Highlights From Off The Ball

This is Wednesday's OTB Breakfast Bite, your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, Mike Sherry began our look ahead to Munster's Investec Champions Cup quarter-final with Bordeaux. Gavin Cooney of the 42.ie reviewed a dramatic night of Champions League action. And Will O'Callaghan brought us the latest Hurling Power Rankings. And today's Bite begins with Will's ranking of hurling's super powers as they commence Championship action, and then Gavin changes hats to help preview The Masters. Catch Off The Ball Breakfast LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app. SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join

In this episode, we go on a journey into the Bolivian highlands for a completely unique festival called “Tinku.” It takes place in a tiny town called Macha, which is not exactly a tourist hot spot. The aim of the game is to fight thy neighbour in order to spill blood and satisfy the Andean gods, which are all-powerful to the indigenous Aymara community.We drink with the locals, dance with the locals and some of us fight with the locals. It is a chaotic couple of days, and one of the world’s most unusual sporting traditions.Also, we visit La Paz and El Alto and talk about the fighting Cholitas, and we hop on a Mountain bike down Death Road.Before all that, there’s part four of the Patagonian hitchhiking journey, as Eoin is still trying to get himself to the town of Esquel.Follow Eoin…https://www.instagram.com/eoinsheahan/https://x.com/EoinSheahanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@eoinsheahanEmail: eoinsheahan1@gmail.com

On Monday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you up to date with the Republic of Ireland WNT's preparations for the second part of their Nations League double-header with Greece. Arne Slot on his message to his Liverpool players after their defeat to Fulham. Pep Guardiola claims one of his players is not smart enough to play in midfield.And former Bohemians striker Jonathan Afolabi's career has hit the skids in the Benelux.

Tune in for a small portion of the Sunday Paper Review with Adrian Barry as this week he was joined by Clíona Foley and Jamie Wall in studio - here they discuss writing around the late great Mick O'Dwyer.

It was John Duggan and Shane Hannon on the Newsround, paying tribute to the late great Mick O'Dwyer as he was laid to rest today in his native Kerry.

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has team news from all four provinces - and their opponents - ahead of a busy weekend of Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup action. We hear from Dan Sheehan and Alan Quinlan on Leinster's last-16 encounter with Alan Quinlan at Croke Park, a game you can hear live and exclusive on Off The Ball on Saturday. Ronan O'Gara speaks exclusively to us as his out-of-form La Rochelle side prepare to host Munster. Rob Herring will win his 250th Ulster cap in Sunday's tricky test away to Bordeaux. And Shayne Bolton is back for Connacht's Challenge Cup tie with Cardiff. Plus, the latest on Rugby Australia's search for a new Wallabies head coach, and one of the game's best young talents closes the door on the All Blacks.

John Duggan and Thom Malone are back for The Racing Pod to preview this weekends Grand National. They'll go through all their tips for the weekend and they dived into their personal favourite National memories. To hear the full episode, subscribe at offtheball.com/join .  The Racing Pod on Off The Ball, with William Hill. 

On Friday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you a full preview of this evening's League of Ireland action. We'll have live and exclusive coverage of St. Pats' Dublin derby with Shelbourne on tonight's Off The Ball, with coverage starting on Newstalk from 7pm. We hear from Pat's boss Stephen Kenny, Galway captain Greg Cunningham, Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, Waterford forward Trae Coyle, Derry boss Tiernan Lynch and Sligo assistant Ryan Casey on tonight's top flight games. The FAI have strongly hit back at Kerry's claims of being 'bullied into silence'. Cobh Ramblers have moved to allay fears around their financial future. The Republic of Ireland. WNT have an afternoon appointment in Greece. And David Moyes responds to death threats aimed at Everton defender James Tarkowski.

This is Friday's OTB Breakfast Bite, your free Bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, Ronan O'Gara took time out from La Rochelle's preparations for their Investec Champions Cup tie with Munster to speak to Shane and Colm. Alan Quinlan helped set the table for the rest of the weekend's action. We previewed the start of the Football Championship with Mayo legend David Brady. And Former Ireland international Méabh De Búrca looks ahead to this afternoons Women's Nations League meeting of Greece and Ireland. But this morning's Bite focuses on this weekend's Champions Cup action as we check in with Alan Quinlan, and first - Ronan O'Gara. And don't forget, Leinster's Croke Park outing against Harlequins at Croke Park is live on Saturday's Off The Ball. Catch Off The Ball Breakfast LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app. SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join

This is Thursday's Rugby Daily, in which Richie McCormack brings you the latest on Munster's push to see Alex Nankivell included in their squad to face La Rochelle. The prospect of a Middle East World Cup has gained a very powerful ally. And the Wallabies star that's won an NFL contract.

On Thursday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you all the reaction worth airing from the Merseyside derby. Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk speaks to OTB about their Premier League dreams, while David Moyes claims last night's winner should not have stood. PGMOL have reacted to James Tarkowski's contentious challenge on Alexis MacAllister. Amber Barrett discusses a potential 50th WNT cap. And the Women's World Cup is coming to Belfast.

This is Thursday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, Kieran Donaghy reacted to that breaking news of the passing of legendary Kerry footballer and manager, Mick O'Dwyer. James Tracy helps preview this weekend's Investec Champions Cup action, which includes our LIVE game on Saturday - Leinster v Harlequins at Croke Park. We had a very special edition of 'You Had To Be There' with Irish tennis legend (and award-winning author) Conor Niland. Plus, we caught up with Olympic gold medallist, Daniel Wiffen. But this morning's Bite takes in some of Kieran Donaghy's Micko tribute, and then we're off to the pool with Daniel Wiffen. Catch Off The Ball Breakfast LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app. SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Jack Crowley on his own future. Ronan O'Gara has also come out swinging ahead of La Rochelle's Investec Champions Cup last-16 tie with Munster, and he's also given an injury update. The coaching staff for Ireland's summer tests has been revealed. And Courtney Lawes fancies a third Lions call.

On Wednesday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you up to date with Evan Ferguson's latest disappointing outing for West Ham. Graham Potter explains his reasons for the half-time hooking of the Ireland striker, and why he may struggle for more starts. Ruben Amorim says the pressure of playing for Manchester United is too much for some players. Phil has the latest from a turbulent build-up to the Ireland WNT's Nations League double header with Greece. And Carlo Ancelotti appears in court charged with tax evasion.

On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Munster ahead of their blockbuster Investec Champions Cup last-16 tie away to La Rochelle on Saturday. We hear from Tadhg Beirne on his role in Antoine Dupont's recent ligament injury, plus Mike Prendergast addresses being overlooked for the head coach's job. A season to forget for Rob Baloucoune continues at Ulster. We hear from stand-in coach at Connacht Colm Tucker as they prepare to play Cardiff in the Challenge Cup.

On Tuesday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you a flavour of this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast interview with Sean Dyche. We hear from the former Burnley boss regarding his immediate future in the game, and his praise for his ex-Everton captain Seamus Coleman. Arne Slot's addressed those stories linking Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, and discussed his squad's fatigue levels. Saoirse Noonan shows her assertive side in discussing her Republic of Ireland WNT place with Carla Ward.Manchester United's part-owners settle a case with New Zealand Rugby. And Bray continue their march up the First Division table.

This is Tuesday's OTB Breakfast Bite, your FREE bitesize sample of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, we were joined by ex Everton and Burnley manager Sean Dyche who - alongside Keith Treacy - discussed his new-found free time, plans to return to management, and how the game has gone soft. Tommy Walsh begins our previews of this weekend's Allianz Hurling League finals. Keith gives us his League of Ireland team of the week. And Irish basketball star Claire Melia talks about her journey to playing in the EuroCup final. And it's there we take our Bite, as Claire discusses her unique career path. But first - it's Sean Dyche. Catch Off The Ball Breakfast LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app. SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join

Irish basketball star Claire Melia joins Ger Gilroy, Colm Boohig & Keith Treacy ahead of tomorrow’s Euro Cup final 2nd leg decider & a wider chat around her career as a whole & playing minor football for Kildare!Off The Ball Breakfast w/ Optimum Nutrition | #unlockmoreyouCatch The Off The Ball Breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app.SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/joinOff The Ball Breakfast is live weekday mornings from 7:30am across Off The Ball

In the second episode of this series, we get invited to spend an afternoon at the plush environs of the Prince of Wales country club in Santiago, Chile. Here, some of the country’s national rugby players are putting kids through their paces and they themselves prepare for a first ever Rugby World Cup.A snoop around a flea market, then, tips me off about a storied football club, Club Deportivo Palestino. We meet the fans and those running the club, which is a representation of Palestinian identity in Chile.Finally, we meet Eddio Inostroza who was assistant to the enigmatic Mirko Josic, who came from Yugoslavia to lead the Colo-Colo club to their highest ever point as a club.Also, there is the story of Puskas in Chile, the Battle of Macul and the story behind Chile’s two World Rugby hall of famers.Before all that, there’s part two of the Patagonian hitchhiking journey, as Eoin tries to get himself to the town of Esquel.Follow Eoin…https://www.instagram.com/eoinsheahan/https://x.com/EoinSheahanhttps://www.tiktok

On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest on Jack Crowley's future at Munster. We hear from Dan Sheehan and Robin McBryde as Leinster switch their attentions to Croke Park and an Investec Champions Cup date with Harequins. That Leinster-Quins game will be live on Saturday's Off The Ball. There's reaction to a 'statement' win for Ireland in the W6N in Parma. The Middle East is hoping to bag the World Cup. And Rugby Australia have won over another recruit from League.