The Second Captains Podcast

Ken returns just as international football ends for summer 2017. Once again, Germany have won most of the trophies and have added the Euro U21-title and Confederations Cup to their haul. The World Champions look well set for the next World Cup, all Joachim Löw needs to do is figure out which of their 40 top-quality internationals to drop.As the Confederations Cup winds up, we talk to Nick Ames in Moscow. How did Russia perform as host? And is football making an almighty mess of video technology?It's a hot sweltering summer and a lot of people seem to have worked themselves into a bad mood, but amid the rancour and recrimination one very special guy has brought a smile to Ken's heart. We talk through a few of the summer transfer stories. So far this transfer window has been an Everton muscle show, which nobody has been able to say since the mid-1980s.This is a free-to-air show. To listen to all Second Captains programming become a member at secondcaptains.com/join. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lions won the second test of the series against New Zealand, and that's all that matters, regardless of the fact that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that the tourists simply couldn't pass up. The All-Blacks will be back to 15 players for the third test, and the weather might not be as amenable on Saturday (although it's New Zealand, so rain is never far away), but the Lions have given themselves a chance - Eoin Reddan tells us why we should expect one of the fiercest physical battles in rugby history next Saturday morning. Galway are happy enough in fierce physical battles too, and their win in the Leinster final yesterday against Wexford might just have convinced the last few doubters of their suitability as All-Ireland favourites. Michael Duignan and Eoin Kelly were suitably impressed, and they join us on the line. Eoin questions the communication skills of Galway's hulking hurling hordes, Will "Mr Bombastic" Greenwood has the desired effect on a returning Ken Early, and we take a (short) walk around New Zealand's Hall of Red-Card Shame. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the moment Tadhg Furlong told us about the unique charms and appeal of his uncles' home on Whiddy Island last December in the Liberty Hall Theatre, we have been dreaming of one day broadcasting from this jewel of Bantry Bay. And last Saturday morning, as Tadhg made his Test debut for the Lions against New Zealand, that dream became a reality. And as we all tried to digest the thoroughness of the All-Black win (and our beautiful al fresco breakfast), we recorded a very special show with contributions from Barry Murphy - 2008 try-scorer for Munster against the All-Blacks, Richie Sadlier, and local Cork hurling legend Mark Foley. Tadhg's uncle Tim told us about his family's pride in his achievements, his granny came down for a look, and at the end we were left with one of the most special days in Second Captains history. A massive thank you to all of our listeners who came over, to the community on Whiddy Island, to our gracious host Tim, to O'Hara's Brewery and to Tadhg for his help in setting us up. We hope you enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The biggest story of the football weekend was the bombshell revelation that every member of the Russian squad from the 2014 World Cup is under investigation for possible doping. We speak to Nick Harris who broke the story for the Mail on Sunday, and ask if a story like this is going to be in the media cycle for longer than just a few days, or if attitudes to doping in football will remain as wilfully ignorant as ever. Last autumn all of Ireland was in thrall to Dundalk's Europa League exploits, and wondered aloud at what the influx of money would do for their continued domination of the domestic game. Fast forward to today and there's a team running away with the SSE Airtricity League alright... but it's Cork City. Former City legend Neal Horgan tells us how they've done it - with 18 wins and 1 draw in the league this far, and what they can achieve in Europe. We also hear about Damien Duff's competitive spirit (even against 9 year olds), Stefan Effenberg and a potted history of radio no-shows. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We give you a taste of the latest Player's Chair with Damien Duff. From the shower.For the full broadcast, join the Second Captains World Service at secondcaptains.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was supposed to be a war of attrition, but in the end Tyrone blew Donegal away in their Ulster championship semi-final yesterday with a dynamic, all-action display of attacking football. Oisin McConville thought this Donegal team had a bright future, but he and Mike Quirke now ponder the next step for them, and how far Tyrone can expect to go this summer. And we discuss whether Kildare showed enough in their defeat of Meath to trouble the Dubs if they meet in the Leinster final. Shane Horgan has little time for the psychological warfare brewing between Warren Gatland and Steve Hansen - mainly because they're not the most charismatic pair of leaders you've ever come across. Plus there's duelling banjos, 1980s pitch invasions, man V shark, Lions meat, lame forfeits, and a scathing verbal broadside from Shane... aimed squarely at Murph and Ken. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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GET IT TO THE BIG MEN!!!..... came the cry from Martin O'Neill at half time, and that's exactly what the boys in green did, rescuing a point and almost getting a win against Austria.Were we robbed by a sizeist ref, and did Duffy even need to jump for the ball that resulted in a disallowed goal? But Ken also wants to know where have the good performances gone, what happened our midfield, and he has an interesting stat on Glenn Whelan and Ireland's big wins. Dion Fanning joins us in studio to analyse the game and implores Ireland fans to judge Wes Hoolahan the same way they do every other player. Dion also give his thoughts on the group table with four games to go. Plus there's McDevitt's horrendous tweet blunder, the wanker gesture, the law of diminishing returns with McClean's reducers, Austrian delusions of grandeur, Roberto Carlos' chicken legs, England under 20's, Scottish heartbreak and of course, Joe Hart .... Joooeeee Haaaarttt!!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We relive our Cat Laughs show with Dara ÓBriain and David O'Doherty.For the full broadcast, join the Second Captains World Service at secondcaptains.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cristiano Ronaldo led Real Madrid to their third Champions League win in four years - a victory for light-touch management and the model of having the best players in the world.Meanwhile James McClean scored another Ronaldo-like goal, Harry Arter impressed and Martin O'Neill gushed with joy as Ireland's boys of summer swatted aside Uruguay. We take a look at Ireland's midfield options for the Austria game.Miguel Delaney and Jonathan Wilson join us to reflect on the Champions League final and whether Ronaldo has ended the GOAT argument.Plus there's Fergie's Ronaldo love, bank holiday bonhomie, Ken has a pop at kids (or "trinkets" as he calls them), Zidane the duck, "lads its only Juventus", and the moment of the weekend....Giggy's nutmeg! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.