Kicking Match: An Irish League Podcast

Keelan Leeper pops in to give us an insight into what has went wrong for his Ports this season. With their first victory under their belts, in a turnaround on the horizon. Elsewhere Glentoran and Ballymena are building momentum, but will it be short lived? And what do Cliftonville need to do to get out of their current funk?

Former Sports Editor of the Ballymena Times Stephen Alexander joins the pod to recap all the latest in the Irish League. Linfield win out in the battle of the big two, handing Coleraine their first loss of the season, at home to boot. Crusaders continue to show their bright start to the season is no fluke by coming back against Bangor and Glentoran are still on the look out for a new manager.

It has been a tough season for a couple of Irish League sides so far, but nobody more than Portadown. They came into a fresh campaign led by new manager David Jeffery, with a boatload of fresh faces through the door. But all it has left them is bottom of the table with a solitary point to their name. Is this just a horrible start to a season for a team in transition, or are Portadown the most likely team to be playing Championship football next season? Dave Watt joins the podcast to reflect on two Premiership gameweeks and gives us an extended insight into everything going on in the Irish League’s second tier

Its all change in East Belfast once again as Declan Devine steps down as Glentoran boss. What didn't go to plan under his tenure, and who is in the frame to fill the hot seat? Matthew Brown gives his instant reaction. Plus football writer Lewis Bennett returns to the pod to give his latest take on all the happenings within the Irish League.

Football writer Johnny McNabb joins the pod to look back on all the latest action from the weekend. A thumping 4-1 victory over Crusaders, goals flying in and the new signings already looking the part, the Bannsiders are top of the table and looking like the team to beat. Larne bounced back from their European heartbreak with a win over Glentoran. At the other end, Portadown and Limavady remain pointless, while Bangor produced a second-half comeback to secure their first point against Ballymena.