Manx Radio's Friday Sport

Results, reaction and analysis to the latest football and rugby action on the Isle of Man and further afield.Simon Quine is joined by Tony Mepham, Ben Cunningham and Dave Christian.

In tonight's programme:The defending premier league champions meet the current league leaders among this Saturday's Isle of Man men's football fixturesSunday sees the start of the new women's football season on Island, we've been catching up with one of the new teams joining the league this campaignOn a run of five straight defeats, FC Isle of Man's manager says his team must be 'brave' and 'fearless' when they host Charnock RichardA trio of Manx rugby sides are in action this weekend, all away from homeAnd Saturday marks the start of the 2025/26 Isle of Man hockey seasonFeatured this week are Tony Mepham, Wayne Christian, Zoe McDonough, Paul Jones, Dave Christian and Ben Cunningham

Results, reaction and analysis to the latest football and rugby action on the Isle of Man and further afieldRob Pritchard is joined by Tony Mepham, Paul Jones and Dave Christian

In tonight's programme:The second weekend and gameday three of the 25/26 Isle of Man football season beckons, we take a look ahead to the latest fixturesHoping to lift themselves off the bottom of the NWCFL Premier Division this weekend, FC Isle of Man face a tricky task at in-form BurscoughThe new Isle of Man rugby season starts this weekend with three Manx sides kicking off their league campaignsAnd after nearly nine months out of the ring, Isle of Man pro boxer Jade Burden returns to action across the waterFeatured this week are Tony Mepham, Paul Jones, Dave Christian and Jade Burden

Highlights of the NWCFL Premier Division match at The Bowl between FC Isle of Man and PadihamAfter a tough start to the campaign with just one win in seven, FC Isle of Man welcomed league leaders Padiham who were looking to maintain their flawless start to the league seasonMatch commentary from Rob Pritchard and Darren Timson

Isle of Man professional boxer, Sam Rennie continues to go from strength to strength in 2025.After winning the WBC Australasia Silver Super Featherweight Title in Australia in late May, he successfully defended his crown in late August.Whilst he continues to target big things in the long term, he's been telling Manx Radio's Darren Timson how his family and friends are helping him 'stay humble' in his quest for success

With the return of the Isle of Man's domestic football league upon us, Darren Timson caught up with Manx Radio's Football Correspondent Tony Mepham:

In tonight's programme:We're talking all matters Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT with 12 days of racing action getting underway from SundayWe'll hear from two of the local debutants taking on the Snaefell Mountain Course for the first timeThe MGP Supporters Club gives its thoughts on the new expanded, schedule for 2025 We hear how preparations have been going from the clerk of the courseThe importance of having enough marshals for this year's eventA big financial boost for racing in the north of the IslandAnd outside of that, we catch up with FC Isle of Man's manager ahead of his side's latest trip to Abbey Hey in the NWCFL Premier DivisionFeaturing Sam Naughton, Grant Thomson, Allan Brew, Gary Thompson, Laura Sawyer, Jane Corlett, Linda Alton-Heath, Carol Bartram and Paul Jones

With a new season approaching, there's a fresh outlook for Vagabonds RUFC men's team as they prepare to return to action in Counties 3 ADM Lancashire/Cheshire.Whilst last season proved challenging at times for the side, there's hopes that the steps made back then will bode well for 2025/26In this extended interview, we hear from Vagabonds coach Franzy Germuishys and player, Daniel Bonwick on preparations and aspirations for this latest season

Match highlights of the NWCFL Premier Division match between FC Isle of Man and Glossop North End at The Bowl in Douglas with both teams searching for their first league win of the new campaignMatch commentary by Rob Pritchard and Tony Mepham

In tonight's programme:After a draw and a defeat so far, FC Isle of Man return home in the NWCFL Premier Division this weekend hoping to secure their first win of the 2025/26 seasonA stellar turnout is expected for this weekend's Isle of Man Marathon and Half-Marathon races in Ramsey in what will also mark the start of this year's No Rest For The Wicked SeriesThe Isle of Man will be represented in billiards sports at The World Games being held in ChinaAnd we hear from Vagabonds Rugby Club as they prepare for a new season in Counties 3 ADM Lancashire/CheshireFeatured this week are Paul Jones, Dave Griffiths, Darryl Hill, Franzy Germishuys and Daniel Bonwick

For the first time in five years, Ramsey Rugby Club will be returning to the English leagues system for the upcoming new seasonAlong with testing themselves against off-Island opposition, it'll see them face the exciting prospect of coming up against fellow Manx side, Vagabonds in this latest campaignIn this extended interview, Ramsey club captain, Josh Corteen and club secretary, Will Moffatt tell us what they're all looking forward to about this latest venture

In tonight's programme:What impact will the success of the lionesses have on women and girls football on Island? The Isle of Man's women's football development officer has been speaking to Manx RadioWe'll also get the latest on the plans for the new domestic football season which will be kicking-off in a few weeks timeFor the first time in five years, Ramsey Rugby Club are returning to the English leagues - we hear from the club captain and secretary of the northern sideA big weekend on the Isle of Man's snooker calendar as Manx teams get their campaigns at the 2025 Home Internationals in the UK underwayFeatured this week are Jamylea Ferns, Tony Mepham, Josh Corteen, Will Moffatt and Darryl Hill

Having already emerged as one of the Isle of Man's latest athletics talents, Carla Teece is looking to reach greater heights in her career.In this extended interview, the Manx sprinter tells us about her recent Island Games experience in Orkney, the challenges she overcame to get there and the dream of flying the Manx flag on one of the biggest stages of them all in the future

In tonight's programme:The Ravens are back! FC Isle of Man face their first game of the new NWCFL Premier Division season this weekend, we hear from their manager ahead of their curtain-raiser at The BowlElsewhere, there's been success for the Isle of Man's basketball teams at the Inter Island Games in Ynys Mon this weekThere's been more success for Manx boxer Mathew Rennie this month, we'll hear how he's finding 2025 so far and what his ambitions are for the rest of the yearAfter a successful Island Games this month, we discuss a couple of the highlights from Orkney and what's to come on IslandAnd another milestone for the Isle of Man's junior handball players who're enjoying a unique opportunity in Europe this weekendThis week featuring Paul Jones, Becky Dunne, Mathew Rennie, Dave Griffiths and Mick Hegarty

There's a real mix when it comes to the Isle of Man's Island Games sailing team in 2025.Of the four representing the Isle of Man there will be three new faces hoping to make an impression in Orkney.One of those is 20-year-old Teddy Dunn who recently sat down with Manx Radio to discuss the prospect of making his maiden games appearance and what he makes of the chances all of the Manx squad have this year:

In tonight's programme:In a weekend of double-headers, in football FC Isle of Man are preparing for the first of two pre-season games in less than 24 hours on Island tonightThe record-breaking racing may have come to a close at the Southern 100 this week, but solo and sidecar action will continue this weekend in the north of the IslandAnd with less than 24 hours to go until the 2025 Island Games officially begin, we're hearing from a few more of the Isle of Man teams flying the Manx flag: the women's football team along with the badminton and sailing squadsFeatured this week are Paul Jones, Lee Bartram, Becky Corkish, Wayne Lisy, Matthew Nicholson and Teddy Dunn

Bracing themselves for a busy Island Games schedule this year in Orkney will be the Isle of Man's badminton squad.Looking to build on three medals at the last games two years ago, it's expected to be long days out on court for the team, singles and doubles events for the ten-strong Isle of Man lineup.One of the who appeared and was among the medals last time out was Matthew Nicholson, one of those ten which will feature a mix of experience and games debutants in 2025.Mr Nicholson's been telling Manx Radio how its been getting ready for the hectic yet rewarding experience of the event:

They were bronze medallists at the previous Island Games two years ago, and now the Isle of Man women's football side are targeting more at this year's event in Orkney.Having initially only been a reserve in the football draw in September 2024, the squad was dramatically instated into the event a few months later in December last year following the withdrawal of Guernsey.It's been a tight turnaround then for the team but that's not hindered preparations in the eyes of Isle of Man women's team captain, Becky Corkish and manager, Wayne Lisy.They caught up with Manx Radio recently to tell us about their high ambitions in 2025:

The Isle of Man has a long-standing and stellar reputation in the sport of cycling and it's a tradition it'll be hoping to keep up at the 2025 Island Games in Orkney.The Isle of Man cycling team claimed six medals in Guernsey two years ago and they're set to mount an assault once again on both the road and mountain bike events.Rob Sorby is the team's manager and was part of the setup at the previous games.He's been telling us about their preparations and ambitions for this year: