The Second Captains Podcast

Andy Lee's first defence of his world middleweight title is in Brooklyn on Saturday. Lou DiBella tells us why this fight will influence the rest of Andy's life.The US Masters has an unprecedented 5 Irish players in the field. Malachy Clerkin and Lawrence Donegan talk Tiger's next step, Rory's long game and ipod etiquette. Plus there's Rory's paylords, ROCKY IV, the ebb and flow of psychic energy in Wrestlemania III and Ian Poulter's massive headphones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Liverpool absolutism and Cristiano Ronaldo and Ciaran McDonald's respective scoring records. Richie Sadlier tells us why he thinks it will be insane if Tim Sherwood finishes the season with more credit than Sean Dyche. And John Brewin has a crippling case of Manchester Derby Fever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Tim Krul's sportsmanship, Mats Hummels' big decision and Raheem Sterling's favourite song.Jonathan Wilson was there to see Arsenal's biggest league win over Liverpool in the Arsene Wenger era. And Dermot Corrigan tells us how the Bernabeu greeted Real Madrid's 9-1 win. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leinster are in a European Cup semi-final... so why is everyone so downbeat? We try and accentuate the positives and ask if they should go for broke against Toulon.The Gaels of Ireland were supposed to be attending a wake this weekend - instead there was a festival of football. Doctors McConville and Moyles hail the patient's miracle recovery.Plus we tell you why GAA beefs in January are never a good idea and why Bakkies Botha and Ali Williams are riddled with fear. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss Richard Keys' global reach, the What's App prison and the Seven Deadly Sins of sport. We ask Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley about Leinster's identity, Bath's style, comparisons with Ireland V England and the reliance on returning 6N stars.Plus there's a Hong Kong PBESO, Leinster's holding pattern, Ken's mind palace and Nike's strange policy on superstar endorsements. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Raheem Sterling's PR onslaught, and Man United reserve team coach Jim Ryan's views on workplace bullying.Richard Sadlier joins us to discuss whether Raheem Sterling is a mercenary young greedhead of startling effrontery, or a self-possessed young talent of independent mind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was Ireland / Poland the moment the Irish sports fan fell back in love with the idea of attending big football internationals? Ken defends the poor put-upon Irish footballer, and Anthony Moyles and Oisin McConville join us in studio for a requiem for Gaelic Football. Plus there's Ken's weekend of hate, and we tell you the difference between the Irish fan at home and abroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the must-win game that Ireland didn't win last night. Ken gives his controversial players ratings, Eoin reveals his secret affection for Ireland's most underrated player.Dion Fanning gives his reaction to the performance and Brian Kerr analyses how Ireland's improvement came about and the chances of escaping the group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran reminisce about past Ireland-Poland matches, their fear of giant Polish strikers and reflect on football's insecurity in the face of Ireland's rugby glory.Richard Sadlier joins us to talk about whether Sunday's match against Poland is a must-win for Martin O'Neill's side, and if James McCarthy's personality is a help or hindrance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Seamus Hickey, Limerick shop steward for the Union of Hurling Defenders, fresh from their celebrations after Henry Shefflin's retirement. Gerry Thornley tells us why rugby will never be the same again after last Saturday, and we discover the Second Captains Pyramid of Power, the link between Brian Cody and Humphrey Bogart, and the importance of hugging. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the sports photograph of 2015, the Grealish mystery, and what modern football fans could learn from the serene positivity of Juan Mata.Tony Barrett joins us to reflect on what might have caused Steven Gerrard's meltdown. And Emmet Malone reports from the Ireland camp where the players have assembled ahead of Sunday's game against Poland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An unprecedented weekend of celebration for Ireland as we are simultaneously crowned men's and women's 6 Nations champions for the first time ever. Ireland's brilliant centre Jenny Murphy is joined by Shane Horgan, Matt Williams and Denis Hickie to recap two days of sporting madness.Plus there's Mike Brown's thinly-veiled barb at his northern cousins, Anthony Hopkins tears, and why Phil Jones would have been handy in Twickenham on Saturday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane Horgan and Shane Jennings tell us what Luke Fitzgerald 2.0 will bring to the Irish team and why an enthusiastic Cian Healy is suited to starting games.US Murph tells us about the NFL player who has walked away from a mult-million dollar contract over concussions concerns.Plus there's power plays, the link between Ronaldo and Steven Fletcher, the art of cutting people, and always betting on the tall guys. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the greatness of Lionel Messi and how inadequate he must make all the other players on the pitch feel.Richie Sadlier joins us to talk about the peculiar humiliation of the nutmeg and the possible reasons for the Premier League's European failure. And Sid Lowe gives his impressions from last night's spectacular display at Camp Now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Wayne Rooney's public relations judo, Jose Mourinho's bad mood, and the scene most reminiscent of the climax of Watership Down in recent sporting history.Miguel Delaney has spent the last few days on Mourinho-watch, as the PSG fallout descends.And as Sunderland wave goodbye to their eighth manager in seven years, Jonathan Wilson wonders why they always seem to get it wrong. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Grand Slam is gone, but we think Ireland are still in with a great chance of winning the 6N... Gerry Thornley and Mattie Williams are not so sure the sparkle will return in time for Murrayfield.Clare were All-Ireland champions in 2013, but the internal strife in Davy Fitzgerald's camp was laid clear in Saturday's Irish Times - we talk about the "isolation and humiliation" felt by one player who left the panel last week. Plus there's shamrock on the brain, Ken's Neil Francis obsessions and one Celtic captain's night on the tiles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland - Wales is the biggest rugby game since our last game in the 6 Nations, but that's just the way it is when a Grand Slam is on offer. Shane Williams, Shane Horgan and our own pocket-rocket Simon Hick are on hand to tell us why Joe Schmidt and Warren Gatland aren't about to over think this one. Johnny Ward of the Racing Post joins us to look ahead to the Gold Cup on Friday, plus there's Jeremy Clarkson, the eternal presenter/producer struggle, and AP McCoy's face in a crisp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken hail David Luiz and Thiago Silva, the kings of Stamford Bridge. Who does Jose Mourinho blame for Paris' triumph? And why does he act as though it's impossible to win a game by more than one goal?Jonathan Wilson joins us for a closer look at Chelsea's failure.And Emmet Malone is on hand to analyse Martin O'Neill's latest Ireland squad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the glitch in Messi's game, some misplaced angst about Ireland v England, and Wenger's vigilante justice. Dermot Corrigan reports from Madrid, where Messi and Ronaldo's fortunes seem linked but divergent. Raphael Honigstein joins us to discuss doping and memory in German football. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland keep winning, so what's the big problem? But Matt Williams reckons our brand of rugby won't make the sort of impact our team are capable of making at the World Cup.GAA referee David Gough was told not to wear a rainbow wristband in Croke Park during the Dublin-Tyrone league game - we speak to the man himself. And there's middle-aged cheats in Lycra, Mark English's racing intelligence and poor ol' Lance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss Jose Mourinho's eternal quest for beauty, the amplifying power of football on Twitter, and tyrant body doubles.Richard Sadlier joins us to analyse the ethics of spitting and the progress of Louis van Gaal. And Emmet Malone is in to look forward to the big kick off of the Airtricity League. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The stock of Ireland's half-back pairing of Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton continues to rise and rise, to the point now where they are being routinely described as the best scrum-half and out-half combination in the world. Simon went to meet Murray to chat expectations, and putting the family filter on all the media hoopla.US Murph tells us about Spring Training and the US reaction to Padraig Harrington's brilliant win on Monday at the Honda Classic, and we hear about Murph's bovine alter-ego, spittin' time, and the return of Paul Galvin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss the fall of Allen Bula, the end of Jose's trophy famine, and why Liverpool might just have exorcised the ghost of Luis Suarez.Tony Barrett was at Anfield to see what he reckons might be the most important win of Brendan Rodgers' time at Liverpool. And James Montague puts forward the case that Qatar 2022 is a good idea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ireland machine rumbles relentlessly on; Gerry Thornley and Denis Hickie discuss the team's simple complexity, the importance of Sexton and the growing Welsh threat.Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles talk to us about what's eating our gaelic football. Plus we have our first Buddhist monk listener, Ken tells us about the DJ 2000 he's working on to replace Murph and we predict the 2015 Rugby 'international rules' World Cup final. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We speak to Irish Micky Ward about the Gatti trilogy, family feuds, life in Boston and seeing it all played out on the big screen in the Oscar-winning "The Fighter."Shane Horgan and Stuart Barnes talk Paul O'Connell love ahead of Ireland / England, and one of our cricketing heroes Kevin O'Brien joins us from Canberra. Plus there's Richie Sadlier's cake, and the thorny issue of membership of the Blarney Army. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We poke through the entrails of Arsenal's Champions League defeat to Monaco, Qatar's winter World Cup and Liverpool's marketing mix.Jonathan Wilson was in Manchester to see Barcelona's superstar strike trio dismantle City. Dion Fanning and Philippe Auclair join us to talk about where Arsenal go from here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Its Second Captains live and dangerous from the Sugar Club in Dublin with special guests Brian Kerr, Richie Sadlier, Denis Hickie, Damien Varley, Shane Jennings and Gerry Thornley.We preview Ireland V England, talk about reformed Englishmen and speculate if Schmidt will throw off the shackles on Sunday. We ask Brian and Richie if Messi is now unmanageable, if Balotelli will ever improve and should Steve Gerrard be analysing his own teammates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MOTD's little brother, Robbie Savage schtick, Jose TV and the appropriate use of counter-cyclical policies in football management.John Brewin was at St Mary's to see Liverpool close to within two points of the CL places. Kieran Canning analyses Barcelona's surprising defeat to Malaga ahead of their game against Manchester City. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea fans on the metro, Arrigo Sacchi in the mixed zone, and why in terms of the FIFA election, nothing is true and everything is possible.Terry Daley joins us from Rome to analyse Arrigo Sacchi's controversial remarks about black players in Italian youth football. We hear from Robbie Keane on Steve Gerrard's move to LA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

World Champ Andy Lee joins us in studio to discuss defending the title, money, hard work and free Second Captains hoodies.US Murph talks to us about NFL Films, once described as "the most effective propaganda organ in the history of corporate America". Plus we've the Voice of God, A Rod's hate machine, and why Irish sportspeople should be more like Ronnie Delany. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the return of Tim Sherwood, Olivier Giroud's near-post prowess, and David Luiz's selective sense of destiny.Sam Wallace joins us to talk about why Sherwood might be the right man for Villa. And Paul Doyle analyses PSG's prospects ahead of tomorrow's return of the Champions League Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Ireland sitting pretty with two wins from two, we should probably simply be asking "Are you not entertained?" Gerry Thornley and Denis Hickie join us to talk about Sexton, Bastareaud and the looming English challenge.The Dubs started life under Ger Cunningham with a win over Tipperary, and Clare will have to wait another week for a first inter-county win since last April.Plus there's Fifty Shades of Grey reviews, rugby brutality, our brilliant cricketers and a very special World Cup PBESO. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We mourn the passing of the age of Scottish giants, and try to work out what the Premier League should do with its five billion pounds.John Brewin analyses a strange week for Louis van Gaal, in which his attempts to educate were not received warmly by the Manchester press pack. And Nick Harris of sportingintelligence helps us pick through the detail of the TV rights deals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland have named an incredible team to play France, but we can't help but wonder if all those injuries really have cleared up. Gerry Thornley joins us to discuss.Tiger Woods is taking an indefinite break from golf - can he handle the humiliation of a long, slow slide into obscurity?Plus there's Andy Lee's world-title challenger, mid 80's boxing on youtube, and rat experiments on golfers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane Jennings and Shane Horgan join us to discuss Ireland's kicking game, Henshaw, big beatable France and the George North concussion issue.Eamon Dunphy talks to us about his decades-long admiration for the retiring AP McCoy. Plus there's Butragueno's heartbeat, fairytale endings for men who have far more than their fair share and some news on our upcoming live show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about the treachery of Gareth Bale, and Big Sam's lofty contempt for Long Ball United.Miguel Delaney joins us to talk about the inexorable rise of Harry Kane. And Jonathan Wilson reports from Equatorial Guinea on the Africa Cup of Nations heroes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Sean O'Brien, Ian Keatley selected, Wales V England, RWC year hype - Shane Horgan and Eddie O'Sullivan join us for a bumper 6N preview.Brian Murphy talks to us about broadcaster snubs and conspiracy theories. Plus there's celeb gatecrashers, Rory's cash, Welsh hymns and Marky Mark love. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City had a chance to puncture Chelsea's title charge this weekend. We ask John Brewin if the club believes its a superpower yet.Emmet Malone joins us to discuss Martin O'Neill's humour defuser and what Roy has to do to get the head coach's attention. And there's Gabriele Marcotti on the potential demise of the San Siro. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Those of you who stayed up late to watch the Super Bowl were richly rewarded with a classic end game - we get the verdict from Boston on Brady, coach Carroll and the worst call in SB history.Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles join us in studio to discuss the start of the league; Plus we speculate on Joe Schmidt's starting line-up for Ireland against Italy this Saturday, Murray's mind melt and the Snooperbowl. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk about Diego Costa's controlled insanity, and Jose Mourinho's probable misidentification of the spidery genius at the centre of the sinister campaign being waged against him. Philippe Auclair looks at FIFA's presidential election. And Michael Walker discusses the Celtic Rangers game this weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Super Bowl week, which means our US correspondent, Brian Murphy takes centre-stage, telling the NFL newbies who to look out for, who to hate, and bemoaning Super Bowl parties. Eoin met Tommy Walsh to discuss his return from Australia, plus there's Ken's wedding manners, World War Lance, and Joe Brolly finally gets the media recognition he's been sorely lacking over the last month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leinster are at home to Bath in the QFs - we ask Gerry Thornley and Shane Horgan how optimistic fans can be and if the Celts can ever match the cash.After Hurricane Fly's 5th Irish Champion Hurdle success, we speak to Ruby Walsh about the big choice he has to make ahead of Cheltenham. Plus there's Winston Churchill, receding hair options, Carlos Santana's size 5s and 21st century attention spans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss the romance of the Cup, Jorge Mendes The Dream Weaver and Van Gaal's canary in the mine.We ask Dion Fanning if the FA Cup giants were upset to have been killed. Tim Vickery joins us to look back on the career of Juan Roman Riquelme. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Team Sky came onto the world cycling scene they were more than happy to portray themselves as 'cleaner than clean'. On the day former Sky team doctor Geert Leinders is banned for life by the Anti-Doping Agencies of the USA, Denmark and the Netherlands, we ask what damage this will do to their reputation. US Murph talks to us about one of the craziest playoff games in NFL history, and how under-inflated footballs has somehow become a massive story. Plus Jonathan Pearce's break-out commentary moment, and how to be a cheater, courtesy of South Park's Eric Cartman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran reminisce about Eric Cantona, and wonder where Chelsea will find room in their squad for the latest £25m+ right-sided attacking midfielder.Jonathan Wilson is on the line from Equatorial Guinea where he's covering the Africa Cup of NationsAnd Dermot Corrigan fills us in on the state of play at Atletico Madrid, whose coach Diego Simeone insists they get fitter the more they play Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's only the second time in 17 seasons that Munster have failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the European Cup - Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley analyse a sobering weekend for Munster, and a much improved showing from Leinster. The winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award this year was 'Night Games', by Anna Krien, which touches on many of the same issues currently being discussed as part of the Ched Evans farrago - she joins us from Melbourne. And Ken, Eoin and Murph discuss Conor McGregor's latest UFC win Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about Arsenal's new "Terminator" mode, Santi Cazorla's paradoxical foot-speed and Jose Mourinho's respect for Steven Gerrard unlike certain others he could name. John Brewin was there to see Manchester City terminated by Arsene Wenger's mechanical attack dogs and Jonathan Liew joins us to analyse the pros and cons of January transfer trading. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciaran and Ken discuss why some people still appear to struggle with the concept that others can read their racist Facebook postings, and how Sir Jack Hayward embodied the kind of class you seldom find in football nowadays. Miguel Delaney on why Man City's signing of Wilfried Bony might be annoying Jose Mourinho and Gabriele Marcotti joins us for some blue-sky thinking on the future of the European game Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fergus Connolly is the Irishman currently in charge of Elite Performance with the San Francisco 49ers, the latest stopping-off point in a career that has seen him work with the Dublin senior footballers, Liverpool FC, Bolton Wanderers, the Wales national rugby team and the Seattle Seahawks - we hear if there's any difference between our Irish sportspeople and the brash, ultra-confident stars of the NFL. We take a look back at the glory days of Shoot magazine, Ken talks about Winston Churchill's Nobel Prize for Literature, and there's US Murph too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.