Keith Treacy and Richie Towell join Raf Diallo on this week's new-look RTÉ Soccer Podcast to talk about Ireland's performance in Portugal and what's to come in Armenia, plus Dundalk's promotion and LOI academy funding, while Rachel Graham and Méabh De Búrca preview the Women's Cup final and pick their Team of the Season.
TIMESTAMPS
01:40 Richie and Keith discuss whether footballers pay attention to player ratings from newspapers and websites.
04:00 Keith and Richie review Ireland's narrow defeat to Portugal in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and look ahead to the task at hand against Armenia.
24:30 Richie and Keith react to the news that the Government have allocated €3 million worth of funding towards League of Ireland academies through the Budget for 2026.
32:15 Keith and Richie discuss Shamrock Rovers missing the chance to seal the title last Friday against Shelbourne at Tallaght Stadium and discuss what's next for Dundalk after securing automatic promotion back to the Premier Division.
41:00 Rachel and Méabh talk about the host of league greats that have retired after Saturday's final day of the Women's Premier Division including Áine O'Gorman, Karen Duggan, Rianna Jarrett and Kylie Murphy.
49:30 Méabh and Rachel react to Laurie Ryan and John Sullivan being confirmed as Treaty United and Athlone Town's head coaches respectively.
52:15 Rachel and Méabh preview Sunday's Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup final between double-chasing Athlone and underdogs Bohemians.
58:20 Rachel and Méabh pick their Team of the Season for 2025 from the Women's LOI.
1:05:05 Méabh and Rachel look ahead to Wednesday's Ireland squad announcement and discuss how the academy funding will impact the women's game.
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 Armenia in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday 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 an extended Game On programme on RTÉ 2fm.
