The Second Captains Podcast

To tie in with today's Irish Times Sports Woman of the Year awards we're releasing a special edition of the show, which includes an interview with the legendary Rosemary Smith, winner of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award, and Melissa Ludtke, an American journalist who changed things for all that followed in her path.Rosemary joins Eoin and Murph in studio to discuss how she went from being a dress designer in Ireland to competing with and beating the world's best male rally drivers, what attitudes pervaded at the time, and the incredible story of how she survived land slides, bandits and cactus flies in a race from London to Mexico.Melissa Ludtke was one of the first female sports journalists in America. She explains how tough it was to make it in the industry, and why she had to take a law suit against the commissioner of Major league Baseball to ensure she could do her job. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland in the November Series, Ireland in RWC 2011, Leinster and Northampton and Toulouse in recent weeks - how can teams' performances fluctuate so much from week to week - we try and figure out if rugby is more susceptible than most sports to ridiculous turnarounds with Eddie O'Sullivan and Emmett Byrne... and whether Munster showed us something new this weekend. Last week a pair of Michael Jordan's basekball shoes sold for over 100,000 dollars. We ask Brian Murphy about the US phenomenon of sports memorabilia and why the Flu Game in the 1997 NBA finals further burnished the Jordan legend. Ken hates SPOTY, autographs are pointless, grown men shouldn't fight 10 year olds, Millennium 50p coins and other nonsense all included. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two clean sweeps in a row for the Irish provinces in the Heineken Cup - can we take all the credit or have the English clubs sub-consciously filed out of this year’s competition already… Shane Horgan, Trevor Hogan and an England Grand Slam winner tell us what we can expect this weekend. Thermo-nuclear war appears to be the only thing that will stop an NFL match – as a couple of snow-addled games on the East Coast showed last week. We go back to the NFL championship game played in wind chill conditions of -40 degrees with US Murph. Plus we have Ken’s thoughts on Connemara vs Kerry in the ‘rugged, unspoilt beauty stakes, some unbelievably bullish rugby predictions, God narrator, and the really famous Christmas movie we’ve never heard of. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The festive season is a time for giving… and most of the time, the giving usually includes some pretty lacklustre sports books. So we have taken it upon ourselves to draw up a list of the very best books of this year, and of all time, to guide you through the season.We have enlisted some high quality help – Keith Duggan (author of the Lifelong Season and House of Pain) and Donald McRae, two time William Hill Sports Book of the Year award winner - tell us about what they look for in a great sports book, and what it takes to write one. And the learned Malachy Clerkin of the Irish Times is on hand to help us pick our top 5 books of the year… and the one to avoid like the plague.All this plus why bombast and arrogance makes for a great autobiography, the slow emergence of the inner Dunphy, how Gorgeous George begat Ali who begat Zlatan and why its therefore important to 'always be outrageous'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We ask Shane Horgan and Liam Toland should a proposed extension to Rob Penney's contract be judged on the two Perpignan games. Meanwhile Matt Connor faces his biggest challenge to date away to Northampton, and we debate what changes he has made since the Schmidt era. An entire sport turning a blind eye to cheating is something we’ve sadly grown used to over the last decade or so, but has the multi-million dollar horse-racing industry got the will or the want to change its ways after recent scandals. Plus there’s watching Match of the Day without knowing the scores, Chekov's gun, a very special mile high mascot-based PBESO, apologetic managers and Tony the chimp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Photographer Billy Stickland is responsible for capturing many of the greatest moments in Irish sport, and he joins us in studio to discuss his career, the story behind the shots and how he gets so many men to take their shirts off.Last weekend Carlow hurling manager John Meyler watched his son David score for Hull, rejoiced in Mount Leinster Rangers' hurling success, and celebrated his wedding anniversary. We ask him to rank the events from 1 to 3.Ireland are the only country in the world's top 20 nations without a men's team competing on the rugby sevens circuit, and we're almost certainly not sending a side to the Rio Olympics. We speak to Alan Quinlan and former sevens international Cian Aherne about why this is the case.All this plus Carlow griping, Rooney McIlroy twitter shame, shin pad celebrations and father son sporting love. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sochi is the one place in Russia where it doesn't snow, so Vladimir Putin thought it would be perfect for the Winter Games. Andrew Roth of the New York Times joins us from Moscow to talk about what will be the most expensive Olympics in history.Friend of the show and Ireland's greatest ever goalkeeper Shane Curran joins us in studio to discuss the Connacht club final, injury, Rene Higuita, and playing into your 40's.You can tell a lot about an American sports fan by whether he/she prefers Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. Brian Murphy explains the difference between stats and trophies. All this plus healing Ireland's pain, a GMAC PBESO, La Cosa Nostra, and the Kanye Rossies remix. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Its a special heartbreak edition of Second Captains this week, as we wade through our nations' tears in search of the most painful moments in history.Gordon Darcy still hasn't recovered from Sunday's game but believes the team can play at that level every week, and believes if New Zealand can be consistently brilliant, then so can Ireland.Eddie O'Sullivan feels its the best performance in our history, Shane Horgan thinks the game will benefit the team, and both men re-live the pain of the Vincent Clerc try in 2007.Paul Kimmage joins us in studio to explain why he thinks Laurent Fignon's loss to Greg Lemond in the 1989 Tour de France is the most cruel defeat he has ever witnessed.All this plus stress dreams, Kearney eyes, weepy little Eoin McDevitt and Murph's top 5 moments of misery. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Zealand and Ireland have a long and storied rivalry… a rivalry that unfortunately consists of us losing, and most of the time, losing by quite a bit. Denis Hickie and Neil Francis chart the near misses, the humiliations, and the reasons why black is the colour we just can’t seem to handle. Len Bias was the rival Michael Jordan never had – drafted by the Boston Celtics just two years after Jordan, in 1986, he was dead two days later from a cocaine overdose, having never taken a dribble in the NBA. US Murph tells us how it was a generation-defining moment for him. All that plus Willie Anderson, Gary Halpin and the long-overdue return of the local radio GAA commentator. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The learning curve doesn’t get any less steep for Joe Schmidt – after being humbled by Australia, we have the world champions New Zealand coming up this weekend. Shane Horgan, Jerry Flannery and Emmett Byrne tell us where Ireland can make the most improvements, quickest, between last Saturday and this Sunday. We have the latest from Poznan with Ken Early, and we also look at the life and times of Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, the most beloved Indian person since Mahatma Gandhi. Plus – the Aviva playlist, Lance Armstrong’s meeting with his former masseuse Emma O’Reilly, and what we can learn from the Australian approach to pre-match preparation. Follow the lads on twitter @SecondCaptains and email the show [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ireland team has been named for this Saturday’s test against Australia – and Joe Schmidt has rolled the dice again. Eddie O’Sullivan and Shane Horgan give us their thoughts, and talk to us about the World Cup game between the sides in 2003 that Ireland so very nearly won. Candlestick Park in San Francisco has held more top-class sport than any other stadium in America, and US Murph has been going there since he was 6 years old. About to be demolished at the end of this year, he gives us his thoughts on a horrible, cold old dump that he’s happy to call home. We have the return of Pierce Brosnan’s Emigrant Shout-Outs, the latest from the Ireland football camp and the English media’s predictable response to Keano’s first press conference.Follow us on twitter @SecondCaptains, facebook.com/SecondCaptains and email us [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken and Ciaran wonder why images of Roy Keane standing in a field with his hands behind his back are exciting enough to be broadcast live on Sky Sports. And we've got the news from Martin O'Neill's first press conference (in ordinary time) as Ireland manager.We'll also hear from Stephen Ward after his first MONKEANO-operated training session.Sid Lowe joins us from Madrid to talk about Lionel Messi - uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.And Nick Harris of sportingintelligence.com analyses the implications of BT Sport beating Sky to exclusive Champions League rights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Schmidt has come into the Ireland job with an unimpeachable club coaching record – but does that insulate him from criticism, or make him more vulnerable than ever? Matt Williams, Trevor Hogan and the Irish Times’ Gerry Thornley talk about what would be a successful November series for Ireland’s new man as the test with Australia approaches.Tommy Walsh was a Gaelic football ‘outlier’ in 2009 – a boy giant with talent, athleticism and scoring ability. After he left for Australia, Kerry football was left wondering ‘what if?’ But he appears to be on the verge of a comeback. Laois’s Colm Begley has made that journey, in both directions, and tells us about the Irish experience in Aussie Rules.And we have the story of when Martin O’Neill came to speak to Ireland’s best Gaelic footballers, Dirty Dancing with Ryan Lochte, and Lance Armstrong’s crusading charge for justice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his first press conference as Ireland manager Martin O'Neill outlined his thought process in taking the job, what role Keane will have, what he thinks of Keane's temperament, and why volatility isn't always a bad thing.Ken and Eoin discuss whether the pair can bring some panache to Ireland's play, if the fans can be convinced to return, and if Delaney would ever let Keane get the main job. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Joe Schmidt era starting on Saturday, we talk to Shane Horgan and Trevor Hogan about his team selection, how the players are adapting to the new methods, the sense of expectation among fans, and what changes we can expect to see on the pitch in the next few weeks.US Murph gives us some detail on a very strange tale of workplace harassment in the locker-room of the Miami Dolphins, which many in America have been trying to pass off as part of the culture of the NFL, or some gentle hazing... racial taunting and threats against a man's life included. All this plus Connacht coach Pat Lam on Samoan power, the importance of frat parties, Second Captains' Mikey Graham, and Trevor Hogan's 'Frank the tank' merchandise run. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Delaney today brought us confirmation that there will be a confirmation, heralding the dawn of the O'Neill Keane era. Eoin asks Emmet Malone if he foresees trouble, and we talk to former Ipswich player under Keane, Shane Supple, about Roy's management style.Eddie O'Sullivan has met and discussed tactics with Roy Keane, and believes the Cork man's straight talking will be a key ingredient for success. We also talk to Shane Jennings about Joe Schmidt's evolution as a coach, from assistant at Auckland, to becoming the top man in Irish rugby.All this plus the frog and the scorpion, the glorious history of Irish assistant managers, a Red Sox PBESO, and Keane's Dallaglio put-down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken are joined in studio by Seán Óg Ó'hAilpín, who opens up on his brilliant career in hurling, his recovery from the trauma of a serious car accident, and his lifelong struggle to come up to the standards demanded by his highly competitive father.Brian Murphy was watching as the Boston Red Sox won a World Series in front of their own fans at Fenway Park.And Simon Usborne joins us to talk about Garry Kasparov's chances of winning the election for president of the chess world governing body FIDE against a man who claims to have been abducted by aliens and taken to a distant star. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his first year as a senior international Jason Quigley has won the National Champs, the European Champs and became the first Irish man to win a world silver medal - we talk to him about why he's still not satisfied.Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Conor Murray and Donnacha Ryan have all recently been linked with moves abroad. Shane Horgan and Trevor Hogan explain how the IRFU need to act quickly and must revamp their approach to keeping the talent here.We ask former Olympian Jerry Kiernan if the incredible times run by Kenyan marathon runners can be believed. We also have narky captains, the worst position in sport and the evolution of 'running man'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Joe Ward and Jason Quigley fighting for World Championship glory this weekend we speak to Billy Walsh about how he manages to coach and motivate such a diverse range of characters.US Murph will let us know how 2 late goals for the US men's soccer team might be enough to wipe away 250 years of hatred across the Rio Grande, and we speak to one of the greatest Aussie Rules footballers of all time - Adam Goodes, about racism, the stolen generation and representing Indigenous Australians. All that plus Daniel Day Lewis as John Delaney, Daily Express nutrition, Nation Lampoon's vacation and a miracle cure for baldness... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four wins from four in the Heineken Cup for the Irish provinces last weekend, and Ulster might just be the form team in Europe at the moment. Shane Horgan and Eddie O'Sullivan on what Ulster learnt from last year, Munster and Leinster flaws, and who is best placed to take over from O'Driscoll at the end of the season.The subject of concussions in rugby has been getting plenty of coverage recently, and we speak to a player who's had more than his fair share of difficulties in that area - Ulster and Ireland centre Luke Marshall.And 6 months after the Boston marathon bombing, we hear how the city's most potent sporting symbol, the Red Sox, have played a part in the recovery process. All that plus baseball's Macho Man Randy Savage, the frequency illusion, Rock of Gibraltar and retiring the 13 jersey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk Alex Ferguson's book, which includes even less than might be expected about Rock of Gibraltar....except all the times Roy Keane irritatingly brought it up.Dion Fanning was at today's book launch in London and talks to us about the Fergie-Keane feud.Graham Hunter joins us to discuss how David Moyes might be feeling about the looming presence of his predecessor.And Philippe Auclair fills us in on the war between Patrice Evra and most of France's top football pundits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rob Penney and Conor O’Shea savaged their teams last weekend – can coaches motivate players by criticising them in public? Shane Horgan had experience of this in his playing days and joins us to discuss the rights and wrongs. We also speak to Leinster’s Sean Cronin, who was the player of the weekend in the first round of the Heineken Cup, with the numbers to prove it. And we speak to US Murph about beard tugging Bostonians and the difference between Mr April, and Mr October. Plus we have Mickey Goldmill wisdom, the prize bullock, why Eoin is like Aldous Huxley, and where’s the beef. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After last weekend's surrender to Edinburgh, we ask Trevor Hogan and Gerry Thornley if complacency is an acceptable excuse for Munster. We also look at Sean O'Brien's evolving game, and how the provinces are shaping up for next weekend.Australia's International Rules side will be represented by an indigenous selection, one of the few exciting elements to this series. We chart the history of the Aboriginal player in the AFL and the role the sport has played in their fight against racism. We speak to Carl Frampton, the Belfast boxer who is managed by Barry McGuigan. Frampton defends his EBU European title in his home town on Saturday night, and the hype surrounding him is being likened to the McGuigan era. Plus we have the baby calf, Ken manager, boxing dinosaurs and balls of steel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A doctor in Glasgow's Southern General Hospital believes that he has found the first case of early onset dementia caused by head injuries while playing rugby - in the week that Peter O'Mahony was taken off the pitch by Munster's medical staff, Grenoble coach Bernard Jackman and Jonny Watterson of The Irish Times talk us through why rugby has to do more to protect its players. Jason Ryan loved the idea of being a selector and coach with Kildare this summer, while manager Kieran McGeeney took all the heat. But now he's been named as McGeeney's successor, he talks to us about getting back into the hot seat. We also have US Murph on the real-life epilogue to Moneyball, the return of Pierce Brosnan's Emigrant Shout Outs, and Ken's nuanced view of the medical profession. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the build-up to this season's Heineken Cup Munster have answered a few questions, while Leinster struggle with injuries and new fitting in the new faces. Shane Horgan and Trevor Hogan look at what shape the Irish teams are in ahead of the opening weekend.Roddy Collins is back in the Airtricity Premier Division with Athlone Town, and has 40 years of friendship with Ireland interim manager Noel King to tell us about. After a summer of brilliant hurling, are the GAA about to leave themselves open to charges of elitism by saving Cork from relegation with one swipe of a committee’s pen? All this plus rugby nicknames, McDevitt's Sexton obsession, Gulliver memories and Cologne's drinking subculture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rugby season has been dominated by endless statements from administrators and club owners, but on Saturday in Thomond the fun starts. We talk to former Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan and former Leinster, Munster and Ireland player Trevor Hogan about how the stars will perform with these issues hovering in the background.American sports franchises struggle to maintain consistency over a long period of time, but in the last decade the New England Patriots have managed it better than any other side. Brian Murphy explains why.We also have Oisin McConville on marking the legendary Tomas O'Se, the 1972 Miami Dolphins, panenka V roulada, and Brian O'Driscoll's game face. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The nation was blown away by Clare's confidence and skill on saturday, but they have designs on building an empire. We ask Nicky English, Malachy Clerkin and Christy O'Connor whether a county without a history of success can go on to dominate.Johnny Sexton has been one of the most influential and interesting men in Irish rugby for the last five years, and we talk to him about Paris, O'Gara, principles and the role Brian O'Driscoll has played in his career.There's also hurling exhortations, mature Clare youths, anger as a gift and rugby friendships. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clare hurlers said they enjoyed the drawn final, while the Cork team have spent the last three weeks repeatedly being told they're an inferior side. Author, journalist and former Clare player Christy O'Connor and Tipp legend Nicky English join us to discuss what has been a strange build-up for the two sides involved.Irish amateur boxing is springing a few leaks at the moment with John Joe Nevin on the verge of turning pro, Olympic bronze medallist Michael Conlan threatening to turn pro and Katie Taylor disillusioned with her career since the London Games. We talk to Kenneth Egan about what is a difficult time for the sport ahead of next month's World Championships.We also have Ciaran 'lights out' Murphy, why its bad to be the underdog in a replay, enjoyable failure and Katie's Irish pub experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we walk through the post All-Ireland wasteland to see if there are any Mayo bodies alive under the rubble. Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles wonder if Dublin winning is good for football, and we ask Mike Finnerty of the Mayo News if this is the defeat that will finally break the county's will. Brian Murphy looks at the issue of preferential treatment for star players, and why the NFL continues to produce so many athletes who struggle with life, and the law, off the field of play.We also have Aidan O'Shea's favourite poem, filthy stadiums, youth V's experience and why Mayo can't become 'just another county'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A year after Jim McGuinness seemed to have changed the way football would be played forever, Dublin have this summer successfully pursued a very different tactic. Oisin McConville and Karol Mannion look at the philosophy of the quiet man of this championship, Jim Gavin.The future of the Heineken Cup has long been in jeopardy, but flip flopping this week by the world governing body, the IRB, calls into question just who controls the world game. Former Leinster captain and Irish Times writer Liam Toland and Chris Hewitt of the London Independent look at the bigger picture for the sport.We also have the latest on the Donegal situation, David Cameron's ancestral fear of jocks, Dubs fan WB Yeats and McDevitt's dreams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mayo and Dublin thought their way out of trouble in their semi finals, but will James Horan and Jim Gavin make any changes to gameplan based on those scares. Mike Finnerty of the Mayo News and Malachy Clerkin of The Irish Times have met the managers and the players this week and give us the inside scoop.Two time winner of the William Hill sports book of the year Duncan Hamilton attempts to explain how football was the cause of George Best's problems in his latest book Immortal, which was written with the help of Best's family.We also have triathlete Aileen Reid on her world class performances this season, Mayo News' 64 page All-Ireland supplement, dealing with fame in the 60's, and schoolboy tactics in top class sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trap is gone and Martin O'Neill is hot favourite to be his successor, but Ken and Eoin wonder would an older Roy Keane, in small (international window) doses, be the perfect man to lead the country once again.We talk about the demise of the NFL enforcer, the softening of America, and why European crowd noise is better than American crowd noise, with Brian Murphy.All this plus why success could change Mayo people, the catholic curse, why money is not the main issue in international management, an RTE TV PBESO, and how lighthouses were the cause of the downfall of the west of Ireland. Follow the show on twitter @secondcaptains, on Facebook.com/secondcaptains and send your emails to [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ireland Sweden game brought us all to our knees, but Sunday's final was the ultimate energiser. Dublin hurler Peter Kelly and author, journalist and Clare man Christy O'Connor try to put some sense on a frenetic game of hurling, and wonder what changes the managers will make ahead of the replay. It's a fresh start for Irish rugby this season with Joe Schmidt now in charge of the national side, and two new provincial coaches in place. We ask Eddie O'Sullivan and Trevor Hogan if this is Irish rugby's big chance to think big. All this plus tepid Murph, why Davy fitz needs Robbie Keane, wrestlemania, and Trap's dignified nonsense.Follow us on twitter @secondcaptains, on facebook.com/secondcaptains and email the show second [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cork may be one of Hurling's 'Big 3' but when it comes to winning Munster and All-Ireland titles at underage recently, it's Clare that have all the pedigree. We talk to a man who has won it as a player and coach, Nicky English, along with six time winner Derek Lyng, and author, journalist and former Clare goalkeeper Christy O'Connor.Kieran McGeeney has been voted out of the Kildare job, to the disenchantment of his players - we ask his former selector Niall Carew if McGeeney needed to play the political game in order to achieve his aims with the county. The NFL season starts tonight - we ask US Murph if the concussion story has been tidily squared away or will fans now look at the sport, and the collisions, in a new light. All this plus kung-fu Zlatan, Murph's All-Ireland final livestock update, the rhythm of an international football week, and Ken reveals the truth behind Flipper's evil smile.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.

When you’ve got a killer right hook, and no chin, you don’t really have much of an option but to come out swinging – so was that why we were treated to a game for the ages on Sunday in Croke Park? Anthony Moyles and Oisin McConville sift through the gold and look ahead to Mayo-Dublin and another potential classic in the final. Ireland’s top two cyclists have had contrasting experiences in the Vuelta Espana – Nicolas Roche won a stage, had the leader’s jersey and lies in third, whereas Daniel Martin suffered a race-ending crash in controversial circumstances. We talk to both of them.All this plus Leinster’s new coach Matt O’Connor on the challenges of taking over from Joe Schmidt, a gigantic Australian PBESO, deadline day horse-play and the fastest All Ireland pairing of all time.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.

Dublin and Kerry meet in the second All-Ireland semi-final this weekend, and the marquee rivalry in the GAA has managed to survive 70 years of almost uninterrupted Kerry dominance. We discuss with Kerry legend Darragh O Se and the Irish Times’ Malachy Clerkin. US Murph tells us about the NFL’s control over the media, and why America's most popular sport isn't too big to fail, while acclaimed author and journalist David Epstein explains why Darragh O Se was always going to be a good footballer, and Daithi O Se was never going to cut it. His book “The Sports Gene” investigates why sports stars are as good as they are. All this plus Cluxton's kick-outs, cankles, an Andy Townsend Tactics Truck Pierce Brosnan Emigrant Shout Out (ATTT PBESO) and will Ireland ever win the Olympic marathon.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.

Andy Moran was a sub in 2004 and 2006, and was on crutches watching on for last year's final against Donegal - this week he starts preparation for his fourth All-Ireland football final, this time hoping to play a full part as Mayo captain. He speaks to us today, while the best GAA analysts in the business, Anthony Moyles and Oisin McConville discuss how last Sunday could have been the perfect way to win a semi-final, and who Mayo can expect to play on September 22nd. And we talk about one of the greatest swindles of all time, involving the most-watched tennis game in history - the Battle of the Sexes, between business-man and gambler Bobby Riggs, and former great Billie Jean King.We've also got Kerry DNA, the Dublin virus, Arnie and Hercules, Jose's sacrifice and the 40 year secret. 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.

In 2012 it looked like Jim McGuinness was a once in a generation genius, but this year James Horan is on track to achieve something just as outrageous. Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles tell Mayo fans that this time round history doesn't matter.According to Brian Murphy the only things Americans hate more than a cheat, is a cheating rat - step up Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees. We've also got Maria Sharapova's sugar rush, bench clearing brawls, Bale lunacy, a special corporate America PBESO and Eoin McDevitt's secret formula for All Ireland success.Follow us on twitter @SecondCaptains, on facebook.com/secondcaptains and email the show [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sean Kelly was the world’s number 1 cyclist for five years, and was one of the most beloved Irish sportspeople worldwide throughout the Eighties. He also failed two drugs tests, and was at times overshadowed by his compatriot Stephen Roche. He discusses his new book ‘Hunger’ with Eoin today.Tyrone have had a bizarre lead-in to their All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo this weekend, with conspiracy theories, fact sheets and tackle counts looming large. Three time All-Ireland winner Enda McGinley and Malachy Clerkin of The Irish Times discuss whether their paranoia is justified, and how this might impact on Mayo. We also look at Clare / Limerick and hurling hype with Derek Lyng and Nicky English, Pat McQuaid the journalist, Brolly the barrister, good drugs, and the Davy Fitz death stare.Contact us on twitter @SecondCaptains, email the show [email protected] and follow us on facebook.com/secondcaptains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We only have 3 athletics world champions in our history, so the company is pretty rarefied for Rob Heffernan – we introduce him to one of the other members of the golden circle, Sonia O’Sullivan, on today’s show, to talk about a lifetime's work and what's needed from the next generation.US Murph tells us about the rise, the fall, and the possible return of the 'honey badger', one of the players to watch in next years NFL season and we go to Clare and Limerick to discuss media wars and the Limerick curse ahead of this weekend’s All-Ireland hurling final. All this plus McDevitt's shame, Ireland Wales numbness and the citizenship test.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.

On today's show Nicky English and Christy O'Connor talk about the influence history has on a team's fortunes, and Peter Kelly tells us if his fellow Dublin hurlers feel 2013 was their last big chance to win an All Ireland.Russian sports administrators have a busy few years ahead hosting the Winter Olympics and the World Cup, and so the world has turned its attention to Putin's attitude to gay rights - David Herszenhorn of the New York Times reports from Moscow.We also have the captain of the Irish boxing team at the London Olympics, Darren O'Neill, on whats been a tough year in and out of the ring. Plus there's death-road PBESO, voodoo hurling, Westy's meltdown and fan culture in Irish football.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.

Donovan Bailey is the last 100m world record holder and Olympic gold medalist, besides Usain Bolt, to have no association with performance enhancing drugs. He joins the lads to discuss cheats, insecure athletes, and if we can believe in Bolt.Tiger Woods is back winning tournaments, and thanks to little Charlie Woods, might be winning the PR battle too. Brian Murphy explains why America is learning to forgive the world's best golfer. We've also got Mark McHugh on concussion and Donegal's demolition, cocky sprinters, Johnny Football's latest stunt, and how Ger Loughnane could help Anthony Daly win the All Ireland. 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.

Now that the Sean Cavanagh tackle has become an incident of national importance, we talk to Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles about the consequences for the underage players, as well as Tyrone hatin', Mayo lovin', and why James Horan might be a genius. In the week that Sonia O'Sullivan questioned the ambition shown by our young athletes at major events, we talk to 800 metre runner Mark English about what goes on in the mind of a 20 year old man who's on his way to the World Championships.We've also got fake apologies, the fight and the fighter that shocked America, hero worship and Joe Brolly's tears.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.

The All Ireland Football Championship goes from a steady jog to a full gallop this weekend - Oisin McConville and David Brady talk about Jim McGuinness, referee manipulation, Mayo's flight of discovery and how one man can dominate a 15 man game.Joe Schmidt has recruited the final member of his management team, so we talk to Ireland's new forwards coach John Plumtree about his plans for the team.We've also got PBESO, sporting revenge, frat parties and Johnny Football, the most talked about athlete in America.Follow us on twitter @secondcaptains, facebook.com/secondcaptains, secondcaptains.tumblr.com and email the show [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first of our four shows this week, we talk to Ireland’s first UFC superstar, Conor McGregor, about wealth, fame and the joys of proving your parents wrong.Brian Cody is gone for this summer, and the man to take him down was Jimmy Barry Murphy - we talk to Nicky English and Derek Lyng about his magical presence and why himself and Davy Fitzgerald are the same, but different.There’s also Michael Meehan on scoring the goal of the season, the fall and rise of Cavan football, Eamon Dunphy’s taxi driver and Pat McQuaid’s latest political move. Download it here, follow the lads on twitter @SecondCaptains and on facebook.com/secondcaptains. Email the show at [email protected]. Second Captains Football will be available from 6pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Second Captains went live and dangerous this week to celebrate the launch of our four shows a week schedule with The Irish Times, which starts next Tuesday 30th July. It was a stellar cast at the Grand Social club in Dublin with Eamon Dunphy and Richie Sadlier speaking from the heart about the pitfalls and joys of football punditry, while Oisin McConville, Jason Sherlock and Anthony Moyles talked penalty taking, arm linking, and Croke Park heroics, and there was even a very special edition of the fastest growing slot in Irish radio, Pierce Brosnan's Emigrant Shout Outs #PBESO.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.

Chris Froome has won the Tour de France, but the questions about what we saw on the Alps aren't going away. David Walsh believes that Froome is clean. We'll hear Paul Kimmage's verdict on the new champion.Meanwhile, BT and Sky are trading insults ahead of the new Premier League season - Gabriele Marcotti and Jonathan Wilson explain why the stakes are so high, and how English football will be affected by the new billion-pound-a-year TV deal. All this plus hurling's shot at greatness, Dick Clerkin, the Clones Cyclone and the Farney Army, anti-doping vigilantes, Brendan Rodgers' smile, and don't forget to listen in for a special edition of the show this friday at www.irishtimes.com/secondcaptains 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.

In this week's edition of Second Captains we ask what Rory McIlroy can learn from his new life coach Nick Faldo, Anthony Moyles and Oisin McConville explain why Dublin's win wasn't all good news for Jim Gavin, while we pour love on the pure of spirit - the hurling men of limerick. All this plus Jerry Kiernan tells us if there's any point watching 100metre sprints anymore, Howard Clark's retirement plan, violence as a force for good, #PBESO and a very special announcement - our first Second Captains live show, for tickets email [email protected] 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.

It’s a special heat-wave edition of Second Captains this week – Dan Martin talks friends and foes on the Tour de France after he became the first Irishman in nearly 20 years to win a stage, while we discuss how the Lions series will change Brian O’Driscoll with former Lion Shane Horgan and Trevor Hogan. Former Meath captain Anthony Moyles talks confidently about this weekend’s Leinster football final, while Nicky English charts how Dublin went from being a hurling wasteland to the home of the Leinster champions. There’s also #PBESO, extreme Scottishness, Andy Murray, and the cyclist who’s afraid of speed – so kick back, relax and get yourself a whippie, it’s the Second Captains @ The Irish TimesFollow 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.

Featuring Eddie O'Sullivan, former England international Jeff Probyn and Irish Times rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley along with the latest reaction from Warren Gatland. By popular demand it's a once off show we'll call (against our will) the 'Bodcast'. Make sure you also download the latest full edition of Second Captains @ The Irish Times below (July 2nd).Follow the lads on twitter @SecondCaptains, Facebook.com/secondcaptains and [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.