The prospect of seeing Conor Sammon, Paul Green and Paul McShane playing the Maracas on the Copacabana next June have long been extinguished even before tomorrow's World Cup qualifier against Germany. 

But there is plenty of intrigue as we sit on the sandy shore of a new era.

Our own Joe Molloy is over in Cologne and he was on the line last night to run through the latest updates as the Irish squad arrived on German soil.

In studio Ger and Dan McDonnell discussed High Performance Director Ruud Dokter's comments about developing technical players.

And last but not least, South American football expert Tim Vickery gave a fascinating insight into Uruguayan football, including the way they have turned their World Cup qualification campaign around.

You can listen to the full Off The Ball Football Show below or download the podcast on iTunes:

©INPHO/Donall Farmer