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In one of our most powerful and honest episodes yet, Kieron O’Connor opens up about his life in football, the reality of coaching kids, and the emotional battles he’s faced off the pitch.
⚽ From signing for Celtic to trials at Bolton Wanderers, Kieron shares never-before-heard stories from his early playing days and the heartbreaking moment he learned that a fellow young player had been murdered – just for playing for Celtic.
💬 He speaks with raw emotion about:
Mental health struggles after returning from England
The toxic culture of sideline parenting in youth football
Why we need to show young people more love, not pressure
How he found purpose again through coaching and helping others
🧠 This one’s about more than football. It’s about trauma, resilience, and the power of purpose. A must-listen for coaches, parents, and anyone who cares about the future of our game.
📍 Filmed at Arkmedia Studios | Produced by Arkmedia
🎧 Available now on Spotify, YouTube & all major podcast platforms
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"In conversation with Kieran O’Connor" is an episode of On The Spot Football Podcast. Runtime 1 hr 48 min. Published January 22, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.