Highlights From Off The Ball

This week its's Mick and Cian once again to give us a special Christmas treat, as they look ahead to those all important games on Christmas Day!. US Sport on Off The Ball with 888 Casino. See Gamblingcare.ie 

The Sunday Paper Review streams for free every Sunday from 11:30am on our Youtube channel - at youtube.com/offtheball if you want to grab it there as it happens - or if you prefer to listen or watch on demand you can do that if you are an Off The Ball subscriber (And sure why wouldn't you be?)In this podcast we want to bring you some of the very best bits from episodes of the Sunday Paper Review over the last while to give you a taster of what you can expect, when Adrian Barry is joined by two guests every week to comb through the best sportswriting and stories in the back pages!

A special Sunday Newsround with Shane Hannon and Ann-Marie Donelan, as well as Nathan Murphy giving you all the Premier League build up!

It was John Duggan, Shane Hannon and Cameron Hill in studio for the Saturday Newsround on Off The Ball.

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the team news for Saturday's URC interpro at the Aviva, where Jordie Barrett will get his first taste of Irish derby action. The CEO of the URC discusses a potential merger with the English Premiership. Richie has the latest on Stuart Lancaster's job security at Racing 92. And the turmoil at the top of English rugby continues.

Johnny Ward and Thom Malone look ahead to a jam-packed week of racing as they look ahead to the 'most wonderful time of the year' for horse racing fanatics. The action across Kempton, Limerick, Leopardstown and much more will keep you more than entertained this Christmas. The Racing Pod on Off the Ball with William Hill To become a member and access our exclusive content simply click: here:http://offtheball.com/join

Welcome to Friday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, a double shot of rugby with Ronan O'Gara and Alan Quinlan. Following another dramatic night at the World Darts Championship, we speak to Glen Durrant from Alexandra Palace. Nathan Murphy joins us from London to reflect on Shamrock Rovers' Conference League defeat at Stamford Bridge. And Catherine Murphy brings us her 'You Had To Be There'. 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 Friday's Football Daily, Richie McCormack brings you reaction to a chastening night for Shamrock Rovers at Stamford Bridge. We hear directly from manager Stephen Bradley, and new Dad Markus Poom on his deflected goal against Chelsea. Ruben Amorim insists it wasn't a mistake to leave out Marcus Rashford in their Carabao Cup loss at Tottenham. Shelbourne's latest signing is hailed as a 'significant coup'. And Southampton's next manager appears from right out of left field.

Tonight on the Alexandra Palace stage will see a Munster clash of Limerick's Willie O'Connor, and Borrisokane's Dylan Slevin. Before they locked horns at the oche, O'Connor and Slevin took time to speak to Eoin about their historic clash.

On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of Ulster's decision to tie down Zac Ward to a three-year contract. Ulster and Munster have named their teams for tomorrow night's URC interpro at Kingspan Stadium, and we hear from both camps. Plus, Chris Farrell will not appeal his sentence as part of the Grenoble rape trial.

The Irish MMA fighter Will Fleury re-joined Off The Ball Breakfast this morning ahead of his OKTAGON MMA title bout with Karlos Vemola later this month.  Now into his mid-30s, Fleury is viewing the fight in redemptive terms.  Last year, while fighting on a Professional Fighters League card, Fleury was one among seven different fighters found to have tested positive for a prohibited substance. He was hit with a 9-month suspension and fined in excess of $3000.  With remarkable candour, Fleury spoke to Ger Gilroy and Arthur James O'Dea about why he decided to take a banned substance, how he did it and what led to him being caught. 

On Thursday's Football Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the news that Fulham are to test Brighton's resolve regarding Evan Ferguson. Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley addresses those links to Millwall. Arne Slot admits his Liverpool side were a tad fortunate to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals last night. And Mikel Arteta discusses Kieran Tierney as Celtic mull over a return to Parkhead for the Scottish wing-back.

Welcome to Thursday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your free sample of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast.On this morning's show, none other than former All Blacks captain Kieran Read joins us. We talk to MMA fighter Will Fleury regarding his positive drugs test earlier this year. And the Limerick v Kilkenny Celebrity Deathmatch... But this morning's Breakfast Bite sees our own Dara Smith-Naughton examine the real cost of attending one of next year's Six Nations fixtures at the Aviva. 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 line on Stuart Lancaster, who apparently "wants out" of his deal at Racing 92.Lancaster's had to put the foot down with two hookers taking their Christmas party too far. Jean Kleyn has gone under the knife. Ulster centre Ben Carson has signed a new long-term contract. And the UK government counts the cost of London Irish, Wasps and Worcester going under.

Welcome to Wednesday's OTB Breakfast Bite, your free sample of this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast. This morning on the show, we talk inter-county retirement with now ex-Mayo goalkeeper Rob Hennelly.We catch up with boxer Emmet Brennan, and we talk to experienced football journalist Martin Lipton. Keith Treacy joined Adrian and Arthur on hosting duties this morning, and our Breakfast Bite sees Keith and Martin look at the case of Martin Lipton, and what next for the wantaway United forward.

On Wednesday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you the latest on those Stephen Bradley links to Millwall. We hear directly from Ruben Amorim on those Marcus Rashford comments regarding a potential departure. And Mykhailo Mudryk has enlisted the help of Paul Pogba's law firm in an effort to avoid a lengthy doping ban. All that, plus a familiar face returns to Drogheda, Cork City's captain unhappy with contract snub, and the latest from the Women's Champions League.

Irish running legend Eamonn Coghlan joined Eoin Sheahan in studio as the GOAL Mile returns in the build up to Christmas, raising awareness for those less fortunate! He reflects on the year that was for Irish athletics, looking back on the heartbreak and success of Ireland's Olympians. He also reveals that Kaarlo Maaninka, the man who finished ahead of him in the 1980 Olympics to claim a medal and subsequently admitted to blood doping, had actually thrown his medals into a Finnish lake out of shame of cheating in that years Olympics. Find your local Goal Mile at https://www.goalglobal.org/

On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of the two latest central contracts to be extended,We hear from Munster skills and assistant attack coach Mossy Lawlor on the day he signed a new two-year deal with the province, plus the latest on their crippling injury list.Leinster coach Jacques Nienaber's revealed they were essentially running in-game trials of new lineout laws last week.And Connacht stalwart Paul Boyle is targeting a scalp at the Aviva this weekend.

Welcome to Tuesday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your free taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, Jonathan Wilson joins the lads to talk football. Former Mayo and Bohemians star Sarah Rowe dials in from Australia, where she's once again swapped the AFLW for the round ball. And James Tracy talks rugby.But this morning's Breakfast Bite takes us to the leaf through the morning papers where Ger and Arthur discussed the return to the Limerick hurling panel of Shane Dowling, and his capacity to replace the injured Nickie Quaid in goal. 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 Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you all the reaction to last night's Premier League draw at the Vitality where neither manager emerged happy.Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk faces a lengthy ban after 'testing positive' for a banned substance.Manchester United are trying to get to the bottom of their team sheet leaks.Wales are given a nightmare draw for next summer's Women's European Championships.