Former Republic of Ireland winger Keith Treacy, ex-Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers and Celtic midfielder Richie Towell, Shelbourne's Rachel Graham and Hungarian football journalist Bence Bocsak join Raf Diallo on a bumper episode of the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
Among the talking points this week: The Republic of Ireland get ready to face Hungary and Dominik Szoboszlai in the first 2026 World Cup qualifier this Saturday; Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers and Athlone Town make European progress, Jack Byrne leaves the Hoops on loan for Dubai Irish and Wexford win the Avenir Sports All-Island Cup on penalties.
TIMESTAMPS
00:55 Richie and Keith pay tribute to the late Ollie Horgan after the former Finn Harps manager died last Thursday aged 57.
04:00 Keith and Richie discuss the Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Hungary and Armenia - both games live across RTÉ platforms - and preview Saturday's pivotal opening fixture against the Hungarians.
22:50 Hungarian football journalist Bence Bocsak gives an in-depth on Ireland's opponents, including the over-arching influence of captain Dominik Szoboszlai and his new Liverpool team-mate Milos Kerkez's role; how Marco Rossi's side will set-up tactically; the vast shadow cast by the legacy of the Magical Magyars; and how Robbie Keane and Callum O'Dowda have been faring as manager and player at the country's biggest club Ferencvaros.
52:35 Richie and Keith discuss Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers both qualifying for the league phase of the UEFA Conference League and how they may fare against their confirmed opponents including Crystal Palace and Shakhtar Donetsk respectively.
01:02:50 Richie and Keith share their views on the left-field move which has seen Jack Byrne depart Shamrock Rovers on loan to join Dubai Irish in the gulf nation's third division.
01:06:30 Keith and Richie review the latest action from the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division action.
01:22:45 Keith discusses how he feels Brentford have done under Keith Andrews three matches into the Premier League season.
01:24:40 Rachel analyses Athlone Town's performances against Breidablik and Red Star Belgrade, with the latter result getting them into the inaugural Women's Europa Cup. She also gives her take on how she expects them to fare against Glasgow City in their first qualifying round tie later this month.
01:29:55 Rachel discusses Wexford's Avenir Sports All-Island Cup final triumph over Bohemians.
01:35:00 Rachel reviews the weekend's SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division results including her own Shelbourne side's 8-0 victory over Sligo Rovers.
01:40:40 With the Women's Super League season starting up, Rachel looks at the Irish angle within the two divisions of English football this coming campaign.
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Watch Republic of Ireland v Hungary in World Cup qualifying on Saturday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
