The Second Captains Podcast

Murph, Ken and Mark discuss big Andy Carroll's Liverpool motivations, Gerrard hatin', McDevitt's holiday plans and Brian Murphy's record collection. Portugal's Helena Costa is the first female to be appointed as head coach in a major men's European league, and we talk to Sergio Krithinas in Lisbon about how she got this role, and whether she is a one off talent or the product of an equitable system.All this plus Brian Murphy on nice guys finishing first, old man Giggsy, PBESO rules and Kenneth Egan politician. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murph and Ken talk about Manchester City's Premier League title win (according to their manager, this one's in the bag), Phil Nevilles emptiest day, Van Gaal's fluent Man Unitedese and Neymar's gift for marketing.Jonathan Wilson pays tribute to the understated Chilean slickster who has masterminded City's campaign.And Tim Vickery analyses the underwhelming 23 man squad that will represent Brazil in the World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the start of the season Jonathan Sexton was deemed to have made a mistake moving to Paris. Now he's a 6N champ and is in Top14 playoffs with Racing Metro. We talk to him about getting his message across in French, Joe Schmidt's special powers, watching Leinster, and summer tour to Argentina.European champ and World silver medalist Jason Quigley has departed the amateur ranks to join up with Golden Boy Promotions in USA. We talk to him about his decision to go pro, his father's role, meeting De La Hoya, and choosing a bombastic nickname.All this plus Liverpool haters, Aldo's scream, Suarez sobs, phoney Murph and Donegal pop. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murph and Ken discuss Liverpool's agony, and UEFA's not-especially-hardline approach to Manchester City's breaches of the Financial Fair Play rules. Miguel Delaney and Dion Fanning join us to discuss the incredible game at Selhurst Park. And Kieran Canning explains how the big three in Spain each threw away the league in turn last weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran ask what we have learned from the Champions League semi-finals. Is tiki-taka dead? Is anti-football dead? Is running around a lot the key to success in football? Miguel Delaney reflects on Atletico's glory night at Stamford Bridge.Gabriele Marcotti talks to us about the quiet brilliance of Carlo Ancelotti. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Sterling was up until this week the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team - before a taped conversation showed him to be the racist many had long suspected him to be. Barack Obama, Magic Johnson and Lebron James have all had their say - and US Murph tells us why he reckons it belongs on the Mount Rushmore of US sports scandals. The National Hurling League Final is the sixth national final since 2009 to pit Kilkenny against Tipperary - we speak to former Tipperary captain Benny Dunne about what it's like to be a Tipperary hurler when your fans start turning against you, and the impact of Kieran McGeeney since he joined their backroom team. Plus we speak about Pep Guardiola on the batter, why you can't do bad stuff in private anymore, Jose quitting on his stool and hurling clones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the essence of human nature. Are human beings the beauty of the world? The paragon of animals? Or a quintessence of dust, who, when they play football, had better make sure there are men behind the ball in the incredibly likely event of one of them making a mistake?Tony Barrett and Dion Fanning dissect Chelsea's cunning win at Anfield. And Jonathan Wilson tries to explain the miracle of Sunderland's resurrection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sporting emotions ran high this weekend - and we're on to dress the wounds of the Munster and Liverpool fans out there. Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley were watching Toulon put another Irish province to the sword in the Heineken Cup yesterday, and we give credit where it is due to Jose Mourinho, whose Chelsea team did exactly what everyone expected them to do. And Dublin picked up the first honours of the GAA season with a thumping win over Derry in the National Football League final - Anthony Moyles and Oisin McConville join us in studio. Roy Keane regrets, Ryan Giggs' and friends, Shawsy hug, and the new breed of Dublin supporter all feature prominently. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the primacy of counter-attacking football in this season's Champions League.Sid Lowe joins us from Madrid to talk about the two very different European semi-finals the city has just hosted. And Raphael Honigstein assesses Louis van Gaal's suitability for the vacancy at Manchester United. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Munster face one of their biggest ever challenges this weekend, so we welcome Leinster and Ireland's Shane Jennings into studio to explain what exactly its like to tackle Mathieu Bastareaud, and what Munster can learn from Leinster's mistakes.European and World medalist Jason Quigley is the latest Irish amateur superstar to join the pro ranks. We ask Johnny Watterson about the advantages of joining Golden Boy, Quigley's potential in pro game and why he was so sought after.All this plus Ryan Giggs' pub landlord options, Keano's Man Utd links, McDevitt's 6 day week, Murph's soul poison and the madness in Limerick hurling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken reflect on the end of the David Moyes era at Manchester United, scheming Giggs, the systems failure plaguing Jose Mourinho, and the distinctively Mephistophelian arc of Raheem Sterling's second goal last weekend.Richie Sadlier joins us in studio to reflect on the fateful moments of Moyes' tortured reign and just why Giggs isn't suited to the job. And John Brewin tries to anticipate the Glazer family's next move. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moyes gone, Giggs in for remainder of the season and the media are having a ball. Could Man United classiness, Old Trafford leak, political manoeuvrings behind the scenes, Fergie's Catch 22 and Giggs as a long term option. Ken, Eoin and Gabriele Marcotti discuss. Munster know what style Toulon will play on Sunday, but does that make the task any easier. Gerry Thornley and Liam Toland on the mood in Munster, and what options they have against the biggest team ever assembled,All this plus twitter mania, Ken's lost article, Moyes jokes, time compression, Japanese soldiers, Ken Doherty love, Sunday sports binge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Gareth Bale's magnificence and wonder whether Tony Pulis does friendlies.Diego Torres talks to us about his compelling character study of Jose Mourinho.And Scott Murray reflects on whether football really was better in the old days. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Lee was back in the ring last weekend, and Ireland's most charismatic boxer joins us in studio to talk about changing weight divisions, staying busy and Floyd Mayweather.After two years of internal wrangling, the European Champions Cup is coming, but Connacht look set to be on the outside looking in. Former Connacht hooker, now Grenoble coach Bernard Jackman looks at the new European landscape.And we talk about Murph's middle-age spread, Man City's balls and the battle of Bayonne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken and Eoin imagine the Premier League as an elaborate dinner party where Brendan Rodgers has gone from being an unwanted guest to the belle of the ball. We ask Jonathon Wilson if Steve Gerrard deserves to win the league, and Miguel Delaney explains Jose's silence.Also on the menu are drug metaphors, radio phone in frenzies, Jose in no country for old men and tee-totallers Man United. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin Ken and Murph discuss digest an incredible weekend of sport that included Steve Gerrard's wild eyed call for calm, Raheem Sterling's bird like foot speed and Bubba golf. Dublin face Derry in the league final, and we welcome Oisin McConville and Malachy Clerkin into studio to discuss second half comebacks, MDMA, shabby Mayo and Cork's need for a mean streak.Jordan Spieth's sulk, Noel O'Leary up a tree, Premier League Lord of the Rings comparisons and McDevitt's All Ireland theory also feature. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss some of the tearful episodes described in an exciting new book about Jose Mourinho.John Brewin and Daniel Harris reflect on fading Fergie, short term Moyes and the effective end of Manchester United's season.And Sid Lowe joins us to talk about Atletico's victory last night and the uncertain times ahead for Barcelona. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cork have been the story of the National Football League so far - with a new manager, and a stable full of brilliant young footballers we weren't sure would ever fulfil their potential. Karol Mannion and Malachy Clerkin are in studio to look at their match-up with Dublin, Diarmuid Connolly, and the other league semi-final between Mayo and Derry.Munster's Damien Varley joins us for a chat about Rob Penney's departure, new Munster, fear, positivity and facing Toulon.All this plus Ken's poor song choice, 7 degrees of Murph, the secret to rapid weight gain, Diarmuid Connolly grace and Ultimate Warrior memories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Colemania, Irish Brendan Rodgers, Roberto Martinez's big dream, Torres 360, Chris Hughton's sacking, and the problem of always wanting more. Jonathan Wilson joins us to discuss how Roberto Martinez has built on the legacy of David Moyes. And Miguel Delaney thinks Fulham are going to pull off an unlikely escape from relegation, but at whose expense? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Munster once again prove they're the best clutch team in Europe, while Leinster continue to struggle against more powerful opponents. We ask Bernard Jackman and Gerry Thornley if Munster have the squad depth to go all the way, if Ulster have been mortally wounded and whether Leinster need to re appraise their strategy.The Eisenhower tree is gone from Augusta, but all the other traditions remain, for better or worse. We ask Brian Murphy to wrestle with his capitalist side, and explain what its like to see a once in a generation genius do his stuff six feet away from you.All this plus Leinster's side entrance to the colosseum, joyless celebrations, Honky Tonk Ken, The Armstrong Lie, Coleman's volleys and David Feherty's joke kryptonite. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss further developments in Mourinho's management-by-sarcasm, and why Bayern Munich were like a thumbless man trying to solve a Rubik's cube.Simon Kuper describes the reaction in Paris to the home team's glorious win over Chelsea.And Raphael Honigstein on the Bavarian disappointment with Manchester United's handball-style defensive tactics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The deal which will see Sky broadcast 14 GAA championship games exclusively live this season has prompted a huge reaction - and the less people know about it, the more outraged they appear to be. We pick through the more reasonable arguments with Karol Mannion and Anthony Moyles. With a big Heineken Cup weekend coming up, we speak to bona fide Munster legend David Wallace on Rob Penney's recent comments on Northern Hemisphere refereeing, and their major show-down with Toulouse. Joe Duffy, the grassroots, socialism, Toulon egalite, and bullish rugby predictions all in the mix too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was an interesting build up to Leinster Munster, but did Rob Penney's statements affect his own team more than the opposition? Denis Hickie and Shane Horgan look at the performances and how the game will impact on both teams' preparations for the Heineken Cup.Tiger Woods' body is letting him down once again - we ask Brian Murphy if his swing coach Sean Foley is to blame, and will Tiger ever win another major.All this plus Lawro's Harry Hill shirt, the eternal duality of Maverick and Ice Man, Ronaldinho and Kevin McManamon and why rugby is like a tense PE class. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin McDevitt has a dilemma – his beloved boys in blue are playing on Saturday evening, against their premier rivals. That’s right, Leinster… and Dublin. Should he travel to the Aviva, or Croke Park? Karol Mannion and Oisin McConville are on hand to try and convince him of the merits of the burgeoning Dublin Mayo rivalry. Steve James is one of the truly great sports movie directors. Hoop Dreams is a classic of the genre, and his new film “Head Games – the global concussion crisis” is a compelling look at how head trauma is a creeping disaster waiting to happen, and not just in the NFL. Some timely good news for An Garda Siochana, Mayo fans engraving crude messages on legal tender, and the Suarez variable also feature. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the face of it Leinster V Munster doesn't have a lot riding on it but its a sellout, its a top of the table clash and there a few Munster players stewing over missing out on a 6N winners medal. We ask Alan Quinlan and Gerry Thornley about Rob Penney's statements, and if there is any takent gap between the two.The final weekend of the hurling league was made all the more dramatic by Niall McMorrow, who didn't know what score his Dublin side needed against Tipp in order to avoid a relegation playoff. We welcome Malachy Clerkin to studio to discuss the form guide ahead of the Championship.All this plus Pellegrini and ROG, Ronaldo's moan, McDevitt's Joe Namath prediction and why Munster V Leinster deserves the hype. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland are the Six Nations champions, and although it was tight, the statistics released in the last few days brook no argument - we were first in scrum, lineout, ruck, and tackle success. But are we becoming slaves to stats? And is this good or bad news for the modern-day sportsperson? And a cursory glance at this year's Allianz Football League tables reveals that Ulster football could be back on a charge - we talk to the top scorer in the history of the Ulster championship Oisin McConville about what could be a vintage summer of northern football. All that plus the rise of the machines, new Irish Times columnist Shane Lowry, Murph's ol' fella, and why club gaelic footballers hate each other. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Its a special St Patrick's day episode of Second Captains, as we celebrate all thats good about being Irish, including sporting prowess, luck and the smell of fried concession stand burger meat at 9am.We talk to Denis Hickie and Eddie O'Sullivan about the difference between luck and being lucky, coming close and winning and if this is just the end of the beginning for the Joe Schmidt era.Brian O'Driscoll's retirement was like a fairytale, but we talk to US Murph about 40 year old NBA star Steve Nash, who is getting it terribly wrong as he reaches the end of the road.Proud ulstermen, a Ken apology and sporting mercenaries also feature. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin is very anxious to tell people that Ireland are going to win handsomely in France this weekend… but he’s having trouble finding anyone with an alternative view to try and convince. All this confidence is good, right? Former Ireland players Reggie Corrigan and Victor Costello are in studio to tell us if we’ve anything to worry about. And in a week where ‘sure things’ are always at a premium, we talk about the greatest racehorse of them all, Arkle, who won his first Gold Cup 50 years ago this week. Cockerels are dinosaurs, Ken’s love affair with Sprinter Sacre, and people going to jail for tax evasion – no, really, ACTUAL jail – all on the menu as well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin McDevitt has had a few sleepless nights since O'Driscoll Day, and the only cure is a Six Nations Championship. He talks to Gerry Thornley and Matt Williams about the emotional recovery, creative development under Schmidt, and why France's performances up to now can be ignored.Keith Duggan met and interviewed one of the most interesting men in football, Kerry manager Eamon Fitzmaurice. We talk to Keith about the man, the county and the generation gap thats developed in the game. Using medics as human shields, Paris pain, Donegal 2011, and groovy rugby also feature. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Schmidt has only made one change to his starting XV. We ask Shane Horgan and Bernard Jackman about conservatism, Sexton's form, and what is an acceptable result for Ireland.Managers not having any say over what players their club signs is a growing issue in English football. We talk to Brian Murphy about what has long been an accepted practice in American sport.Office politics, cheap pants, Leinster bias and boastful predictions also feature. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a points party and everyone’s invited in the National Football League so far this year, with scoring totals up and open football the order of the day. Is this all the black card’s doing? We ask Anthony Moyles for the defender’s take. Rory McIlroy is back competing for tournaments, but the manner of his meltdown at the Honda Classic last night raises questions about his winning temperament. And Andy Lee has called out Matthew Macklin for a fight all of Ireland would love to see – we speak to Lee about whether we can expect them to get it on. Ken also has some thoughts on his driving test, and the partitioning of Dublin GAA in the interests of fairness to their country cousins, which he’d like to share. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NFL Combine is a little like the old TV show ‘Superstars’, where young college American football players perform a series of rigorous calisthenics for the benefit of professional teams seeking to draft them – US Murph tells us about one of the dafter parts of American sporting life. Formula One is an almost exclusively male environment, and author and former ITV pitlane reporter Beverly Turner says the possible introduction of one female driver for next year isn’t going to change a whole lot. Plus we hear about the French in rugby free-fall, from Grenoble coach and former Irish international Bernard Jackman. A good week for punditry, Roy Keane vs Mrs Carrick, why Hitler gave bunkers a bad name and Raymond Domenech all in the mix too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland are still alive, and we’re still fightin’ for this title, as Kevin Keegan would say. We accentuate the positives from our heart-breaking 3 point loss to England with Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley. Malachy Clerkin was at the Sochi Winter Olympics, and his walk to the Irish Times this morning was the coldest he’s been since he left Dublin. We ask him if it should ever have been given to Sochi, and if any of the sport took his mind off the hilariously temperate climate. We ask the broader question of who can actually afford to host these global sporting events any more, do we need to stop using Jonny Sexton’s Paris adventure as an excuse, analyse Ireland’s Euro 2016 group, and the silencing of Peter O’Mahony. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss sycophantic rugby players, the misery of being a sub in bad weather, the death of the granny rule and yokelish Irish fans.We ask Bernard Jackman and Trevor Hogan if England's plan for a long march to Twickenham could backfire, and ask them exactly what Joe Schmidt is scheming up for what the Irish coach describes as his greatest challenge yet.We also have Martin O'Neill's underwhelming squad announcement, tension between Murph and Pierse Brosnan, the Hick from French lick, and the importance of walking slowly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world of hurling celebrated Kilkenny’s demise last summer as the end of an era – so why are they favourites for this year’s All-Ireland title? Their 1 point defeat to Clare in the opening round of the league gave us some indication of where they are for 2014. England tight-head prop Dan Cole has been ruled out through injury – former England out-half Paul Grayson surveys the damage that could cause. And Shane Horgan tells us about the newly humble English rugby player. All this plus a possible new tactical role for Mike Ross, Irish Dallaglio, Neil Francis, Sexton book, and Murph’s history as a specialist in failure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland are the reigning Women's Six Nations Grand Slam champions, and they realise the time is now if they want to grow the popularity of their sport. Their most capped player, Lynne Cantwell talks to us about success on and off the field of play. US Murph on the first gay player to declare himself for the NFL draft, and Malachy Clerkin is in Sochi, for the warmest Winter Olympics in history. Ken asks if it's ever a good idea to beat up your dad (it's not), grits, Arsenal fans and packing out Donnybrook. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Second Captains this week – Gerry Thornley, Malcolm O’Kelly and Liam Toland on Ireland’s 26-3 win over Wales and managing expectations before Twickenham in 2 weeks time. Colin Jackson held a world record for 13 years but never won Olympic gold – he tells us about the pressure of delivering at an Olympics, winter or summer. And we have the solid work of Peter O’Mahony’s PR entourage, the second-row’s understanding of beauty on a rugby field, and Rene Meulensteen’s towering intellect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Welsh players have been told by Gatland this week to strut around Europe like the champions they are. We ask Welsh legend Jonathan Davies if this suits the Welsh psyche, and we talk to former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan about the D'arcy O'Driscoll axis, and the departure of Rob Penney.The Irish Times' Malachy Clerkin is in Sochi for the Winter Olympics so we talk to our journalistic comrade about the long list of political and social issues associated with Putin's Games.We also have US Murph on American sports stars choosing success over wealth, George Plimpton, stray dogs, an Austrian-Mexican prince, whiney journalists and airplane toilets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After assessing whether we're tougher than Paul O'Connell we launch straight into Six Nations chat with Shane Horgan and Denis Hickie, asking them if the Scottish game was any sort of a barometer for the Wales game.Paul Galvin has retired from inter-county football, and with him goes another link to the great Kerry team of the last decade. Darragh O Se tells us about his former team-mate, and passenger on countless trips to training. And we closely evaluate the singing talents of Peter O’Mahony, the Denver Broncos Superbowl disintegration, sleep deprivation and why it suits the Welsh to be cocky. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the eve of the Six Nations, we speak to Ronan O'Gara, the top points-scorer in the tournament's history about documentaries, life in Paris, and a first Spring without international rugby. The Superbowl is a ridiculous affair, but we love it. US Murph is covering it from the madness of 'Radio Row' in NYC, while Jerry Izenberg, 14-time Pulitzer Prize nominee and a giant in American sportswriting, is yet to miss a Superbowl, one of only 2 writers with that unblemished record. B-Hop gets the musical tribute an alien of his stature deserves plus there's celebrity frauds, Snoop Dogg impressions, pastor Darryl Strawberry and Christy Ring. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The week before the 6 Nations might be the most enjoyable week of the entire tournament – before your team starts losing, and before you remember that for all the pageantry, and all the brilliant occasions, the rugby can sometimes be pretty soporific. Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley are optimistic about Ireland’s chances of sustaining our interest right to the end, and injured lock Donnacha Ryan talks to us about getting back in time to take part in the drama this year.Bernard Hopkins is 49 years old, a world champion, and still one of the most entertaining boxers in the game. We speak to him about defying medical logic, unifying the belts in time for his 50th birthday next year, and being an alien. The interminable Gatland-O’Driscoll ‘feud’, Copernicus, and national anthems all in the mixer too... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United fans have had to experience some pretty low moments this season – we discuss where Phil Jones' purposeful stride towards the penalty spot ranks in the pantheon. After two biting incidents in a year, have Dublin now got an image problem, and with their big sponsorship deals, is there now more pressure on them to keep high standards.Another fan-base discovering that sport can be a cruel and unforgiving mistress this week were US Murph and his fellow San Francisco 49ers fans – we try and apply balm to his poor, wounded heart. And with the Australian Open being re-energised by coaches who are figures from our childhoods, why are we talking about Andre Agassi’s toupee obsession? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cheating in real life really pays off – so why are we so hard on golfers who step on the wrong side of a totally pointless white line? Rory McIlroy saw red last weekend, fouling foul of one of the sport’s more technical rules – Malachy Clerkin of the Irish Times joins us. It could be argued that the relative strengths of Munster, Ulster and Leinster have never been more closely matched – and the impact of their director of rugby David Humphreys is a major factor in Ulster’s recent renaissance. We speak to Humphreys about the challenges for them on and off the field. We'll also speak about the brilliantly-named Jerome Champagne, who could be the next FIFA president. All that plus the first PBESO of 2014, what Richard Krajicek is up to these days, and the next link in the Gorgeous George-Muhammad Ali-Zlatan Ibrahimovic chain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A very cosmopolitan edition of Second Captains today – as we traverse the globe from San Francisco, to Sydney and back to New York in search of sporting drama. Is the Australian Open, at the height of the Antipodean summer, now almost an unplayable event? Tennis players have been suffering in the Melbourne heat, our man in Oz Matt Williams tells us how extreme temperatures are a part of Aussie life. There is trouble in the house of US Murph – he is the West Coast’s most avowed San Francisco 49ers fan, who has married into a family of Seattle Seahawks fans. We look ahead to the match this Sunday that could be the cause of some domestic strife. And we tell the story of Jesse Owens, the most famous man in the history of the Olympics. He once said – "Hitler didn't snub me – it was FDR who snubbed me. The president didn't even send me a telegram." We talk about the struggles in his life on his return to the US after the Berlin Olympics in 1936. Dictators in sport, Murph’s in-laws and other undesirables, all available to download now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leinster, Munster and Ulster are all shaping up well in the Heineken Cup, but have they progressed, and which one of the three is best equipped to go the whole way from here? The Irish Times’ Gerry Thornley and 2-time Heineken Cup winner Shane Horgan cast an optimistic look ahead to Round 6 of the pool stages… and the quarter-finals. Vitali Klitschko was one of the most dominant world heavyweight champions of the last 20 years… and now he’s running for the Presidency of Ukraine, which stands at a hugely important political cross-roads. We hear from Kiev if he’s a creditable candidate, or a puppet for forces behind the scenes. Plus we discuss the debilitating effects of the Platinum Package, Murph's shame, rough and smooth, and pint-sized Vladimir Putin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should your out-half be the first name on your team-sheet, or does healthy competition in the most important position on the field actually help your team? Shane Horgan and Neil Francis tell us who they think will be first choice in the long term, and why so many outhalves are obsessives. US Murph joins us to talk about the NFL playoffs, the lonely life of a kicker, and we outline how you can watch 26 hours of sport this weekend, if that’s your thing. And we find time to talk about Ric Flair, Victor Hugo, Napoleon, lucky generals, and all the myriad ways you can look forward to a Winter Olympics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We refuse to be affected by the January blues, so it’s the Love Edition of Second Captains @ The Irish Times as we speak to two young men embarking on their dream coaching jobs.Oisin McConville is now joint-manager of the Crossmaglen team he starred in for 20 years, and Bernard Jackman’s meteoric rise through the ranks of French Top 14 rugby continues, with his appointment from the start of next season as Grenoble head coach. In the interests of journalistic balance, we also discuss David Moyes and how getting his dream job is working out for him. All that plus quitting your job, husky McDevitt, black cards, insulting the ghost of our GAA fore-fathers, and Michael J Fox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first Second Captains of 2014, Eoin and Ken react to the news that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been confirmed as Cardiff City manager. Will he and Vincent Tan form an unlikely dream team and was he the Smithers to Alex Ferguson's Monty Burns?Shane Horgan and Eddie O'Sullivan believe we need to prepare ourselves for more transfers out of Ireland and that the IRFU should have a plan B in place with the future of Celtic League currently on unsteady ground.Plus tributes to Uncle Phil, Murph's Second Captains suspension, Shredder, and Spurs festive rampage.Download it here, follow the lads on twitter @SecondCaptains and on facebook.com/secondcaptains. Email the show at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Murph perform a small fireworks show in studio and share an emotional embrace before wading in to their favourite moments of the year with Derval O'Rourke and Malachy Clerkin.Derval experienced the European indoors as an enthused athlete and a member of a fickle media pack, and explains the difference between male and female attitudes to mental preparation. Malachy Clerkin talks about small county celebrations, and the joy of watching Colm Cooper take on the Dublin football team. All this plus Murph explains why, for the ninth year in a row, he chose the All-Ireland hurling final as his sporting highlight, why Nicky English is hurling's soothsayer, savouring BOD, McDevitt's Murray amnesia, Lance drama, and learning to love Ireland New Zealand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've headed off together on our clydesdales to our Second Captains rural retreat, as we do every year. Normally its just the five of us, but this year Mariah Carey joins the gang around an open fire to discuss Vincent Browne, Pierse Brosnan, Kevin Pietersen and our favourite Lansdowne Road moments. We also have one of our best interviews of the year, Eamon Dunphy on the history of Ireland-England games, and we end the sports pudding with a very special Second Captains audio gift - Ken Early sings out the show... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.