The Second Captains Podcast

We’re staring down the barrel of a province-less quarter-final lineup for the European Rugby Champions Cup after the Six Nations, but Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley reckon Munster have what it takes to beat Saracens away this weekend. Steph Roche continues her quest for Puskas Award glory and Peter Stringer joins us from Bath as he enjoys an Indian Summer in the Aviva Premiership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciaran and Ken discuss Gus Poyet's contempt, FIFA's Zurich gala and the new bad boy image of Lionel Messi.Jonathan Wilson saw Chelsea return to the top of the Premier League with an ultimately-comfortable win against NewcastleAnd John Brewin is on to discuss Southampton's victory at Old Trafford Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murph and Ken discuss the latest developments in the Ched Evans situation.Sid Lowe analyses Lionel Messi's recent power plays at Barcelona.And Tony Barrett is on the line to talk about why Roberto Martinez has started to run into problems at Everton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ched Evans' repeated attempts to get back into football have polarised opinion - Malachy Clerkin joins Mark, Ken and Murph to discuss the latest news on his chances of ever playing professionally in the UK again. US Murph tells us about why exactly he tore the San Francisco 49ers owner a new one on live radio last week, and our resident darts fan tells us why it is the sport of kings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht now play successful, crowd-pleasing rugby. Head coach Pat Lam joins us to discuss skills, the new fan base and how big the province can get.Gerry Thornley looks at who has been impressing Joe Schmidt over the Christmas period. Plus there's the Oisin McConville suite, the state of Christmas family relations and the Cowboys' biggest fan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Neymar's holidays, John Terry's respectful nature, and the road less travelled.Dion Fanning joins us to discuss Steven Gerrard's big announcement. Kieran Canning analyses one of the greatest results of David Moyes' career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey there 2015! Today’s show includes two of our favourite ever interviewees - David Baddiel and Michael Parkinson.We talk to David about supporting Abramovich era Chelsea, the real Mourinho, Ken’s yak hair, and the legacy left by his Fantasy Football show. Michael Parkinson chats about football and the community, why sport still matters, and the Premier League machine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Jose's threadbare routine, Irish Everton woes and wonder which is the best resort for old ladies in the hills of Tuscany.John Brewin saw both Manchester clubs hit a speed bump over the post-Christmas period. He also reveals who really knocked Liverpool off their perch. Plus there's Mignolet's return, Harry's touch and FIFA's footballing heroine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seasons greetings from the SC Christmas Cabin where we have, as ever, left our families in order to shoot game and play parlour games.Its an especially festive Brian Murphy (the most Christmassy of all our friends) on the US sporting year. Plus we talk to one of the stars of 2014, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, about helming Kerry to an All Ireland title. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane Curran has written one of the books of the sporting year - he joins us to talk about his life in football, the League of Ireland, and how he can lead Roscommon back to All-Ireland glory, as manager. Shane Horgan is on hand to discuss Johnny Sexton's concussion setback, and Ken Early sings out the show as our special Christmas gift to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Jose Mourinho's 11-man circle of magic, Falcao's neck power and why coach Rodgers isn't getting enough credit. Jonathan Wilson watched Sunderland's historic fourth win in a row over Newcastle. Tim Vickery explains why South American strikers are simply better. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s our equivalent of the Late Late Toy Show as we take a look back at the sports books of the year, review a few all time classics and talk about the art of sportswriting with Malachy Clerkin and Lawrence Donegan.Eoin Ken and Murph discuss Frozen, the worry eater, over parenting, the BOD Paul O'Connell relationship and Jose's cocktail of cruelty, vanity and lies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss the legacy of Thierry Henry, and managers' bosses signing players they don't want.Dion Fanning analyses the success of committee-based transfer dealings. Philippe Auclair explains the significance of the resignation of FIFA Ethics Committee chair Michael Garcia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Lee became the first Irishman since the 1930's to win a world title in America. Himself and his trainer Adam Booth join us to discuss Andy's future and the importance of their friendship.Gerry Thornley and Bernard Jackman look at how serious issues are for Leinster and Munster. Plus there's coach Brian, finishing the job, and Ken's gripe with SPOTY celebs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Van Gaal's managerial masterpiece, and whether Liverpool will follow Spurs template all the way to the end.John Brewin tries to make sense of events at Old Trafford and we ask Jonathan Wilson if dropping an underperforming keeper can jolt him back into form. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Manchester City stepping up, Liverpool stepping off and the Craicageddon that ultimately engulfed Jack Charlton's Ireland team.Miguel Delaney was in Rome to see City shush the Curva Sud.And Alan McLoughlin joins us to talk about his excellent new memoir, A Different Shade Of Green. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the Paul Kimmage drugs in rugby story, postmen, Rodgers and Suarez energy, and what makes Ken happiest.US Murph joins us to discuss activism among American athletes and 49ers woe. Andy Lee has a shot at superstardom on Saturday night - Darren O'Neill and Richie Woodhall join us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken has been in Los Angeles all weekend getting to the heart of Robbie's American dream and interviews him after the MLS final. Sid Lowe discusses marginalised Suarez and hat trick mania in Spain. Plus theres Mourinho's ballboy excuses, the importance of family and locker room aromas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Padraig Harrington is in upbeat form as he talks to us about learning to not be so hard on himself.Munster and Leinster both lack a Plan B ahead of season-defining return games next weekend - Gerry Thornley and Shane Horgan discuss. Plus there's Robbie Keane MVP, and how to call in sick to your boss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph grab their pom-poms and dance for the King of US soccer, Robbie Keane.John Brewin sees rays of hope for Liverpool. And Hugo Borst discusses his new book on Louis van Gaal - "O, Louis". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's nothing in life more annoying than multi talented sportspeople and their obscene abilities - US Murph on some American legends.Andy Lee ahead of his world title fight in Las Vegas. Also Epstein v Gladwell, magic number of greatness, the mudlark and Ireland's 1984 LA tracksuits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss John Delaney's silence, Roy Keane's departure from Villa, and Van Gaal's Christmas break.Jonathan Wilson considers the question of whether the Premier League as a whole needs to be ashamed of itself this season. Raphael Honigstein explains why Borussia Dortmund are bottom of the league. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of the Champions Cup Munster have 7 wins in a row, while Leinster lack a spark - Gerry Thornley and Denis Hickie discuss.Also renewed Connacht optimism, a new TG4 documentary series on the Galway Races, flop haired Englishmen and Stephen Hunt V GAA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss John Delaney's masterclass in crisis management, and how Anthony Daly's book sheds light on the career of Pep Guardiola.Richie Sadlier joins us to discuss Balladgate. And Miguel Delaney was impressed by what he saw at the Emirates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss sports administrator bling, THE catch and the FAI's bungled PR strategy.We talk to Michael Foley about his book The Bloodied Field: Croke Park - Sunday 21 November 1920. And there's a Thanksgiving special with US Murph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about saying the unsayable and the tragedy of Dave Whelan's 78-year old frame of reference.Dion Fanning analyses Liverpool's latest Premier League surrender. And Philippe Auclair wonders whether Arsenal are ever going to change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Sexton talks to us about progress, Ireland's kick heavy strategy and hype. Gerry Thornley and Mattie Williams look at next step for Ireland. Katie Taylor was crowned World champion for a fifth time - London 2012 team captain Darren O'Neill reckons she's our greatest ever athlete. Plus there's Ken's appendicitis, Shane Lowry top 50, McDevitt's Monday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Ireland's mauling of USA, discontent on the stands of the Aviva, and Van Gaal's need for precision. John Brewin fills us in on the adventures of the English travelling fans at Celtic Park. Jonathan Wilson looks ahead to Saturday's match between Arsenal and Man United. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Wallabies are in town with Michael Cheika and his wayward stars - we hear the Australian viewpoint. It turns out Tiger Woods does care about what is written about him - we speak to Dave Hannigan in America.Plus there's Darren O'Neill on Katie's grudge match, bad tippers, Tommy Timber, and Henning Berg's autobiography. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Martin O'Neill's exasperated attempts to address issues raised in Roy Keane's press conference.Tom English explains how the Scots have turned things around. Grant Wahl explains why team USA are a bit like team Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland are third in the world rankings, so why not scrap the World Cup and we'll take our bronze medals now? Gerry Thornley and Matt Williams on long term consistency and Australia. Emmet Malone on Roy Keane's latest media outburst, Ken stands up for his colleagues in the gutter journalism game and Scottish weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk Roy's scrabble move, Murph's Milltown misery, George Galloway, getting stuck in the rugby mud and the cautionary tale of Ireland's meeting with Georgia in the 2007 World Cup.Ken Early reports live from Glasgow ahead of Ireland V Scotland on Friday night, and we profile the man with the biggest ego in US sports, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss latest Roy Keane adventure-farce, and the Celtic Twilight that will imminently descend on the dreams of either Scotland or Ireland.Ray Houghton reminisces about 40-a-side street football in Glasgow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about the rights and wrongs of booing McGeady and McCarthy, and just what it was that made Field Marshal Kitchener such a big deal. Tony Barrett joins us to talk about Brendan Rodgers' week from hell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland may now have the best coach in the world - Gerry Thornley and Mattie Williams tell us how Schmidt outsmarted the Springboks. We speak to Lisa Fallon, Ireland's foremost female coach working in a male environment. Plus there's invasive dressing-room cameras, and another league title for Chelsea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Henshaw or Payne' was the question all week - but when Joe Schmidt doesn't know the answer, he changes the question. Shane Horgan talks to us about our new centre partnership and how daunting a challenge South Africa is for Ireland.The San Francisco Giants are World Series champions for the third time in five years - and US Murph's happiness levels just went to 11. He tells us about the thrilling series win, the parade, and his own home-made commentary of the final inning.We have Tony Hawk, renowned skateboarder and entrepreneur in studio talking to us about skating in the White House, being in The Simpsons, the hoverboard and using the corporate dollar for good. The Commodore 64, sports specialisation, and 'the best computer game never made' also feature. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fresh from the Web Summit, Eoin, Ken and Ciaran peer into the future and they aren't sure they like what they see. Augmented reality, accelerated obsolescence, consumable chunks of content, and lots of filling in of forms.Jonathan Wilson tries to explain Manchester City's European malaise.And Damien Comolli talks to us about his life in football. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Oscar's masterpiece, Mourinho's misdirection and Marco Reus' melancholia.Emmet Malone joins us in studio to talk about St Pats' FAI Cup win, and if the concept of 'lifetime fans' still exists in Ireland.And John Brewin analyses the Manchester derby and the apparent moratorium on criticism of Louis van Gaal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are the Six Nations champions, and it's probably no harm to remind ourselves of that fact, because we're in a spot of bother ahead of this November series. First up are South Africa this weekend, Gerry Thornley and Grenoble Top 14 head coach Bernard Jackman assess our chances against a side that have changed the blueprint .Sport is littered with managerial number 2's faltering when they make the step up to the hot seat. Rory Gallagher is better set than most though as he takes over from Jim McGuinness as Donegal senior football manager, as Keith Duggan explains.Plus there's Ken's obsession with scrum-halves, Eoin's lateral thinking, rugby stereotypes and footballers needing to work on their poker face. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about John Delaney's criticism of the Scottish FA, Daniel Sturridge's injury fatalism and Roy Keane's review of Gone Girl. Featuring King Of The Golf, and I Sing For Nobody.Kevin McDaid of You Boys In Green joins us to discuss the Scotland match ticketing issues.And Don Givens is on the show to reminisce about his hat-trick against the Soviet Union - today is the 40th anniversary of Ireland's 3-0 win. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Dublin marathon was won last Monday by Kenyan athlete Eliud Too, and he joins us in studio to talk about his upbringing, the Irishman aiding his athletic career, and the difference a win like this can make to his family.Ben Te'o will take the number 13 jersey for Leinster on Friday evening, and he has quite a bit on his mind - filling Brian O'Driscoll's shoes, and adjusting quickly to a new sport. Brian Carney talks to us about rugby league converts and the challenges they face.Plus there's Aidan Walsh choosing hurling, Damien Duff's ankles, The Hick from French Lick, Martin Chariots Offiah and the Mudlark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss reptilian Chelsea, Van Gaal - Mourinho love, Fergie's obsession with Fergie, Scotland Ireland ticket issues and watching TV with Roy Keane.Jonathan Wilson is very confident Chelsea will run away with the league. Ken suggests they have a few fatal flaws, and asks if Man United have turned a corner.Miguel Delaney analyses Pardew, poorly Spurs, Big Sam and the Roy n Fergie merry go round. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three games, two wins and only two tries tells some of the story for the Irish provinces in the European Cup this weekend - Denis Hickie and Gerry Thornley are on hand to tell us how much Munster and Leinster have learned from their opening two wins, and what it will take for someone to beat Toulon.The Airtricity League finished in fairytale style for Dundalk at the weekend. Goalscorer, MOTM and returning hero Stephen O'Donnell tells us of his own story of redemption...and how his long weekend has been.Plus there's half time on-pitch interviews, Anthony Daly's swimming trunks, and Ken tells us about the time Paul Gascoigne met high Italian fashion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the scandal of The Shirt, and wonder who's inside the Mickey Mouse outfit at Man United.Tony Barrett joins us to analyse Liverpool's battering at the hands of Real Madrid.And Sid Lowe previews the likely return of Luis Suarez in this weekend's El Clasico. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Munster lock Dave Foley is 26 years old, and in the last week he has won a Champions Cup match courtesy of a last-second drop goal, got called up to the Irish squad, and will play in front of a sold-out Thomond tomorrow night. During the most exciting week of his career he reflects on how a lunch with Paul O'Connell helped turn his career around.US Murph tells us about his beloved San Francisco Giants getting back to the baseball World Series, the sports psychologist at the heart of the Superbowl champions the Seattle Seahawks comes in for a chat, and Eoin and Ken give us their thoughts on the BOD / Keano autobiographies.All this plus BOD lessons, inside the mind of Richard Sherman and the Second Captains virtual mail satchel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken wonder about the element of surprise in football, we hear from some angry managers, and discuss Jose Mourinho's new idea for Chelsea's skull n bones club crest.John Brewin joins us to talk about what has Arsene Wenger so irritated.And Raphael Honigstein analyses the early-season struggles of Borussia Dortmund and if Germans have recovered from their 1-1 draw with Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first week of the new European cup featured some hardy perennials - including a last-minute Munster drop goal, a patchy early-season Leinster win, and yet another game between Ulster and Leicester. Gerry Thornley and Shane Horgan examine the three Irish recoveries and deeper issues at play.The best game of the weekend was between Australia and New Zealand, with the Wallabies losing first the game, and then their coach, who resigned immediately afterwards. Former Leinster and Scotland coach Matt Williams joins us from Sydney to discuss how the wallabies are set ahead of their trip to Europe.Cillian O'Connor won his third Mayo county final this weekend - he talks to us about getting a box off your brother, the All-stars, and playing football in October. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Todays' show features one of the heroes of Ireland's draw with Germany - David Forde talks to us about being too knackered to sprint the length of the field to celebrate with John O'Shea, the return of Shay Given and looking ahead to a momentous night in Glasgow next month.With the start of the European Rugby Champions Cup this weekend, Stephen Ferris joins us to discuss retirement, his Ulster pals and where they're at this season, and Simon Hick uncorked a bottle of red and talked rugby with Sky Sports' Stuart Barnes.And there are pointless mentions of Gabriela Szabo, the emasculation of Will Genia, and our favourite Nigerian pitchside reporter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph talk about John O'Shea's moment of glory, why it is that coaches often seem to prefer less talented players for more difficult games, and the new book on Pep Guardiola. Emmet Malone and Dion Fanning were in Gelsenkirchen for Ireland's 1-1 draw and they join us with their reaction and what O'Neill should do now that its raining Irish midfielders.And we hear from Jonathan Wilson on the drone-scuppered Serbia-Albania game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken and Eoin discuss the Robbie Keane/Wes Hoolahan/Shane Long dilemma, the shrinking home advantage, Roy Keane's expectations of telepath, and Roy Hodgson stepping on another rake.Emmet Malone takes the pulse of the Irish squad before they take on the world champs.German analyst Stephan Uersfeld tells us they remain super confident in spite of shaky recent form. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.