Highlights From Off The Ball

On Thursday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you the first words as new Republic of Ireland manager of Carla Ward. We also have reaction to her appointment.RTE have surrendered League of Ireland rights, and what's in store for academies in the draft plan for Government.Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal are actively seeking a new striker as Ange Postecoglou rues a passive display in the North London derby.Could Alejandro Garnacho be off to Napoli? We hear from Ruben Amorim.

Welcome to Thursday's Off The Ball Breakfast Bite - your bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast.This morning on the show, Republic of Ireland legend Andy Reid discussed the rise of his current employers, Nottingham Forest.The Irish Daily Mail's Rugby Correspondent Rory Keane ran the rule over the Ireland Six Nations squad.And the first 'You Had To Be There' of 2025 comes via Sarah O'Donovan.But this morning's Breakfast Bite looks back on last night's North London derby. First up, Colm, Kathleen and Arthur ponder if Arsenal have the goals in them to sustain a title challenge, and then Tottenham fan John Duggan licks his wounds as he wonders what are Spurs supposed to be.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 tells you who's in, and who's out, of Simon Easterby's squad for the upcoming Six Nations. There's a recall after five-and-a-bit years to the France squad for Leinster's Rabah Slimani. We hear from Gregor Townsend who has named two uncapped players in his Scotland squad. Ulster have formalised the return to the province of a former player, as two more of their current squad extend their stays. Plus, we hear from Ulster forwards coach Jimmy Duffy on what needs doing against Exeter.Plus, the 'Hail Mary' call that's brought Michael Hooper out of retirement in Japan.

On Wednesday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you up to date on all of the Irish players on the move at the halfway stage of the transfer window. Tom Cannon looks set for a return to the Championship, despite being recalled by Leicester. James Abankwah could be following Festy Ebosele yet again. There's the latest on Evan Ferguson and his need for minutes on the pitch. Nuno Espirito Santo and Arne Slot discuss the merits of Nottingham Forest's title challenge after last night's draw at the City Ground.Pep Guardiola explains the reason for that animated chat with his goalkeeper.

Welcome to Wednesday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast.This morning, Gavin Cooney looked back on an important night in the Premier League.With Simon Easterby naming his Ireland Six Nations squad this afternoon, Matchsense's Derek McNamara assessed the runners and riders for inclusion.And Marty Duffy gives the referee's view of the new Gaelic football rules.But this morning's Breakfast Bite takes us back to the morning papers where Ger, Adrian and Arthur discuss Maro Itoje's chances of the Lions captaincy, the unique edge that comes with Wales fixtures, and their early predictions for this season's Six Nations.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 Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings news of a massive boost for both Leinster and Ireland. And we hear from James Ryan ahead of their meeting with Bath,Ian Costello provides Richie with an update on their head coach's vacancy ahead of their Investec Champions Cup trip to Northampton - a game you can hear live an exclusive on Saturday's Off The Ball. Conor Murray also shares the latest on his future.Neil Doak has named his Ireland squad for the U20 Six Nations.And Steve Borthwick explains his decision to switch up the England captaincy.

Mick, Ger & Cian reconvene after NFL Wildcard Weekend to preview the weekend's divisional matchups, as well as looking at the NFL's coaching changes.US Sport on 888 Casino. See gamblingcare.ie

On Tuesday's Football Daily, Phil Egan has the latest on Gabriel Jesus' injury at Arsenal, and what it means for their transfer dealings this month. Leicester and Newcastle escape Premier League PSR punishments. Liverpool reportedly reject a Saudi bid for Darwin Nunez, but his long-term replacement may have already been identified. Chelsea and Bayern Munich dance around a high-profile swap deal. Pep Guardiola expresses regret at a lack of summer business as they secure the first of three potential signatures this month. David Moyes wants to have 'elite' Everton players playing at their elite new stadium. And tributes paid to Diane Caldwell as she calls time on her international career.

Welcome to Tuesday's Off The Ball Breakfast Bite - your FREE sample of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast.On this morning's show, Seamus Hickey joined us to look back on the Limerick captaincy of Declan Hannon.The BBC's Chris Jones assessed the English performances in the Investec Champions Cup, which included that Saracens defeat at Thomond Park.And to preview Liverpool's trip to Nottingham Forest tonight we were joined by The Athletic's James Pearce.And it's there we take our Bite today, with Jonathan providing an insight to Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract situation at Liverpool. And that's after Ger, Arthur and Colm run the rule over Kyle Walker and his standing among the game's greatest right-backs.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 Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you all the reaction to yesterday's pulsating Investec Champions Cup clash of La Rochelle and Leinster. We hear from both head coaches - Leo Cullen and Ronan O'Gara. Richie has the latest on Peter O'Mahony's fitness ahead of Munster's trip to Franklin's Gardens, a game you can hear live and exclusive on Off The Ball. Wales coach Warren Gatland explains his Six Nations squad, which does not include some experienced and notable names. The IRFU have taken another step towards building front row depth across the country. And a former Cheetahs prop is murdered in South Africa.

On Monday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you all the fallout from yesterday's eventful FA Cup 3rd round tie at the Emirates. We hear from Mikel Arteta and Jonathan Wilson on Arsenal's lack of firepower. Phil has the latest on Marcus Rashford's potential move away from Manchester United. Pep Guardiola claims a lack of focus has cost Kyle Walker at Manchester City. And Galway United add some southern hemisphere flavour to their attack for 2025.

Welcome to Monday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your bitesize sample of this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, Jonathan Wilson rounded up the weekend's FA Cup 3rd round action, including Manchester United's shootout victory away to Arsenal. Tommy Rooney reflected on a huge weekend of GAA Club Championship fixtures. And Alan Quinlan looked back on a largely positive weekend for the Irish provinces in Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup action. And that's where we take our Bite this morning - firstly, Leinster's victory away to La Rochelle is discussed as part of the Performance Rankings, and then we get the expert view of Alan Quinlan. 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

2024 Olympic Bronze Medalist, Mona McSharry, joins Kathleen McNamee to chat about her much-needed break from swimming, her new approach to training, and the unknown of a future after being a professional athlete!

European Champion, Amy Broadhurst is in studio with Kathleen McNamee to look ahead to what is looking to be a strong 2025 as she shifts all focus towards LA in 2028! SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join

Top female athletes, Meabh De Burca, Alison Miller, and Aisling Maher, join Off The Ball's, Kathleen McNamee, to look forward to all that Women's Football, Rugby, and GAA has to offer in 2025 as well as what more needs to be done to promote female sports even further.

Three-time Irish Paralympic swimmer Nicole Turner joins Kathleen McNamee to reflect on her final Paralympic Games, 2024 as a whole - which saw her claim 4 medals at The European Championships - & what retirement at 22 years of age looks like for her!

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has all of your team news for this weekend's Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup action. We hear from Leinster head coach Leo Cullen, who can recall Tadhg Furlong for Sunday's trip to La Rochelle. Ronan O'Gara explains the gap between his instructions and La Rochelle's recent performances.Conor Murray and Iain Henderson both return to bolster the selections of both Munster and Ulster this weekend. And could Michael Milne be swapping Leinster for Munster?

As horse racing returns this weekend, Johnny Ward and John Duggan look ahead to all the action across the weekend, as well as preview some of the horses to look out for at Cheltenham in March.The Racing Pod with William Hill. 18+ | Bet responsibly | http://GamblingCare.ie

On Friday's Football Daily, Phil Egan has news of Jim Crawford's contract status with the FAI. We hear from Seamus Coleman after he stepped into a co-manager's job at short notice for Everton. Darren Ferguson explains his refusal to play his part in a Young family reunion. We speak to Niamh Fahey about her retirement from the Republic of Ireland squad.Sligo Rovers move quickly to replace Ed McGinty, but Frantz Pierrot has left Ireland entirely.

Welcome to Friday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE sample of this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara joined us ahead of Sunday's Investec Champions Cup tie with Leinster. Keith Treacy discussed the sacking of his former manager Sean Dyche at Everton. And Jenny Claffey joins us in studio with the Australian Open looming into view, and Novak Djokovic's relationship with Andy Murray still in the early stages. But this morning's Bite takes us to Colm's chat with Vinny Perth and Keith Treacy, as they assess the best move (or none at all?) for Evan Ferguson in this transfer window.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