Newstalk: Off The Ball

Butson · 27-01-2026 04:53PM

The Hurling Pod back this weekend

Probably the best thing on OTB now.

Mantis Toboggan · 27-01-2026 07:40PM

Gaa coverage on off the ball is the best in the country IMO.

keeponhurling · 28-01-2026 10:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124185694#Comment_124185694

Indeed, I can't think of any better ones.

Some GAA coverage can be very negative, moaning about calendars, rules etc.

The contributors on both Hurling and Football Pods are so passionate and seem to just love the sport. More in tune with actual fans I think.

Leg End Reject · 29-01-2026 10:28PM

Mod - a reminder from the charter:

personal abuse will not be tolerated (appearance, accent, personal life, their family etc).

Some posts will be deleted.

Mantis Toboggan · 02-02-2026 09:37AM

Nice to see the hurling show back, football does tend to get more coverage.

CatFromHue · 02-02-2026 03:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124185694#Comment_124185694

They do a lot of things right. Before the paywall was brought in I thought their rugby coverage was very good too. Indo Sport is pretty good now as well but still thought OTB's was better.

dmakc · 01-03-2026 02:00AM

OTB had someone on today refusing to play Israel even if the penalty was being banned from the WC. There is no end to the extent of this OTB echo chamber.

The galway horsey lad was nearly in tears last weekend over it.

Tell me how · 01-03-2026 03:05AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124274085#Comment_124274085

Lot of GAA legends were in Croke Park today saying the same thing as what you're complaining about. So too has Eamon Dunphy, Johnny Giles, 2 in 3 LOI players, Richie Sadlier, Brian Kerr, etc.

Maybe the echo chamber supporting Palestine is bigger than the one you're stuck in?

dmakc · 01-03-2026 01:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124274137#Comment_124274137

At the cost of a world cup place? Did all of those people really say what I'm referring to?

Not sure why you need to specify gaa legends. I prefer independent thinking over using athletes as a moral compass. Peter Canavan was happy to protest Allianz yesterday and work under their banner minutes later.

Tell me how · 01-03-2026 02:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124274781#Comment_124274781

If he quit, you'd be in here saying he was probably let go and he was just bitter and was complaining for that reason.

The world cup this summer could be a fiasco. The spectre of ICE looming over games, the trouble in Mexico, the over commercialization of the event, the trouble cities have to get adequate funding for security (and that was before yesterday) Trumps guaranteed desire to make it about him and Infantino's subservience to him in every way. Its all nauseating and were Ireland to be prevented from participating because standing up against Genocide, it would be infinitely more beneficial for the country than say attending and coming home after 2 defeats and say a draw, or even a win.

The competition has been devalued significantly in recent years and while im definitely not saying its on its last legs, there's no law to say it will eternally be bigger and better than it was in the past.

I wouldn't demand the FAI not play Israel, and I definitely wouldn't ask any player to refuse to play. But I'd be more proud of them if they did that than I would if they made it to the world cup.

siblers · 01-03-2026 05:35PM

There seems to be fairly regular issues where the comms from the commentary team aren't working. Issues now with the Arsenal Chelsea game

Tell me how · 01-03-2026 05:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124275693#Comment_124275693

It's one thing I always felt OTB was poor on, the technical side of things. Or maybe it was as much a Newstalk thing as OTB.

When they started using Skype/Zoom for calls first, they hardly had an interview that didn't have difficulties. And while it wasn't always their issue, like poor wifi at the end where the interviewee was, they shouldn't have gone with that mode of communication unless it was expected to be of sufficient quality.

And I listened to a Team 33 podcast once when that was going and the whole time, the whole hour of the pod, there was the sound of a door opening/closing every couple of minutes.

dulpit · 01-03-2026 07:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124275716#Comment_124275716

Definitely newstalk as a whole. They like sharing clips so I understand they want video calls as the default but they do seem to be let down much more frequently as a result.

pc7 · 04-03-2026 12:13PM

I know I have a weird issue with people eating and the noise of it, but I had to turn James Treacey off. Himself and Fiona Hayes both suck in saliva through their teeth while talking. Its so annoying and noticable, especially with earphones when listening to a pod. Any OTB producers here can you have a word or get them some media training, also its 'unbelievable' not 'ONbelievable'. Rant over, as you were.

siblers · 05-03-2026 06:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124283861#Comment_124283861

Adrian Barry always sucks through his teeth when he speaks too. Incredibly annoying

amlinopta · 09-03-2026 10:59PM

All pre-recorded after 8.00pm this evening, Kevin Kilbane seems to be back with a regular Monday night slot. No reports from Shels and Shamrock Rovers or even score updates, even though they had a reporter there.

Speak Now · 10-03-2026 10:24PM

Who's the guy on newstalk tonight, he keeps saying Chechnya instead of Czechia 🫣

Tell me how · 11-03-2026 01:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124299683#Comment_124299683

Like Kilbane. Good to have him on again.

Is he covering premier league or is it just football in general?

FazyLucker · 12-03-2026 03:35PM

What is the story with Arthur O'Dea? Like, he was on The Newsround this week and every time he talks its like "Ugh, I dunno" before everything. He seems to want to play devils advocate or the contrarian view on everything rather than having any opinions of his own.

Say what you like about some of the rest of them but at least they have an opinion to offer on stuff!

keeponhurling · 13-03-2026 09:05AM

I think Arthur is actually quite knowledgeable about sport.

But it is annoying that starts every sentence with "I don't know" or "I wouldn't know enough about it"

Acosta · 16-03-2026 09:12AM

Arthur is pretty good. Although I sometimes get the feeling he'd rather be in bed for the morning show.

The young fella with the tash, should really consider shaving it off. That's unless the wind doesn't get it first. It's not a good look

monstermag · 19-03-2026 10:10PM

I just heard Dion Fanning on the news round talking about Iran and the World Cup. I don't have the exact quote, so I'll paraphrase: the war is going so badly for Trump that offering Iran a route back into the World Cup may be an off-ramp for him and a way of ending the war. I think he should stick to sports if this is his level of political analysis. Actually, I'm a little surprised that OTB brought him on board after the incident on The Free State podcast, where he sat silently while Joe made that obscene, misogynistic gesture. The lads clearly view Fanning as a heavyweight intellectual, treating his every word with a level of reverence that seems to shield him from any real scrutiny or pushback. I think the show has been very good of late but personally I can't warm to fanning at all.

Felexicon · 20-03-2026 12:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124325604#Comment_124325604

Don't get the love that gets thrown Fannings way either.

A Temu Ken Early

OkeyDoke12 · 26-03-2026 12:17PM

Stuey Byrne is a hard listen

KanyeSouthEast · 30-03-2026 08:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124341811#Comment_124341811

as is that other lad they have on a lot Vinny Perth. I haven’t heard Johnathon Wilson recently and they used to have a few good UK based journos on which seem to be gone now.

Brock Turnpike · 31-03-2026 09:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124351804#Comment_124351804

Wilson has his own podcast and is a regular on Second Captains and Guardian Football Weekly. All of which are miles better than the football coverage on OTB.

KanyeSouthEast · 31-03-2026 09:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124354454#Comment_124354454

thanks I’ll check that out. I enjoy Wilson I have to say when compared to Stuey or Perth for example.

atilladehun · 01-04-2026 09:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124351804#Comment_124351804

Wilson was on a month ago, and in January too. He's probably on the more expensive end of contributors so I'd say they're happy to rotate him around. As ken early said recently, Irish podcasting has a Jonathan Wilson problem.

Newstalk: Off The Ball

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