Second Captains

It's been a week to remember on the World Service, for none more so than our own proud Galweigen and 'Top Red' Ciaran Murphy. We were delighted to chat with hurling legend Joe Canning on the latest edition of our 'I'll Tell You Who Wrote It Second Captains Book Club. Joe spoke to us about John Feinstein's A Good Walk Spoiled, his own impressive golfing CV and how now living in Limerick brings him into contact with a lot of, well.. Limerick people. Back in Dublin, Ken's attention over the long weekend was dominated by, of all things, the FA Cup. Specifically, the classic that played out between United and Liverpool at Old Trafford. To join up go to secondcaptains.com/join – it’s a fiver a month plus VAT, with no contracts, no minimum stay and no sneaky fees. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland have won back-to-back Six Nations and have been a very consistent team over a long period of time now. We put their achievements into context while also examining their form, which has tapered off since the Italy game.We chat to Chris Jones of the BBC, former 6N winner Andrew Trimble, and Tom English of BBC Scotland about Ireland's second-half power show against Scotland, if their attack needs a re-think, how they will cope if Peter O'Mahony retires, Central Gibson Park, and how Jack Crowley has settled in at 10.We also examine the quality of this year's Six Nations, if mid-table England will in fact be the most satisfied of all, Italy's rise and Wales having as much of a nightmare off the pitch as on it.Plus there's the greatest ever Galway sports person, Murph wilts under the McGeeney Gaze and Farrell bites back. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The secret to any truly great sporting rivalry is some genuine animosity between the two parties, and when it comes to Ireland and the Scottish rugby team - these two straight up don't like each other. Even if one of them keeps beating the other time & time again.Elsewhere, the Champions League knockouts have finally caught fire. We chatted to Rory Smith of The New York Times and Nick Ames of The Guardian about Arsenal's progress and ask what is driving the trend of multi club models.To join up go to secondcaptains.com/join – it’s a fiver a month plus VAT, with no contracts, no minimum stay and no sneaky fees. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Irish team didn't perform and the Irish media got this one badly badly wrong, except for a humble GAA man from Galway.We chat to Rob Kearney, Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley about England's powered-up attack, Ireland's end game, O'Mahony's yellow, the lineout issues, the 6-2 split and what a 6N Championship would mean, and what a loss to Scotland might mean!We also discuss our various scapegoat options, Murph's Turph, Italy's win over Scotland, and Ken's admiration for Rob Kearney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liverpool and Manchester City played another great game at Anfield and the big winners were Arsenal. The league leaders earned another important win against Brentford on Saturday evening. We discuss the edge of ruthlessness Mikel Arteta's players are showing as they chase a first title in 20 years.Dion Fanning and Gavin Cooney join us to talk over the Liverpool-City game and other Premier League weekend business. Klopp and Guardiola have defined the Premier League, their teams pushing each other to greater and greater heights, but there is ultimately only one question anyone cares about: who is better? Has Caoimhín Kelleher's decision to stay at Liverpool been vindicated? And how do they interpret Evan Ferguson's 19-game goalless run?We also get Branno's thoughts on who should be taking over from Declan Devine at Bohs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the year 2024 and ex Scottish Rugby International's are backing humble England over arrogant Ireland. Is this the future we wanted? Well, it's the one we have and this weekend could see Ireland push even closer to a back-to-back Grand Slam with victory in Twickenham. But first, Eoin is here to warn you with tales from the past.Yesterday Miguel Delaney and Jonathan Wilson put their thinking caps on about why the Champions League has lost its appeal in recent times, and what could be done to get it backAfter being one of the first GAA players to take part in the NFL combine we caught up with Rory Beggan, by which time he was supposed to be back in Ireland, but there was a bit of a change of plans.To join up go to secondcaptains.com/join – it’s a fiver a month plus VAT, with no contracts, no minimum stay and no sneaky fees. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FAI formally unveiled new interim manager John O'Shea at a pressconference at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon - Ken reports from thescene......and if you want to listen to that straightaway scroll to the end.First we talk through some of the action from a weekend that sawNottingham Forest's refereeing lobbyist Mark Clattenburg swing intoaction.Mark Critchley and John Brewin join us to talk about the Manchesterderby. Is it really too much to expect Man United should be able togive City more of a game than this? And if the future is looking bleakfor Erik ten Hag, how is it looking for Marcus Rashford? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland are once again raging hot favourites to win a 6N game, which may sit ok with us when it's Italy or this 2024 Wales team, but this time it's England, in Twickenham! We're not in Kansas anymore.We talk to Gerry Thornley about the dynamics at play including a warning from 6N history, Hugo Keenan's knee injury, Steve Borthwick's reputation, and Ryan Baird's red-hot form.Plus there's Sam Warburton's tackle power, Beggan's boot, and Jim McGuinness bemoaning the rampant use of the 'Rodri Foul' in Gaelic Football. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken was at Wembley to see Caoimhin Kelleher help Liverpool to what Jurgen Klopp described as his sweetest-ever trophy.We talk through the action of the day, why young players seem to play better for Liverpool than they do for Chelsea, and why Chelsea don’t give their supporters anything to get behind.Rich Jolly and Jacob Steinberg join us to talk over the Carabao Cup final - and also Fulham’s late win at Old Trafford. Why did this trophy mean so much to Klopp? How much longer can Mauricio Pochettino cling on? And while we’re at it, what about Eric Ten Hag? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Too much winning", we cry, as Ireland march relentlessly towards another grand slam. The expectations are now so high that a flurry of penalties in the second half and some aimless attacks in the first half against a young Wales side have us demanding improvements, and fast. We chat to Chris Jones of the BBC and former Ireland winger Shane Horgan about Bundee's power, Ireland's bench strength, the fast start Frawley and Nash have made to their international careers, and if a reduced gameplan for England would trouble Ireland in two weeks time.Plus there's Duhan the try-machine, Garbisi's tee trouble, and the new Eddie Jones documentary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you hear the one about the CEO who jokingly asked for cash in lieu of holidays, had the nuance of the gag missed by the Finance Director and was accidentally paid more than the allowable salary agreed under the state bailout, leading to the President of the association openly doubting confidence him in from of a government committee? It may sound insane.. but this is the FAI we're talking about. Meanwhile, breaking news around the redevelopment plan of Belfast's Casement Park ahead of the 2028 Euros had us asking questions into the actual usefulness of the project as well as the geopolitics at play.Finally, we got around some football talk after an emotional Liverpool comeback win over Luton had Klopp reminiscing on some of his greatest nights as a manager. To join up go to secondcaptains.com/join – it’s a fiver a month plus VAT, with no contracts, no minimum stay and no sneaky fees. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jamie Wall’s Fitzgibbon Cup pedigree is pretty special. He was a selector for Mary I’s first win in the competition in 2016, was in charge in 2017, and in another David vs Goliath triumph won their third national title on Saturday, against 3-in-a-row chasing University of Limerick.He joins us on today’s show along with his selector Podge Collins, the former Clare All-Ireland winner and All-star (and his first cousin), to talk to us about their relationship, what makes the Fitzgibbon so special, and their post-match celebration seen around the world.We also discuss our two-time world champion Daniel Wiffen, and the imminent return of Flynn and Murph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish football fans don't ask for much these days, but when it comes to finding a new national team manager they still want a little mystery in their lives. So over the weekend when Chris Coleman shot to the top of the contenders list the general response appeared to be, through a chink too wide comes in no wonder.We chat to Dion Fanning and Gavin Cooney in studio about Coleman's credentials, the real/rumoured list of candidates, the FAI's fun faction, and how messy the whole managerial search appears to be.We also look at the form and feet of Liverpool and Ireland's Caoimhin Kelleher, the Nathan Collins stock market, Evan's goal drought, Erling's misses, and the Jota - Nunez master blaster strike partnership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Declan Rice: to be fair, quite useful. A pity most West Ham fans didn't wait around long enough to see his goal. In the wake of a record-equalling home defeat for West Ham, we wonder what David Moyes has to do to get a little credit around here?Manchester United remain undefeated in 2024. They might not yet be the most spectacular of the teams chasing the Champions League spots but perhaps they look the most sustainable.Archie Rhind-Tutt joins us from Germany to talk about Bayer Leverkusen's 3-0 thrashing of Bayern Munich. Xabi Alonso's team are the only unbeaten side in the top 5 leagues. Is it too soon to say we have found the new Pep? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland have won 10 Six Nations games in a row now, and continue to do it in style with another 6 tries against Italy, and their first 6N/5N clean sheet since 1987.We chat to Gerry Thornley of The Irish Times and Tom English of BBC Scotland about Jack Crowley's passing game, Henshaw's case for holding onto the 13 jersey, who would replace Hugo Keenan if he's badly injured, why England are going to be tough to beat in Twickers, and if Scotland should blame the ref, the TMO, World Rugby's protocols, or themselves, for a defeat to an out of sorts French team.We get told to turn that frown upside down by a listener, and Murph looks at Jim McGuinness' soccer CV and wonders if he could do a job for the Republic of Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our regular best of show which this week features Arsenal's lightly celebrated win over Liverpool, a mild mutiny at Chelsea and AFCON fun with Oluwashina. We also have Vegas Murph, Ireland's Grand Slam plan, lotsa (GAA) league analysis and pedants on pedants.To listen to our programming throughout the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s 5 euro a month for independent, commercial-free, member-led podcasts with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, The “I’ll Tell You Who Wrote It” Book Club and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series  ‘Where Is George Gibney?’. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's not supposed to be this easy! Ireland's previous biggest win away to France was by 7 points, way back in 1948. In the wake of a record win in Marseille, we let a mix of emotions - joy, awe, confusion, expectation - wash over us. We chat to Shane Horgan about the unbridled optimism of our running game, our rejuvenated lineout, Jack Crowley's mental resets, Beirne's brains, a defanged Shaun Edwards and what's up with France?Ireland are now strong favourites to win a slam, but who is our main challenger as the Scots win but lose, as Finn Russell ticks off his teammates, as England learn on the job and as Wales somehow build belief from nothing.And after watching Derry outplay Tyrone Murph tells us who is going to win the All-Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FAI's search for a new manager is not going well. Pot stirrer Eoin McDevitt is still doing his bit though; he chatted to Neil Lennon on Premier Sports over the weekend, and today on Second Captains it's Gus Poyet, who is very keen on the job.Man United just about got past "County Newport" but the big story is nightclub enthusiast Marcus Rashford. Ken reviews the reviews of the clubs of Belfast.Plus there's the incredible shrinking Barcelona, Dion Dublin's pro-am, and all the things that Liverpool will miss about Klopp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The National Football League is winning hearts and minds on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and the Irish version of the NFL kicked off this weekend, with some cracking games and away upsets.  Michael Murphy is back in the Second Captains saddle for another year, and he talks to us about conversations with Jim McGuinness about a sensational playing return, conversations for 10 years about Roger Schmidt and gegenpressing, and why 1-20 in Ballybofey in January is pretty good shooting. We also discuss bogey teams in the GAA - Galway can’t beat Mayo, Monaghan can’t lose to Dublin (in the league, at any rate), and Mickey Harte is still inflicting pain on Kerry football.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The murder by a loyalist gang of Sean Brown, the Chairman of the Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club in Derry in May 1997 was a heinous, violent act, and one that has reverberated through generations of his town and his family.   In this special Second Captains episode, we travel to Bellaghy to talk to his daughter Siobhán and grandson Damán about their continuing fight for justice.  We talk about the obstacles that have stood in their way over the last 27 years, and the impact of the NI Troubles Legacy and Reconciliation Act on the inquest currently ongoing into his death.  Their barrister is Des Fahy, author of “How The GAA Survived The Troubles”, also talks to us about who Sean Brown was, and why being a member of a GAA club was enough to get an innocent man killed.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The All-Ireland club finals don’t always deliver quality games, but they are usually good for a narrative arc or two… and in 2024, we managed to get the best of both worlds.  Maurice Brosnan of the Irish Examiner talks to us about Éanna Burke’s last-minute wizardry that won it for St Thomas’, and we discuss Conor Glass’ mastery of the big moments which will be the stand-out memory of Glen’s maiden All-Ireland club final win. Ken weighs in on what hurling can do to improve itself - and his findings may enrage traditionalists - and Eoin makes the argument for wet-weather-only fixtures.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ivan Toney seems to have made good use of his time away from the game, learning how to use his mind to manipulate and control the Universe. With this new skill in his locker it's looking like a big 2024 in prospect for the big man.We also talk about new developments in game management, Darwin's 10/10 and Manchester United's latest stunning boardroom "coup".Then Samindra Kunti joins us from Doha to report on the Asian Cup, where Palestine still have a chance of qualifying for the knockout stage after drawing with the UAE in their second match.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US Murph joined us on the World Service for a round-up of the NFL Playoffs, a hearty laugh at the Dallas Cowboys and to give credit to the punting abilities of The Wicklow Whacker - Dan Whelan. Elsewhere, Jose Mourinho's time at AS Roma has come to a close in his customary third season at the club. We ask where next for the self-proclaimed 'Little Magpie'?Plus, there's Ken's beef with the Germans over Jadon Sancho and a return to pedant's corner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Munster were on a bad run of results, injuries and performances, hadn't won away from home all season, and were 10-0 down away to Toulon in a must-win tie.... so naturally they shot the light outs, got a 4-try BP win, and changed the entire complexion of their Champions Cup campaign.We chat to Ruaidhri O'Connor about Munster marrying the old and the new, the impact Peter O'Mahony's return had on the team and why, almost 30 years into professionalism, big characters can still make all the difference.We continue to put grit into Murph's gears, take a lift to the top floor of the Lions experience, have a peek at the 6N form guide, seek the help of Permutations Man, and Ronnie O'Sullivan wins an 8th Masters title while also goading and chastising everyone around him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If Jadon Sancho feels a bit hard done by after his treatment at Manchester United maybe he should take a look at what is happening at Forest Green Rovers, where charismatic young coach Troy Deeney is showing what can happen when managers are prepared to take off the kid gloves and start dealing out some harsh truths. Jack Pitt-Brooke and Mark Critchley join us to talk about the weekend’s PL action. How can Ange Postecoglou get his B-team to play the same way as the injured first-teamers? Will Dave Brailsford succeed in putting Manchester United into a challenge-state after a decade of threat-state? And would football be better if it cast off the shackles of regulation and allowed the richest owners the freedom to express their visions and dreams to the max? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our regular world service highlights show. For our second week of podcasting in 2024 we covered Mo's rep in Egypt, Darwin Nunez's misses in slow mo, BCM (?), Taylor Swift's impact on the form of the Kansas City Chiefs, Andy Farrell taking a break from the Ireland job to do the Lions job, an Irish football managerial update and Ken's reflections on teflon Beckenbauer. Plus there was ugly Chelsea, America's assholes, Aaron Rodgers V Jimmy Kimmel, Nienaber's Leinster deadline, the Mack Hansen hole in our 6N squad, Carbery's career, Jim McGuinness' ban, and Ronan Finn in studio on his glorious career.To join go to secondcaptains.com/join – it’s a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and you can listen to us on Spotify or any normal podcast app on your phone, laptop or tablet, or on our website. Email [email protected] with any questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The All-Ireland club final between Watty Graham's Glen and Kilmacud Crokes was one of the most controversial sporting events of 2023... and 7 days into 2024, they got a chance to go at it again. This time around, in yesterday's semi-final in Newry, the action on the field was completed to everyone's satisfaction... even if it was enshrouded in fog. Oisin McConville saw as much of it as the rest of us, and we talk to him about Glen's resilience, Jim McGuinness' return to GAA management... and why he could be about to lose his Wicklow goalkeeper to the NFL. We also discuss Eoin's newly bald jawline, Fog On The Tyne, and who might overcome their hangover to win the Dioralyte O'Byrne Cup.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every year it becomes more culturally embarrassing for us to talk about the third round of the FA Cup, and yet... here we go again. This time - the Sunderland-Newcastle damp squib, the latest gut-punch for Arsenal, and plaintive cries from the Saudi coast suggesting one more possible reason for Liverpool's successful transformation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HNY and welcome to our regular Second Captains snifter. For our first week back in 2024 we covered Darwin Nunez's net positive contributions, the poor man's Todd Boehly (Garry Cook), Wayne Rooney and the golden generation's hapless coaching careers and what challenges a teenage sports star such as Luke Littler faces after they make their first breakthrough. To join go to secondcaptains.com/join – it’s a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and you can listen to us on Spotify or any normal podcast app on your phone, laptop or tablet. Email [email protected] with any questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy New Year from all of us at Second Captains! To celebrate we've decided to dip into the vault and dig out our favourite interview of 2023, an all-timer with Ronnie O'Sullivan live in our Dublin studio.Ronnie O’Sullivan joins us to talk about anxiety, his childhood, his relationship with his father before and after his father went to jail, his relationship with Snooker and why he looks to Messi, Jordan and Tiger for lessons on how to get better. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A feast of festive football games, coaches who can’t read the room, ref nixers, viral fakes, the Thirty Years War - it must be the annual post-Christmas football pod with Jonathan Wilson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our weekly Second Captains snifter. To join go to secondcaptains.com/join – it’s a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and we’re independent and Irish owned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Munster appeared to be in a winning position away to Exeter, before some bad kicks, bad bounces, poor refereeing decisions and an intercept turned 5 game points into 1, putting a big hole in their European campaign in the process. On the back of the draw with Bayonne and the news that RG Snyman will likely be moving to Leinster next year, it's been a rough week for the URC champs.We chat to Ruaidhri O'Connor and Shane Horgan about Munster's slick attack and weak basics, the rights and wrongs of RG"s move, Leinster's good cap bad cop routine, Ulster's tap dance and Connacht's miserable defence.Plus there's Figo's flip, club hurling's screen battle and the best talker in Irish sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the action at Anfield making for slim pickings, we turn to the spreadsheets in search of fresh narrative. The results MIGHT surprise you...There's also Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez, Peter Walton's idea of acceptable dissent, Phil Foden's latest betrayal of Pep Guardiola and a clash of fire and ice in prospect on the shores of the Red Sea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liam Brady brought the house down at our end-of-year live show last week, arriving with anecdotes full of insight, levity and physical comedy that were warmly received by the Liberty Hall crowd and our World Service members alike. Elsewhere, Ken has been marvelling at Manchester United's ill-fated Champions League campaign which has served us up a six-part series of appointment-television, dramatic perfection fit for an Emmy Award.To join go to secondcaptains.com/join - it's a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and we're independent and Irish owned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leinster went to war in La Rochelle, and at the fourth time of asking against ROG's team, got the win they craved. It won't make up for the last three seasons in Europe, but it was a deeply satisfying win.We chat to Shane Horgan and Murray Kinsella of The42 about Frawley's monster kick to seal it, the levels of animosity between these two teams, and Leinster's toughness, tackle technique and lineout masterclass.There's also Munster's weak set piece, Connacht taking a hammering at home and Ulster's roll of the managerial dice.And Ken gives us his take on Wiffen's short-course world record. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A great weekend for Unai Emery and Lewis Dobbin, not only because they were winning but because they were celebrating in the right way, according to the people who pay attention to these things.Manchester United's 0-3 defeat to Bournemouth came as no surprise to Mystic Murph - but Erik ten Hag's team selection did. Still, if the title of Sir Big Jim's new book is anything to go by, help is on the way.Lars Sivertsen and Gavin Cooney join us to talk about the weekend's football. Is Emi Martinez emerging as Mikel Arteta's biggest transfer mistake that nobody really noticed at the time? Why might Martin Odegaard be struggling to hit the levels of last season? And how long can Chelsea hide in the shadows from their own reckoning?Gavin also brings us up to speed with some of the happenings of the FAI AGM on Saturday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After what could be considered one of the greatest performances in the club's storied history, it’s time to welcome a new force into the world of Premier League superclubs - Unai Emery's Aston Villa. Miguel Delaney and Rory Smith joined us to delve into their past and ask if they truly are contenders for this year's title.Plus, Malachy Clerkin and Sinead O'Carroll were in studio this week to review the best sports books of 2023. This time around, with the added wrinkle of having a book written by one of our judges on the shortlist.It's been a mega week on the World Service and there's so much more to come. To join go to secondcaptains.com/join - it's a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and we're independent and Irish owned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In front of 8,100 fans in a packed out Sportsground, Connacht had Leinster beat; until the very death when Ciaran Frawley broke their hearts. We discuss the many ebbs and flows of psychic energy in this game and whether the pain will linger for Connacht.Gerry Thornley was in Galway to witness a deeply flawed Leinster display and a thrilling Mack Hansen comeback. We also discuss Munster's magic attack, Ulster's internal strife and big Thomas Ahern's shot at being a starter in Europe.Plus there's Match Of The Day McDevitt, Big Sam's hat and Ronnie O'Sullivan's numbers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We can be sure that Friday's live show guest Sam Allardyce would have been appalled at the spectacle of City 3-3 Spurs.For the rest of us it was pretty good. Spurs' devotion to their apparently suicidal gameplan, Kulusevski arriving at the back post like the wrath of god, Haaland screaming at the ref for calling it back as Grealish ran through - and Pep revealing in his post-game comments that he is a Master & Commander guy. John Brewin and Rich Jolly join us to talk about some of the weekend's action. Has Ange Postecoglou proved he is the real deal? What has gone wrong for Jack Grealish this season? Why is there such a wave of anger towards Marcus Rashford from Manchester United fans? And will Jadon Sancho succeed in outlasting Erik ten Hag?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our Second Captains taster menu which this week features Madchester United, the no fun GAA and the battle to be Ireland's next top outhalf. To join go to secondcaptains.com/join – it’s a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and we’re independent and Irish-owned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It turns out that Irish footballers literally cannot stop scoring and creating goals right now. Does this make the Ireland job the hottest vacant property in world football? The weekend brought the sad news of Terry Venables' death at the age of 80. We look back on the broadcasting masterclass that ended Venables' chances of managing Ireland back when the job paid a lot more than it does now.We also talk about the anti-corruption protest at Everton and whether the Everton fans really are on to something about the corruption of the Premier League. There is even time to talk about a very 1230ish edition of Man City v Liverpool.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Don't ever doubt me again" - Ireland, consider yourself told. Katie Taylor avenged her only professional defeat with an exceptional points victory over Chantelle Cameron in the 3Arena on Saturday night, with a performance that franks her boxing greatness and rubber-stamps her place as one of Ireland's most beloved sports-people. We speak to former middle-weight world champion Andy Lee and the42's Gavan Casey about an extraordinary atmosphere, a display for the ages, and the possibility of a final act for the trilogy. There appears to be widespread enthusiasm for the idea of Croke Park hosting Taylor/Cameron III, but one of our presenting team is intent on bringing down the mood... and it's not the Croke Park area resident in our midst either.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the same night that Stephen Kenny said his farewells to the Lansdowne Road crowd, James McClean, too said goodbye after more than 100 caps for his country. Both gave us plenty to argue about on the World Service. We also spoke to Mark Langhammer, Trade Union leader and vice-chairman of Crusaders Football Club on why he believes Casement Park is the right choice of Northern Irish stadia for Euro 2028.Plus, Ken gives his thoughts on Brazil vs Argentina and ‘useless pissheads’. To join go to secondcaptains.com/join - it's a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and we're independent and Irish owned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pele did it first with Santos and the NY Cosmos, playing half a game with his boyhood club, and the other half with his adopted big city club - and our Murph is definitely the only other athlete to have done it, with Milltown of Galway and Templeogue Synge Street of Dublin. Did he play equally badly for both, as instructed?A proposal to remove counties with fewer than five adult club hurling teams from competing in the National Hurling League has been hammered from the moment it was suggested earlier this month - we speak to Jamie Wall about what the future holds for hurling in those counties, and why many hurling people are happy enough with the status quo.  And there’s one last round on the carousel for the David Clifford Player of the Year debate, as he became the first back-to-back winner of that award in history last Friday night...... despite missing a free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look back on Saturday's game in Amsterdam and the lessons from Ireland's disastrous qualifying campaign. "What was the alternative?" was Stephen Kenny's reply to questions about his approach following the latest defeat - but will his successor have to think of one? We talk to the deputy chair of Everton's shareholders association, John Blain, about the 10-point penalty imposed on the club after they were found guilty of breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. How are Everton fans feeling about the punishment? Why have the league come down so heavily on Everton? And what might this mean for other financial cases currently in the pipeline?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We chat to the legendary Tim Vickery about why Luis Diaz Sr was abducted in Colombia, why no ransom was sought, and how strong the links are between crime and football in Colombia, in the wake of the cartel era.We also welcomed Daryl Horgan to studio to discuss his time working under Stephen Kenny, Damien Duff and Anthony Barry in the Ireland set up and what happened before that infamous Ireland V England game. Plus there's Ken on Michael Owen's twitter feedback.To join go to secondcaptains.com/join - it's a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and we're independent and Irish owned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we speak to director Laura McGann from Ireland about her brilliant documentary The Deepest Breath which last night picked up two Critics Choice awards for Best Sports Documentary and Best Cinematography.In just one week in late July The Deepest Breath had been watched on Netflix by 4.6 million people. The  story revolves around two characters - Alessia Zecchini, a world-class free diver from Italy, and Stephen Keenan from Ireland, who made a name for himself as a safety diver and was in a relationship with Alessia. Its a gripping, emotional and often shocking documentary about two people devoted to a sport and to each other.And Murph looks at the career of legendary Armagh and Crossmaglen star Aaron Kernan who announced his retirement this weekend having won 18 county titles, 8 Ulsters and 3 All-Irelands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

St Patrick's Athletic beat Bohemians 3-1 in a record-breaking FAI Cup final. FAI CEO Jonathan Hill had promised in his programme notes: "I trust memories will be made to last a lifetime as we all take another step on our respective journeys." Today we share the memories we made in that step along our respective journeys.  We talk about the sensational 4-4 at Stamford Bridge, and the truth underlying the narratives now developing around "embattled" Eddie Howe and Ange "is this guy even a football manager" Postecoglou. Gavin Cooney joins us to talk more about the FAI Cup Final. How does he explain the Cup final's rise? What gave Pat's the edge on the day? Why can't Bohs match off-field development with on-field success? And what are we to make of the fact that all this played out against the backdrop of another embarrassing storyline coming out of Abbottstown?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spurs - Chelsea was a box office affair, both during the game and after the final whistle. Ange Postecoglou’s nine-man high-line high-wire act stirred up the Spurs base and baffled everyone else. Join us for ad-free, contract-free, member-led broadcasting for just €5 + VAT a month at secondcaptains.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.