Second Captains

Eoin and Ken discuss how to remain positive in a negative world and the weight of footballing expectation. And for the first time, Eoin opens up on his own experience in football management, including a furious dressing room clash with maverick winger Noel King.Jonathan Wilson joins us to talk about the growth of tactics-focused journalism.And Tony Barrett talks to us ahead of this weekend's Merseyside Derby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can there be such a thing as TOO much sport in one weekend? We say of course not, and that's why we're looking ahead to the All-Ireland hurling final replay, the Ryder Cup, and talking to our first ever current NFL-playing guest. Michael Kavanagh and Maurice O'Brien don their baseball caps and do their best Brian Cody impersonation to pick their likely All-Ireland final selections, while US Murph tells us why Rickie Fowler has the cajones to win the Ryder Cup back for his beloved Yanks. Pat Murray is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker, and tells us why his heroes are Ronan O'Gara, and Monaghan's Paul Finlay - all that, and Ken reverses the tactics truck back into our consciousness, right here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We tried to like the All-Ireland football final for as long as we could, but there was no escaping it in the end - it was a pretty poor game. Tell a Kerry person who cares though, because they're champions for a 37th time. Our double-hard analysis dream team of Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles tell us where it was won and lost.We also look back on a crazy week of Premier League football, and there's a new documentary that helps explain why the Irish are so good at golf (its the gulf stream, rugged cliffs, and Scottish bankers).There's also golfers on Tinder, two mighty tractors in a battle to the death, Tommy Walsh's muscles, Ken's dubs, and footballers in jeans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Frank Lampard's exemplary professionalism, Frank Lampard's deep sincerity, Frank Lampard's property empire, and Frank Lampard's kind, soulful eyes. Dion Fanning joins us to talk through Big Sam's tactical triumph at Upton Park and the trouble with Steve G.And Stuart James was there to see what Gary Lineker described as the greatest performance in the history of Leicester City FC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Dortmund's destruction of Arsenal, and whether football fans have a duty to take into account the moral acceptability or otherwise of a club's owners.Gabriele Marcotti gives his view on the Abramovich question.And Jonathan Wilson on the same question as it applies to Manchester City, Bayern and Argentina 1978. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph give their thoughts on childhood holidays in Kerry, biased local commentators, footballer love, Carlow, and dolmens."It's going to be the pinnacle in the evolution of Gaelic Football", says Anthony Moyles in our All-Ireland football final preview, and who are we to argue. Oisin McConville, Eoin and Murph all have their say ahead of Kerry and Donegal on Sunday afternoon.US Murph gives his prediction for Kerry V Donegal, tells us how not to chat up Donegal women and also explains why, in American sport, a good big 'un isn't necessarily always better than a good little 'un. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about various forms of chips, Jack Wilshere's game of two halves and Alan Pardew's brilliant litany of excuses.John Brewin joins us to talk about how Louis van Gaal is starting to strut - and Rio Ferdinand is settling some scoresAnd we check in with Raphael Honigstein ahead of this week's big Anglo-German Champions League matches Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss cycling accidents, public booze shame, the power of the vox pop, Man United's football village and how Scottish independence could impact MONKEANO.Alex Massie explains how the sporting debate over independent Scotland's future has followed along political and financial lines - threats, fear mongering, lies, celebrity campaigns and complete uncertainty.Dan Martin crashed out on the first stage of the Giro D'Italia in Belfast. We ask him how he managed to finish 7th overall in the Vuelta Espana... after falling down a ravine. We also catch up with Tony Kelly after what's been a crazily successful underage career with Clare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From coal mining to world transfer records to Welbeck's potential, today's football show runs the whole gamut.Michael Walker joins us to talk about his new book "Up There" about football in the north-east of England.And the Angel of the North, Jonathan Wilson, talks through some recent policy changes at Manchester United. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US Murph talks to us about Ray Rice, the NFL player who's been banned indefinitely by the NFL after a shocking video of him punching his fiancee was made public this weekend. We ask Brian if this is one episode the NFL won't survive.Former Roscommon star Karol Mannion is in studio to tell us about his history of concussion and where perceptions currently lie in Ireland. And we ask what's going on in Clare, as Podge Collins decides to play football a couple of days before they go for an under-21 three in a row.All this plus Shane O'Donnell's dancing injury, Davy Fitz, Murph's unpalatable pen pic, Back To The Future and small county fever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

oin, Ken and Murph discuss McGeady's magic, edgy O'Neill, the voice screaming in the wilderness that is the new John The Baptist movie, and consider Ireland's mixed performance in Georgia.Dion Fanning and Miguel Delaney join us to talk through last night's performance and how confident we can be about our chances of progression.Plus we have fearsome Scots, Sepp's movie, the Delaney question and Wayne's wane Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fourth Tipp-Kilkenny All-Ireland hurling final in 6 years... but no-one's complaining after yesterday's extraordinary draw in Croker. Malachy Clerkin and Maurice O'Brien are in studio to discuss the drama, the accuracy, Hawkeye, penalty loophole, Cody's game face and replay strategy.Eoin Ken and Murph discuss what was a sensational weekend for FAI CEO John Delaney who saw Aidan McGeady rescue Ireland and got to star in a movie about his own life, John The Baptist, in which he explains how he has cleansed Irish football of its ills.All this plus Eoin McDevitt's hurling predictor, the aesthetics of sport and Andy Lee on Carl Frampton becoming world champion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All Ireland hurling preview, eternal sunshine of the baseball mind, Mayo a hurtin'The All-Ireland hurling final pits Tipp against Kilkenny for the fourth time in six years! We talk to Benny Dunne about the highs and lows of All-Ireland final day, from a sending-off in 2009 to the elation of victory in 2010, while David Breen joins us to talk about how he and his Limerick team-mates beat Tipperary and lost narrowly to Kilkenny in this championship year.US Murph tells us money doesn't talk in baseball, and Alan Dillon tells us where Mayo go from here, after their semi-final defeat to Kerry last weekend.Plus there's Eoin McDevitt's rigid hamstrings, stones in Bonner Maher's golf bag and Johnny Sexton's baby-sitters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran hear the latest from Roy Keane and Seamus Coleman in Malahide. There is also some archive from Roy Hodgson's Lenny Bruce period and excessive beard talk.Richie Sadlier and Eoin talk through some identity issues.And Niall Quinn talks to Ken about where things stand in the Ireland camp as we prepare to play our first competitive game in almost a year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph hear the latest from Martin O'Neill and Shay Given in Malahide where the Irish team has gathered in advance of this week's games against Oman and Georgia. Also - Manchester United's surprise signing of Radamel Falcao, Seamus Coleman's war with Diego Costa, and Brendan Rodgers' attempt to heal the wounds of the world with love.John Brewin analyses the implications of Falcao's arrival and United's galactic policy.And Emmet Malone gives his view on the return of Shay Given and the dilemma facing Mark Noble. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a great week to be a gaelic football fan... and not such a great week if you were a pundit predicting a Mayo-Dublin final. Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles are back to explain themselves, and rather more importantly explain just how we're left with Kerry and Donegal after the greatest weekend in football's history.Eamon McGee is on hand to tell us just how Jim McGuinness has done it again, and how it's always good to have a brother to handle all those All-Ireland final ticket requests.Plus there's Munster's email SNAFU, sending a txt to the person you were talking about rather than your intended recipient, a decent nickname for the McGee brothers, and the secret to Crossmaglen's decades-long success (hint: it MIGHT be bowling). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Novelist, stand-up comedian and long-standing football fan David Baddiel joins us for the last of our shows celebrating our 250th podcast with the Irish Times this week.The creator of Fantasy Football League talks to us about supporting Chelsea when they were terrible, making one of the most impactful tv shows of the last 20 years, and why money hasn't tarnished sport in the same way it's tarnished the music industry. Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As part of our week long '250th show' celebrations we're looking back at some memorable moments, giving away SC survival bags, launching our new website and today we even dragged our Richie Sadlier soundboard into studio.Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles reckon Donegal will employ the most defensive, most aggressive most severe defensive system in the history of football. Other topics include James Horan's room to improve, the Lee Keegan and Limerick venue distractions and McGeeney's managerial career.We talk to US Murph about sports stars' non reaction to the events that have unfolded in the town of Ferguson in recent weeks, the link to corporate America, and how 'the man' has won. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss the possible return of Shay Given to the Irish squad, and the rise and rise of Captain Wayne Rooney. Sid Lowe explains why managerial ambitions could explain why Xabi Alonso is joining Bayern Munich.And Tim Vickery is more excited about what Angel Di Maria will bring to Manchester United, than what Dunga will bring to Brazil in his second stint as manager. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As part of our week long '250th show' celebrations we're looking back at some memorable moments, giving away SC survival bags, and catching up with some special guests. Today we welcome Bill O'Herlihy into studio.We talk to Bill about Ireland's relationship with football, Italia 90, the Giles, Dunphy, Brady gang, the irrelevance of sport, RTE, the art of television, PR Versus journalism and how to fill 10 minutes of dead air. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Angel Di Maria, the MOTD50 documentary and managerial brainwashing techniques.We ask Jonathan Wilson whether English football is culturally resistant to 3-5-2.And Ed Malyon joins us to explain Crystal Palace's next step. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To celebrate our 250th show with The Irish Times we're broadcasting 6 shows this week, including two specials which will include Second Captains memories, special guests, Second Captains survival kits and other sports related fun.Today we talk joyous football, Mayo's recovery, Kerry's tenacity, Limerick vs Croker, GAA planning skills, taking a stand and replay repercussions with Shane Curran, Aindriu Mac Lochlainn and Murph.And with the start of the US Open, we look at Serena Williams – last seen in the popular consciousness a physical wreck at Wimbledon, and yet the unbackable favourite for her 18th Grand Slam event this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss Balotelli's move to Liverpool, the Malky Mackay scandal, the new Ireland squad and Paul Scholes' prescription for what ails Manchester United.Richie Sadlier joins us in studio to talk about the mystery of strikers' confidence. Murph provides insight into his own predatory mindset.And Gabriele Marcotti is convinced Liverpool are in a no-lose situation with the signing of Mario Balotelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are Mayo past their peak or coming to the boil at just the right time? Oisin McConville believes his tip for the All-Ireland this year are timing their run beautifully – Karol Mannion joins Eoin and Murph in studio. We talk to US Murph about the Little League World Series, a baseball tournament for kids that’s watched by millions, is shown live on ESPN, and makes heroes and villains out of pre-teens. Plus we talk about Mario Balotelli, we reveal US Murph’s calamitous coaching career, and Eoin reveals his inner Maude Flanders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the new, angry Jamie Redknapp, and the new, relentlessly self-critical Wayne Rooney. John Brewin dissects Manchester United's opening-day defeat and fact that Van Gaal is 33/1 to be next sacked manager in PL.And Jacob Steinberg analyses Big Sad Sam Allardyce's troubled relationship with his bosses at West Ham. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tipperary stormed into the All-Ireland semi-final, but the question on everyone’s lips now is – have they done enough to impress Eoin McDevitt? The man who could put out a patent on the “back Kilkenny regardless of form or circumstance” mindset talks to Malachy Clerkin and Maurice O’Brien. The European athletics championships were a successful few days for a new-look Irish team – we’re joined by our 800m medallist Mark English, and David Gilllick is in studio to talk to us about English, oxygen deprivation, and the most violent 1500m final any of us can remember. Plus there’s the never-ending battle between athletes and cuddly computer-based mascots, when GAA surgeons go wild, and the return of the premier league – the football fan’s tripe and onions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about the start of the Premier League season, potential top 4 and whether Louis van Gaal is feeling the same love for his club officials that Jose Mourinho professes to feel for the Chelsea hierarchy.Miguel Delaney joins us to explain why Chelsea are so many people's favourites for the title.And Rob Smyth talks to us about Danish Dynamite, the book he recently co-authored with Lars Eriksen and Mike Gibbons about the brilliant Danish team of the 1980s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin is feeling sore after England's women's rugby team trampled on his dreams and Ken thinks Tiger's mum may have sent him some mixed messages.In the wake of a heavy semi final defeat to England we discuss success, failure, the end of a generation and future prospects for women's rugby in Ireland with team captain Fiona Coghlan.US Murph talks to us about the post Tiger era in America, Rory's tv charm and the Nascar disaster involving Tony Stewart and the young driver Kevin Ward. And Benny Dunne and Christy O'Connor explain why they are both going for Tipp this weekend Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Arsene Wenger's optimism, Aaron Ramsey's dynamism, and Liam Brady's pessimism about the future of Irish football. Jonathan Wilson tells us whether this really is going to be Arsenal's year. And Henk Ten Cate joins us to talk about what he's learned in a football life that's taken him to Ajax, Barcelona and Chelsea among many other clubs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rory McIlroy showed that he could tough it out in the majors when he took the USPGA title again last night. We discuss the remarkable performance, where Rory goes from here & the slow play of Mickleson and Fowler with Dave Hannigan and Malachy Clerkin.Nicky English will dissect yesterday's dramatic match at Croke Park between Kilkenny and Limerick and Anthony Moyles and recently retired Meath footballer Seamus Kenny join us in studio to painfully discuss the seemingly unbeatable Dubs.We'll also talk uncomfortable Sheikhs, awkward cameramen, Fun Robbie Keane and a new edition of Ken Early's Women's Rugby World Cup Crystal Ball. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the new MOTD panel, the attractiveness of the Celtic job and the pre-season sourness of Pep Guardiola. Alex Massie joins us to talk about the Hearts team of 1914 who volunteered en masse to fight in the First World War.And with Liverpool having already spent about £88m on new players this summer, Tony Barrett assesses whether even more investment is needed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Irish women's rugby team's defeat of New Zealand on Tuesday evening was a monument to hard work, belief, and skill - we speak to Ireland's most capped player and friend of the show Lynne Cantwell about where she thinks this team can go in the tournament. Do Limerick have it within them to beat Kilkenny this weekend - at least one member of the Second Captains is willing to stake whatever's left of his reputation (admittedly not a lot) on the men in green. And Kildare's Emmet Bolton joins us to talk about what the week after you're knocked out of the championship is like for an inter-county footballer, and whether Monaghan have what it takes to beat the Dubs. World War 1 documentaries, the world's leakiest media ban, and the return of Ken Early's World Cup Crystal Ball all in the mix too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the perils of commentating off tube and the difference between upward and downward communications. Andrew Mangan of Arseblog joins us in studio to talk about the growth of football in the US and Arsenal's smooth, suave pre-season. And John Brewin analyses the state of Manchester United after they shook up the world by beating Liverpool 3-1 in The Game America Wanted To See. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken Early makes his triumphant return to studio after a week of foam parties in Playa Des Ingles, and there's plenty to discuss. Aindriu Mac Lochlainn and Karol Mannion tell us why we need more pre-match WWE-style grandstanding by GAA managers, and we add further fuel to the vile anti-Colm Cooper propaganda currently sweeping the nation. Rory McIlroy is back at number 1 in the world rankings, and is on a molten hot streak ahead of start of the US PGA championship this Thursday. And with Dustin Johnson and Tiger Woods absent for different reasons, he looks well set to put 3 wins back to back. And we have Ponies, donkeys, deer-antlers, and other hooved quadripeds all featuring prominently. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone said they'd like to be the man AFTER the man chosen to replace Alex Ferguson at Manchester United - Louis van Gaal is the man in that enviable position now, and he appears not to have put a foot wrong. He's winning friendlies, glorying in the comparisons between him and Moyes... the only dark cloud on the horizon for him is that at some stage the Premier League season is going to have to start. And Irish football legend Kevin Sheedy joins us to talk about a stellar couple of days for Everton, with Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley both committing themselves to the club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The action in the gaelic football and hurling championships is now focused solely on Croke Park, and with four games this weekend, Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles tell us about how the stadium itself elevates this to another level of competition altogether. Conor McGregor's win in the UFC in the o2 was one of the most talked-about sporting events of the year so far. We talk to his coach and the Godfather of MMA in Ireland, John Kavanagh, about how the hype helps McGregor, and what McGregor has to do for his achievements to catch up to his acclaim. And we talk about the bloodiest challenge matches ever played, fulfilling the siege mentality quota for one summer, and a tradition as old as the GAA itself - pinning up hostile articles on a dressing-room wall. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the basis of yesterday's double-header in Thurles, hurling is in crisis. Can we stand idly by and watch the demise of our national sport, or was it maybe just a case of hurling finally having a disappointing day after 2 years of consistent soaring excellence? Malachy Clerkin and Maurice O'Brien separate the hurling from the hyperbole, discuss Daly's future with Dubs and why Tipp are over rated.Galway won an extraordinary game of football against Tipperary on Saturday evening - when the goals stopped going in and the mental arithmetic finished, it was 4-17 to 4-12, we talk to man of the match performer, Galway's corner-forward Michael Martin.And why do we get our backs up about the Commonwealth Games? Tom English, an Irishman working for the BBC explains why this is the biggest love-in in Glagow's history. Plus there's Murph's Ferris Bueller moment, Wexford's entourage, north Galway's Youtube sensation and lulled somnambulants wandering around mid-Tipperary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before he became the greatest interviewer of all time, Michael Parkinson wrote about football for his local newspaper in Barnsley. He went on to become a well respected sports columnist for The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Times, and was named sports writer of the year in 1998.In his early days on the beat in Yorkshire he came across Arthur Hopcraft, who wrote one of the greatest sports books of all time, The Football Man, which Parkinson wrote the foreword on. The two were friends for life, sharing a similar philosophy on the game.We talk to Michael about Hopcraft, football's relevance to English society in the 50's and 60's, why it still matters, writing about the game at a time of huge upheaval, how George Best changed everything and why the modern game holds little joy for him now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At 17, Stephen McPhail was dubbed 'the new Liam Brady' by his then-club manager George Graham. He went on to play for Leeds United in the Premier League, UEFA Cup and in a Champions League semi final. He represented his country 10 times, became the seventh Irishman to captain an FA Cup final team, fought cancer and other health issues, and is now back playing for his boyhood team Shamrock Rovers. He joins us in studio to talk to about reacting to setbacks, longing for home, facing Totti at 18 years of age, FA Cup final ticket frenzy, Ireland's treatment of creative midfielders, and using football as part of his cancer rehabilitation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A documentary following Paul Kimmage through two of the most turbulent years of his life, incorporating the Lance Armstrong downfall, professional frustrations, a UCI law-suit, Team Sky and last year's Tour de France are captured in a new documentary, airing on RTE next Monday night at 9.35pm. It's called "Rough Rider" and we speak to Kimmage, and his director Adrian McCarthy.US Murph talks to us about the latest developments as the first openly-gay NFL player Michael Sam starts training camps, and we look ahead to the weekend's hurling quarter-finals with Benny Dunne and Denis Walsh, author of one of the great GAA books "Hurling: The Revolution Years".Plus there's what amount one should put into a wedding envelope, a cead mile failte to our American cousins, and whether someone could survive four weeks in a camper-van with Ken Early. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The entire nation of Brazil was thrown in gut-wrenching, heart-breaking retrospection after their 7-1 defeat to Germany in the World Cup semi-final. After a couple of weeks of navel-gazing, it looks like they're going to appoint Dunga, arch-pragmatist, as the successor to Big Phil Scolari. The much-heralded root and branch revolution has been postponed indefinitely it seems - we speak to James Young of ESPN in Brazil. It's a big week for League of Ireland teams in European competition - Emmet Malone joins us in studio for a look at their prospects, as well as a chat about the new 5-year contract John Delaney has signed ahead of the FAI AGM this weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rory McIlroy has won his third golf major by the age of 25 - good news if you're looking to draw comparison between him and Jack Nicklaus and Tiger, and also good news if you happened to back him at 400/1 to win a British Open before he turns 26. We speak to Niall Quinn, Lawrence Donegan and Philip Reid on the significance of his victory at Hoylake. And as the Dubs machine rumbles relentlessly on, are Donegal the only team left that could outwit their 'blanket offense'? Oisin McConville and Shane Curran discuss in studio. We also talk about the beauty of murph's computer game golf swing, the brogan brothers feud that could derail Dublin's season, and predict how many majors Rory will end up with. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wexford have been the story of the hurling summer so far – having taken out the All-Ireland champions last weekend, they face Waterford this Saturday. The modern-day godfather of Wexford hurling Liam Griffin talks to us about their summer so far, the youth of today, talent spotting and his involvement with the current squad. WADA has reported that Rugby Union has a higher percentage of positive drugs tests than cycling or athletics in 2013 – how accurate are our perceptions of level of PED use in each sport? And we have US Murph on Lebron’s home town return. Plus there’s Stephen Roche misjudging the public mood, Ken’s views on materialism and the Tiger Woods channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss Ken's hair in humid climates, the American tv conspiracy and why Van Persie's goal was overrated.Richie Sadlier joins us to talk about the arbitrary nature of footballing fate and the place of violence in the game.And Raphael Honigstein is on the line to talk about Super Deutschland and why 2014 is so much better than 1990. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The reigning All-Ireland champions Clare are out of this year's hurling championship - we talk about what the challenges are now facing Davy Fitzgerald and his team, as well as a look back over Cork's first Munster title since 2006.Armagh had one of their sweetest victories of the last 20 years yesterday - Oisin McConville was walking even more cockily than usual into studio today, and we go to Buenos Aires after a night of near misses and lasting regrets for Argentina in the World Cup final.Plus there's the moral conundrum of when to ignore your mother, JBM's eternal youth, Messi's corner of hell and Ken Early's hang up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken was in the Maracana to witness an epic World Cup final. He reports from his hotel, which is right in the middle of the German party zone. Tim Vickery spoke to Ken after the game about the Germans doing it the hard way, long term planning, Brazil's revenge and Russia 2018.Spain were knocked out many weeks ago. We ask Sid Lowe how they feel about German dominance, whether there is something physically wrong with Messi and if Barca have learnt from Mascherano's midfield performances.All this plus boring German chants, Mother Europa, why there's more head injuries in modern game and Messi Pele peak comparisons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's World Cup final weekend, so we welcome Richie Sadlier into studio to discuss Brazil's meltdown, penalty strategy, goalkeeper homework and FIFA's lax attitude to head injuries.Brazil had a collective breakdown, but the final will see the meeting of the two mentally toughest sides in the competition. We talk to Jonathan Wilson about the secret behind German and Argentinian success at this tournament. Plus we'll discuss stag night protocols, 3rd place playoffs, and how to take credit for correct predictions... even when your original reasoning was totally flawed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whatever your taste in sport, Sunday should be to your liking. The World Cup final, the Connacht football final and the Munster hurling final - all in one glorious day. We go to Buenos Aires to see how Argentinian fans are preparing for the chance to win the World Cup in the Maracana, home of their hated rivals. Eamon Cregan was playing in the first ever Munster final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in 1976, scoring 4 goals but ending up on the losing side. He tells us his memories of that day, and looks ahead to this Sunday's match between the same two teams. And US Murph tells us about Lebron James and his possible return to his home town team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The craziest game in the history of the World Cup gets pored over in detail in today's podcast - Ken was there, and he is still a little in shock at the sight of Brazil having to come face to face with it's own flaws. Gabriele Marcotti joins us to talk about the damage this could do to the Brazilian psyche, and Tom Hennigan on how the Brazilian people can recover from this. Plus we'll have Holland and whether this team would get relegated from the Premier League, we find the scapegoats the Brazilian people demand, and Eoin McDevitt's girlfriend being awoken by Ned Flanders-style shrieks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

World Cup Semi-Final Day dawns for Ken Early in Belo Horizonte, and not even a potentially fatal chest infection can dampen his enthusiasm. Ken was at Big Phil Scolari's press conference yesterday, where he did a passable impersonation of the world's most relaxed man. Jogi Low takes a leaf from the Steve Staunton mind-games playbook, and we talk about Pele crying for an hour, Alfredo di Stefano, and the doom-laden prospect of a Brazil/Argentina final. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.