The Second Captains Podcast

Ken and Ciaran discuss plans for their Russian vacation in 2018, smart Ireland, the San Marino press officer's dubious retort to Thomas Müller, and the world's highest-paid sports teams. Dion Fanning joins us in studio to look back on James McClean's glory night. Plus there's Andre Rieu atmosphere, the Viennese buffet, and Frau Early. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland did the necessary against Canada last Saturday, and now attentions can turn to the rematch with New Zealand, the build-up to which is now all about whether we can back up the heroics in Chicago. Gerry Thornley joins us in studio. Conor McGregor has achieved immortality, according to the man himself, by becoming the UFC's first ever simultaneous dual-weight champion. Dave Hannigan was there...

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the upcoming match between Ireland and Austria, edgy Roy Keane, Polster pain, some club v country injury-squabbles, and Manchester United's claim to be at least as big as Jesus, without being disrespectful in any way. And Jonathan Wilson joins us to talk about the dispute between England, Scotland and FIFA over the poppy armbands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

We felt bad for US Murph this week... so bad in fact, that before we talked Trump with him, we invited him over to Dublin for a few days in December! Full details and a shocked Brian Murphy on the show. Conor McGregor will become immortal if he wins this Saturday, according to himself at any rate. Jeremy Botter previews the fight. Plus we look ahead to Ireland-Canada, Murph challenges Finlay Bealh...

Richie Sadlier is in studio to discuss Jose's latest tirade against his own players, and the FAI Cup final, won in dramatic fashion by Cork City yesterday. Tony Barrett is on hand to tell us about Liverpool's current stunning run of form, and Ken joins us from Lisbon with news from the latest Pep Guardiola hagiography. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What an extraordinary evening Irish rugby had on Saturday. Our first ever win over New Zealand came in Soldier Field in Chicago, by 40 points to 29, and forever more we can think differently about our position in world rugby. Shane Horgan was there, one of the pantheon of former Irish greats who had fallen at this hurdle in the past, and he joins us on the line. Former All-Black Ali Williams rejoi...

Martin O'Neill and Ronald Koeman are at daggers drawn over the fitness of James McCarthy - Dion Fanning of SportsJoe joins us in studio to talk about the escalating war of words over our midfielder. Andrew Mangan of Arseblog discusses Mesut Ozil, Dennis Bergkamp and the greatest Arsenal goal he's ever seen. Plus there's our scumbag of the week, Daryl Horgan, Man City and the two cults surrounding...

The Chicago Cubs ended their 108 year drought in dramatic fashion last night, but can Ireland end their 111 year drought against New Zealand on Saturday? We talk to Gordon Darcy about the 2013 game, what he learnt over the years, and his reasons for hope this time round. Ali Williams has beaten Ireland five times in all - we ask him if this is the greatest All Blacks side ever. Plus there's US Mur...

Cathal McCarron's new autobiography "Out Of Control", written with Christy O'Connor, tells an unflinching story of theft, gambling addiction, and pornography. The 3-time All-star nominee and Tyrone footballer joins us in studio. We discuss the meteoric rise of Joey Carbery as Ireland face New Zealand in Chicago this Saturday. Plus there's PBESO signs, Eoin's binge-eating, and swizzel fizzers. Host...

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Sergio Aguero's plump little hamstrings, Jurgen Klopp's precision piston engineering, and John O'Shea's vain efforts to organise Sunderland's defence. Miguel Delaney joins us to talk about Spurs, who are harder to score against than anybody, yet often find it a struggle to score themselves. Plus there's Messi's mini rebellions, Jose's reds, and McDevitt's request on be...

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about homophobic fans, Zlatan in disguise and football's TV ratings problem. Is football on TV too expensive, or does it have bigger problems? Jonathan Wilson joins us to talk about Manchester United's victory in the derby. And John Brewin was at the London Stadium to document the further fraying of civilization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...

Today signals the end of the most glittering amateur boxing career this country has ever seen, as Katie Taylor joins the professional ranks. Her new manager Brian Peters joins us on the show. Simon talks to Jonny Sexton about injuries, facing NZ, Schmidt, and the next month of Ireland internationals. US Murph tells us about the Curse of the Billygoat, and Hillary Clinton's bandwagon-jumping ways....

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss "The Return". Manchester United find themselves back among the trailing pack already - do they have the cojones to deal with it? Dundalk fitness coach Graham Byrne joins us to talk about the methods that have helped the team win their third consecutive LOI title. And Dermot Corrigan reports on a fractious weekend for Spain's superstars. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

Kieran Donaghy blew up the All-Ireland championship not once, but twice - when he first came on the scene in 2006, and then again in 2014. We talk to one of the country's most engaging sportspeople on fathers, football and fighting dyslexia. Liam Toland and Gerry Thornley talk us through an extraordinary and sometimes uplifting day in Thomond Park on Saturday, and whether Ringrose is ready for Ire...

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Manchester City's humbling in Barcelona and Mesut Özil's feeling for social media. Gabriel Marcotti joins us to analyse what went wrong on a tough night for Pep Guardiola. Plus there's mad li'l goalies and Hillary spin bowling Trump in the final debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken McGrath was one of the most flamboyant characters in one of the most colorful hurling teams in recent years - he talks about his hurling career with Waterford, his open-heart surgery at the age of 37, the failure of his business, and his comebacks in life, hurling management and health. John Fallon tells us how buoyant the Connacht rugby scene is in the aftermath of their 23-21 win over Toulou...

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran look forward to Red Monday, as Liverpool take on Manchester United amid a frenzy of voodoo and some subtle managerial goading. Simon Hughes joins us to talk about the game and his book "Ring of Fire: Liverpool into the 21st century, the Players' Stories".Plus there's calls for ruthless Mourinho, Scholes' helicopter view, Ched Evans' moral compass and Pep's thought crime. Hoste...

The death of Munster and Ireland legend Anthony Foley has shocked the entire country. Today's show is a tribute to one of the greatest figures in Irish sports. Gerry Thornley, Liam Toland, his international rival Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, and former Munster coach Alan Gaffney share their memories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss book recommendations by football journalists, the limits of locker room talk, and the sad story of the agent involved in the sting that brought down Sam AllardyceEmmet Malone of The irish Times joins us in studio to talk about Daryl Horgan's chances of getting into the Ireland squad sooner rather than later. Plus there's Ken's voice-a-like, McDevitt's giggle and poor S...

Donal Lenihan is one of the smartest voices on rugby in the country, and his new book Donal Lenihan - My Life In Rugby takes us through the Triple Crowns of the early 80s, The Rose of Tralee debacle, and modern Munster's big problem. Marc O Se's retirement yesterday ended a 23-year association with the Kerry senior football team for three of the greatest footballers of all time - we rank the O Se...

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran are spellbound by the old school charm of Seamus Coleman. Richie Sadlier joins us in studio to look back over the Moldova performance and the Irish players' challenge to the Irish media: we keep getting the results, if you don't like it turn off your station. Plus there's Ireland's faithful attack hound (Georgia), threadbare Wales, Rooney's wealth and Pique's stripes. Hosted o...

Two inter-provincial games over the course of the weekend, with Leinster and Connacht emerging victorious - Gerry Thornley and former Munster captain Damien Varley look at Connacht's resurgence, Leinster's new midfield and Munster's power shortage. We discuss Davy Fitzgerald's return to inter-county management after a full two weeks out of the media loop, with Malachy Clerkin. And there's reaction...

Welcome to our special bonus podcast looking back on how Ireland got away with it against Georgia. We look at Seamus Coleman's magic bullet goal, Shane Long's late introduction to the game of football, injuries and suspensions ahead of the Moldova game and why Ireland's best players haven't kicked on since Euro 2016.Plus there's the Harry Arter rumours, Dan Carter's TUE problem, diabetes scum and...

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran look forward to the Ireland match, and back to Italy v Uruguay and how Mario Balotelli feels about having given the worst footballing performance of all time. Seamas O'Reilly joins us from London to analyse the collected literary works of Steve Bruce. Plus there's Ozil's gaff, Shane Long's goal threat, and Vardy's port in a storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

The 2016-2017 rugby season has kept a low profile thus far, but Leinster Munster is a pretty good way to get blast things off. We talk to Mattie Williams about the importance of this fixture, and about some landmark legal cases regarding concussion and player welfare. We talk to Christine Brennan of USA Today about Maria Sharapova’s reduced ban, putting the blame on your agent and why you should a...