Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Ref rants, title twists, Irish abroad and City-Arsenal

Keith Treacy and Johnny McDonnell join Raf Diallo to review the weekend's League of Ireland action including penalty controversy in Derry, Shels' slip up at Galway and Women's FAI Cup semi reaction. They also talk Irish players in European competition and a feisty Manchester City v Arsenal clash.

Soccer • 23 Sep 24

Cork City manager Tim Clancy, centre, and players celebrate after their promotion-sealing win over UCD last week

McDonnell: Cork City in 'good place' to handle step up

Former St Patrick's Athletic and Shelbourne manager Johnny McDonnell discusses Cork City's potential to build on their promotion-winning campaign upon their return to the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division next season.

Soccer • 12 Sep 24

Heimir's first dance review and the Dundalk situation

Johnny McDonnell and RTÉ Sport's Conor Neville join Raf Diallo to review a losing start for new Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson against England and Greece. They also talk about the Under-21s, the situation at Dundalk, the FAI Cup quarter-finals and Cork City's promotion.

Soccer • 11 Sep 24

Stephen Kenny has past history at St Pat's as Under-21 manager between 1997 and 1998

McDonnell: Kenny taking Saints job would be phenomenal

If St Patrick's Athletic are able to appoint Stephen Kenny as their next manager, it would be a "phenomenal" coup for the club, according to former Saints captain and boss Johnny McDonnell.

Soccer • 13 May 24

Meath native Sam Curtis has often been part of matchday squads since signing for Sheffield United in January

Doyle: Curtis's innate drive bodes well after EPL debut

Sam Curtis made his Premier League debut for Sheffield United on Saturday and his former St Patrick's Athletic team-mate Eoin Doyle believes the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has the character to build on his latest breakthrough.

Soccer • 14 May 24

Saint Stephen Kenny? | Curtis' EPL debut and title race

Former St Pat's men Eoin Doyle and Johnny McDonnell join Raf Diallo to talk about Stephen Kenny being linked to the Saints vacancy, 16-year-old Mason Melia's impact against Shamrock Rovers, Sam Curtis' Premier League debut for Sheffield United and Arsenal needing a favour from Tottenham.

Soccer • 13 May 24

Alan Reynolds was unveiled by Bohs on Wednesday

Doyle: No better man than Reynolds to rally Bohs troops

Eoin Doyle and Johnny McDonnell look ahead to the Dublin derby between Shamrock Rovers and a Bohemians side under new management.

Soccer • 28 Mar 24

John O'Shea with Brian Kerr, Paddy McCarthy, Glenn Whelan and goalkeeping coach Rene Gilmartin during the friendly against Belgium

O'Shea-led Ireland a better bet than Poyet - McDonnell

Retaining John O'Shea and the rest of the Republic of Ireland interim management team on a permanent basis should be the way forward taken by the FAI rather than pursuing an option like Gus Poyet, according to Johnny McDonnell and Eoin Doyle.

Soccer • 27 Mar 24

Ireland's March takeaway and more O'Shea on the menu?

Eoin Doyle and Johnny McDonnell join RTÉ Sport's Raf Diallo and Anthony Pyne to review Ireland's two friendly matches against Belgium and Switzerland, and John O'Shea's chances of becoming permanent boss as well as a look ahead to a huge long weekend in the LOI and Manchester City v Arsenal.

Soccer • 27 Mar 24

Disappointment for Cork City followers after just one season back in top flight

Cork's alarm bells ringing after Healy left - McDonnell

While Cork City's fate was sealed when they lost the SSE Airtricity promotion/relegation final to Waterford on Friday, Johnny McDonnell believes "alarm bells were ringing" as soon as former manager Colin Healy stepped away from the club in May.

Soccer • 14 Nov 23

Players line up for Amhrán na bhFiann in front of a record FAI Cup final attendance at the Aviva Stadium

Record cup final attendance a 'barometer' for the LOI

The record attendance and raucous atmosphere at Sunday's Sports Direct FAI Cup final shows the potential for growth within Irish domestic football, according to three-time former cup winner Graham Gartland.

Soccer • 14 Nov 23

RTÉ Soccer Podcast: Pat's cup joy and Ireland's window

Graham Gartland and Johnny McDonnell join Raf Diallo to analyse St Patrick's Athletic's FAI Cup final win over Bohemians, discuss the upcoming window for Stephen Kenny's Ireland, react to Waterford's play-off final win and talk Jake O'Brien's progress for Lyon and the knock on effect for scouting.

Soccer • 13 Nov 23

RTÉ Soccer Podcast: McClean to Wrexham & Premier League

Keith Treacy and Johnny McDonnell join Raf Diallo to talk about the latest from the Women's World Cup and League of Ireland as well as James McClean's Wrexham move and Aaron Connolly at Hull. Plus, Derry City's European tie in Kazakhstan and the new Premier League season are previewed.

Soccer • 07 Aug 23

Derry City trio Brian Maher, Cameron McJannet, and Sadou Diallo were involved in getting past KuPS

'Difficult' away leg awaits for Derry in Kazakhstan

Keith Treacy and Johnny McDonnell discuss Derry City's Europa Conference League third qualifying round first leg that will take place in Kazakhstan against Basel's conquerors FC Tobol on Thursday.

Soccer • 08 Aug 23

Stephen Bradley will hope his Shamrock Rovers side can play group stage football for the second year in a row as they did in the Conference League last season

Early opportunities knock for LOI's European quartet

Keith Treacy and Johnny McDonnell look ahead to the challenges Shamrock Rovers, Derry City, St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk will face as they start their European qualifying campaigns.

Soccer • 10 Jul 23

Jason Knight was Ireland's player of the match against Gibraltar last month

Knight game-time key amid Bristol City links - Treacy

Keith Treacy and Johnny McDonnell discuss the speculation linking Republic of Ireland and Derby County midfielder Jason Knight with a move to Championship side Bristol City.

Soccer • 11 Jul 23

RTÉ Soccer Podcast: McCabe chat, LOI in Europe, Carsley

Ireland captain Katie McCabe chats to Tony O'Donoghue ahead of the World Cup adventure and Lily Agg speaks to Adrian Eames. Raf Diallo is joined by Keith Treacy and Johnny McDonnell to preview the LOI clubs' European ties, review the weekend's action and to talk Lee Carsley and Jason Knight.

Soccer • 10 Jul 23

The Ireland Under-17s side which started in the 3-0 win over Wales on Saturday with Naj Razi (bottom row, far left) and Ike Orazi (2nd from right, bottom row)

Ireland U17s: 'All of them have had different journeys'

Graham Gartland profiles the Shamrock Rovers contingent in the Republic of Ireland Under-17s squad that will face Hungary in their final European Championship group game live on RTÉ on Tuesday night, before touching on the risks for youngsters accepting agent-organised trials to overseas clubs.

Soccer • 22 May 23

RTÉ Soccer Podcast: Ferguson's KPIs and Ireland's U17s

Graham Gartland and Johnny McDonnell join Raf Diallo to discuss the Ireland U17s' Euro performances, the pathway for young players, pros and cons of ex-internationals returning to the league, Caoimhin Kelleher's Liverpool future, Evan Ferguson's latest Premier League goals and the latest LOI action.

Soccer • 22 May 23

The Hoops earned derby bragging rights as well as cutting the gap to Bohemians at the top in one fell swoop

Hoops might not lose again this season - McDonnell

Shamrock Rovers are capable of going the remainder of the season unbeaten on current form according to former St Patrick's Athletic manager Johnny McDonnell.

Soccer • 08 May 23

RTÉ Soccer Podcast: Champions League semis & LOI issues

Johnny McDonnell and Paul Corry join Raf Diallo and Anthony Pyne to review the weekend's SSE Airtricity League action and stories. They also look ahead to the Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Manchester City, while Anthony outlines Ireland's Women's UEFA Nations League draw.

Soccer • 08 May 23

The Saints' defence struggled at Dundalk

St Pat's need to 'reboot' their season - McDonnell

Former St Patrick's Athletic manager Johnny McDonnell says the team needs to 'reboot' their season after two damaging defeats in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division over the long weekend.

Soccer • 08 Mar 23

RTÉ Soccer Podcast: Evan's evolution and LOI thrillers

Keith Long and Johnny McDonnell join Raf Diallo and Anthony Pyne to review the latest SSE Airtricity League action over a thrilling long weekend, discuss Evan Ferguson as the France game looms this month and react to Liverpool's 7-0 win over Manchester United.

Soccer • 07 Mar 23

RTÉ Soccer Podcast: 'Sleepwalking' Ireland, U21 anguish

Former Ireland midfielder Keith Treacy and ex-St Pat's and Shelbourne manager Johnny McDonnell join Raf Diallo and Conor Neville to discuss the Nations League campaign after the narrow win over Armenia, as well as play-off heartbreak for the U21s and domestic matters.

Soccer • 28 Sep 22

RTÉ Soccer Podcast: Bradley Lincoln linked, Derry soar

Johnny McDonnell and Gary Rogers join Raf Diallo and Conor Neville on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast to talk about the weekend's LOI and WNL results, Stephen Bradley being linked with the Lincoln job, the Champions League semis are previewed and the Irish at promoted Wigan and Rotherham are discussed.

Soccer • 03 May 22