Meet the Laois man who is Director of Football at one of the League of Ireland's newest clubs

After many months of talking about it, we have finally gone and done it - the LaoisToday Soccer Podcast is here. We’ve had numerous soccer interviews over the past couple of years and the chat on our other podcasts have meandered into soccer discussion at times too. But this is a new semi-regular dedicated Laois Soccer Podcast by LaoisToday. We can’t guarantee it’ll be every week but it will be every other week. Hopefully something like maybe two out of every three weeks or so. We hope it’ll be a mix of discussion on how the Laois teams are faring in their various leagues, updates on how Laois players are doing further afield, interviews with special guests and just general chat and observations on what’s going on in the wider soccer world. Up first, Alan and Steven are joined by an actual Director of Football! Stradbally's Derek Beale is in the role at CK United - a club based in the Carlow and Kilkenny area. Formed in 2016, the club provides elite level soccer for boys and girls from U-14 upwards. And recently, it was announced that they were one of 15 clubs who have successfully secured a place in the newly formed League of Ireland National League that will begin in August. So that means that this year, for the very first time, the club will have a men's senior team. And they have recently signed a deal that will see them play their matches in Buckley Park - the old home of Kilkenny City. Derek chats about his soccer and sporting journey from his playing days right up to the present day. He has played for Stradbally Town, Portlaoise AFC, Newbridge Town, Wolfhill AC and also spent one season with St Patrick's Athletic in League of Ireland. Derek talks about all of the people who have influenced his career to date and how he has ended up in the role he currently holds.