The Second Captains Podcast

Darron Gibson has made headlines with harsh comments about some of his Sunderland team-mates, which obviously somebody recorded and posted online. Fans: this is why footballers don't want to talk to you. Footballers: this is why you shouldn't go drinking with fans after losing 5-0.Guardiola reckons Premier League favourites Manchester City are at last looking like the team he's had in mind since he joined, while Nemanja Matic has joined Jose's Giants from Chelsea. His new manager has fired a shot across the bows of Antonio Cont'. Dermot Corrigan joins us from Madrid to report on Cristiano Ronaldo's tax case. The World Player of the Year is charged with tax evasion and Dermot tells us there is lot at stake in the courtroom.And in the wake of the news that James Richardson is leaving the Guardian's Football Weekly, Ken confirms that he is happy, for now, at Second Captains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The rules of golf state that if you start a meltdown on the Sunday of a major, you continue that meltdown and lose the tournament. Jordan Spieth arrested an alarming decline yesterday with the gutsiest golf seen since the Tiger era. He has three majors but the question remains - is he Ice-Man or Maverick?Michael 'controversy follows me everywhere' Duignan has become a walking headline these last few weeks. He comes into studio to address criticism thrown at him by Wexford manager Davy Fitzgerald. Plus Eoin Kelly joins us to assess Waterford's chances against Cork, and tries to understand the form-line of this confusing 2017 Tipp side.We demand answers from Oisin McConville, who tipped Donegal at the start of the season, and who keeps saying Mayo have to move on from points machine Andy Moran.Plus there's Euro 88 Mexican wave controversy, Ken on the mighty Dubs (if other counties just listened they might learn something), Shefflin's managerial career, and Cillian O'Connor's ideal transfer move. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Brolly told the Sunday Business Post yesterday that capitalism would kill the GAA. Football shows us a sport where the process is already far advanced. July gives you little actual football to distract from the business of money making, which the big clubs are doing on their summer tours. So today it's Neymar buying sneakers, and Jurgen Klopp talking about the price of butter. Sid Lowe joins us to talk about how the Neymar transfer talk is being received in Spain, and explains why the FA President, Angel Maria Villar, was arrested last week as part of a corruption investigation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken are talking about fake news. Ken confesses to a missed opportunity.Premier League teams are on pre-season tours, making money and trying to spend it. Liverpool can't get anyone to take their stinking money. Jose Mourinho has been impressed with Marcus Rashford's phenomenal upwards growth. News may be fake, but inches are real. We're joined by Rory Smith of the New York Times to talk about how football transfer stories were the original fake news.What is it about football that makes it the ideal environment for fake news to arise and spread? Does it tell us anything new about how the media really works? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Winning comes easy to some people - and this weekend Roger Federer, and the footballers of Dublin and Tyrone, all burnished their credentials with crushing victories. Oisin McConville and Mike Quirke reflect on the Dubs' 7th consecutive Leinster championship win, as each new game brings another scoring master-class from a different member of their forward unit. They are somewhat less impressed by Tyrone who they feel still have a bit to go to challenge the reigning All-Ireland champions, but they had plenty in hand to take care of Down in yesterday's Ulster final. Post-prime Roger Federer might end up being one of the best players of all time, even if we leave aside his achievements in his ACTUAL prime - Louisa Thomas of the New Yorker joins us to talk about his 8th Wimbledon title, and Venus falling short at the last hurdle. Plus Murph alienates 75% of the country, Ken reflects on Jimmy Connors' late career, and we play some foul-mouthed Al Pacino. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wayne Rooney knows how to tug on Evertonian heartstrings. Romelu Lukaku perhaps a little less so. At least one of his new team-mates at Manchester United has a thing or two to teach him about farewell tribute messages.We consider the phenomenon of the viral signing confirmation announcement. Aston Villa have pushed the boat out for John Terry: having raised the bar, what can they do to welcome Glenn Whelan?James Corbett joins us to talk about the impressive business Everton have done so far this season. Are we seeing the emergence of a new Everton, or is their rich owner simply looking like a big spender by releasing the money generated by player sales?Plus there's football pranks and rugby japes, the Chelsea shop, the Everton song, things that make life worse and signing Stomrzy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cork are the Munster champions, and powered by a cohort of brilliant young players, the dip we've all been expecting as they adjusted to their new reality just hasn't arrived. We analyse the influence of Gary Keegan, former Irish boxing supremo, on Cork. We said a few weeks ago that there are 7 teams capable of winning the All-Ireland senior hurling championship this year - and with 6 teams left after this week, who was dumped out? Brian Cody's Kilkenny. Michael Duignan and Eoin Kelly talk us through it all. After 4 years of build-up, 8 weeks of frantic touring, and 3 brilliant tests, the Lions and the All Blacks shared the spoils on Saturday morning. Shane Horgan suggests the success of the Owen Farrell and Johnny Sexton axis could be a lesson for how rugby is played. Plus there's the Peter Pan of Rossie pitch invasions, kissing your sister, and the future of brainy rugby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken returns just as international football ends for summer 2017. Once again, Germany have won most of the trophies and have added the Euro U21-title and Confederations Cup to their haul. The World Champions look well set for the next World Cup, all Joachim Löw needs to do is figure out which of their 40 top-quality internationals to drop.As the Confederations Cup winds up, we talk to Nick Ames in Moscow. How did Russia perform as host? And is football making an almighty mess of video technology?It's a hot sweltering summer and a lot of people seem to have worked themselves into a bad mood, but amid the rancour and recrimination one very special guy has brought a smile to Ken's heart. We talk through a few of the summer transfer stories. So far this transfer window has been an Everton muscle show, which nobody has been able to say since the mid-1980s.This is a free-to-air show. To listen to all Second Captains programming become a member at secondcaptains.com/join. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lions won the second test of the series against New Zealand, and that's all that matters, regardless of the fact that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that the tourists simply couldn't pass up. The All-Blacks will be back to 15 players for the third test, and the weather might not be as amenable on Saturday (although it's New Zealand, so rain is never far away), but the Lions have given themselves a chance - Eoin Reddan tells us why we should expect one of the fiercest physical battles in rugby history next Saturday morning. Galway are happy enough in fierce physical battles too, and their win in the Leinster final yesterday against Wexford might just have convinced the last few doubters of their suitability as All-Ireland favourites. Michael Duignan and Eoin Kelly were suitably impressed, and they join us on the line. Eoin questions the communication skills of Galway's hulking hurling hordes, Will "Mr Bombastic" Greenwood has the desired effect on a returning Ken Early, and we take a (short) walk around New Zealand's Hall of Red-Card Shame. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the moment Tadhg Furlong told us about the unique charms and appeal of his uncles' home on Whiddy Island last December in the Liberty Hall Theatre, we have been dreaming of one day broadcasting from this jewel of Bantry Bay. And last Saturday morning, as Tadhg made his Test debut for the Lions against New Zealand, that dream became a reality. And as we all tried to digest the thoroughness of the All-Black win (and our beautiful al fresco breakfast), we recorded a very special show with contributions from Barry Murphy - 2008 try-scorer for Munster against the All-Blacks, Richie Sadlier, and local Cork hurling legend Mark Foley. Tadhg's uncle Tim told us about his family's pride in his achievements, his granny came down for a look, and at the end we were left with one of the most special days in Second Captains history. A massive thank you to all of our listeners who came over, to the community on Whiddy Island, to our gracious host Tim, to O'Hara's Brewery and to Tadhg for his help in setting us up. We hope you enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The biggest story of the football weekend was the bombshell revelation that every member of the Russian squad from the 2014 World Cup is under investigation for possible doping. We speak to Nick Harris who broke the story for the Mail on Sunday, and ask if a story like this is going to be in the media cycle for longer than just a few days, or if attitudes to doping in football will remain as wilfully ignorant as ever. Last autumn all of Ireland was in thrall to Dundalk's Europa League exploits, and wondered aloud at what the influx of money would do for their continued domination of the domestic game. Fast forward to today and there's a team running away with the SSE Airtricity League alright... but it's Cork City. Former City legend Neal Horgan tells us how they've done it - with 18 wins and 1 draw in the league this far, and what they can achieve in Europe. We also hear about Damien Duff's competitive spirit (even against 9 year olds), Stefan Effenberg and a potted history of radio no-shows. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We give you a taste of the latest Player's Chair with Damien Duff. From the shower.For the full broadcast, join the Second Captains World Service at secondcaptains.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was supposed to be a war of attrition, but in the end Tyrone blew Donegal away in their Ulster championship semi-final yesterday with a dynamic, all-action display of attacking football. Oisin McConville thought this Donegal team had a bright future, but he and Mike Quirke now ponder the next step for them, and how far Tyrone can expect to go this summer. And we discuss whether Kildare showed enough in their defeat of Meath to trouble the Dubs if they meet in the Leinster final. Shane Horgan has little time for the psychological warfare brewing between Warren Gatland and Steve Hansen - mainly because they're not the most charismatic pair of leaders you've ever come across. Plus there's duelling banjos, 1980s pitch invasions, man V shark, Lions meat, lame forfeits, and a scathing verbal broadside from Shane... aimed squarely at Murph and Ken. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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GET IT TO THE BIG MEN!!!..... came the cry from Martin O'Neill at half time, and that's exactly what the boys in green did, rescuing a point and almost getting a win against Austria.Were we robbed by a sizeist ref, and did Duffy even need to jump for the ball that resulted in a disallowed goal? But Ken also wants to know where have the good performances gone, what happened our midfield, and he has an interesting stat on Glenn Whelan and Ireland's big wins. Dion Fanning joins us in studio to analyse the game and implores Ireland fans to judge Wes Hoolahan the same way they do every other player. Dion also give his thoughts on the group table with four games to go. Plus there's McDevitt's horrendous tweet blunder, the wanker gesture, the law of diminishing returns with McClean's reducers, Austrian delusions of grandeur, Roberto Carlos' chicken legs, England under 20's, Scottish heartbreak and of course, Joe Hart .... Joooeeee Haaaarttt!!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We relive our Cat Laughs show with Dara ÓBriain and David O'Doherty.For the full broadcast, join the Second Captains World Service at secondcaptains.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cristiano Ronaldo led Real Madrid to their third Champions League win in four years - a victory for light-touch management and the model of having the best players in the world.Meanwhile James McClean scored another Ronaldo-like goal, Harry Arter impressed and Martin O'Neill gushed with joy as Ireland's boys of summer swatted aside Uruguay. We take a look at Ireland's midfield options for the Austria game.Miguel Delaney and Jonathan Wilson join us to reflect on the Champions League final and whether Ronaldo has ended the GOAT argument.Plus there's Fergie's Ronaldo love, bank holiday bonhomie, Ken has a pop at kids (or "trinkets" as he calls them), Zidane the duck, "lads its only Juventus", and the moment of the weekend....Giggy's nutmeg! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest positive drug test in the GAA was the big story in this weekend's Sunday Independent - and over the course of the next 36 hours, statements from the Kerry County Committee and Sport Ireland have sought to add clarity to the case of Kerry footballer Brendan O'Sullivan.We're joined by the man who broke the story, the Sunday Indo's sports editor John Greene, and former Kerry footballer Mike Quirke, to ask questions on how this story was handled, the lack of transparency throughout, and MHA - the banned substance which found its way, via 'a contaminated product' into O'Sullivan's system.Galway, the new favourites for the All-Ireland hurling title, got their championship season underway with a routine victory over Dublin in Tullamore yesterday but the real story continues to be the failure of the Dubs to get their best 15 out on the pitch.Michael Duignan tries to understand why so many of Dublin's best players don't want to play for their county.Plus there's Tony Adams, Arsene Wenger and the swimming capabilities of tigers.Our Monday broadcasts are free to air. However, to listen to all our programming, become a member of the Second Captains World Service. It’s independent, commercial-free, member-led broadcasting with daily shows and lots of added extras. Go to secondcaptains.com now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal lit up Wembley with their best performance of the season, so naturally Eoin takes the opportunity to engage in some cheap shots about David Luiz.The final was a minor classic, the best of the seven Wenger has won. Should the board succumb to the golden glow of victory and award Arsene Wenger a new contract, or has this success made a necessary decision much harder? Eoin imagines himself into the role of Jose Mourinho and lays out the tactics that will beat Pep Guardiola next season. In the middle of midfield, controlling proceedings, is summer signing Graeme Souness. Joshua Robinson of the Wall Street Journal joins us to analyse what sticking points could still be getting in the way of agreement between Wenger and Arsenal's board at this stageAnd Terry Daley joins us from Rome, where he witnessed Totti's emotional farewell.Our Monday broadcasts are free to air. However, to listen to all our programming, become a member of the Second Captains World Service. It’s independent, commercial-free, member-led broadcasting with daily shows and lots of added extras. Go to Secondcaptains.com now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a beautifully sunny day outside, so whilst our members are waiting for today's Ken Early Political Podcast, here's a short pod featuring Parky, Paulie Malignaggi and Joe 'Mr Doctor' Coffie.Sign up to the Second Captains World Service now at secondcaptains.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was the weekend when Chelsea were presented with the Premier League trophy by Dennis Wise, but more importantly, John Terry bid farewell - but not goodbye? - to his Chelsea home. There were tears, elaborate rituals of respect and everyone was left with a sick feeling in the pit of their stomach. We discuss the aftermath of Arsenal's failure to make the Champions League. Arsene Wenger's dignified bearing has won praise in many quarters, including from Alex Ferguson, but when you think about it, what choice did he have? Arsenal's prospective new owner Alisher Usmanov has made a video calling out his opponent, Alexei Navalny, who has accused him of corruption. Would Arsene prefer to deal with this guy or Silent Stan?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8c1hR54RyIJonathan Wilson joins us to analyse John Terry's departure and why Chelsea can't seem to find a role for him in their hierarchy.Our Monday broadcasts are free to air. However, to listen to all our programming, become a member of the Second Captains World Service. It’s independent, commercial-free, member-led broadcasting with daily shows and lots of added extras. Don’t miss this week's new Ken Early Political Podcast or the latest Player’s Chair with Richie Sadlier and Anthony Daly – a brilliant, revealing and personal chat available only to World Service members.Join now at www.secondcaptains.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As starts to the GAA championship summer go, 56 scores, 5 sparkling debuts, the All-Ireland champions dethroned, and a winning goal scored by a man who was told 3 years ago he'd never play again due to a heart complaint, wasn't bad.Michael Duignan was in Thurles yesterday to witness Cork's stunning 2-27 to 1-26 win over reigning champions Tipperary, and we reflect on one result that blows the whole summer wide open for everyone.The tactical freshness from Cork that bewitched Tipp, the champions' frailties at the back, and what Waterford might have learned - all that and more on the agenda.Munster march on to the Aviva Stadium next Saturday thanks to a brilliant Simon Zebo try that points to a bright future for Rassie Erasmus' side. It was a calamitous weekend for Leinster however, saving their worst performance of the season for a Pro 12 semi-final. We talk to Shane Horgan about Munster's fresh bounce and what the Leinster players will be thinking about all summer.Plus there's a scumbag emailer, some more Stone Temple Pilots chat, Franno's knowledge of the Dublin celeb scene, and journalism's Littlest Hobo embarks on another of his epic quests around Europe... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The 2017 GAA championship is almost upon us, and we have Kildare manager Cian O'Neill in studio to help us set the scene for summer. O'Neill has been involved in All-Ireland successes in hurling and football in the last 7 years - first in 2010 when he was physical trainer to the Tipperary hurlers, and then with Kerry in 2014, when he was coach under Eamon Fitzmaurice. In between he served with Mayo, having previously worked with the Limerick footballers, so when he finally took the plunge and became manager of his native Kildare in October 2015 he was both massively experienced, and in for a shock. The difference between coaching and managing, the impact on family life, the benefits of dog ownership, working smart, and planning for the Dubs - Cian O'Neill talks about it all. Plus we even get a chance to mention the 2002 penalty shootout against Spain, David Albelda's twisted testicle, and in spite of all the haters out there, Murph keeps his GAA cup half full. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a weekend in which most of the outstanding issues of the Premier League were settled, we get the views of our correspondents Miguel Delaney and John Brewin. After Conte's man management miracle this season, rumour has it that Chelsea are planning the kind of spending splurge we haven't seen there since the early years of the Abramovich era. As Europe's richest clubs gear up to break transfer spending records, when will be the best time to do business? Jose Mourinho suggests that teams already in the top four would love to swap places with Manchester United, who get the chance to win a European trophy next week. Does he have a point?Are British managers second class citizens in their own country? And as Martin O'Neill fails to arrive on time for his press conference, Ken treads the thin line between dereliction of duty and self-liberation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eliud Kipchoge's attempt to break the 2-hour marathon barrier was either a commendable attempt to test the outer limits of human endurance... or a deeply cynical marketing ploy to convince you to buy some runners. David Epstein, author of "The Sports Gene" is better placed than most to separate corporate speak from genuine athletic curiosity, and as Kipchoge's attempt fell 25 seconds short, there's the question of just how fast a marathon can be run by a human being. The GAA championships got underway for another summer this weekend, and Sligo were put to the pin of their collar to beat New York in the Bronx last night. Charlie Harrison, their veteran all-star full-back joins us to tell us why they felt the world was against them in the run-up. Plus there's Richie Sadlier's attempt at racing immortality, Tyson Fury's answering machine, and another chance to hear Lance Armstrong telling us what he's on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Embattled Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is struggling to generate any momentum ahead of the General Election in the UK, but he is very popular in Liverpool. Tony Barrett of sportsjoe explains why it's the last city in Britain that believes in Corbyn the politician.In spite of another miserable league campaign for Jose, the Man United boss continues to patronise Arsene Wenger. We ask Daniel Harris of The Guardian if United fans have finally lost faith.Eoin, Ken and Murph also drill deep on the big issues in football - why are Premier League fans so sleepy, should we stop calling fullbacks 'fullbacks' and why Zlatan's amazing knee is changing the face of medical science.Plus there's talk of Cuban heels, why the Emirates Stadium is such a damp squib and we deconstruct Kante.Join the World Service today for access to all our shows at secondcaptains.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran mark the weekend's dives out of 10. Sometimes you need to give the referee a little bit of help. David Moyes has been dubbed "the energy vampire" by an unnamed former Sunderland player. What is an energy vampire? How can you guard your personal energy against one? And how did such an inane metaphor about human relationships ever gain popular currency?John Brewin was at Middlesbrough to see Manchester City stagger towards the Champions League qualification line with a 2-2 draw.And Jack Pitt-Brooke saw Tottenham dominate Arsenal in the most one-sided North London derby in many years.Plus there’s Jesus Navas’ stats, second best Spurs, and Jose’s finger of blame. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All aboard the Second Captains helicopter as we use the journey time from Dublin to the match tonight in Manchester to convince you to join the Second Captains World Service.Go to secondcaptains.com now. The Gang's All Here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There have been a lot of great clasicos over the last 20 years - the Barcelona fans lobbing a pig's head at Figo, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos silencing the Camp Nou in 2003, the 6-2, the 5-0, Real's 2-1 title clincher in 2012... But last night's 2-3 win for Barcelona at the Bernabeu was probably more fun than any of them.This game had everything - five goals, incredible skills, flying elbows, a red card, open goal misses, and a brilliant last-second winner from the best player in the world.It was a terrible weekend for Manchester City and Liverpool, a good one for Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea, and a very, very special weekend for Big Sam who was generous enough to give chapter and verse on the very special gameplan that silenced Anfield.We relive the Madrid-Barcelona drama with Dermot Corrigan, who was at the Bernabeu.And we argue over whether Spurs are better than Chelsea with Miguel Delaney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leinster and Munster bowed out of Europe this weekend, with plenty of what-ifs for both sides. Leinster will feel they had plenty of chances to beat Clermont in the south of France yesterday, and Munster similarly would love to have another crack at Saracens after they failed to raise a gallop in the Aviva on Saturday. Shane Horgan and Liam Toland acknowledge all the financial advantages of English and French clubs, but warn against the idea that we should be satisfied with losing semi-final appearances in this country. Are Galway favourites for the Liam McCarthy Cup this summer? Michael Duignan and Malachy Clerkin discuss their stunning 16-point defeat of Tipperary in the National Hurling League final yesterday. And after marking your card last week, Ilie Nastase confirmed his status as one of sport's biggest assholes this weekend. Plus there's the Rassie Erasmus news, Johnny Glynn's Grand Canyon and Eoin's safety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin welcomes the return of title run-in mindgames. Mauricio Pochettino has claimed that Tottenham, unlike some of their rivals, are "not artificial". Antonio Conte has responded in an unexpected way, by claiming that Tottenham are the best team in the league. Judging by his own side's performance at Old Trafford, Conte might be right. Was United's victory a Chelsea collapse, or a Mourinho masterclass? Did it show that the United players are finally understanding the principles of the manager's football?We also talk about Everton's decision to ban The Sun after Kelvin MacKenzie's attack on Ross Barkley. Is banning newspapers ever justified? When you look at the details of this case, how much sympathy does The Sun deserve?Jonathan Wilson joins us to talk through the details of United's win. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Richie hit the showers to discuss Ken's hair treatment regime, the French elections and the latest from the World Service.Join us now at secondcaptains.com for access to all our shows. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken look back at a weekend in which Dele Alli backed up all the hype of last week's podcast. Ken asks is there anything he can't do, Eoin wonders if its time to start comparing him to the greats.David Moyes says the Sunderland job is incredibly difficult. He said the same thing about the Man United job, which must have been difficult in a different way. Might Sunderland be better advised looking for a manager who is slightly less eager to point out how incredible difficult everything is going to be? Meanwhile Luke Shaw has been let out of captivity for a few minutes on the field but can he really trust Jose Mourinho after everything that has happened? We also talk about the superb new documentary "Les Bleus: Une autre histoire de France"Dermot Corrigan tries to explain why Barcelona keep bottling it in La Liga and we explore Neymar's hunger and Messi's magical nutritionist.Raphael Honigstein examines the science behind Arjen Robben's signature move, and looks ahead to the German clubs' adventures in Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken realises that he knows enough about golf to be a pundit on Sky's Masters coverage. All you do is draw sweeping generalisations from tiny details of body language, and keep that going for four days. Oisin McConville and Mike Quirke discuss Kerry’s evolution, poking the bear, Dublin’s slump in form and doing football a favour.Murph isn't here which means we can talk about Joe Brolly. What is the best way to take Brolly on when he is at full steam? Lawrence Donegan joins us to talk about Sergio Garcia's win, golfer beefs, and friendly rivalry nonsense. Plus there’s The Butler Cabin time warp, and McDevitt relives his fraught toilet encounter with Boris Becker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Things were already bad enough for David Moyes before he got the silly idea of immolating himself in a sexism firestorm. Was his comment to the BBC's Vicky Sparks at the end of his interview with the BBC "unforgivable," as some influential voices are claiming? Ronald Koeman was another one struggling with interviews as Sky encouraged him to take on the many enemies and losers who have criticised him.Only Jose Mourinho seemed to feel at home in the interview environment this week, and that after a disappointing draw with West Brom that meant United currently have their worst home win ratio of the Premier League era. Perhaps the fact that he OWNED the BBC's Conor McNamara will be of some consolation to the United faithful. We are joined by Tony Barrett to talk Merseyside Derby, and David Preece gives his view on whether Moyes can carry on at Sunderland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was like the good old days on Saturday, as Munster and Leinster ruthlessly took apart Toulouse and Wasps to advance to the European Cup semi-finals on Saturday afternoon. Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley reflect on what a difference a year makes - 12 months ago we didn't even have 1 team in the last 8, and now we have two teams who have shown they're capable of winning the competition outright. Former Kerry player and Irish Examiner columnist Mike Quirke looks ahead to next Sunday's league final between Dublin and Kerry - and predicts that despite trepidation down south at another heavy beating in Croke Park, the future still looks bright for Kerry. Plus we have Danny Cipriani, Murph’s Belgian waffles, Simon’s strip, clutch Dublin and a stonking Wexford win in Kilkenny. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Martin O'Neill gives a sombre press conference ahead of tomorrow's friendly with Iceland, Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the fallout from the Wales game and Seamus Coleman's terrible injury. It's time for us to decide what kind of game we want to see. Do we want a sport in which skilful players are protected, or one in which you can get away with cheap shots?Also - Brazil are on a roll under new coach Tite. Tim Vickery joins us from Rio de Janeiro to talk about their footballing rebirth.Plus there's honeysuckle and serenity on the Royal Canal, goose and beef tea, and the end of Dutch football. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katie Taylor grabbed her fourth win in four professional appearances last weekend, and the impression is that she is blazing a trail for her sport. But are her promoters doing a good job for women's boxing, or a good job just for Katie? Christina McMahon, the Irish pro boxer we spoke to last November, returns to the show to tell us how delighted she is for Katie, but why her promotion is not exactly lifting the sport. Michael Duignan has long been one of the best analysts on hurling, and he joins us in studio at the end of the group stages of the National Hurling League... and promptly calls Murph a football man. Plus there's Offaly's one-match winning streak, Con Houlihan's elbow on Eamon Dunphy, and the Donnacha Ryan madness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hit the showers with Eoin and Murph and hear what's happening on tomorrow's World Service.Join us here and get our shows instantly: www.secondcaptains.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pep Guardiola was extremely impressed this weekend by John Stones' stones. We look back on a fantastic game between his side and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester United won again at Middlesbrough, but Ken believes their victory at Middlesbrough betrayed some worrying signs about the direction they are taking relative to their rivals. Much of the internet disagrees. This week sees the return of international football, Ireland play Wales on Friday night and Emmet Malone reports on the latest from Abbottstown. And Philippe Auclair joins us to read Arsene Wenger's mind as reports emerge that the Arsenal manager has decided to sign a new contract. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So where are we after a tumultuous Six Nations campaign? We ended on an indisputable high, with victory over Grand slam and world record chasing England on Saturday. But there remains a world of regret over those defeats away to Scotland and Wales, and a championship that might have been there to win. Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley give us their verdicts on the last 7 weeks. We also catch up with Michael Conlan after his professional debut in Madison Square Garden on Saint Paddy's Day, which included an early stoppage, a capacity crowd... and Conor McGregor. Plus there's Murph's (GB & I) Lions test team, and we fall into the Stephen Jones black-hole of logic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's show day in London, and what better way to start it than breakfast with London's own Frank 'Lamps' Lampard (Sure, he was a few tables down from us, and never made eye contact, but it still made Ken's day).We're still reeling from Manchester City's exit from the Champions League last night - we ask Ken does he have any sympathy for Pep? On tonight's show we'll be chatting to Crystal Palace's Damien Delaney, we look ahead to the last game of the Six Nations with England-killer Shane Horgan and World Cup winner Neil Back, and it's the podcast Yalta as we break bread with Barry Glendenning and Gabriele Marcotti from rival podcasts The Game and Guardian Football Weekly. Recorded live from our base at the beautiful Kensington Hotel, part of the Doyle Collection of hotels in London, Dublin, Cork, Bristol and Washington DC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin O’Neill has chosen his extended squad for the Wales game, and with a whole island of footballers to choose from, we ask should all 5 million of us get included, before he does the fine tuning for match days?Dion Fanning of SportsJoe joins us in studio to discuss Aidan McGeady’s outrageous return to form, and how we are shaping up for the Wales game.Plus there’s Wayne Rooney getting Phil Jones’d, PSG’s documentary on pain, Emre Can’s Simone Biles move and Jose’s early excuses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss reports from Russia, where top politicians are devising a macho new sport. One the Russians might have a chance of winning something in. Today's show is dominated by talk of L'Affaire Sanchez. Does the Chilean embody the passion that Arsenal are missing, or is this the posturing of a prima donna who needs to learn the meaning of respect? Miguel Delaney joins us from London Colney to report on Arsene Wenger's post-Sanchez, pre-Bayern press conference, where it seems once again, the Arsenal manager did not see the incident.We also talk about the chaos at Old Trafford, where Zlatan Ibrahimovic escaped a red card, only to miss the penalty that condemned Jose Mourinho's team to another dismal draw. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dublin were trundling along rather unobtrusively until last Saturday, when they comprehensively demolished Mayo, handing out a 12 point beating to their closest rivals. Oisin McConville is in studio, and he wonders just why Mayo haven't focused more of their energies on getting a run together in this year's league. We also talk about how much farther Cork can descend after their shock loss to Clare in Division 2. David Haye, Tony Bellew, and the sport of boxing emerged from last weekend with little credit. Don McRae, author and journalist non pareil joins us to talk about how much damage they inflicted on the gaiety of the nation over the last couple of weeks. Jamie Carragher was happy enough nevertheless, and there's also Katie Taylor's third straight professional win, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wilt The Stilt, and Andre The Giant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Wilson joins us to talk about Zlatan's dominant performance at Wembley and whether he's forcing us to reconsider what we thought we knew about the responsibilities of a striker in 2017.Meanwhile the fallout continues from Claudio Ranieri's sacking. Have Leicester committed a crime against football? Do players have too much power, as Martin O'Neill says, or is Jurgen Klopp correct that the real fault lies with directors? Is Ranieri even the person we should be feeling sorry for? Who really deserves the credit for Leicester's success?In Spain, Sergio Ramos has told his international central defensive partner Gerard Pique to take off the tinfoil hat.And a mysterious admirer has sent Ciaran a beautiful gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland were able to beat France by ten points with a misfiring attack - Shane Horgan reckons they need more invention closer to the try-line, Eoin Reddan isn't too sure we had any other choice. Both men join us to analyse the Six Nations, including how Italy nearly out-foxed England, and how Eddie Jones sometimes comes across as "a pain in the arse". The GAA Congress was always going to be feisty this weekend - but as all 3 of Paraic Duffy's motions relating to the football championship were passed, an edge came to proceedings. The glee with which Congress ignored the will of both the GPA and the CPA was plain to see - Malachy Clerkin of the Irish Times was there, and feels a little uneasy about how this will play out. And - after this show, would anyone ever invite Eoin McDevitt to a wedding again? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.