Episode 44: How can Ireland be better?

Episode 44: How can Ireland be better?

So with the World Cup finishing - it is time to focus on the next tournament - and how Ireland can be at their BEST! Its time to look to the future... George Hamilton and Connor Phillips look at the 11 players (and the subs) who started Ireland's World Cup Play-Off with Czechia - and they look at where they should be playing next season in order for Ireland to be at their very best! From Caoimhín Kelleher through through to Try Parrott... Where should they be playing their club football next season? Should we be looking for as many players as possible to play Premier League / Top European League or should we focus on as many players getting as many minutes as possible - no matter what the club? The lads go through each player and talk about what could be ahead for them in the coming seasons - both in and our of a green shirt! To comment / contribute or to sponsor the podcast: itsthere@fiocar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Episode 43: 2026 World Cup Part 6

And so the greatest sporting event on earth has come to a close! The 2026 FIFA World Cup is over. Spain are the World Champions... but are they the deserved winners? George Hamilton and Connor Phillips gather once more to talk about the last week in football and more importantly about the last 6 weeks of round the clock international football! Connor and George talk about the World Cup Final and how Lionel Messi didnt get the chance to show he is the greatest ever. Spain simply didnt give him the ball! The lads also talk about the hydration break and where George thinks its future lies (hint* hes not a fan!). In part two of the podcast the lads look at the winners and losers of the entire tournament. Thomas Tuchel, Julian Naglesman and Pico Lopez all feature... listen in full to find out which group they belong to (im sure you can guess!). Norway and referees get a mention too. Also be sure to listen out to one of the best 'Hamilton Rants' you are likely to hear. George Hamilton is at his sparkling best and uses every year of his experience and every one of the 12 World Cups he has worked at to give his opinion on World Cup 2026! To sponsor the pod or to contact the lads: itsthere@fiocar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

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]