charlton's Ireland.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel Graham and RTÉ Sport's Anthony Pyne join Raf Diallo to react to the Republic of Ireland's epic victory over the Netherlands at Páirc Uí Chaoimh which sets them up for a winner-takes-all final qualifier in Grenoble against France.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kenny Cunningham and Alan Cawley join Raf Diallo to preview the 2026 World Cup and to dissect the Republic of Ireland's friendly draw in Canada.

Cunningham gets nostalgic as he reminisces about his on and off-field experiences at the 2002 World Cup and he and Cawley run through all the contemporary contenders and "wild horses".

TIMESTAMPS

01:35 A review of the Republic of Ireland's 1-1 friendly draw against World Cup co-hosts Canada and Kenny Cunningham outlines why he felt Heimir Hallgrimsson could have been bolder with his selections for Montreal and the Qatar home game.

11:35 Discussion on Ajax being heavily linked with a move for Shamrock Rovers teenager Michael Noonan.

13:00 Kenny and Alan preview the World Cup in depth, focusing on the main contenders before making their predictions, tournament flops and dark horse picks.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richie Towell and Paul Corry join Raf Diallo to react to Republic of Ireland's win over Qatar and discuss the squad changes for the Canada game, plus they sift through the Champions League final and the LOI at halfway, while Rachel Graham previews the Girls in Green's Cork qualifier against the Netherlands.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richie Towell and Keith Treacy join Raf Diallo to discuss the Republic of Ireland team to face Qatar, preview the Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG, and delve into the latest League of Ireland action, while Rachel Graham reacts to Carla Ward's squad for June, a big win for Galway United and Barcelona's European final glory.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richie Towell and Alan Cawley join Raf Diallo on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast to react to Ireland's 5-0 win over Grenada, the LOI-infused squad picked for the next two friendlies and the weekend's Premier Division action, while Shelbourne's Rachel Graham discusses the Women's Premier Division and Katie McCabe's Arsenal exit.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richie Towell and Barry Murphy join Raf Diallo to discuss the Republic of Ireland squad in Murcia, including Rory Finneran's call-up and Killian Cahill's rise, and react to the weekend's League of Ireland action, while Rachel Graham looks ahead to a big week in the Women's Premier Division and discusses the immediate future for Irish contingent at the clubs promoted from WSL2.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keith Treacy and Paul Corry join Raf Diallo to react to Heimir Hallgrimsson's training camp squad for Murcia, the long weekend of League of Ireland action and Arsenal getting to the Champions League final, while Shelbourne's Rachel Graham talks Katie McCabe and the lay of the land in the Women's Premier Division.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richie Towell and Alan Cawley join Raf Diallo to review Friday's SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division action including Derry City's Celtic Park debut, while they also discuss James McClean's dilemma over his playing future, the Republic of Ireland training camp squad for May and this week's Champions League semi-final first legs, while Rachel Graham chats Katie McCabe and Arsenal's first leg win over Lyon, Emily Murphy's club status and Saturday's Women's Premier Division action.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richie Towell and Alan Cawley join Raf Diallo to review Friday's SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division action including Derry City's Celtic Park debut, while they also discuss James McClean's dilemma over his playing future, the Republic of Ireland training camp squad for May and this week's Champions League semi-final first legs, while Rachel Graham chats Katie McCabe and Arsenal's first leg win over Lyon, Emily Murphy's club status and Saturday's Women's Premier Division action.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Dundalk team-mates Richie Towell and David McMillan are reunited as they join Raf Diallo to review a weekend of eye-catching League of Ireland fixtures, while they also chat Andrew Omobamidele's quiet excellence for Strasbourg, and Shelbourne's Rachel Graham reflects on a brilliant week for the Republic of Ireland women's team against Poland.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel Graham and RTÉ Sport's Anthony Pyne join Raf Diallo to preview the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying double-header against Poland, while Keith Treacy and Barry Murphy talk League of Ireland, Champions League and who they would like to see in Heimir Hallgrimsson's training camp squad in May.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Graham Gartland and Conan Byrne reflect on Ireland's post-Prague lay of the land, an Easter weekend of LOI action and PSG v Liverpool, while Rachel Graham discusses the Girls in Green squad for next week's Poland double-header.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan Cawley is joined by former internationals Kevin Doyle and Keith Treacy to look back on Thursday's painful shootout defeat to Czechia, with Raf Diallo dialling in from the airport in Prague.

A couple of silly errors cost Ireland in a match where they were dominating early on. Kevin likened it to that play-off defeat in Paris back in 2009, as Ireland should never have let it get to extra-time.

Keith believes Ireland need to lean into their defensive strengths and their ability to be an unpleasant team to play against.

Kevin backs Heimir and is heartened by the fact the team is once more a topic of conversation, which it had not been for a few years.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast, Alan Cawley joins Raf Diallo as the build up to the Republic of Ireland's play-off in Prague goes into overdrive. They also talk LOI and Shelbourne's Rachel Graham discusses big news from the Women's Premier Division and a new FIFA mandate regarding female coaches.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jiri Hosek, the head of sports at CANAL+ TV in Czechia, joins Raf Diallo on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast to share an insight into the side that stand in the Republic of Ireland's way next Thursday in Prague.

Among the areas covered are:

The continued fallout from the shock defeat to the Faroe Islands
The appointment of Miroslav Koubek and how he will set up against Ireland
The key players including Pavel Sucl and why Patrik Schick is not a guaranteed starter on Thursday
The Czech view on Ireland and Troy Parrott
The legacy of the golden generation and the World Cup as a white whale for Czech football

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richie Towell and Paul Corry join Raf Diallo on this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast to look ahead to Thursday's Republic of Ireland squad announcement for the Prague play-off, discuss Friday's SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division action and this week's Champions League second legs, while Shelbourne's Rachel Graham reviews the first round of Women's Premier Division games and talks about the battle to boost attendance figures.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shelbourne's Rachel Graham and her former Ireland team-mate Méabh De Búrca look back on the Girls in Green's narrow World Cup qualifying defeats to France and the Netherlands, before previewing the new SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division season which will kick off on Saturday.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richie Towell and former Republic of Ireland winger Keith Treacy join Raf Diallo to review the weekend's SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division action, the Boys in Green's forward line for Prague in the wake of Evan Ferguson being ruled out and look ahead to the Champions League last 16 first leg between Real Madrid and Manchester City that will be live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shelbourne's Rachel Graham and RTÉ Sport's Anthony Pyne join Raf Diallo to preview the Republic of Ireland's opening FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers against France and the Netherlands with comprehensive live coverage of both games on RTÉ TV, radio and online.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a busy week in Irish football, this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast is split into two standalone episodes.

On this one, a midfield trio of Richie Towell, Alan Cawley and Paul Corry join Raf Diallo to chat about all of last Friday's Premier Division results including the Dublin derby, as well as Bohemians playmaker Dawson Devoy's case for Republic of Ireland consideration and Heimir Hallgrimsson's midfield conundrum with Prague looming.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.