Leader Talk

The sound of bells ringing out from St Mel's Cathedral has returned to Longford town. The familiar sound was lost when the cathedral was destroyed by fire on Christmas Day last year. But now as plans progress to restore the building to its former glory, a new automated bell system has been installed and the hourly chimes are once again a feature of Longford life. Fintan Duffy reports

This week’s Leader Talk podcast looks back on County Final day in Longford. Slashers brought a 16 year wait for a senior title to an end with victory over Dromard and St Vincents claimed the minor championship with a win over Northern Gaels. We have all the reaction to both games including aftermatch interviews with both of the winning captains, the senior team managers and the we have the views from the Pearse Park press box. Also joining Fintan Duffy on Leader Talk this week is former Longford footballer Liam Tierney.

On the Leader Talk podcast this week we look ahead to the 2010 Peter Hanley Motors, Longford Senior Football Final. Longford Slashers take on Dromard on September 26th in Pearse Park in what is an eagerly awaited decider. Joining Fintan Duffy on the Leader Talk panel are former Longford footballers, Padraic Davis from Drumlish and Carrickedmond’s Eugene McCormack. We also get view from the Pearse Park press box, where the Longford Leader’s Padraic O’Brien and County Board PRO, John Duffy give us their views on who will lift the Connolly Cup.

On the Leader Talk podcast this week we take stock of the year so far in Longford football and look forward to the appearance of the Longford Minors in the All-Ireland quarter-final. Joining Fintan Duffy on the Leader Talk panel is former Longford star and Drumlish clubman, Padraic Davis; and another man who wore the Blue and Gold with distinction, and continues to play a major role in his club, Carrickedmond's Eugene McCormack.

This week's edition of Leader Talk is a feature on Ladies Football in County Longford. We talk to the chairman of the Ladies County Board and one of the founders of Ladies Football in Longford, that's Liam Forde. Leader reporter Ailbhe Gillespie also joins us to take a look at some of the stories that are featured on the pages of the Longford Leader.

This week on Leader Talk we discuss the concerns over the future of the A&E services at Mullingar Hospital. We take a look at where Longford football goes from here after yet another first round exit from the Leinster Championship, and we get some thoughts on what the people of Longford can do to ride out the recession. Joining Fintan Duffy on the Leader Talk panel are, Pat O'Rourke, the former president of the ICMSA and Pat O'Toole, the manager of the St Christopher's Centre in Longford town.

This week on Leader Talk we hear news of the end of the recession is being received in Longford; we discuss the future use of Connolly Barracks; there's news of an exciting new theatre project in Longford town; and we hear about the latest developments at St Mel's Cathedral. Joining Fintan Duffy on the Leader Talk panel this week are: Fr Tom Healy, ADM of the parish of Templemichael, RTE journalist, Fran McNulty and the editor of the Longford Leader, Sheila Reilly.

This week on Leader Talk we look ahead to the 2010 All-Ireland Football Championship. We take a detailed look at the games in each of the provinces and assess the chances for Longford, Cavan and Leitrim. Fintan Duffy is joined on the Leader Talk panel by GAA columnist and former All-Ireland winning manger with Offaly,Eugene McGee; by BBC Ulster's GAA commentator, Owen McConnon; and by the sports editor at Shannonside Radio, John Lynch.

This week's Leader Talk Podcast looks at the government's gamble on the banking system, the church's response to the clerical sex abuse scandal and how local TD Peter Kelly has rallied to support our embattled Taoiseach. Joining Fintan Duffy on the Leader Talk panel are: Fr Joe McGrath, Chaplin to St Mel's College, the chief executive of Longford County Enterprise Board, Michael Nevin, and the editor of the Longford Leader Sheila Reilly.

Following the draw for this years' Longford club championships Leader Talk takes a look at the group stages for the senior championship and the changes that have been made to the intermediate and junior competitions. Joining Fintan Duffy on this edition of Leader Talk is former Longford forward and Drumlish stalwart, Padraig Davis,Carrickedmond's Eugene McCormack and the Longford Leader's Padraic O'Brien.

This week on the Leader Talk Podcast we discuss why women in Longford want a greater input to decisions made by our local authorities. There's also Bishop Colm O'Reilly on the Rome abuse summit and the restoration of St Mel's Cathedral, and the new boss at Flancare Park, Tony Cousins looks ahead to the forthcoming First Division season. All that and more on Leader Talk with Fintan Duffy.

This week Leader Talk focuses on the 70 million euro shopping development that is proposed for Longford Town. Planning permission has been secured from the local authority, but now a number of appeals have been lodged with An Bord Pleanala. The promoter of the development claims there's 130 million euro per year,that's being earned in Longford,that is being spent elsewhere. It's being suggested that the redevelopment of the existing Longford Shopping Centre, and the establishment of a Tesco outlet on the N4 bypass, is the way to keep that cash in Longford. Featuring on the Leader Talk Podcast are; promoter, Pat Ridge; President of Longford Chamber of Commerce, Seamus Butler; Fianna Fáil Town Councillor, Tony Flaherty, and local businessman, Paul Higgins.

Welcome to the first edition of the Longford Leader Podcast, Leader Talk. The podcast is a fortnightly edition where topics of national and local interest will be discussed by a panel of invited guests. This week Fintan Duffy is joined by RTE journalist Fran McNulty; Longford Chamber of Commerce President, Seamus Butler; Longford Leader editor, Sheila Reilly and Leinster GAA Council Vice-chairman, Martin Skelly. The podcast was recorded at Backstage Theatre, in Longford town.