Second Captains

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about Luke Shaw's recovery schedule, Jose Mourinho's pronoun problem, and how Rafael Benitez has just done Leo Tolstoy up like a kipper.Emmet Malone joins us to look forward to Chelsea v Arsenal this weekend. And John Brewin was there to see Manchester City rehash some old failings at home to Juventus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rugby World Cup starts this weekend, and we scientifically prove Ireland will beat France. Gerry Thornley and Denis Hickie predict our first semi-final appearance, and a win for the All-Blacks, but not without a battle or two, and Doug Howlett joins us in studio too to talk World Cup pressure cookers.Another week, another All-Ireland medal for Cork superstar Briege Corkery - she talks to us from the winner's hotel. Plus there's Roger Federer's predictable failures, head prefects, and Mark Spitz-ing it down Cork main street. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the Henryesque technique of Martial, a difficult episode in the high school basketball career of Barack Obama, and the Gothic stylings of Steven Gerrard's latest autobiography.Tony Barrett was at Goodison to witness an implosion by Chelsea and subsequent explosion by Jose Mourinho. And Jonathan Wilson analyses Manchester United's 3-1 victory over Liverpool. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toulon are in the middle of a doping investigation, and their PR campaign could do with a little finessing. We talk to Shane Horgan about rugby's backward approach to drugs. One of our favourite authors Donald McRae joins us to talk about his brilliant new book "A Man's World - The Double Life of Emile Griffith", the 5-time world champion who hid his homosexuality from the world, but killed the boxer who tried to make it public. Plus - it's been a very good week for Lance Armstrong, as Paula Radcliffe and Floyd Mayweather fight for their reputations, Ken turns rugby pundit, and we lambast the slothful Roger Federer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Martin O'Neill's psychological manipulations, Grealish's fateful choice, and Lionel Messi's tribute to Rooney.Richie Sadlier comes in to discuss the materialistic road our civilisation is headed down. Is there really no other way? Plus there's LOI's TV money deficit, Jonny Wilkinson's self identity and Liverpool's baseline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kilkenny end the season as champions again - and rather than it being the last vestiges of a great side, it could just as easily be the start of another cycle of wins. Eoin Kelly is in studio, and Kilkenny corner-forward Walter Walsh joins us on the line.Mayo's dream dies at the penultimate hurdle, and Dublin take accuracy to a new level - we pick through the bones of Dublin's win with Oisin McConville and Micheal Quirke. We talk about the Grim Reaper of RTE's sports department, hot salty splashes of Galway pain, and why Ireland/England at 90% doesn't matter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran are preoccupied by the Robbie Keane conundrum. Is it begrudgery to point out that Ireland's goal king hasn't scored against anyone good except Sweden in the last four years?Tom English reports from Scotland on the mess they made of their trip to Georgia, on and off the field. And Simon Kuper joins us to point some fingers after two defeats left Holland staring Euro 2016 elimination in the face. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken wonder how it would feel to be 19 and cost the same as Zidane. Hopefully Anthony Martial is the unflappable type.Richie Sadlier talks about De Gea and other transfer window stories, and we also hear from Emmet Malone who's with the Ireland camp out in Portugal. And Stephan Uersfeld joins us from Berlin to talk about German football's attitude to the European refugee crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin Ken and Murph kill time before a gigantic sporting weekend by discussing hypnosis, Mayo's sweepers, RWC scum emails, Marshawn Lynch's skittles commercial, and Ken's piano journey.We talk to two of the greats from Galway's past, Cyril Farrell and Noel Lane, about comparisons between the 1980's sides and the current version, and why thinking too much about Kilkenny is never great preparation for a final. Serena Williams is chasing the calender Grand Slam in NYC this week. We talk to US Murph about the excitement stateside and about one of the true trailblazers, Althea Gibson, a black woman from Harlem who was winning Wimbledon and US Open titles back in the 1950's. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dublin Mayo have to do it all again on Saturday. We talk to Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles about Dublin's mid 2000's style mental frailties, Mayo's bouncebackability, and who will win the replay.Ireland V Wales was supposed to help decide what fringe players would make the 31 man RWC squad. Instead we learnt more about who the starting XV should be against France. Gerry Thornley joins us in studio. Plus there's the High Court case that's aiming to stop South Africa going to the RWC, the sport that ate itself, Germany's response to the refugee crisis, and Dafne Schippers - the woman who runs faster than Flo Jo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk through a weekend of Premier League action that saw Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all beaten. Will any of the wounded giants unleash a transfer market Spectacular in the next 36 hours? Chris Bascombe joins us to discuss Liverpool's unfortunate new habit of conceding three to six goals at a time. And Jonathan Wilson analyses whether Louis van Gaal's possession ethos is cramping Manchester United's style. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mayo and Dublin meet again on Sunday in a game that has the potential to be a classic. The margins are wafer thin.... but all five people in studio predict a Mayo win.Newly-crowned European champion Michael Conlan talks about the impact losing Billy Walsh would have on Irish boxing. US Murph tells us about the Australian rugby star now ripping it up for the 49ers, and we look at Schmidt's RWC squad options. Plus there's Bolt V Segway, MDMA GAA snobbery, and more urinal chat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the glorious new dawn of the second era of Wayne Rooney. There is also a lot of transfer and Ashley Madison dating talk today.James Corbett joins us to talk about why Everton feel they should have a chance of holding on to John Stones.And Raphael Honigstein gives us his view on the record transfer of Kevin de Bruyne to Man City, while bringing us up to date with the latest in football jargon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the weekend's football. How many more lifetime minutes has Rooney played than Pedro? And how can Tony Pulis reconcile his admiration for Napoleon with his love of tradition, order and respect?Jacob Steinberg joins us to discuss West Ham's calculated risk in appointing Slaven Bilic. And John Brewin was at the Hawthorns to see Mourinho finally get the better of Tony Pulis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kerry are in the All-Ireland final again - the first champions to make it back to the final the following year since they did it themselves in 2008. Oisin McConville and Micheal Quirke discuss the incredible 24 month turnaround from talk of a drought to talk of an era of dominance.Usain Bolt V Justin Gatlin pulled in the fans this weekend - David Gillick tells us if the good vs evil narrative helps the sport of athletics. And we talk the Rorschach test for Chris Bart-Williams, Daley Thompson's tracksuit and the 'footbal fan on post-game rant' youtube genre - the gift that keeps on giving. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Pedro. A cut-and-dried case of Chelsea coveting their neighbour's ass? If Manchester United didn’t covet Pedro, what was Ed Woodward doing in Barcelona? And why does Jose Mourinho burn out wingers at such an alarming rate?Richie Sadlier joins us to talk through the ramifications of the Pedro deal, and whether Manchester United can feel confident about their attacking options if that’s the last action of the transfer window. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kerry and Tyrone face off in the first of the All Ireland semis on Sunday. Micheal Quirke talks Tiernan McCann ban farce, Kerry converting superiority into a win, and the day Paidi O"Se faced one of his own fans.Johnny Sexton talks to Simon about Leo the coach, recruiting from within and fine tuning for the RWC. Plus there's Ronaldo hair, the crazy cats at the CCCC, and refugees, dictatorships and cycling in Eritrea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss complicated Van Gaal, John Terry's crushed pride and the options now open to Chelsea's wounded Lion.Dr Jonathan Wilson attempts to diagnose what is eating Chelsea FC. And John Brewin assesses Wayne Rooney's prospects of successfully carrying the Manchester United attack this season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finally, Galway and Tipperary gave us a game to remember, and we have Eoin Kelly in studio to talk to us about a thrilling All-Ireland hurling semi-final.We discuss Jason Day's incredible journey to becoming a major champion and creating a Big Three, and we talk to one of Ireland's best sportspeople, boxer Michael Conlan, after his European Championship gold medal and Boxer of the Tournament success. Plus there's Eoin's hurling helmet getting a trip to Croke Park, boozed up golf fans, and celebrations in the Early house. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Eoin and Ken discuss the medical profession. Is it ethical for a doctor to stand up for themselves if they are publicly criticised by their employer? And what constitutes celebrity status?Dion Fanning joins us to talk about Jose Mourinho's masterclass in how not to run your public relations. And Gabriele Marcotti analyses the impact of the Premier League's latest gigantic TV contract. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran reflect on the opening weekend of the Premier League season and particularly Swansea City, who are suddenly bristling with superstar players. Is Jonjo Shelvey the English Rijkaard? Is Jefferson Montero the Ecuadorean Jimmy Johnstone? Is Andre Ayew the Ghanaian Tim Cahill?Jonathan Wilson joins us to reflect on the growing strength of the Premier League's middle class. And Oluwashina Okeleji joins us from Nigeria to talk about the Super Eagles' pursuit of Jordon Ibe and THAT interview with Stephen Keshi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a bumper weekend of sport, the highlight of which was Shane Lowry's win in the Bridgestone Invitational. We also talk about Ireland's assured start to their World Cup build-up with Gerry Thornley.Kilkenny move remorselessly on - Murph thinks Kilkenny are fallible, the rather better-qualified Eoin Kelly isn't so sure - and there's Mayo and Tyrone down to the last 4, but not without some controversy. Plus there's Richie Hogan's skinless feet, intense hair-ruffles, and Brian Cody selfies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mayo and Donegal is the first meeting of heavyweights in this year's championship, and Oisin McConville and Malachy Clerkin ask some tough questions of Mayo. They're still backing them for victory mind, and Ken goes 2 steps further, backing them for ultimate glory in September.Shane Horgan talks to us about walking the tightrope between avoiding injury and cementing your place in the squad during these Rugby World Cup warm-up games. Plus there's a bad case of wicket-fever, welsh hallucinations, Kamp Staaldraad and Waterford's reasons for hope. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran ponder how long you realistically need to prove yourself in the eyes of a judge as perceptive as Jose Mourinho. 10 matches? 10 minutes? 10 seconds?Tony Barrett joins us to discuss the potential transfer of John Stones, and how market forces are recasting the city of Liverpool as a feeding ground for the richest clubs. Plus there's evil Messi, Ken's predictions for PL and McDevitt's marathon fable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have world middleweight champion Andy Lee in studio talking about his new career as a boxing promoter, his challenger's distasteful thoughts on women, and visualising the biggest night of his career.David Epstein, author of The Sports Gene, joins us to talk about the explosive Sunday Times / ARD investigation that suggests widespread doping in athletics.And we talk about just why Jim McGuinness was right to be disturbed by the weekend's football action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss the possibility of an island, the impossibility of a handshake, and why Pep Guardiola seems to be eager to let everyone know Bastian Schweinsteiger is a crock.Miguel Delaney joins us to talk about whether Arsenal really are the biggest threat to Chelsea's chances of retaining the title. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Diego Costa's dead dog, and Michel Platini's political rivals.Jonathan Wilson joins us to talk about whether the mere fact of becoming Britain's most expensive player means you need to take any responsibility for your own performance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four games in the gaelic football championship this weekend, and some teams that have impressed in the qualifiers face their acid test - Oisin McConville joins us in studio. Adam Goodes, one of Australian Rules' biggest stars, is in the middle of a massive racism storm - we speak to Rohan Connolly about some uncomfortable home truths for Aussie sports fans to confront. US Murph tells us about the latest developments in the Tom Brady Deflategate omnishambles and we pay tribute to the late Peter O'Sullevan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Louis van Gaal's skewed priorities, Alex Ferguson's retaliator strategy and Hulk Hogan's floundering PR battle. We also hear from Roy Keane and Ruud Dokter who today launched the new national U17 league in a press conference at FAI HQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are down to the last four in the All-Ireland hurling championship - and Galway and Waterford both stepped up to suggest they can trouble the provincial winners in the semi-finals. Eoin Kelly runs the rule over them. Leo Cullen looks set to be installed as the new Leinster head coach - Bernard Jackman and Gerry Thornley outlines the positives, while Eoin McDevitt mentions 'the Steve Staunton precedent'. Plus there's NSFW post-match interviews, Froome's Tour de France win, and the end of Cork sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Eoin's past as an agricultural slave in Australia. Meanwhile Arsene Wenger is lecturing Manchester United and Barcelona on how to do their business.John Brewin joins us to talk about Ed "Zero Gravity" Woodward and his remarkable transformation from market jester to transfer kingpin, and whether Raheem Sterling's agent really deserves the criticism that comes his way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The All-Ireland hurling quarter-finals are the main event in the GAA this weekend, and we talk to Limerick hurler Seamus Hickey about how their conquerors Dublin will fare against Waterford, and look ahead to Cork v Galway, as well as a reflection on Limerick's season - turning-points that proved to be round-abouts, team meetings about team meetings and ultimate disappointment. We discuss Chris Froome's utter domination of the Tour de France, and how a team owned by a media company can have such a bad handle on basic PR - and there's the twitter spat that's divided our office (Nicki Minaj vs Taylor Swift vs Katy Perry). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zach Johnson wins the tournament that didn’t want to end - Lawrence Donegan on tears, golfing charisma, Spieth and hope for Harrington. Meanwhile the mighty pair of Monaghan and Mayo have been dealing out the pain to the surfing hotspots of Sligo and Donegal. Oisin and Karol Mannion are in studio to talk through the weekend's football. Plus there's Sepp's cash confetti, Ken's apology, the birdie dance and Mick Rock's connacht final speech. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss James McClean's exaggerated sense of justice. Is his stance on God Save The Queen really a battle worth fighting and does he know what the word Albion means?Ken was at the FAI's AGM this weekend to watch various chairmen cheering on John Delaney. Also features Benteke's strange fit with Liverpool, The Queen's nazi salute, consequences of the industrial revolution and Santana's Let The Children Play. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Second Captains 'rock or bust' live tour from The Sugar Club in Dublin. Oisin McConville, Dessie Dolan and Anthony Moyles discuss the Dublin Armagh challenge match saga, the Jim McGuinness All Ireland plan and this weekend's provincial finals.Jockey Brian Toomey talks about his incredible recovery and return to racing this week, having been declared dead after a fall two years ago. And we once again mined your memories for stories with our childhood heroes segment, which features a visit from semi retired guardian angel Victor Costello. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken Early reports on what he's learned of the UFC and the Conor McGregor phenomenon after a week of seeing the man himself, the promoters, and his fans.Eoin Kelly joins us to talk about a Munster final triumph for Tipperary that was celebrated like it was their first.We touch on Dublin - Westmeath and their gift to the Gaels of Ireland, Wimbledon's ad-free zone, Pierce Brosnan-spotting and Andy Lee's superfan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Raheem Sterling has finally got the deal he wanted - out of Liverpool, and into the arms of Manchester City. The red half of Manchester have been going about their business a lot more smartly this summer, so we talk to Gabriele Marcotti about the arrival of Bastian Schweinsteiger at Old Trafford. Plus there's the sell-on value myth, midfielder-of-his-generation Lee Bowyer, and weird transfer-day ads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken Early is in Las Vegas - he's bought the Liberace gear, he's gone to Celine Dion, and now he's reporting on Conor McGregor's bout with Chad Mendes.The hurling championship is down to the best 8 teams in the country, and we'll lose two of those this weekend. Plus there's the Munster hurling final - Nicky English and Malachy Clerkin look ahead to three huge games. We'll talk to US Murph about the women's soccer team, and we'll focus on Ilie Nastase, Andy Murray's likeability, and that whole Wimbledon / Streetfighter 2 connection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark and Murph discuss Rory McIlroy's 5-a-side skills, Stephen Keshi's sacking saga and the Kilkenny doctor's running style.Oisin McConville and Micheal Quirke look at Cork's new found aggression, Kerry's defence, Fionn Fitzgerald's point and Alan O'Connor's extreme toughness. And we chatted to Shane Lowry about contending in the majors, Murph's handsome dog and his shift tweets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken and Murph discuss Irish invasions, McGregors irrelevant opponent, Higuain's Diana Ross penalty, Van Persie's Man United legacy and Bilic the special one.Tim Vickery joins us from Chile to look at Chile's red arrows Copa win, South American violence, super strikers and Argentina's ongoing issues with Messi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Cork footballers are a much-maligned group but this weekend they have a chance to redeem themselves after last year's Munster final humiliation - we're joined by All-Ireland winner Micheal Quirke and acclaimed author Michael Foley.US Murph talks to us about the history of NASCAR and the death knell finally sounding for the Confederate flag. And we recycle the Nicki Minaj-Murph comparisons everyone's been talking about, Shane Lowry's dog-envy, Katie endorsements, and Barack Obama's podcast nerves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken and Ciaran talk about England's astonishing last-minute defeat to Japan, Sepp Blatter's high-end religious paraphernalia, and Jose Mourinho's deep human respect for that true and faithful servant, Petr Cech.Jonathan Wilson joins us from Santiago as Chile gets ready for the Copa America final against Lionel Messi and Argentina. And Michiel Jongsma explains where departed Netherlands coach Guus Hiddink got it all wrong. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was an astonishing day at Croke Park for Westmeath as they defeated Meath in the championship for the first time in their history. Man of the match John Heslin joins us on the show.Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles have harsh words for Meath, wonder if anyone can stop Dublin and spot a few chinks in the Donegal armour. Plus there's Niall Horan's tweets, bragging rights at work on a Monday morning, Ken tells Boris Becker to shut up, and psychologists and psychiatrists go to war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Greece's choice between a rock and a hard place, crumbling social codes in Sweden, and a GAA-style outrage in Germany. Miguel Delaney and James Young join us from Chile to talk about the foreseeable disaster of a Brazil team under Dunga playing really bad football. And Sid Lowe talks us through some of the issues surrounding the possible transfer of Sergio Ramos away from Real Madrid Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Murph discuss Italia 90 tv legacy, chanelling Dave O'Leary and Roberto Firmino's private website.We talk to Emmet Malone about the FAI problem that won't go away. Liverpool have been very busy in the transfer market. We ask Tony Barrett if there's a cohesive plan. And Dion Fanning joins us to discuss the life and career of 70's maverick Stan Bowles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donegal are moving serenely through what looked like a historically tough route to All-Ireland glory - but is there a touch of arrogance coming into their play? Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles preview the weekend's action.US Murph re-opens the old East Coast / West Coast rap wars. Plus there's pushy parents, Wexford wonder-goals, Jose Aldo's injury and why gambling is baseball's original sin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Its been 22 years since Argentina last won a major trophy. We talk to Jonathan Wilson at the Copa America about Messi's international 'obligation'.We talk about how Sport Against Racism Ireland has been working for years to break down barriers in Irish society through sport, and it's annual 7-aside soccer tournament yesterday was the scene of a heartbreaking loss for Second Captains FC. Plus there's June Rodgers, dodgy penalty-taking techniques, and a FIFA presidential candidate we can all get behind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jordan Spieth is 2 for 2 in this year's golf majors. We discuss golfing chokes, selling wholesomeness and the Irish factor with Dave Hannigan.Kilkenny and Tipperary had to wait for their first games in this year's championship, but they both made telling statements of intent at the weekend - Eoin Kelly assesses their form. We talk to Frank Warren about Andy Lee's world title fight in Thomond. Plus there's wristy hurlers, talking to golf balls and which sporting mega-star now resembles Las Vegas-era Elvis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some football tournaments take their time getting into their stride - but this year's Copa America isn't one of them. Tim Vickery tells us about another Brazil meltdown, 6 goal thrillers and host-nation high drama.John Brewin tells us why Jose Mourinho feels Falcao deserves another chance in English football. And there's also Flava Flav, PBESO mountains, FIFA's cinematic excrement and Jonathan Pearce in Montreal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.