The Second Captains Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Neymar will take no further part in WC2014, but could his injury be their way to escape the pressure against Germany? Ken joins us from Rio to discuss the fallout.Argentina have stuttered their way through the tournament but Ken thinks they're favourites and explains why Louis Van Gaal's genius tactics may not be quite as brilliant as everyone suspects.All this plus Argentina the daddy, Eoin's letter to Sepp, Brazil's ugly truth, Scolari's defiant nonsense, the penalty shoot out curse and James Young on Neymar's cultural significance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Murph discuss likeable Kerry, fulfilling your sporting talent, Roger Federer the hustler, Nicky English the hurling soothsayer and McDeviit's scorn for talented fullbacks. The road back to the All-Ireland hurling final for Clare looks increasingly difficult after their draw with Wexford - the struggles of the defending champions, helmet pulls, wexford youth and Tipp style are all on the agenda for Malachy Clerkin and former Dublin and Limerick hurler Maurice O'Brien. Roger Federer shed a single tear yesterday - we ask Jonny Watterson if that was the last chance at an 18th Grand Slam, and whether the Swiss genius will carry on for much longer. And Oisin McConville explains why Cork football annoys him so much. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 quarter-finals will be played in the World Cup this weekend, each one of them a tantalising prospect. After his long walk home from Sao Paulo, Ken Early is heading to the Maracana for France / Germany on Friday night. Before that he got a chance to check out Angel Di Maria's eggs, and Tim Vickery talks to us about Brazil and how they've shrunk into the tournament with every passing week. Ken gets called a flame-haired flame-thrower of truth, we salute the return of passive-aggressive Roy Keane, and we talk about the club who aren't allowed to buy anyone buying the player who isn't allowed to play (Suarez to Barca). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Derval O'Rourke is one of Cork and Ireland's greatest ever athletes - she gives us an exclusive interview after her decision to retire. Cork and Kerry do battle for the final time in Pairc Ui Chaoimh - Micheal Quirke tells us which Kerry team-mate of his nearly came acropper before he'd even reached the field in the old place. And we have US Murph on his boys in white and their traumatic World Cup exit. Plus we have 9 year old Murph being carried shoulder-high into a Munster final, Andy Murray's ill-timed argument, Barack Obama's phone manner and who is Kerry's Scottie Pippen this weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All 8 group winners have won their round of 16 game in the World Cup, which would suggest that the cream is rising to the top. But given the struggles of so many of the top teams, are we any closer to finding out who's actually going to win the thing?Emmet Malone joins us from Rio de Janeiro to discuss the European challenge, specifically France and Germany who meet in the Maracana on Friday, and Dion Fanning tells us if Messi and ten others can do the business for Argentina.Plus there's this week's unlikely American folk hero, cocky Marc Wilmots, and Germany's fly-keeper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken floated on a dream into Sao Paulo to watch Messi at work and finds that the Argentinian is not the dynamic go getter he once was.South and Central Americans are thriving at this tournament. Ken talks to Tem Hennigan about the fusion of nationalism, politics and football in the region.All this plus Roy Keane to Villa, Suarez the precious, qualified apologies, fossilised Germans, Chris Kamara's big catch and the return of the angry post match interviewer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of Ireland's greatest ever athletes, David Gillick, has retired - he gives his first interview to Second Captains. A 2-time European champion, Gillick looks back on his career on the track, nerves for life, his regrets... and his new sporting pastime. Dublin and Meath have qualified for the Leinster football final - Anthony Moyles and Malachy Clerkin talk to us about what Meath can do to stop the Dublin juggernaut, this morning's qualifier draw, new body types, and why Armagh is one place where no grudge will go un-nursed. Plus we discuss keeping up your tea intake during a World Cup, Costa Rican players re-enacting 'The Crawl', innate athleticism and Ronnie Delaney - Irish sprint king. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There were four extraordinary games over the weekend, but still the world's appetitite is not sated. We talk Holland's high hopes, Van Gaal's self proclaimed genius, the Neymar pressure cooker and Colombiaaaa.Journalist and author Simon Kuper joins us from Brazil to talk about the path to the final for the Netherlands, and how the limited gameplan is a good way of limiting over confidence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken is in the jungle, and unfortunately he is the hunted not the hunter. Yes, he had his bag stolen and is grateful to mother nature for teaching him the laws of the jungle.Richie Sadlier joins us in studio to discuss RTE pundit passion, Luis Suarez's options and what the long term reality is for the Uruguayan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Murph discuss runaway labradoodles, American cheer, drinking cans on the Great Wall of China and silver backs.Brian Murphy is driving the US soccer bandwagon, it has its own mini bar and he wants us all to hop aboard. Yes, the Luis Suarez bite has gone 'caost to coast'. Andy Murray has gone from being coached by ice man Ivan Lendl to the famously nervy Amelie Mauresmo. We talk to Jonny Watterson at Wimbledon about women coaching men, good listeners and relaxed Andy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken was at the Italy Uruguay game to observe one of the strangest moments in World Cup history, and one of the most complex characters in sport, Luis Suarez.We get reaction from the Uruguayan media and analyse what the consequences might be for Suarez, for the team, and for FIFA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about Andrea Pirlo and the Two World Cups, Luis Suarez strangeness, and Louis van Gaal's fatal flaw.Dion Fanning joins us from Rio to analyse Brazil's improvement against Cameroon.All this plus Murph's elbow in the face, Maradona's kitchen, honest Italy and rest day depression. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Henry Shefflin starting on the bench yesterday, Joe Canning could have been forgiven for thinking he'd be free of the comparisons for one afternoon. Maurice O'Brien and Nicky English give us their thoughts on what will happen in Shefflin-Canning part 2.Derval O'Rourke is one of our favourite sportspeople, and after her retirement today we're joined by Jerry Kiernan and David Gillick to talk about one of our greatest ever clutch athletes. We have Shane Curran on the weekend's Gaelic football and the future of the minnows in the All-Ireland football championship. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a World Cup weekend for the ages, and our man in Brazil Ken Early was there for perhaps the most dramatic 45 minutes so far, as Germany and Ghana played out a thrilling 2-2 draw.Miguel Delaney joins us to talk about the Messi Argentina dynamic and if Belgium's many talents can be unified.And there's the late night habits of the Argentinian sub-goalie in 1986, the mis-firing German charm offensive, and the Jurgen Klinsmann/Jogi Loew love-affair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So, one week in and we've already lost our World Champions. After a week of extraordinary football, Richie Sadlier is in studio to discuss what we should have seen coming, and what we could never have guessed would happen.Ken is overcome with emotion when asked to sum up the first seven days, but recovers his composure to ask Jonathan Wilson about the crush at Maracana and whether its the Spanish system or the players that have come to an end.And we reveal the hitherto unknown link between George Bush at Yale, former Irish physio Mick Byrne and Pepe Reina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The GAA championship would want to be pretty bloody good to distract from this World Cup... so it's just as well hurling has picked up where it left off last summer. The Irish Times' Malachy Clerkin and Kilkenny legend Michael Kavanagh (they have 8 All-Ireland medals between them) they Shefflin, Canning, Cody, consistency.The USA's World Cup win over Ghana took the nation by storm - US Murph tells us how a country that's usually so relaxed about that whole patriotism business got all swept up in patriotic fervour.Plus we have Bobby Kerr's pants, an extended World Cup #pbeso edition, DiCaprio's party, and a half-hearted message from Barack Obama. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's Irish Times Second Captains World Cup Podcast has Ken Early calling out John Hayes and Neymar for their attention-grabbing anthem antics. Brazil stuttered against Mexico last night, and Big Phil Scolari has decisions to make. Does he jettison the men he pledged undying faith to 12 months ago? We speak to the BBC's Tim Vickery about whether there's a major crisis coming for the Scolari family. The Dunphy F-bomb, Kenny Cunningham, Ken scientist, the future of Spanish football and Tiger Woods also feature. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This World Cup is basically a ruse to allow Ken Early to indulge in his favourite waste of time - star-gazing - so just what were Pepe and Ronaldo doing at the airport in Salvador after their humiliating 4-0 defeat to Germany yesterday? Gabriele Marcotti joins us to talk about the USA's brilliant last-gasp win over Ghana, and we look ahead to the arrival on the scene today of the brightest dark horses to ever play in a World Cup (Belgium.All this plus USA's 37%, games on a plane, macho protests, Ken's cankles, Germany automatic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Murph discuss 'real' sport, dual players, Maradona on loop, goal line technology and meek Phil Neville.Benny Dunne and John Gardiner assess what happened to All-Ireland hurling champions Clare, and Anthony Moyles talks about whether bogey teams really exist after Monaghan finally beat Tyrone in the Ulster championship.Shane Horgan is in Argentina and talks to us about Schmidt's problems at centre and watching the World Cup in 'football loco'.And we talk about Martin Kaymer’s gift to World Cup TV viewers, Eoin ‘Nostradamus’ McDevitt and Murph's Sinatra phobia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first weekend of the World Cup exceeded even the most optimistic of expectations with bucketloads of goals, dodgy refs, meek commentators, fallen idols, Brazil getting a few home-town decisions, Holland shocking the world, and England finding their scapegoat - a sweaty sunburnt Ken Early reports from Brazil.Plus we talk to John Brewin and Dion Fanning about the problem Wayne Rooney is presenting Roy Hodgson, we reflect on the eerie prescience of Ken's World Cup Crystal Ball, and how Robin Van Persie's self imposed 10 month break is good for Holland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken has arrived in Brazil, he has a ticket and his heart is full of football joy. He talks to Eoin about the local buzz, Messi rule, Neymar photos, the Roy Keane saga, Scholes' attack plan and Rooney relationship.Ken meets with Fernando Duarte and Jonathan Wilson in Sao Paulo to discuss paternal Scolari, Hulk respect and Brazil's overall prospects.Richie Sadlier talks to us about Spanish dominance being bad or good for the game and why Holland don't have to be loyal to their football culture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Murph discuss happy campers, the world's most aloof sportsman, celeb spotting and World Cup journalism.Rory McIlroy is the bookies favourite for the US Open. We talk to the author of Four Iron in The Soul Lawrence Donegan about why Rory is a good bet, the delicate nature of on course rivalries, and the big American Phil Mickelson love in.Andy Lee and his big punch were trending in America last weekend. He joins us in studio to discuss a career changing moment.We also talk to author of Last Man Standing Christy O'Connor about reaction speeds of hurling goalkeepers, Nash, copycats and Clare's seven gameplans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weekend's hurling was supposed to be about Sky Sports but Kilkenny's excellence did a pretty good job of stealing the limelight. Malachy Clerkin of the Irish Times and former Tipp captain Benny Dunne cast their eye over the broadcast newcomers, JBM and Brian Cody's re-energised team. Oisin McConville talks about violent parades and Mayo's sleepy start to 2014. And we are joined by Shane Horgan in Tucuman Province and Trevor Hogan in studio to talk about Joe Schmidt's honest appraisals.Plus we have Ken's maritime marathon, hurling goalkeepers bruising like a peach, and an Irishman throwing the knock-out of the year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the day Ken departs for Brazil, we present the snappily titled 'Irish Times Second Captains Ken Early World Cup Farewell Show'.Richie Sadlier talks about his World Cup memories and if World Cup performances define a players career. He also reveals the unusual way Irish teams used to relax during big tournaments.Tim Vickery also joins us from Rio to tell us what Ken can expect on arrival and if the Brazilian public are embracing the tournament. Plus, embarrassing interviews with Roy Hodgson, Ken Early's World Cup Crystal Ball and some very good news about our WC coverage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss how much Eoin would be willing to pay to see Ireland win the World Cup. Also discussed are Roy Hodgson's tournament anxiety and Joachim Low's mixed messages.John Brewin talks through England's clumsy yet entertaining performance against Ecuador.Miguel Delaney explains why he thinks Spain are going to win the World Cup, again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Both of last year’s All-Ireland finalists are in action this weekend, with the country still wondering if Mayo are the team best set to dethrone Dublin – Dublin legend Jason Sherlock and Shane Curran are in studio to discuss if James Horan has what it takes tactically to get his team over the line. The World Cup goes back to South America for the first time since 1978, when the tournament was hosted by an Argentina in the grip of a military dictatorship. Argentinian journalist Marcela Mora y Araujo joins us from Buenos Aires to tell us how that first World Cup victory is seen now. Plus there’s the return of Pierce Brosnan’s Emigrant Shout Outs, Ken refuses to tell us who he’s tipping for the World Cup (until Second Captains Football), and Eoin tells us the three things he needs to survive an Irish summer… the sun, the Dubs, and three football games a day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the Sunday Times FIFA exposé and the signs over the weekend that a new Ireland team is finally taking shape under Martin O'Neill.James Corbett joins us to analyse the implications of the Sunday Times report on corruption surrounding the Qatar World Cup bid.And Dion Fanning ponders the roots of our national Roy Keane addiction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Munster champions Limerick felt disrespected in the run-up to their Munster semi-final against Tipperary - their wing-forward David Breen tells us why that particular mentality seems to play into their hands, and how they engineered that thrilling last-minute victory. Leinster are Rabo Pro 12 champions again, but are they slipping further down the European pecking order? Denis Hickie tells us what they have to do to push on from here. Plus we have the enduring fascination with Roy Keane's Ireland future, Froch-Groves II, Randy Macho-Man Savage commentating for Limerick Live 95 and the weird sporting dreams of Eoin McDevitt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss the Roy Keane to Celtic rumours, the latest English footballer to writhe under the lash of Paul Scholes' criticism, and Wright Thompson's terrific profile of Luis Suarez.Fernando Duarte joins us to talk about his new book "Shocking Brazil: The Six Games That Shook the World Cup"And Gabriele Marcotti gives us the latest on events in the Italy camp ahead of the game at Craven Cottage on Saturday night Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George Groves and Carl Froch made one of the most spell-binding fights in British boxing history last year, so this weekend they go at it again, in Wembley Stadium. Richie Woodhall and Irish middleweight Andy Lee preview the fight for us. Like Groves, Tipperary will have revenge on their minds against Limerick this weekend, and US Murph looks at the controversial exclusion of Landon Donovan from the US World Cup squad. Plus we have Ken’s vengeful Viking heart, David Beckham’s alligator arms, and idiot teenage sons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken kneel in homage before Sergio Ramos, and wonder whether Martin O'Neill will turn up the heat on Ireland's players after yesterday's defeat to Turkey. Jonathan Wilson joins us to discuss Real Madrid's conquest of Europe and why Iker Casillas would think the Champions League is bigger than the World CupAnd Emmet Malone is in studio to talk over what MONkeano will have learned from the Turkey match. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's not often you have two Irishmen at the top of the leaderboard of a showpiece golfing event, so even without Rory McIlroy's eventful off-course week, last weekend's PGA Championship at Wentworth would have been noteworthy. We ended up with a heartwarming return to form for Irish Times columnist Shane Lowry, and McIlroy's first win on European soil - we discuss it all. And in the GAA, 2012 champions Donegal signalled their intent by defeating Derry, in Derry in the quarter-finals of the Ulster championship. Is this a renaissance we can believe in, or did the losers contribute to their own downfall? Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles join us in studio. Plus we have Ken reporting from the Champions League final, Ronaldo and Cork's over-the-top celebrations, Waterford's young guns, and Shay Given's GAA punditry credentials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Second Captains news horn has been sounded....yes we have a Neil Lennon Special for you today with Ken, Eoin, Murph and BBC's Scotland commentator Roddy Forsyth in Glasgow.We also discuss Scholes on Rooney, Suarez's mystery knee operation, the biggest fool in Manchester and more bad news for David Moyes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Murph discuss Suarez's importance to the World Cup, hurling madness, no hype Cork and American coming of age dramas.The hurling championship really gets going this weekend and we have two men who know what the modern game is all about - former Tipp captain Benny Dunne and Maurice O'Brien of Limerick and Dublin, who won Leinster Championship last year, join us in studio.No state is more tied to a sport than Indiana is to basketball. US Murph on Larry Bird, Bob Knight, Gene Hackman, Hoosiers, Reggie Miller V Spike Lee and kindly mid-westerners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Champions League final week, and before Ken heads for Lisbon we talk about where Atletico Madrid's head space is. Winning the league in Barcelona last week was a miracle, can they do it again a week later against Real Madrid, the other giant of Spanish football? And with the World Cup looming, one English journalist has taken it upon himself to investigate how the hell they keep losing penalty shoot-outs. He's written a how-to manual, called "Twelve Yards: the Art and Psychology of the Perfect Penalty". Ben Lyttleton joins us. And Ken weighs in on the Yaya Toure controversy, which may mark a low-point in footballing discourse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the season finales in England, Spain and Germany. Andrew Mangan joins us in studio to talk about the end of Arsenal's trophy drought. And Jonathan Wilson gives his verdict on the confirmation that Louis van Gaal is the new Manchester United manager. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The GAA championship has begun, and the first weekend lived up to all reasonable expectations, at least in the area of improbable comebacks, controversial refereeing decisions and post-match managerial outbursts. Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles are in studio to take us through their highlights. Ian Madigan won the RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final for Leinster, and then found out this morning he’s been left off the Ireland squad for the tour to Argentina. Gerry Thornley discusses this and BOD situation. Ken and Eoin discuss their favourite sculptures, Miguel Angel Jimenez has a new fan, when is annual leave just a holiday, and Anthony Kim’s belt-buckle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eddie O'Sullivan is back in coaching with Biarritz, Munster are going for the full Irish with their management team, and former Ireland and Connacht full-back Gavin Duffy has rejoined the Mayo gaelic football squad - no prizes for guessing which of these stories has most exercised Murph. Former inter-county minor footballers Liam Toland and Shane Horgan give us their thoughts. US Murph talks to us about Johnny Football, and the NFL's first openly gay player sealing his selection in the NFL draft with a kiss. And we stand toe-to-toe with our colleague Malachy Clerkin in his war of words with Donald Trump, we talk sporting curses, and note the most annoying fashion trend among Irish males.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murph and Ken discuss whether getting stretchered off too much is a sign of softness, who Louis van Gaal will sign to beef up Manchester United's defence, and why buying Premier League based players is going to be more expensive than ever.Sid Lowe joins us to look ahead to the final game of the La Liga choke-a-thon.And Raphael Honigstein discusses possible tensions in the German World Cup camp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciaran and Ken talk about the power of Pulis, the satire of Sherwood, and the lessons we can learn from the story of the Shunammite (Old Testament). Jonathan Wilson and John Brewin analyse the contenders for Manager of the Year. And Philippe Auclair explains why France think they can do without a player as talented as Samir Nasri in the World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murph and Ken discuss why the Premier League is like The Wire, how Manuel Pellegrini has immediately become the eminence grise of the entire division so recently vacated by Alex Ferguson. We preview the start of the Gaelic Football championship by asking Oisin McConville, Anthony Moyles and Malachy Clerkin who will win the All Ireland, Dublin…..or one of the other 31 counties. Plus we talk about old man bumps, Steven Gerrard’s world cup candle, Jonny Sexton’s French Renaissance, Toulouse concussion fiasco, our 17th century German visitor and how Murph isn’t a total idiot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.