The men's Irish League season is in the books, therefore it's that time of year to look back at a campaign full of thrills, chills and drama. With a special look at Cliftonville's Irish Cup heroics, the European play off and the action in the Promotion/Relegation play off. All in the company of guests Mark McGuiggan and Dave Watt. --- Send in a voi…

Preparing to play at a sold out Windsor Park, Cliftonville and Linfield go under the microscope ahead of a huge Irish Cup final. Can the Blues end their season on a high note? Or can the Reds turnover a multi-decade hoodoo in the competition. Plus, we're looking at all flavours of Play Offs, from Europe to Promotion/Relegation Ross Welsh and Joe Mc…

The Inver Reds have done it! (almost) Bar the greatest one game goal difference swing in football history, the Gibson Cup will stay on the Antrim coast. How have the done it? What will Kenny Bruce and Co do next? And what should Linfield learn from this tight title chase? Plus, the Ports return to the Premiership at the first time of asking, Declan…

A 30 seconds of Irish League football which no fan will ever forget, Title Tuesday (working title) will go down in footballing folklore when goals deep into injury time across two games flipped the power balance in the championship chase. Former Ballymena Times sports editor Stephen Alexander is on hand the relieve all that action, look ahead to th…

This season shows no sign of slowing down as it speeds towards the finish line. Football writer and blogger Lewis Bennett joins the pod to share an in depth look at everything that's on the line across all three Irish League divisions. Plus a preview of Tuesday night's (GW 36) games. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/s…

What a start to The Split as both of the top two fluffed their lines in winnable games. Was it a mere blip for both, or could this be a sign for either team of a late season chink in the amour. Elsewhere, Ballymena take a huge step away from the automatic drop zone (relatively) gaining three points on Newry by sneaking the three points late on agai…

Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion from Around the Grounds NI jump back onto the pod this week for an extensive team by team preview of the upcoming split. How have the fixtures fell? Who has something still to play for? And what are the big games to keep an eye on. Plus, we look back at the gripping Irish Cup Semi-Finals. --- Send in a voice message: ht…

Sports reporter from the News Letter, Johnny McNabb joins the pod ahead of an Irish Cup Semi-Final Easter Weekend special. The four best sides in the country face off for a place in the Irish Cup final. A truly season defining weekend. We preview the games and assess all teams path to victory. Elsewhere, we recap the past weekends games, stick the …

Glentoran are once again on the look out for a new manager, their forth permanent boss in the space of just over a year. Who is the right person to take over and what kind of job do they have on their hands? Will it require revolution or just evolution? Did Feeney get a fair shake at the job and what led to his eventual parting of ways. Matthew Bro…

Sports Journalist with the Belfast Telegraph, Stuart McKinley, joins the pod to recap NIFL's showcase final where the Blues were triumphant over an unsteady Portadown side on Mother's Day. Can they use this success to propel themselves toward the Gibson Cup? Elsewhere, a collection of Glentoran supporters clubs have made their opinion clear, they w…

Ahead of Linfield and Portadown facing off in the League Cup Final, Peter is joined by Podcaster & Blueman Mark McGuiggan and Portadown media man Jonny Dunlop to preview the big clash. Could the second tier Ports upset an injury ravaged Linfield? Or will the blues show their class and lift their second League Cup trophy on the bounce. Also on the p…

After starting off the last week with so much potential, Cliftonville will look back at the past couple of days thinking 'what could have been?'. Outclassed by Linfield at home and then toppled by Dungannon away, things could not have gone worse for the Reds as they attempt to keep their season from completely going off the rails. Damian Mullan, Sp…

Matthew Brown from Shout at the Oval joins the podcast to review a week where Coleraine make Linfield look all at sea with a surprising 3-0 victory, Glentoran smash sorry Newry - scoring 8 goals - & Carrick, Larne and Crusaders all win out on less than ideal grass surfaces. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kickin…

Last season's Champions are back on top. Undefeated in 19, they've crawled back Linfield's point cushion - in part - due to the blues dropping 5pts in two game weeks. Cliftonville continue to breath down both teams necks after they continued their own streak without death by thumping Coleraine. Elsewhere it was stalemate in the battle of the baseme…

The Irish League might be steam rolling towards the business end of the season, but our compadres in the League of Ireland are preparing to kick off their brand new season for 2024. To keep us all up to date with the latest comings and goings in the league we contacted broadcaster and host of League of Ireland podcast Between The Stripes help answe…

Massive news in the Irish League as one of the longest serving managers is to step down. What legacy will Stephen Baxter leave on Crusaders and the league as a whole? Who might take over in Seaview? And what might the future hold for the red and black team in North Belfast.Reporter and football writer Barry Flynn joins the pod to discuss all that p…

Dungannon make a huge comeback at Windsor Park to score the biggest shock of the season and further blow the title race open. How will Linfield react as their rivals for the Gibson Cup kept up their end of the deal with victories on Friday night. Coleraine finally won a game for the first time since the start of November, we also ask what the lates…

The three at the top come up trumps again as they all win out in a weekend impacted by weather cancellations. Elsewhere, Carrick heap more misery onto Coleraine as they claim first win away at the Ballycastle Road for over 30 years. Ally McCalmont jumps around to review all that, plus looks back at the entertaining League Cup Semi finals. --- Send …

Who ordered the battle for a top six place/European play off spot? Because it's here and it's toasty hot. The Irish League continues to get more interesting by the week. Add in a couple more transfers and a sprinkling of some further rumoured ones, and that all adds up to a rather delectable pod offering to indulge in. No better person to join the …

Football writer and broadcaster Barry Flynn returns to the podcast the recap the entire 5th Round of the Irish Cup. Where we saw another comeback at home from Linfield, the Glens left it late to avoid another embarrassing cup exit to Annagh United and Crusaders two year reign as Irish Cup holders will come to an end after they were slain by Ards at…

Linfield enter 2024 as the team atop the pile in the NIFL Prem after escaping Inver Park with a point. But it's all eyes on the cup on as the big boys enter the fray in the Irish Cup this weekend. Plus we also look at the early January business already completed the Irish League. Reporter and commentator Mark Strange joins the pod. --- Send in a vo…

Blues keep their Boxing Day record at Windsor sparkling, Ben Wilson delivered another North Belfast win for the Reds as Larne are unflustered by a battling Carrick. This festive period also saw the end of Garry Boyle's time in the Newry City managerial hot seat. Joining the pod to chat through it all was Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion of Around The G…

Just before you get started on that last minute Christmas dash, your weekly fill of Irish League chat is here, and this time round we're taking a look beyond the upcoming festive schedule and ponder every Premiership team's potential needs in the January transfer window. Football blogger and writer Lewis Bennett joins the pod to review the latest g…

A weekend with huge potential ramifications on the title chase, Linfield's young guns helped the Blues recover from some horrendous mistakes to claim three points late against Dungannon, while Cliftonville are unable to repeat the feat as they come up short against Glentoran at home. Peter is joined on the pod this week by Stewart Cherry. --- Send …

An inspired McGinn helped lead Glentoran to a resounding victory over a shell-shocked Linfield. Could this be the start of the Feeney turnaround and why did the Blues capitulate in he manor which they did? € --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kickingmatch/messageSupport this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/…

We're pretty much at the half way point of the Irish League top flight season, so we decided to reflect on the campaign so far by picking our best XI from what we've seen. Gareth Frazer and Conor Houston jump aboard the pod from the good ship The Waffle to share their feelings. They also aid in running their eye over a weekend which saw the top thr…

Football writer from The Newsletter', Johnny McNabb joins the podcast to talk about the latest happenings in the Irish League. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kickingmatch/messageSupport this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kickingmatch/support

Larne remain Linfield's true kryptonite as the Inver Reds do what only they can seemingly do, beat Linfield & do it at Windsor. Exquisite goals from Thompson and Randall earn Larne the points to halt the Blues runaway title run at least for now. Elsewhere, Stephen McDonnell has finally turned the ship around in Lurgan after they secured their third…

The wind and rain couldn't keep the football away, a full slate of Irish League top flight games delivered twists, turns and plenty of goals. A clinical Larne were able to withstand a sparky Cliftonville frontline, Linfield swagger to a victory against Newry and Glenavon sneak past Dungannon to make it two wins in a row. Football reporter and podca…

Glentoran and Crusaders couldn't be separated in a high octane clash where the true winner looks to have been Linfield. There was stalemate at the bottom of the division two as Ballymena and Dungannon share the spoils, but Glenavon capitalise with a victory over Carrick to take them out of the basement position. Podcaster and Linfield fan Mark McGu…

In the battle of the top two it was the Blues who were able to withstand the Cliftonville pressure and grab all three points after McKee makes short work of a one off mistake by the Reds' back line. Loughgall return to winning ways, Glentoran keep the goals coming and Ballymena Utd win out to rise off last place leaving Glenavon lurking at the bott…

Matthew Brown from then Shout At The Oval podcast joins Peter to review all the latest comings and goings in the Irish League. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kickingmatch/messageSupport this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kickingmatch/support

Every team has played everybody else in the league which means it's the first opportunity for a proper temperature check to see how some of these NIFL Premiership teams are getting on this season. We review all the games as always and look ahead to a spooky Friday the 13th selection of games this week in the company of podcaster and Irish League st…

What a week for the wee side from Co. Armagh, Loughgall cement their top flight credentials by defeating the Champions at home and holding the free scoring Reds in North Belfast. We reflect on their recent success. Plus, a recap on Peter's big interview with NIFL CEO Gerard Lawlor and look ahead to a big weekend of games including the BelClassico. …

Peter sits down with the head of the Northern Ireland Football League to share an sight into what went into the organisation's new 5 year strategy plan. In the interview he discusses support for a change in the league schedule, how the league has grown over the years and aims to review when games are played throughout the week. --- Send in a voice …

NIFL drop their biggest statement of intent yet, a five year strategy plan which includes implementing 'change to the professional game playing calendar', increasing attendance by 40% and breaking into Top 35 of UEFA Club Coefficient, all on the table, but will they get it done by 2028? Belfast Live football writer Steven Crawford joins the pod as …

Gary Hamilton's reign as Glenavon boss is over. After close to 12 years in charge of the team which saw him lead the club to a sustained period of success, the Lurgan Blues board decided it was time to move on from one the league's biggest characters. What legacy does he leave at Mourneview Park? Was it the right call to dismiss him? And who are th…

A poor week for Northern Ireland's national team as the men's team took centre stage and laid another egg. It seemed like the straw which broke the camels back for some as goal scoring hero David Healy unleashed a passionate outburst about how the development of the team has been handled off the pitch. Was he right? Were his comments justified? And…

It's Kicking Match 50 and for this celebratory pod we've brought back podcast OG, football commentator Michael Clarke. Plenty of chat about this week as Loughgall snagged a huge result after going down to 10 men, Linfield shot right back up to the top of the table with a win and we have in-depth discussion about leadership/direction within refereei…

After waiting ages for one investor to come into an Irish League club, all of a sudden this week...well you get the picture. Carrick and Coleraine have both said yes to external American business people get to help take their club to the next level. Potential exciting futures await.Back on affairs on the pitch, Linfield blow a lead at home to those…

Peter is joined by Ross Welsh and Joe McCallion from Aroundthe Grounds NI in the Kicking Match digital studio to talk about Linfield's and Cliftonville's 'perfect' start to the season so far ahead of their big clash. We ask, how is the weather getting games called off during the summer? Was Stephen Baxter right when he suggested Glentoran are to bl…

Coleraine Chronicle Sports Editor Damian Mullan is our guest this week as we shine a spotlight on Coleraine takeover talks as we approach what could be a critical week in discussions. Plus, a super early temperature check around the league, as some teams struggle to get their goal scoring mojo going. Is there a striker shortage or have Larne, Clift…

Gameweek 1 of the NIFL Premiership is in the books and what we lacked in actual games we made up for it in drama and action. We review all the games, put the spotlight of the NIFL Championship and lookahead of a full schedule of games ready to kick off the season proper. This week joined by sports writer and blogger, Lewis Bennett. --- Send in a vo…

The Irish League is back and so is the podcast! There's 228 game of thrilling NIFL Premiership action ahead of us, and with so much football about to take place we know you have plenty of questions. Who are the favourites for the title? Who's improved this summer? Who could finding things difficult? And what surprises could be in store? To help ans…

It's been a hot minute, aka month, and the Irish League made plenty of headlines in that time, so Peter Cinnamond is back with those pesky Around the Ground boys - Joe McCallion and Ross Welsh - to review all the happenings since the season's final season. From transfer sagas to social media handshake teases, we talk about who is dominating the ear…

Season is now properly, kinda, pretty much over. The European spots are nailed on and teams are starting to work on their team for next summer. We review the latest Irish League transfer dealings, assess the fallout of the European Play Off final on both Glentoran and Cliftonville, ask how Ballymena United will rebuild under their next manager and …

We welcome back Kicking Match OG, commentator and presenter Michael Clarke to review all the predictions we made about the teams in the NIFL Premiership before the 2022/23 season kicked off all the way back in early August. Plus, we recap the Irish Cup Final and preview the forthcoming European play offs. {00:00:00}{Introduction/Irish Cup Final} {0…

We get ourselves into the Irish Cup spirit as we look ahead to Sunday's showpiece final at Windsor Park. We talk to Gavin Martin from the Crusaders media team and his Ballymena opposite number Anthony Greer to get an insight into each camp and discuss who and what could be the difference makers as we run back last year's famous final. Plus a specia…

The fairytale did not have a happy ending, Portadown are set to be relegated and hometown hero Niall Currie is gonna have the job of his life on his hands to rebuild the Ports into an Irish League force once again. Belfast Telegraph's Keith Bailie joins the pod to chat the NI Football Awards, potential NIFL reshuffling and all the latest transfer r…

Larne are champions, Cliftonville are looking for a new manager, Glenavon have snagged themselves a European play off spot and the Swifts/Ports battle for safety comes to ahead this weekend! And to pick our way through it all, Peter is joined by Conor Houston and Gareth Frazer of the much loved Irish League podcast The Waffle! #Tasty --- Send in a …