It's There! An Irish Sports Podcast

Episode 42: Packie Bonner RE-RELEASE

As we approach the World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to hear our conversation with the man who brough Ireland iys greatest World Cup moment. The big man from Donegal - Packie Bonner: The maker of Irish history - Packie Bonner joins George and Connor for an amazing look back at the biggest moments in Irish sport. How did it come to be that 'A Nation holds its breath'? Packie Bonner talks George and Connor through every step and make sure you still until the end where George does it all over again. From starting in Donegal where a handshake agreement to tear up his amateur contract if one of the big boys came calling to togging out for Celtic and he couldn't even tell his mummy he was playing! We find out how Packie made his way into Jack Charlton's plans having played very little under Eoin Hand and how Ireland won its ONLY international tournament in Iceland of all places. Keep an ear out for a Jack Charlton impression that you won't forget! Sponsorship enquiries: itsthere@fiocar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Episode 41: 2026 World Cup Part 5

And then there were 4! Its Argentina vs England & France vs Spain in the last 4 of the World Cup! Connor backed England to 'do well' almost a month ago. Just how well are they going to do?! George put his lot behind France at the start of the tournament. Listen to George Hamilton dive into some very interesting England vs Argentina coincidences this week and have a bit of a recap on how its all gone. Connor talks World Cup / Footballing conspiracy theories with a man who has been around for a fair few World Cups. Do the 'big wigs' just want the worlds best players to get to the semi-finals and finals? Messi? Mbappe? Kane? Yamal? Then there is the commentary! We get an extraordinary deep dive into what it's like to commentate on The World Cup and how a commentator should prepare for a final. George Hamilton who has done 10 World Cup Finals talks about his preparation for those big games and how it all seems to have changed for World Cup 2026. For the better? You can be the judge of that! The lads even managed to get some Ireland chat into the podcast as well with Evan Ferguson being linked to a move to Turkey and Troy Parrott back at AZ Alkmaar - perhaps ready for a new season there? Contact / Sponsorship: itsthere@fiocar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Episode 40: THE BIG 40!

George Hamilton and Connor Phillips are celebrating 40 episodes of the podcasts -The 'Ruby' episode if you like! So to celebrate - a very special question and answers session from our listeners. We took questions from email, Instagram and X and the listeners didnt let us down! Questions on the most dangerous place George ever worked, the best non-World Cup memories he has, the best rule changes that HAVE worked in football and the changes the lads would still like to put in the game. On top of all that - hear George and Connors best moments from the last 40 episodes - including Gary Breen and his first meeting with Paul McGrath, Kevin Doyle and the time George surprised even him on the podcast! Listen out for other highlights from Packie Bonner and his angry face and John Aldridge and the moment from the '94 World Cup that we'll never forget! Also - find out the surprising answer to George - What is the greatest game you were never at?! To comment of sponsor the podcast: itsthere@fiocar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Episode 39: 2026 World Cup Part 4

Well well well! The fallout of an extraordinary week in world football! With the USA 'soccer' team having their talisman Folarin Balogun originally set to miss his side's last-16 tie against Belgium after being shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic - Donald Trump declared to the world that he spoke to FIFA's top brass and asked to get it overturned. Listen to George Hamilton and what he thought of the who thing! With Brazil, Portugal, The Netherlands and Germany all on the plane back home - it going to be quite the finish to what is supposed to be 'the Greatest Show on Earth!'. The lads also talk about how their predictions have been going, how England and Norway will play out and of course a World Cup podcast would not be a World Cup podcast with a little bit more love for Pico Lopez! Listen now - if you want to comment or if you want to sponsor the podcast: itsthere@fiocar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Episode 38: Ray Houghton RE-RELEASE

As we are deep within the World Cup of 2026 - we thought it was a perfect opportunity for you to hear from a man who has played in two of them! Ray Houghton from Italia 1990 and USA 1994! Ray was our first ever guest on the podcast and no one knows what it like to play in and score at The World Cup quite like Ray! Ray Houghton ReRelease: 'And then Ray Houghton got the ball and stuck it in the net!'. George and Connor are joined by Republic of Ireland legend Ray Houghton. The lads relive two of the greatest moments in Irish Sporting history an delve into Ray's incredible career! Did you know Ray's feet never left the ground when he scored against England in Euro 88? Was he responsible for a 'considerable' rise in the Irish population 9 months after the goal?! And - it all could have been so different had he not gone that extra mile to be in Jack Charlton's plans for USA '94. Listen out as George Hamilton helps recreate the two goals that made us all dream! 'Its There!' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]