Lockdown Football Commentators

Boxing legend George Foreman has died at the age of 76. Olympic champion in Mexico in 1968, he defeated Joe Frazier to become world heavyweight champion in 1973, losing his crown to Muhammad Ali in the legendary "Rumble in the Jungle" the following year. A comeback in the 1990s saw him crowned WBA and IBF world heavyweight champion at the age of 45, before becoming a world famous name all over again thanks to the Foreman grills. On a visit to Ireland, George Foreman spoke to Will Downing about his long and colourful career.

It's been a week of history for Ireland at the European Athletics Championships in Rome. Ireland came away with a record haul of four medals - two gold and two silver. Looking back on the week of glory, and speaking to all the athletes involved, here's Will Downing:

It's a historic fourth medal for Ireland at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome - beating the previous record from 1998. Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley speak to Will Downing - but not necessarily in that order.

Jack Raftery, Chris O'Donnell, 17-year-old Sean Doggett and Callum Baird on finishing 5th and being in the hot seat temporarily in the men's 4x400m relay semi-final at the European Athletics Championships in Rome, speaking to Will Downing.

Bori Akinola, Mark Smyth, Colin Doyle and Israel Olatunde on their European Athletics Championship campaign in Rome, speaking to Will Downing.

There's potential of another medal for Ireland at the European Athletics Championships in Rome. The Irish womens' 4-by-400 relay team have recorded the fastest time in qualifying for the final, winning their semi. Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Lauren Cadden and Sharlene Mawdsley producing the goods, Mawdsley with a brilliant surge in the closing straight to send Ireland up from fourth to victory. All four have been speaking to Will Downing:

Nicola Tuthill has finished ninth in the women's hammer final at the European Athletics Championships in Rome. The 20-year-old was the youngest in the field, and has been speaking to Will Dinwing

It's silver for Rhasidat Adeleke in the European Athletics 400m in Rome. A silver this time for Rhasidat Adeleke in the women's 400m final, beaten in a long head-to-head sprint to the line with Poland's Natalia Kaczmarek, at one stage edging marginally in front, but when Kaczmarek got her nose in front she kept it there. A world lead and Polish record of 48.98, 49.07 Adeleke's new Irish record and Euro U23 lead, she's now seventh fastest European of all time. Adelek breaking her Irish record set a year ago to the day, the Polish record had been set at the 1976 Olympics. Adeleke has been speaking to Will Downing:

Phil Healy is out of the women's 200 metres at the European Athletics Championships in Rome. She came fifth in her heat and 15th overall with only the fastest twelve going through. The Bandon athlete feels a qualifying place was well within her grasp:

Thomas Barr has bowed out of the 400 metres hurdles at the European Athletics Championships in Rome. That's after coming third in his semi-final. He missed out on a spot in the final by four-hundreths of a second and felt more was possible today. He's been speaking to Will Downing:

Andrew Coscoran is through to the final of the men's 1500 metres at the European Athletics Championships in Rome. He progressed through in fifth behind Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen after the irishman led at the bell. Coscoran of Star of the Sea AC is happy to do what he needed to do:

Ciara Mageean has achieved a lifetime's ambition of being crowned European 1500 metres champion in Rome. The Portaferry athlete won a thrilling sprint finish to claim continental honours at the Stadio Olimpico. It's Ireland's second gold of the week, and she's been telling Will Downing it has been a long time coming:

reland didn't have much success at the European Athletics Championships overnight, but one race did provide a double Irish connection. Sweden's Perseus Karlstrom, coached in Cork by former world champion Rob Heffernan, won the men's 20k walk by fighting off Spain's Paul McGrath, whose grandparents are Irish. Speaking to Will Downing, Karlstrom says Ireland can claim more than a small piece of his gold medal.

There's been a lifetime best for Kelly McGrory in the womens' 400 metres hurdles at the European Athletics Championships in Rome. She clocked 57-point-10 seconds in her heat and was eliminated in 19th overall, but the Tir Chonaill AC athlete is still very satisfied.

Thomas Barr has won his heat and is through to the semi-finals of the men's 400 metre hurdles at the European Athletics Championships in Rome. Barr was the fastest of the opening round competitors in a new system where every qualifying place is decided by times instead of a high finish. The relay gold medallist is happy to get things moving, but as he has been telling Will Downing, he is not a fan of the new format...

Mark Smyth has progressed through to the semi-finals of the men's 200 metres at the European Athletics in Rome. The Raheny Shamrock sprinter took the 12th and last qualifying place in 20-point-93 seconds. He may have qualified under the new format, but speaking to Will Downing, thinks it takes away from Championship racing:

Nicola Tuthill is into the womens' hammer final at the European Athletics in Rome. The UCD AC thrower from Kilbrittain near Bandon produced the second-longest effort of her life to do it - 69 metres 85 to make it into tomorrow's final. She's been speaking to Will Downing:

Ireland have taken gold in the mixed 4x400m relay at the European Athletics Championships in Rome. Chris O'Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr and Sharlene Mawdsley were in contention all the way, and a final kick in the closing straight from Mawdsley earned Ireland only a fourth all-time European Championships gold. Sonia O'Sullivan won the previous three in 1994 and 1998. All four have been speaking to Will Downing.

Ciara Mageean's third European Championships medal has been roundly celebrated today, and rightly so. For the Portaferry athlete, success in Munich follows her glory from Amsterdam in 2016 and Glasgow in 2019. Will Downing's lookback on the big night begins with the closing stages of Mageean's 1500 metres final:

Rhasidat Adeleke has made more history for Ireland, taking fifth place in the 400m final at the European Championships in Munich, breaking her own Irish record in the process. 50.53 seconds is Adeleke's new milestone, taking 0.17 off her previous mark set in the Big 12 Championship in May. She's been telling Will Downing about the significance of her display.

Ireland's two finalists in the men's 5000 metres have been enthusing about their European Championships experience in Munich. Brian Fay of Raheny Shamrock came eighth, while European cross-country silver-medallist Darragh McElhinney of UCD and Glengarriff was 16th. Speaking to Will Downing, McElhinney says he can only prosper by competing against the biggest names.

Ireland's two finalists in the men's 5000 metres have been enthusing about their European Championships experience in Munich. Brian Fay of Raheny Shamrock came eighth, while European cross-country silver-medallist Darragh McElhinney of UCD and Glengarriff was 16th. Fay is keen to keep competing in front of huge crowds like the ones seen in Munich, as he's told Will Downing.

Thomas Barr has made it through to Thursday night's semi-finals of the men's 400m hurdles at the European Athletics Championships in Munich. The bronze medallist from the previous Europeans in Berlin fought off a challenge from Dutch hurdler Ramsey Angela to win in 49.49 seconds, though both were well clear of the rest. Barr's fastest time this season is 49.15. He's been speaking to Will Downing about his morning victory.

Ireland has a new sporting hero - Israel Olatunde has broken the Irish 100m record in finishing sixth at the European Athletics Championships in Munich. His time of 10.17 seconds is 0.01 faster than the mark from 2007 of Paul Hession. Israel has been speaking to Will Downing. (PIC: Athletics Weekly)

Rhasdiat Adeleke has got through to the women's 400m final at the European Athletics Championships in Munich, finishing third in her semi-final. She's told Will Downing it's a lot about self-belief, after not originally planning to be at the Euros.

Brendan Boyce has scored a creditable tenth place at the European Athletics Championships in Munich. It continues his run of top-ten finishes at every Championships he has competed in, but Boyce feels he is capable of medals. He's been speaking to Will Downing:

Euro Champs 2022 - TUE 16/8 Brendan Boyce by Irish Sports Network

Euro Champs 2022 - TUE 16/8 Rhasidat Adeleke by Irish Sports Network

Ciara Mageean is through to Friday night's final of the women's 1500 metres at the European Athletics Championships in Munich. She finished second in her semi-final behind Sofia Ennaoui of Poland, having led at the front for much of the race. Mageean will be coming face-to-face with Laura Muir again, who won when Mageean took silver at the Commonwealth Games a fortnight ago

Fionnuala McCormack has finished seventh in the marathon at the European Championships in Munich. The twice European Cross-Country champion was in the lead group all the way through until the final five kilometres - she led at various points of the race. Ann-Marie McGlynn was 28th, with Aoife Cooke 34th, and both have different reasons to be satisfied with their displays in the high noon Munich heat. (Pic - Athletics Ireland)

Fionnuala McCormack has finished seventh in the marathon at the European Championships in Munich. The twice European Cross-Country champion was in the lead group all the way through until the final five kilometres - she led at various points of the race. Fionnaula has told Will Downing she's happy - but could be even happier. (Pic - Athletics Ireland)

Athletics SUN Ciara Neville by Irish Sports Network

Phil Healy's fourth place in the women's 400 metres has been the best Irish result so far at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Torun. Nadia Power reached the semi-finals of the women's 800, with Mark English and 18-year-old Cian McPhillips doing the same in the men's 800. Sarah Lavin has a Sunday semi-final coming in the women's 60 hurdles. And Sean Tobin is into the final of the men's 3000m on Sunday.

Phil Healy's fourth place in the women's 400 metres has been the best Irish result so far at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Torun. Nadia Power reached the semi-finals of the women's 800, with Mark English and 18-year-old Cian McPhillips doing the same in the men's 800. Sarah Lavin has a Sunday semi-final coming in the women's 60 hurdles. And Sean Tobin is into the final of the men's 3000m on Sunday.

Phil Healy's fourth place in the women's 400 metres has been the best Irish result so far at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Torun. Nadia Power reached the semi-finals of the women's 800, with Mark English and 18-year-old Cian McPhillips doing the same in the men's 800. Sarah Lavin has a Sunday semi-final coming in the women's 60 hurdles. And Sean Tobin is into the final of the men's 3000m on Sunday.

Phil Healy's fourth place in the women's 400 metres has been the best Irish result so far at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Torun. Nadia Power reached the semi-finals of the women's 800, with Mark English and 18-year-old Cian McPhillips doing the same in the men's 800. Sarah Lavin has a Sunday semi-final coming in the women's 60 hurdles. And Sean Tobin is into the final of the men's 3000m on Sunday.

Phil Healy's fourth place in the women's 400 metres has been the best Irish result so far at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Torun. Nadia Power reached the semi-finals of the women's 800, with Mark English and 18-year-old Cian McPhillips doing the same in the men's 800. Sarah Lavin has a Sunday semi-final coming in the women's 60 hurdles. And Sean Tobin is into the final of the men's 3000m on Sunday.

Phil Healy's fourth place in the women's 400 metres has been the best Irish result so far at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Torun. Nadia Power reached the semi-finals of the women's 800, with Mark English and 18-year-old Cian McPhillips doing the same in the men's 800. Sarah Lavin has a Sunday semi-final coming in the women's 60 hurdles. And Sean Tobin is into the final of the men's 3000m on Sunday.

A brilliant Saturday morning in Torun at the European Indoors for Ireland's Sarah Lavin and Sean Tobin. Lavin is through to the semi-finals of the 60m hurdles, another lifetime best of 8.06 seconds, beating the mark of 8.13 set in Madrid a couple of weeks ago. Tobin, who were regularly see competing on the Grand Prix circuit in the vest of his club Clonmel AC, is through to Sunday's final of the men's 3000m, fifth in his semi-final in a lifetime best 7:47.71 - qualifying among the fastest losers. Israel Olatunde finished fourth in his heat of the men's 60m, and speaking to Cathal Dennehy is happy to gain valuable experience:

A brilliant Saturday morning in Torun at the European Indoors for Ireland's Sarah Lavin and Sean Tobin. Lavin is through to the semi-finals of the 60m hurdles, another lifetime best of 8.06 seconds, beating the mark of 8.13 set in Madrid a couple of weeks ago. She's been telling Will Downing it has the feeling of a comeback season:

A brilliant Saturday morning in Torun at the European Indoors for Ireland's Sarah Lavin and Sean Tobin. Lavin is through to the semi-finals of the 60m hurdles, another lifetime best of 8.06 seconds, beating the mark of 8.13 set in Madrid a couple of weeks ago. Tobin, who were regularly see competing on the Grand Prix circuit in the vest of his club Clonmel AC, is through to Sunday's final of the men's 3000m, fifth in his semi-final in a lifetime best 7:47.71 - qualifying among the fastest losers. He's been telling Will Downing about his path to Sunday's big decider:

French striker Yann Kermorgant found fame and played most of his football career in the EFL Championship, but his career almost never happened at all. Kermorgant won the Championship with Bournemouth and League One at Charlton, reaching the Championship play-off final with Reading and the semis with Leicester - but serious illness only saw him turn professional at the age of 24. In an in-depth interview with Lockdown Football, Kermorgant speaks about - - losing four years of his teenage life to leukemia - being frozen out during his first six months in England with Leicester City and *that* Panenka penalty in the play-offs - winning League One with Charlton but seeing the club hit the buffers under disastrous owner Roland Duchatelet - his Championship-winning season at Bournemouth and the non-start of his Premier League career - playing under Nigel Pearson, Chris Powell, Eddie Howe and Jaap Stam - his premature retirement due to the French football lockdown With Will Downing, Stephane Jauny and Mark Rodden

Ian Baraclough joins Will Downing after his appointment as Northern Ireland manager, after three successful years as NI U21 boss that saw the most successful European qualifying campaign ever, including an away win over Spain. And commentator Michael Clarke fills in the background behind the move.

On June 25th 1982, Northern Ireland scored their famous victory over Spain at the World Cup in Valencia. 38 years on, Gerry Armstrong reflects on the famous night on the Med, Northern Ireland's run to the second phase, his playing days at the top of the First Division with Watford and in Spain with Real Mallorca, plus the La Liga greats he commentated on with Sky Sports. With Will Downing, Mark Rodden and Dmytro Dzhulai (Дмитро Джулай)

The Premier League's back like it's never been away. Controversy! Intrigue! David Luiz! Roy Keane being angry! Will Downing and Stephane Jauny cast their Hawkeye on the opening weekend of the Premier League's big comeback.

As the Turkish SuperLig comes to British and Irish television for the first time in the throes of a thrilling four-way title race, Emre Sarigul of Turkish-Football.com joins us to run the rule over this season's Championship contenders. And with Bayern Munich claiming their eighth Bundesliga title in a row, how healthy is that for German football? With Will Downing, Mark Rodden, Stephane Jauny and Dmytro Dzhulai (Дмитро Джулай)

Former St Patrick's Athletic, Middlesbrough and Ireland defender Curtis Fleming talks at length about his new role as Punjab FC boss in India's I-League, how life has been like during the recent shutdown, and openings for black managers in England. With Will Downing, Mark Rodden and Stephane Jauny.

It's the big kick-off in Spain's La Liga as Barcelona resume two points clear of Real Madrid, and there's discussion of Sevilla's win over Real Betis in El Gran Derby. Turkey's star-studded SuperLig is back - a thorough look at all the runners and riders. There's a profile of Pep Guardiola's new assistant manager at Manchester City, Juanma Lillo - considered to be one of the best football coaches in the world. Plus the most detailed discussion of Therese Johaug that there has ever been in a football podcast. With Will Downing, Mark Rodden, Stephane Jauny and Dmytro Dzhulai (Дмитро Джулай)

Conor McGregor is the subject of a new biography just released in France. "Conor McGregor: Obsessions" is written by Irish-based French journalist Charles Thiallier, who has previously reported on McGregor for L'Equipe. On the eve of the announcement of McGregor's third retirement, Thallier has been speaking to Will Downing about how the project came about, the many interviews performed for the book, and what picture emerges of the man himself.

Portuguese Liga commentator Con Murphy joins the crew at the end of the first week back in the Primeira, ponders the future of Irish clubs in the League of Ireland including his beloved Shamrock Rovers, and recalls the dynamic 90s radio football coverage of Century Radio and Capital Gold, with a look at Poland's Ekstraklasa too. With Will Downing, Mark Rodden, Stephane Jauny and Dmytro Dzhulai (Дмитро Джулай).

This week, Eric Molloy and Markus Poom on their footballing adventures in Poland and Estonia, as Stomil Olsztyn push for promotion to Poland's Ekstraklasa and Flora Tallinn look to retain their title in a top-flight where half the teams are from the capital. Eric Molloy grew up in Carlow, and after spells at home with FC Carlow, Arklow Town and Wexford FC, won the OFC Champions League and played in the FIFA Club World Cup with Team Wellington, before this season's move to Poland. Born in Derby, Markus Poom followed his legendary goalkeeping father Mart Poom while playing at the Rams, Sunderland, Watford and Arsenal. Now 21, the next gen Poom has already won the Estonian League crown twice with Flora, and is a full international. Both speak about how the coronavirus crisis has upset their season. With Will Downing, Dmytro Dzhulai (Дмитро Джулай), Mark Rodden and Stephane Jauny.