The Second Captains Podcast

It was a classic weekend of GAA action, but maybe the surprising result of all came in Celtic Park, as Donegal travelled to Derry and knocked off the league champions with a four-goal, five-star performance. 

Michael Murphy was working for BBC TV, was in attendance, and was designated driver for a car full of Donegal legends on Saturday night, and he joins us today to talk about Derry's lethargy, Jim McGuinness' impact, and the future of Odhran Lynch's upfield excursions. 

Ken brings us the news that Jose Mourinho is finally paying attention to Kieran McGeeney's tactical innovations, and we discuss Leinster's incredible popularity as they sell out Croke Park - with some public service announcements for their ticket- (and pint-) hungry fans. 

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Coventry City almost pulled off the greatest FA Cup comeback of all time, but thankfully VAR was there to save us all from that happening by spotting one of the most fractional offsides of all time. Blessed are we who live under its eye.

We also discuss Marc Canham's video communiqué from last Friday, what he seemed to be trying to say and what he might have said instead.

Miguel Delaney joins us to talk about his experience at the Cup semi-final, and also the reverberations of Nottingham Forest's inflammatory comments about Stuart Attwell.

Does a club accusing a referee of bias represent some kind of radical break with the norms and traditions of football? How else are clubs supposed to respond to the nonsense foisted on them by refs? Are corruption accusations inseparable from the use of VAR? And is there anything referees can practically do to extricate themselves from the conspiracy vortex that is engulfing them?

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Welcome to our world service best of show which this week features reaction to Man City's dramatic loss to Madrid, a backlash to the relationism backlash, a meaty hurling preview and Oisin McConville explains why he is so open with the media.

Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to our programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, The “I’ll Tell You Who Wrote It” Book Club and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series  ‘Where Is George Gibney?’.

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It's (maybe) set to be a big week for the Irish Football Family with a new Men's Senior manager imminent but GO TOBANN just as Ken goes to grab the mic news breaks that FAI CEO Jonathan Hill will be stepping aside. Events, they just keep occurring.

Outside of the FAI internal re-structuring The Great Debate of our epoch revolves around the conflict between Relationism and Positionism. On today's show Ken goes deep with tactics guru Jamie Hamilton.

We also discuss the small matter of Liverpool and Arsenal handing the title to Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen triumphing in Deutschland.

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Leinster went for a 6/2 bench, a Will Connors horse for the La Rochelle course, and defended with manic speed and aggression to beat ROG's team for the second time this season. They won with 27 points to spare, and the Nienaber factor was there for all to see.

We chat to Shane Horgan and Ruaidhri O'Connor about slaying the dragon, the mental strength and skill required to score the Ryan Baird try after halftime, Ross Byrne's best-ever performance, peak Furlong, Leo Cullen's role in the side's evolution, how dangerous Toulouse look, Aviva boos, selling out Croke Park for a bank holiday weekend and how the Irish women's team ended their long 6N losing streak by winning in style against Wales.

Plus there's Larmour's comeback, ROG's rebuild, Scheffler's dominance and a McTepid Masters prediction. 

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This week on our World Service highlights show; Ken exalts the value of watching football in double speed, Branno reviews Eric Cantona's live musicianship and Eoin bravely asks the big question - can Rory McIlroy win the Masters this weekend?

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Man United v Liverpool used to be a byword for stultifying boredom and dreariness. Not any more. We discuss another Liverpool fumble-job at Old Trafford, the cult of Darwin and the maniacally optimistic analysis of Erik ten Hag. 

Simon Hughes and John Brewin join us to talk about the game at Anfield. Did Liverpool get what they deserved? Is Ruben Amorim likely to succeed Klopp in the summer. What did John make of the Kev Show at Selhurst Park? And who do they feel is looking the strongest out of the three title contenders? 

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As Manie Libbok placed the ball on the tee for the kick that would have knocked La Rochelle out of Europe, you just knew the Rugby Gods (and Libbok's 66% kicking stats) had other plans. And so it's come to pass that ROG and Will Skelton will march on Dublin once more, and Leinster will have to try and pass their greatest mental and physical challenge, once more.

We chat to Shane Horgan and Ruaidhri O'Connor about Gibson (s)Park, lethargic Leinster, the case for Nienaber's defence, Munster's rotten luck and why speed, and a lack of it, is becoming a huge problem for the Irish provinces.

There's also Connacht's big win in Pau, Ulster's surprising shot at a trophy, why losing a RWC winning prop might be good news, what Tadhg Beirne, Bundee Aki and Gibson Park have in common, and McDevitt warns ROG him not to feed the animals.

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Welcome to our world service best of show which this week features an on form Pep, Duff and the regime, Rassie's rabble rousing and Leinster's battle at ten and drive for five.

Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to our programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, The “I’ll Tell You Who Wrote It” Book Club and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series  ‘Where Is George Gibney?’.

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A great weekend of football at Tallaght Stadium, at Anfield, at St James' Park, at Stamford Bridge, at Croke Park - joy, fun, excitement everywhere except at the Etihad Stadium where Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta's two sets of brightly coloured robots offered a terrifying portent of the future.

Jonathan Wilson and Jon Mackenzie join us to talk about what it all means. Was this game bad? If so, whose fault was it? Did this game represent a decisive episode in the ongoing ideological war between positionism and relationism? Are we ready for a football future in which everything is under control except the egos of the coaches? Let's get stuck in...

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It seemed like everyone was piping up to have a go at the Irish football team after not even registering a goal during the drab March international break.. including the Swiss media, as we were alerted by a World Service member based there.

US Murph chatted to us about the latest sporting superstar in the US, Iowa State basketballer Caitlin Clark who has recently broken the all-time NCAA scoring record across both the men's and women's game.

Closer to home, Derry play Dublin in the Division 1 league final at HQ this weekend. However, Michael Murphy has much greater ambitions than that for the back-to-back Ulster Champions.

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Clare and Kilkenny are in the National Hurling League final, and Jamie Wall is back on the pod for the first time as the reigning 2024 Fitzgibbon Cup winning coach to talk us through their semi-final wins this weekend.

Limerick were abysmal, according to their own manager John Kiely, and they’ve also been wrestling with the Kyle Hayes court case.  We discuss what likely impact the case will have on Limerick’s Drive For Five.

We also find time to outline just why jersey-ripping has become such a key part of our Gaelic football consumption, and Eoin and Murph admit their complete ignorance when it comes to what exactly it is that insurance companies do to turn a profit.

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Cold? Boring? Meaningless? Not from the point of view of the manager for whom the game was a top-level debut. John O'Shea saw a lot to like in Ireland vs Belgium on Saturday evening.

We talk through the details of the game and wonder if we are about to see a second interim coaching appointment transform into a permanent one.

Germany produced a shock 2-0 victory away to France on Saturday night; six months after taking the national team job, Julian Nagelsmann is winning people over. We talk to Archie Rhind-Tutt about the state of play for the host nation just a few weeks out from the Euros.

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It's been a week to remember on the World Service, for none more so than our own proud Galweigen and 'Top Red' Ciaran Murphy.

We were delighted to chat with hurling legend Joe Canning on the latest edition of our 'I'll Tell You Who Wrote It Second Captains Book Club. Joe spoke to us about John Feinstein's A Good Walk Spoiled, his own impressive golfing CV and how now living in Limerick brings him into contact with a lot of, well.. Limerick people.

Back in Dublin, Ken's attention over the long weekend was dominated by, of all things, the FA Cup. Specifically, the classic that played out between United and Liverpool at Old Trafford.

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Ireland have won back-to-back Six Nations and have been a very consistent team over a long period of time now. We put their achievements into context while also examining their form, which has tapered off since the Italy game.

We chat to Chris Jones of the BBC, former 6N winner Andrew Trimble, and Tom English of BBC Scotland about Ireland's second-half power show against Scotland, if their attack needs a re-think, how they will cope if Peter O'Mahony retires, Central Gibson Park, and how Jack Crowley has settled in at 10.

We also examine the quality of this year's Six Nations, if mid-table England will in fact be the most satisfied of all, Italy's rise and Wales having as much of a nightmare off the pitch as on it.

Plus there's the greatest ever Galway sports person, Murph wilts under the McGeeney Gaze and Farrell bites back.

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The secret to any truly great sporting rivalry is some genuine animosity between the two parties, and when it comes to Ireland and the Scottish rugby team - these two straight up don't like each other. Even if one of them keeps beating the other time & time again.

Elsewhere, the Champions League knockouts have finally caught fire. We chatted to Rory Smith of The New York Times and Nick Ames of The Guardian about Arsenal's progress and ask what is driving the trend of multi club models.

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The Irish team didn't perform and the Irish media got this one badly badly wrong, except for a humble GAA man from Galway.

We chat to Rob Kearney, Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley about England's powered-up attack, Ireland's end game, O'Mahony's yellow, the lineout issues, the 6-2 split and what a 6N Championship would mean, and what a loss to Scotland might mean!

We also discuss our various scapegoat options, Murph's Turph, Italy's win over Scotland, and Ken's admiration for Rob Kearney.

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Liverpool and Manchester City played another great game at Anfield and the big winners were Arsenal. The league leaders earned another important win against Brentford on Saturday evening. We discuss the edge of ruthlessness Mikel Arteta's players are showing as they chase a first title in 20 years.

Dion Fanning and Gavin Cooney join us to talk over the Liverpool-City game and other Premier League weekend business. Klopp and Guardiola have defined the Premier League, their teams pushing each other to greater and greater heights, but there is ultimately only one question anyone cares about: who is better? Has Caoimhín Kelleher's decision to stay at Liverpool been vindicated? And how do they interpret Evan Ferguson's 19-game goalless run?

We also get Branno's thoughts on who should be taking over from Declan Devine at Bohs.

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It's the year 2024 and ex Scottish Rugby International's are backing humble England over arrogantIreland. Is this the future we wanted? Well, it's the one we have and this weekend could see Ireland push even closer to a back-to-back Grand Slam with victory in Twickenham. But first, Eoin is here to warn you with tales from the past.

Yesterday Miguel Delaney and Jonathan Wilson put their thinking caps on about why the Champions League has lost its appeal in recent times, and what could be done to get it back

After being one of the first GAA players to take part in the NFL combine we caught up with Rory Beggan, by which time he was supposed to be back in Ireland, but there was a bit of a change of plans.

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The FAI formally unveiled new interim manager John O'Shea at a press

conference at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon - Ken reports from the

scene...

...and if you want to listen to that straightaway scroll to the end.

First we talk through some of the action from a weekend that saw

Nottingham Forest's refereeing lobbyist Mark Clattenburg swing into

action.

Mark Critchley and John Brewin join us to talk about the Manchester

derby. Is it really too much to expect Man United should be able to

give City more of a game than this? And if the future is looking bleak

for Erik ten Hag, how is it looking for Marcus Rashford?

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Ireland are once again raging hot favourites to win a 6N game, which may sit ok with us when it's Italy or this 2024 Wales team, but this time it's England, in Twickenham! We're not in Kansas anymore.

We talk to Gerry Thornley about the dynamics at play including a warning from 6N history, Hugo Keenan's knee injury, Steve Borthwick's reputation, and Ryan Baird's red-hot form.

Plus there's Sam Warburton's tackle power, Beggan's boot, and Jim McGuinness bemoaning the rampant use of the 'Rodri Foul' in Gaelic Football.

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Nearly 100 days on from the announcement that Stephen Kenny’s time as Republic of Ireland manager was up, we finally have a successor... on an interim basis for the March friendlies against Belgium & Switzerland. We digest the news and speculate on what might happen if things go well for John O'Shea, and the heat this appointment takes off the FAI.

Elsewhere, Ken fears for Man United ahead of the Manchester Derby this weekend with an emboldened City side lying in wait.

Plus, it's been a big week for the GAA with the much-trumpeted appointment of Jarlath Burns as president, who has made it his mission to save Gaelic Football.

To join up go to secondcaptains.com/join – it’s a fiver a month plus VAT, with no contracts, no minimum stay and no sneaky fees.

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Ken was at Wembley to see Caoimhin Kelleher help Liverpool to what Jurgen Klopp described as his sweetest-ever trophy.

We talk through the action of the day, why young players seem to play better for Liverpool than they do for Chelsea, and why Chelsea don’t give their supporters anything to get behind.

Rich Jolly and Jacob Steinberg join us to talk over the Carabao Cup final - and also Fulham’s late win at Old Trafford. Why did this trophy mean so much to Klopp? How much longer can Mauricio Pochettino cling on? And while we’re at it, what about Eric Ten Hag?

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"Too much winning", we cry, as Ireland march relentlessly towards another grand slam. 

The expectations are now so high that a flurry of penalties in the second half and some aimless attacks in the first half against a young Wales side have us demanding improvements, and fast. We chat to Chris Jones of the BBC and former Ireland winger Shane Horgan about Bundee's power, Ireland's bench strength, the fast start Frawley and Nash have made to their international careers, and if a reduced gameplan for England would trouble Ireland in two weeks time.

Plus there's Duhan the try-machine, Garbisi's tee trouble, and the new Eddie Jones documentary.

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Did you hear the one about the CEO who jokingly asked for cash in lieu of holidays, had the nuance of the gag missed by the Finance Director and was accidentally paid more than the allowable salary agreed under the state bailout, leading to the President of the association openly doubting confidence him in from of a government committee? It may sound insane.. but this is the FAI we're talking about.

Meanwhile, breaking news around the redevelopment plan of Belfast's Casement Park ahead of the 2028 Euros had us asking questions into the actual usefulness of the project as well as the geopolitics at play.

Finally, we got around some football talk after an emotional Liverpool comeback win over Luton had Klopp reminiscing on some of his greatest nights as a manager.

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Jamie Wall’s Fitzgibbon Cup pedigree is pretty special. He was a selector for Mary I’s first win in the competition in 2016, was in charge in 2017, and in another David vs Goliath triumph won their third national title on Saturday, against 3-in-a-row chasing University of Limerick.

He joins us on today’s show along with his selector Podge Collins, the former Clare All-Ireland winner and All-star (and his first cousin), to talk to us about their relationship, what makes the Fitzgibbon so special, and their post-match celebration seen around the world.

We also discuss our two-time world champion Daniel Wiffen, and the imminent return of Flynn and Murph.

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Irish football fans don't ask for much these days, but when it comes to finding a new national team manager they still want a little mystery in their lives. So over the weekend when Chris Coleman shot to the top of the contenders list the general response appeared to be, through a chink too wide comes in no wonder.

We chat to Dion Fanning and Gavin Cooney in studio about Coleman's credentials, the real/rumoured list of candidates, the FAI's fun faction, and how messy the whole managerial search appears to be.

We also look at the form and feet of Liverpool and Ireland's Caoimhin Kelleher, the Nathan Collins stock market, Evan's goal drought, Erling's misses, and the Jota - Nunez master blaster strike partnership.

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Welcome back to your weekly taster of the Kevin Brannigan World Service. With the domestic leagues kicking off this weekend, we've reunited the Sneyd & Branno dream team to raise the curtain on the League of Ireland season and weigh up Stephen Bradley's potential as the future Republic of Ireland manager.

Plus there's a clip from tomorrow's show where we delve into the prospect of a doping-friendly sporting event fronted by Australian swimmer, James 'The Missile' Magnussen.

To join go to secondcaptains.com/join – it’s a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and you can listen to us on Spotify or any normal podcast app on your phone, laptop or tablet, or on our website. Email members@secondcaptains.com with any questions.

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Declan Rice: to be fair, quite useful. A pity most West Ham fans didn't wait around long enough to see his goal. In the wake of a record-equalling home defeat for West Ham, we wonder what David Moyes has to do to get a little credit around here?

Manchester United remain undefeated in 2024. They might not yet be the most spectacular of the teams chasing the Champions League spots but perhaps they look the most sustainable.

Archie Rhind-Tutt joins us from Germany to talk about Bayer Leverkusen's 3-0 thrashing of Bayern Munich. Xabi Alonso's team are the only unbeaten side in the top 5 leagues. Is it too soon to say we have found the new Pep?

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Ireland have won 10 Six Nations games in a row now, and continue to do it in style with another 6 tries against Italy, and their first 6N/5N clean sheet since 1987.

We chat to Gerry Thornley of The Irish Times and Tom English of BBC Scotland about Jack Crowley's passing game, Henshaw's case for holding onto the 13 jersey, who would replace Hugo Keenan if he's badly injured, why England are going to be tough to beat in Twickers, and if Scotland should blame the ref, the TMO, World Rugby's protocols, or themselves, for a defeat to an out of sorts French team.

We get told to turn that frown upside down by a listener, and Murph looks at Jim McGuinness' soccer CV and wonders if he could do a job for the Republic of Ireland.

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Welcome to our regular best of show which this week features Arsenal's lightly celebrated win over Liverpool, a mild mutiny at Chelsea and AFCON fun with Oluwashina. We also have Vegas Murph, Ireland's Grand Slam plan, lotsa (GAA) league analysis and pedants on pedants.

To listen to our programming throughout the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s 5 euro a month for independent, commercial-free, member-led podcasts with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, The “I’ll Tell You Who Wrote It” Book Club and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series  ‘Where Is George Gibney?’.

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It's not supposed to be this easy! Ireland's previous biggest win away to France was by 7 points, way back in 1948. In the wake of a record win in Marseille, we let a mix of emotions - joy, awe, confusion, expectation - wash over us. 

We chat to Shane Horgan about the unbridled optimism of our running game, our rejuvenated lineout, Jack Crowley's mental resets, Beirne's brains, a defanged Shaun Edwards and what's up with France?

Ireland are now strong favourites to win a slam, but who is our main challenger as the Scots win but lose, as Finn Russell ticks off his teammates, as England learn on the job and as Wales somehow build belief from nothing.

And after watching Derry outplay Tyrone Murph tells us who is going to win the All-Ireland.

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Last Friday, the football world was shocked to learn that Jurgen Klopp will leave his job as Liverpool manager at the end of the season. This week, we focused our gaze on what happens next, and who will fill the shoes of this legendary figure.

Elsewhere, Ireland are away to a bruised and emotional French team this weekend in the opening round of the Six Nations. What better way to dust off a World Cup hangover than to dive headfirst into a potential championship decider?

Plus, we caught up with US Murph after his beloved San Francisco 49ers pulled off a miraculous second-half comeback to beat the Detroit Lions to the NFC Championship and set the stage for a date with destiny in Las Vegas.

To join go to secondcaptains.com/join – it’s a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and you can listen to us on Spotify or any normal podcast app on your phone, laptop or tablet, or on our website. Email members@secondcaptains.com with any questions.

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The FAI's search for a new manager is not going well. Pot stirrer Eoin McDevitt is still doing his bit though; he chatted to Neil Lennon on Premier Sports over the weekend, and today on Second Captains it's Gus Poyet, who is very keen on the job.

Man United just about got past "County Newport" but the big story is nightclub enthusiast Marcus Rashford. Ken reviews the reviews of the clubs of Belfast.

Plus there's the incredible shrinking Barcelona, Dion Dublin's pro-am, and all the things that Liverpool will miss about Klopp.

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The National Football League is winning hearts and minds on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and the Irish version of the NFL kicked off this weekend, with some cracking games and away upsets.  

Michael Murphy is back in the Second Captains saddle for another year, and he talks to us about conversations with Jim McGuinness about a sensational playing return, conversations for 10 years about Roger Schmidt and gegenpressing, and why 1-20 in Ballybofey in January is pretty good shooting. 

We also discuss bogey teams in the GAA - Galway can’t beat Mayo, Monaghan can’t lose to Dublin (in the league, at any rate), and Mickey Harte is still inflicting pain on Kerry football.  

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The murder by a loyalist gang of Sean Brown, the Chairman of the Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club in Derry in May 1997 was a heinous, violent act, and one that has reverberated through generations of his town and his family.   

In this special Second Captains episode, we travel to Bellaghy to talk to his daughter Siobhán and grandson Damán about their continuing fight for justice.  

We talk about the obstacles that have stood in their way over the last 27 years, and the impact of the NI Troubles Legacy and Reconciliation Act on the inquest currently ongoing into his death.  Their barrister is Des Fahy, author of “How The GAA Survived The Troubles”, also talks to us about who Sean Brown was, and why being a member of a GAA club was enough to get an innocent man killed. 

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The All-Ireland club finals don’t always deliver quality games, but they are usually good for a narrative arc or two… and in 2024, we managed to get the best of both worlds.  

Maurice Brosnan of the Irish Examiner talks to us about Éanna Burke’s last-minute wizardry that won it for St Thomas’, and we discuss Conor Glass’ mastery of the big moments which will be the stand-out memory of Glen’s maiden All-Ireland club final win. 

Ken weighs in on what hurling can do to improve itself - and his findings may enrage traditionalists - and Eoin makes the argument for wet-weather-only fixtures. 

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Ivan Toney seems to have made good use of his time away from the game, learning how to use his mind to manipulate and control the Universe. With this new skill in his locker it's looking like a big 2024 in prospect for the big man.

We also talk about new developments in game management, Darwin's 10/10 and Manchester United's latest stunning boardroom "coup".

Then Samindra Kunti joins us from Doha to report on the Asian Cup, where Palestine still have a chance of qualifying for the knockout stage after drawing with the UAE in their second match. 

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US Murph joined us on the World Service for a round-up of the NFL Playoffs, a hearty laugh at the Dallas Cowboys and to give credit to the punting abilities of The Wicklow Whacker - Dan Whelan. Elsewhere, Jose Mourinho's time at AS Roma has come to a close in his customary third season at the club. We ask where next for the self-proclaimed 'Little Magpie'?

Plus, there's Ken's beef with the Germans over Jadon Sancho and a return to pedant's corner.

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Munster were on a bad run of results, injuries and performances, hadn't won away from home all season, and were 10-0 down away to Toulon in a must-win tie.... so naturally they shot the light outs, got a 4-try BP win, and changed the entire complexion of their Champions Cup campaign.

We chat to Ruaidhri O'Connor about Munster marrying the old and the new, the impact Peter O'Mahony's return had on the team and why, almost 30 years into professionalism, big characters can still make all the difference.

We continue to put grit into Murph's gears, take a lift to the top floor of the Lions experience, have a peek at the 6N form guide, seek the help of Permutations Man, and Ronnie O'Sullivan wins an 8th Masters title while also goading and chastising everyone around him.

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If Jadon Sancho feels a bit hard done by after his treatment at Manchester United maybe he should take a look at what is happening at Forest Green Rovers, where charismatic young coach Troy Deeney is showing what can happen when managers are prepared to take off the kid gloves and start dealing out some harsh truths. 

Jack Pitt-Brooke and Mark Critchley join us to talk about the weekend’s PL action. How can Ange Postecoglou get his B-team to play the same way as the injured first-teamers? Will Dave Brailsford succeed in putting Manchester United into a challenge-state after a decade of threat-state? And would football be better if it cast off the shackles of regulation and allowed the richest owners the freedom to express their visions and dreams to the max?

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Welcome to our regular world service highlights show. For our second week of podcasting in 2024 we covered Mo's rep in Egypt, Darwin Nunez's misses in slow mo, BCM (?), Taylor Swift's impact on the form of the Kansas City Chiefs, Andy Farrell taking a break from the Ireland job to do the Lions job, an Irish football managerial update and Ken's reflections on teflon Beckenbauer. Plus there was ugly Chelsea, America's assholes, Aaron Rodgers V Jimmy Kimmel, Nienaber's Leinster deadline, the Mack Hansen hole in our 6N squad, Carbery's career, Jim McGuinness' ban, and Ronan Finn in studio on his glorious career.

To join go to secondcaptains.com/join – it’s a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and you can listen to us on Spotify or any normal podcast app on your phone, laptop or tablet, or on our website. Email members@secondcaptains.com with any questions.

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The All-Ireland club final between Watty Graham's Glen and Kilmacud Crokes was one of the most controversial sporting events of 2023... and 7 days into 2024, they got a chance to go at it again. This time around, in yesterday's semi-final in Newry, the action on the field was completed to everyone's satisfaction... even if it was enshrouded in fog. 

Oisin McConville saw as much of it as the rest of us, and we talk to him about Glen's resilience, Jim McGuinness' return to GAA management... and why he could be about to lose his Wicklow goalkeeper to the NFL. 

We also discuss Eoin's newly bald jawline, Fog On The Tyne, and who might overcome their hangover to win the Dioralyte O'Byrne Cup. 

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Every year it becomes more culturally embarrassing for us to talk about the third round of the FA Cup, and yet... here we go again. 

This time - the Sunderland-Newcastle damp squib, the latest gut-punch for Arsenal, and plaintive cries from the Saudi coast suggesting one more possible reason for Liverpool's successful transformation.

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HNY and welcome to our regular Second Captains snifter. For our first week back in 2024 we covered Darwin Nunez's net positive contributions, the poor man's Todd Boehly (Garry Cook), Wayne Rooney and the golden generation's hapless coaching careers and what challenges a teenage sports star such as Luke Littler faces after they make their first breakthrough. To join go to secondcaptains.com/join – it’s a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and you can listen to us on Spotify or any normal podcast app on your phone, laptop or tablet. Email members@secondcaptains.com with any questions.

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Happy New Year from all of us at Second Captains! To celebrate we've decided to dip into the vault and dig out our favourite interview of 2023, an all-timer with Ronnie O'Sullivan live in our Dublin studio.

Ronnie O’Sullivan joins us to talk about anxiety, his childhood, his relationship with his father before and after his father went to jail, his relationship with Snooker and why he looks to Messi, Jordan and Tiger for lessons on how to get better.

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A feast of festive football games, coaches who can’t read the room, ref nixers, viral fakes, the Thirty Years War - it must be the annual post-Christmas football pod with Jonathan Wilson.

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Welcome to our weekly Second Captains snifter. To join go to secondcaptains.com/join – it’s a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and we’re independent and Irish owned.

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Munster appeared to be in a winning position away to Exeter, before some bad kicks, bad bounces, poor refereeing decisions and an intercept turned 5 game points into 1, putting a big hole in their European campaign in the process. On the back of the draw with Bayonne and the news that RG Snyman will likely be moving to Leinster next year, it's been a rough week for the URC champs.

We chat to Ruaidhri O'Connor and Shane Horgan about Munster's slick attack and weak basics, the rights and wrongs of RG"s move, Leinster's good cap bad cop routine, Ulster's tap dance and Connacht's miserable defence.

Plus there's Figo's flip, club hurling's screen battle and the best talker in Irish sport.

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With the action at Anfield making for slim pickings, we turn to the spreadsheets in search of fresh narrative. The results MIGHT surprise you...

There's also Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez, Peter Walton's idea of acceptable dissent, Phil Foden's latest betrayal of Pep Guardiola and a clash of fire and ice in prospect on the shores of the Red Sea.

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Liam Brady brought the house down at our end-of-year live show last week, arriving with anecdotes full of insight, levity and physical comedy that were warmly received by the Liberty Hall crowd and our World Service members alike.

Elsewhere, Ken has been marvelling at Manchester United's ill-fated Champions League campaign which has served us up a six-part series of appointment-television, dramatic perfection fit for an Emmy Award.

To join go to secondcaptains.com/join - it's a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and we're independent and Irish owned.

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Leinster went to war in La Rochelle, and at the fourth time of asking against ROG's team, got the win they craved. It won't make up for the last three seasons in Europe, but it was a deeply satisfying win.

We chat to Shane Horgan and Murray Kinsella of The42 about Frawley's monster kick to seal it, the levels of animosity between these two teams, and Leinster's toughness, tackle technique and lineout masterclass.

There's also Munster's weak set piece, Connacht taking a hammering at home and Ulster's roll of the managerial dice.

And Ken gives us his take on Wiffen's short-course world record.

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A great weekend for Unai Emery and Lewis Dobbin, not only because they were winning but because they were celebrating in the right way, according to the people who pay attention to these things.

Manchester United's 0-3 defeat to Bournemouth came as no surprise to Mystic Murph - but Erik ten Hag's team selection did. Still, if the title of Sir Big Jim's new book is anything to go by, help is on the way.

Lars Sivertsen and Gavin Cooney join us to talk about the weekend's football. Is Emi Martinez emerging as Mikel Arteta's biggest transfer mistake that nobody really noticed at the time? Why might Martin Odegaard be struggling to hit the levels of last season? And how long can Chelsea hide in the shadows from their own reckoning?

Gavin also brings us up to speed with some of the happenings of the FAI AGM on Saturday.

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After what could be considered one of the greatest performances in the club's storied history, it’s time to welcome a new force into the world of Premier League superclubs - Unai Emery's Aston Villa. Miguel Delaney and Rory Smith joined us to delve into their past and ask if they truly are contenders for this year's title.

Plus, Malachy Clerkin and Sinead O'Carroll were in studio this week to review the best sports books of 2023. This time around, with the added wrinkle of having a book written by one of our judges on the shortlist.

It's been a mega week on the World Service and there's so much more to come. To join go to secondcaptains.com/join - it's a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and we're independent and Irish owned.

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In front of 8,100 fans in a packed out Sportsground, Connacht had Leinster beat; until the very death when Ciaran Frawley broke their hearts. We discuss the many ebbs and flows of psychic energy in this game and whether the pain will linger for Connacht.

Gerry Thornley was in Galway to witness a deeply flawed Leinster display and a thrilling Mack Hansen comeback. We also discuss Munster's magic attack, Ulster's internal strife and big Thomas Ahern's shot at being a starter in Europe.

Plus there's Match Of The Day McDevitt, Big Sam's hat and Ronnie O'Sullivan's numbers.

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We can be sure that Friday's live show guest Sam Allardyce would have been appalled at the spectacle of City 3-3 Spurs.

For the rest of us it was pretty good. Spurs' devotion to their apparently suicidal gameplan, Kulusevski arriving at the back post like the wrath of god, Haaland screaming at the ref for calling it back as Grealish ran through - and Pep revealing in his post-game comments that he is a Master & Commander guy. 

John Brewin and Rich Jolly join us to talk about some of the weekend's action. Has Ange Postecoglou proved he is the real deal? What has gone wrong for Jack Grealish this season? Why is there such a wave of anger towards Marcus Rashford from Manchester United fans? And will Jadon Sancho succeed in outlasting Erik ten Hag? 

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Welcome to our Second Captains taster menu which this week features Madchester United, the no fun GAA and the battle to be Ireland's next top outhalf. To join go to secondcaptains.com/join – it’s a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and we’re independent and Irish-owned.

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It turns out that Irish footballers literally cannot stop scoring and creating goals right now. Does this make the Ireland job the hottest vacant property in world football? 

The weekend brought the sad news of Terry Venables' death at the age of 80. We look back on the broadcasting masterclass that ended Venables' chances of managing Ireland back when the job paid a lot more than it does now.

We also talk about the anti-corruption protest at Everton and whether the Everton fans really are on to something about the corruption of the Premier League. 

There is even time to talk about a very 1230ish edition of Man City v Liverpool. 

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"Don't ever doubt me again" - Ireland, consider yourself told. 

Katie Taylor avenged her only professional defeat with an exceptional points victory over Chantelle Cameron in the 3Arena on Saturday night, with a performance that franks her boxing greatness and rubber-stamps her place as one of Ireland's most beloved sports-people. 

We speak to former middle-weight world champion Andy Lee and the42's Gavan Casey about an extraordinary atmosphere, a display for the ages, and the possibility of a final act for the trilogy. 

There appears to be widespread enthusiasm for the idea of Croke Park hosting Taylor/Cameron III, but one of our presenting team is intent on bringing down the mood... and it's not the Croke Park area resident in our midst either. 

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On the same night that Stephen Kenny said his farewells to the Lansdowne Road crowd, James McClean, too said goodbye after more than 100 caps for his country. Both gave us plenty to argue about on the World Service. 

We also spoke to Mark Langhammer, Trade Union leader and vice-chairman of Crusaders Football Club on why he believes Casement Park is the right choice of Northern Irish stadia for Euro 2028.

Plus, Ken gives his thoughts on Brazil vs Argentina and ‘useless pissheads’. 

To join go to secondcaptains.com/join - it's a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and we're independent and Irish owned.

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Pele did it first with Santos and the NY Cosmos, playing half a game with his boyhood club, and the other half with his adopted big city club - and our Murph is definitely the only other athlete to have done it, with Milltown of Galway and Templeogue Synge Street of Dublin. Did he play equally badly for both, as instructed?

A proposal to remove counties with fewer than five adult club hurling teams from competing in the National Hurling League has been hammered from the moment it was suggested earlier this month - we speak to Jamie Wall about what the future holds for hurling in those counties, and why many hurling people are happy enough with the status quo.  

And there’s one last round on the carousel for the David Clifford Player of the Year debate, as he became the first back-to-back winner of that award in history last Friday night...... despite missing a free!

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We look back on Saturday's game in Amsterdam and the lessons from Ireland's disastrous qualifying campaign. "What was the alternative?" was Stephen Kenny's reply to questions about his approach following the latest defeat - but will his successor have to think of one? 

We talk to the deputy chair of Everton's shareholders association, John Blain, about the 10-point penalty imposed on the club after they were found guilty of breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. 

How are Everton fans feeling about the punishment? Why have the league come down so heavily on Everton? And what might this mean for other financial cases currently in the pipeline? 

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We chat to the legendary Tim Vickery about why Luis Diaz Sr was abducted in Colombia, why no ransom was sought, and how strong the links are between crime and football in Colombia, in the wake of the cartel era.

We also welcomed Daryl Horgan to studio to discuss his time working under Stephen Kenny, Damien Duff and Anthony Barry in the Ireland set up and what happened before that infamous Ireland V England game. Plus there's Ken on Michael Owen's twitter feedback.

To join go to secondcaptains.com/join - it's a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and we're independent and Irish owned.

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Today we speak to director Laura McGann from Ireland about her brilliant documentary The Deepest Breath which last night picked up two Critics Choice awards for Best Sports Documentary and Best Cinematography.

In just one week in late July The Deepest Breath had been watched on Netflix by 4.6 million people. The  story revolves around two characters - Alessia Zecchini, a world-class free diver from Italy, and Stephen Keenan from Ireland, who made a name for himself as a safety diver and was in a relationship with Alessia. Its a gripping, emotional and often shocking documentary about two people devoted to a sport and to each other.

And Murph looks at the career of legendary Armagh and Crossmaglen star Aaron Kernan who announced his retirement this weekend having won 18 county titles, 8 Ulsters and 3 All-Irelands.

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St Patrick's Athletic beat Bohemians 3-1 in a record-breaking FAI Cup final. FAI CEO Jonathan Hill had promised in his programme notes: "I trust memories will be made to last a lifetime as we all take another step on our respective journeys." Today we share the memories we made in that step along our respective journeys.  

We talk about the sensational 4-4 at Stamford Bridge, and the truth underlying the narratives now developing around "embattled" Eddie Howe and Ange "is this guy even a football manager" Postecoglou. 

Gavin Cooney joins us to talk more about the FAI Cup Final. How does he explain the Cup final's rise? What gave Pat's the edge on the day? Why can't Bohs match off-field development with on-field success? And what are we to make of the fact that all this played out against the backdrop of another embarrassing storyline coming out of Abbottstown? 

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Spurs - Chelsea was a box office affair, both during the game and after the final whistle. Ange Postecoglou’s nine-man high-line high-wire act stirred up the Spurs base and baffled everyone else. 

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The Kerry county final should be one of the showpiece occasions of the GAA club season, but when East Kerry won their fourth title in 5 seasons yesterday, there was a hint of a cloud overhead. 

There is nothing more labyrinthine in the GAA than Kerry's club championship structure but our guide today is Maurice Brosnan of the Irish Examiner, as he talks to us about proud clubs getting relegated, amalgamated sides dominating, and the impact of the split season. 

We also discuss back-up quarter-back Josh Dobbs' heroics with the Minnesota Vikings yesterday, who used his background in aerospace engineering to show that playing quarter-back in the NFL isn't exactly rocket science. 

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Mikel Arteta is mad as hell and he's not gonna take it any more. That much is clear. But why were Arsenal so angry on Saturday night, and what do they actually want to see changed?

Miguel Delaney and Mark Critchley join us to talk about the weekend's football. What did they make of the Newcastle-Arsenal aftermath? Why does Miguel fancy Poch to slam the brakes on the Ange Express tonight?

We discuss the art of the come and get me plea, and the glorious hysteria of the Libertadores final on Saturday night.

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Everyone's favourite World Service duo (maybe) David Sneyd and Kevin 'Branno' Brannigan were back this week to chat about "Shamrock's" record-equalling fourth league title in a row, the ethics around the guard of honour and the key to success in the League of Ireland.

We also spoke to 2013 All-Star and All-Ireland Winner, Conor Ryan whose intercounty career was cruelly cut short for medical reasons. Conor talks to us about finding a life and identity away from GAA, how he managed to return to play with his club Cratloe, and what lessons he was able to bring back to his teammates.

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Ireland lost but won.. at least as far as the World Rugby’s ‘Dream Team of the Year’ selection is concerned, which is all we really wanted anyway, isn’t it?

The Rugby World Cup final was a tense and compelling affair, but maybe not the showpiece we had hoped for. We chat to Shane Horgan and The Irish Independent's Rúaidhrí O’Connor about how the Springboks got it done, claiming some Irish credit and Eddie Jones’ return to Japan.

Plus Ken gives us his thoughts on the Manchester derby, Antony’s antics and where Ten Hag seemed to get it so wrong.

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On this week’s World Service taster, we check in with Johnny Doyle, the 45-year-old man of the match who inspired his club Allenwood to their first Kildare County title since 1990. Johnny joins us live from the fabled Monday Club. 

We also chatted to Ciara McCormack, the Canadian-born former Ireland international who became international news after blowing the whistle on abuse within Canadian football. Ciara talks to us about channelling those experiences into her new role as the first-ever female CEO in the League of Ireland with Treaty United in Limerick. 

Plus, Scotty Stevenson & Ruaidhri O’Connor give us their take on World Rugby’s plans for the future which have brought with them much controversy and confusion. 

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South Africa looked ragged and anxious against a rejuvenated England team, but once again showed they're the strongest squad, both mentally and physically. 

We chat to Chris Jones, the BBC's rugby union correspondent and co-host of the excellent Rugby Union Weekly podcast, and Shane Horgan, Ireland and Lions winger and veteran of two world cups, about the South African management team's triumphs and failures, allegations against SA's hooker, Bongi Mbonambi, of using racist language on the pitch, why the scrum plays such a huge (too huge?) role in some games, Pollard's amazing penalty, and who will win the final between NZ and SA.

Plus there's radio silence, Matt Williams goes viral, Ken equates penalty worms with scrum laws, and we get a high-performance email. 

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What a monster of a team Unai Emery has put together... using most of the same players the previous coach reckoned weren't up to it. After their demolition job on West Ham, the time is right to hail Villa's accomplishments - and to remember a certain somebody who hasn't been given due credit for the part he has played in their resurgence.

Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal promised much and delivered... another argument over just what exactly a goalkeeper is meant to be these days. 

We also discuss why James Milner's managers seem to enjoy watching him suffer and look at the relationship between Bobby and Jack.

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Welcome to our weekly world service platter. We chat to Kenny apologists Ken and Richie about Irish football’s next step, we had our best ever Grunge Week, Ken Burley comes out fighting after Ireland’s loss to NZ and we look at the Farrell Divide

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As much of a spectacle as this weekend’s quarter finals were, going out in a classic will be of little consolation to Irish players, coaches and supporters. The World Cup hoodoo lives on - and it’s probably the most painful one yet. 

To pick apart this carcass we’re joined by Shane Horgan, The 42’s Murray Kinsella and Scotty Stevenson from TVNZ. Did the NZ coaches outsmart us on the day? What effect did having to chase the game so early have on Ireland? Where do we go from here? And how utterly daft was the France - South Africa game? 

And we check in on Ken Burley who made his grand return to the NZ airwaves.

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A Irish sporting weekend that will echo in eternity began with a dismal 2-0 defeat to Greece on Friday night. New tactics, same old outcome. 

"I'm going to lose the argument whatever I say here. It's not an argument I can win," Stephen Kenny admitted afterwards. The most encouraging words were provided by Greece coach Gus Poyet who was impressed by the amount Irish fans spend on official sportswear. 

We sift through the ashes of defeat, as is tradition, and consider the warped incentives that await Ireland in Amsterdam next month. 

We also discuss the limited scope of Jordan Henderson's off-field work in Saudi Arabia and the latest developments in the Manchester United takeover saga. 

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The World Service is a fairly broad church and this week was no different. Ken got around to watching the David Beckham Netflix documentary and was suitably unimpressed by what he deemed to be a 'tissue of lies'.

Meanwhile, we got word from New Zealand legend Justin Marshall on how he feels his boys are set for their clash with Ireland this weekend. Interestingly for us, it's not all rosy in the garden for the All Blacks.

Plus, US Murph fills us in on the most dramatic news to come out of America in ages.

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At least there was one Scot who turned up on Saturday. We savour the anguish in the voice of our Stretford End correspondent, who sent a message of hopelessness late in the second half when all seemed lost. 

We were (mostly) spared another week of “it’s not incompetence it’s corruption” thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s late deflected winner at the Emirates. 

Lars Sivertsen and Jonathan Wilson join us to talk about the two big games of the weekend. 

Is it finally really happening for Arsenal? What is the problem with Lars’s boy, Erling Haaland? Why was Brighton-Liverpool one of the most interesting games Jonathan has seen in a long time? And what can Scandinavia teach us about football’s fight for Freedom? 

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Ireland put in one of the best performances of the Farrell era to beat Scotland out the gate by halftime, at which stage everyone's thoughts turned to the mighty, but maybe less mighty than they used to be, All Blacks.

We chat to Shane Horgan, Gerry Thornley and Scotty Stevenson of TVNZ about the level this Irish team are now playing at, the injury issues and what decisions Farrell will have to make over the next few days, whether past World Cups or the series win in NZ are relevant, the Joe Schmidt factor, and who they see as the more likely winner.

Meanwhile, Ken is impressed by Ireland but is worried about the other nations, Murph says "I told you so" to Scotland and Simon caught up with Caelan Doris and Andy Farrell after the match in Paris. 

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This week on the Second Captains World Service we discussed André Onana's transformation into a Just Stop Oil protestor, Shane Horgan pleaded with our Permutations Man to be quiet (!), while Eamon Carr joined us in studio to tell us of his life on the road with the Horslips, which included some run ins with John Law. 

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All we ask of the Ryder Cup is that it be close… and if it’s not close, can we at least make sure that Rory McIlroy is picking fights in the car-park on the Saturday night?  

Malachy Clerkin of the Irish Times and Gavin Cooney from the 42 are back in studio to talk to us about Rory’s fightin’ talk, Patrick Cantlay’s cap, and why these things keep finishing in crushing wins for the home team. 

There’s also a triumphant/boring return for Permutations Man, Marcus Aurelius, and five-team groups in the Rugby World Cup.  

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The fastest current player in the Premier League, De Zerbi De Stroyed at Villa, and the psychology of charity penalties... just some of the things we talk about today before moving on to the main event of Referees and their Video Review helpers.

Miguel Delaney and Dion Fanning join us to pick through the entrails of the post-Spurs v Liverpool carnage. 

Is this the biggest VAR mess yet? Does it have the potential to grow from an embarrassment into a genuine scandal? Are there solutions that can improve the current situation? Or - since VAR clearly doesn't work - is the obvious fix not just to... bin it altogether?

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This week on the Second Captains World Service we discussed the joys and high farce of the Ryder Cup, Kimmage told us some home truths, we look at some scary RWC permutations and we have a football show coming up on Thursday. Are Man United back?

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Thursday 21st September 2023 was Murph Day, as friends, family, colleagues and Fíor-Ghaels assembled in the Sugar Club in Dublin to celebrate the launch of his new book “This Is The Life”.

Ken, having read the book, realises there was a lot he didn’t know about his old pal – and now feels bad for constantly bringing up the county final Murph lost and played so terribly in, all those years ago.

Second Captains regulars Oisin McConville and Jamie Wall joined the party too to discuss the book, the GAA’s fetishisation of hardship, its use of emotional blackmail and why it is the perfect “third place”.

Plus there’s young Murph, selfish Murph, talented Murph, Tony’s van, “the anywheres”, and a live rendition of Frances Murphy’s TV guide.

“This Is The Life” is available in all good bookshops now, or available online here https://linktr.ee/CiaranMurphy

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Ireland showed guts and defiance in an epic battle against world champs South Africa, and while there's talk of the two teams meeting again in a final, have we all got too carried away with a win that doesn't even come close to getting us into a QF?

We get reactions from And-versity Farrell on their mental toughness, Tadhg Beirne on their lineout issues, Ryan Baird on what won it for Ireland, and SA head coach Jacques Nienaber on their decision to kick at goal so often, given they didn't pick a proven goal kicker.

We chat to Daily Maverick sport editor Craig Ray about some of SA's decision-making on and off the field of play and his theory on why they used their lineout and maul so rarely.

Andrew Trimble tells us what most pleased him about Ireland's performance, the display of James Lowe, the bench impact, the huge impact the Irish fans are having on this tournament and why this is so much bigger than just another pool win.

Plus there's permutations man and we discuss Zombie nation. 

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Ireland managers down the years have got used to being asked whether there is anything they can learn from Rugby, but is it time to put those same questions to Mikel Arteta? 

After the NLD post-mortem, we talk about why Chelsea are too big to fail and how Szoboszlai is ensuring that Jordan Henderson's reputation continues to crater. With apologies, there is a brief section about VAR.

The Ireland WNT started the Nations League campaign with a 3-0 win against Northern Ireland, in front of a record crowd of nearly 36,000 at the Aviva. Ken was there to see whether the team is ready to move on from Veraball.

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Graeme Souness joined us last week in the sold-out Olympia Theatre as part of our tenth birthday celebrations to discuss his philosophy on punditry.  

We look at the many myths surrounding Mack Hansen's journey to Irish Rugby superstardom, and there's Gabriele Marcotti on how to rediscover the magic of the Champions League. 

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Ken hasn't always pulled for the team of us but the anti rugby discourse is sending him the other way. Can Irish rugby hold onto its newest fan?

We chat to Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley about Ireland's improved lineout, their ability to cope with South Africa's defence, Andy Farrell's bench options, Fiji's demo job on Australia and if teams should fear England in a potential semi final.

Plus there's live show news, Dave Kilcoyne on Farrell's happy camp and Gloria Gaynor.

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"There's no new way to play football," Graeme Souness told us at the Olympia on Thursday night. But has anyone mentioned this to Roberto de Zerbi?

We talk about why Brighton's way of playing football really is new, and why some kneejerk voices in the MSM (Ken) are already turning on Erik ten Hag after what was, to be clear, only his second home league defeat in a year.

Then we talk to Paul Brown (@pbsportswriter), who has reported extensively on Everton's prospective new owners, 777 Partners, for Josimar magazine in Norway.

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Ireland briefly stuttered before romping to a feel-good win that included some under-12's tactics, a bit of Bundee brilliance, a lap of honour and Mack in his cacks.

We chat to Shane Horgan and World Cup winner Joel Stransky about how happy Andy Farrell and Sexton were afterwards, what we can learn from the Scotland SA game, why France will put the fear into the other teams and why don't more players kick drop goals, a la George Ford, especially considering they have won World Cups for SA (Stransky), England (Wilkinson) and NZ (Carter).

Plus there's smooth Sexton, how Ireland can beat the Boks and tears for Fiji.

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Things are not looking good.

Stephen Kenny, the preacher of revolution, outdone once again on the European battlefield by an opposing manager with an ability to tweak in-game tactics.

Ireland have lost four out of five in the group, bringing Ireland's total number of competitive defeats to 13 in 26 matches. Bare facts have begun to conspire against Stephen Kenny.

On today's Football Pod we are joined by Richie Sadlier and Damien Delaney. We talk through the tactical missteps and, respectfully, look towards the future.

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It was all about the Irish national teams this week on the World Service. First up, the Irish Football team who fly into Paris for their Euro qualifier against the French as lambs for the proverbial slaughter - if Richie and the lads are to be believed.

More hope, maybe, for the rugby team as the Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday with Ireland going in as slight favourites - if AI supercomputer data models are to be believed.

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It's a new week on the Second Captains podcast, one which features both the Irish soccer team playing France, and the start of our Rugby World Cup campaign. Ken finds out today that our football team are not, in fact, playing in the Stade de France for rugby reasons - a revelation which while late in arriving, we should offer thanks for arriving at all.

We talk to Caitlin Thompson of Racquet Magazine about the new wave of American tennis talent that is in danger of taking over Flushing Meadows and the US Open. They seem completely uninhibited by the baggage of American tennis' underachievement of the last 20 years (Williams sisters besides) and are electrifying the already-raucous New York crowd.

There's also Carlos Alcaraz, whose AI tennis brain has bowled Caitlin over and Ken's thoughts on the 'Devil Genre'. 

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On Saturday evening, Evan Ferguson became the first 18 year old to score a hat trick in 25 years. This is an incredible sporting achievement, so why does it seem like everyone's first instinct now is to start babbling about money? It actually wasn't always this way..

After Arsenal's late surge to victory against Manchester United we discuss Mikel Arteta's new folksy wisdom-based communication style, and wonder how Jadon Sancho thought it was a good idea to post that message disputing his coach's account of why he didn't make yesterday's squad.

 Andrew Mangan and Lars Sivertsen join us to talk about the weekend's football. Four games into his Arsenal Premier League career, how happy are Arsenal fans with Declan Rice? Are there worrying indications that Erik Ten Hag might be about to jump over the fence (baby)? And, when you get right down to it, is Evan Ferguson better than Erling Haaland? 

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This week on the world service we covered the Vera Pauw saga, looked on in horror at the Rubiales family dynamic, built up to Bohs V Rovers with Declan Devine, and looked at the mess that's left when the worlds of American Football, the deep south, conservatorships and Hollywood collide.

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Another day, another Second Captains presenter making their way to a swiftcare clinic - this time it's brave Ciaran Murphy. What's the prognosis, soldier?

There were no surprises in Andy Farrell's World Cup squad, but Cian Healy's omission is a blow to their chances. We talk to Andrew Trimble about the time he missed out on the 2015 RWC, how to play Joe Schmidt, the team's patchy form in the warm-ups, and, after two positive doping tests over the weekend, whether he thinks rugby has a potentially huge issue with performance-enhancing drugs.

Plus there's Femke Bol's redemption and fans with typewriters. 

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Oh, Eddie. Half an hour in, Trent Alexander-Arnold was having one of the worst games of his career. At full-time he was hailing "one for the ages", as Darwin Nuñez' late double fired Liverpool to one of their best-ever Premier League wins. 

Ken has finally sat down to watch some of the Newcastle documentary and is wowed by the genius of the corporate titans now running NUFC. But can the show give any indication as to what might be happening with Al Ittihad's reported pursuit of Mohamed Salah?

John Brewin and Dion Fanning join us to talk through the weekend's football. Where does Darwin stand after that immortal glory show? Is Eddie Howe's approach turning out to be a bit belt-braces-and-hands-in-pockets for St James' Park? Where did it all go wrong for Brighton against West Ham? And are comeback kings Manchester United building momentum - or papering over the cracks?

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This week we hit all corners of the podcast world, from brave journalism in the mixed zone to to Ken wondering if maybe a famous GAA coach is the devil .Enjoy at your leisure.

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Spain are the women's World Cup champions - a victory for both the universally-admired Spanish coaching system and for one not-very-admired Spanish coach in particular. 

Mark Critchley and Jonathan Wilson join us to talk through the weekend's football. 

Chelsea crashed and burned at West Ham - teething problems or a portent of doom? Critch saw Manchester City defang Newcastle, with Phil Foden exceptional - where is he likely to be playing this season? 

Meanwhile, Wilson was at Spurs to see the liftoff of Angeball. What are the early signs of the new approach at Tottenham? Can Richarlison replace Harry Kane as the centre-forward? And why do Manchester United seem surprised to find themselves playing Premier League matches already?

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