Episode 3058: Better Without The Ball, Dermot Keely’s Life In Football, Conor McKenna’s Crack At History

As a player he won 5 Leagues and 5 FAI Cups, managed three different teams to league titles, played in Belfast in the early 80’s, taught Duffer at school, and made Branno’s day when he came into studio this week.

Dermot Keely looks back at his career as a player and manager, one which saw him win the league a seemingly endless amount of times, play up north with Glentoran in the ’80s when Dubs weren’t always entirely welcome, and turn down the chance to join Celtic.

©INPHO/Andrew Paton

He describes how it was self-doubt and fear that stopped him moving to Glasgow, how a well-timed and history-making equaliser made sure he was accepted in Glentoran, and what a joy coming home to Ireland and meeting fans has been as he publishes his autobiography, Better Without The Ball.

©INPHO/Andrew Paton

Dermot also speaks movingly about his late son and former League of Ireland player Alan and how the words of one of his former rivals in the days after have stayed with him to this day.

©INPHO/Andrew Paton

Plus there’s Conor McKenna’s crack at making history, bygone days of a pre-match tipple and 42,000 morons.

The assist from Conor McKenna ?? pic.twitter.com/i6SP2qsebL

— Thomas Niblock (@thomasniblock) September 21, 2024

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We chat to Barney Ronay and John Brewin about Man United’s doughnut midfield, INEOS proposed "Wembley of the north" 100,000 seater stadium and the continuing fallout from the Man City Arsenal gamehttps://t.co/uxcODKouWE pic.twitter.com/skmk1jptk3

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