The Second Captains Podcast

The latest positive drug test in the GAA was the big story in this weekend's Sunday Independent - and over the course of the next 36 hours, statements from the Kerry County Committee and Sport Ireland have sought to add clarity to the case of Kerry footballer Brendan O'Sullivan.We're joined by the man who broke the story, the Sunday Indo's sports editor John Greene, and former Kerry footballer Mike Quirke, to ask questions on how this story was handled, the lack of transparency throughout, and MHA - the banned substance which found its way, via 'a contaminated product' into O'Sullivan's system.Galway, the new favourites for the All-Ireland hurling title, got their championship season underway with a routine victory over Dublin in Tullamore yesterday but the real story continues to be the failure of the Dubs to get their best 15 out on the pitch.Michael Duignan tries to understand why so many of Dublin's best players don't want to play for their county.Plus there's Tony Adams, Arsene Wenger and the swimming capabilities of tigers.Our Monday broadcasts are free to air. However, to listen to all our programming, become a member of the Second Captains World Service. It’s independent, commercial-free, member-led broadcasting with daily shows and lots of added extras. Go to secondcaptains.com now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal lit up Wembley with their best performance of the season, so naturally Eoin takes the opportunity to engage in some cheap shots about David Luiz.The final was a minor classic, the best of the seven Wenger has won. Should the board succumb to the golden glow of victory and award Arsene Wenger a new contract, or has this success made a necessary decision much harder? Eoin imagines himself into the role of Jose Mourinho and lays out the tactics that will beat Pep Guardiola next season. In the middle of midfield, controlling proceedings, is summer signing Graeme Souness. Joshua Robinson of the Wall Street Journal joins us to analyse what sticking points could still be getting in the way of agreement between Wenger and Arsenal's board at this stageAnd Terry Daley joins us from Rome, where he witnessed Totti's emotional farewell.Our Monday broadcasts are free to air. However, to listen to all our programming, become a member of the Second Captains World Service. It’s independent, commercial-free, member-led broadcasting with daily shows and lots of added extras. Go to Secondcaptains.com now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a beautifully sunny day outside, so whilst our members are waiting for today's Ken Early Political Podcast, here's a short pod featuring Parky, Paulie Malignaggi and Joe 'Mr Doctor' Coffie.Sign up to the Second Captains World Service now at secondcaptains.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was the weekend when Chelsea were presented with the Premier League trophy by Dennis Wise, but more importantly, John Terry bid farewell - but not goodbye? - to his Chelsea home. There were tears, elaborate rituals of respect and everyone was left with a sick feeling in the pit of their stomach. We discuss the aftermath of Arsenal's failure to make the Champions League. Arsene Wenger's dignified bearing has won praise in many quarters, including from Alex Ferguson, but when you think about it, what choice did he have? Arsenal's prospective new owner Alisher Usmanov has made a video calling out his opponent, Alexei Navalny, who has accused him of corruption. Would Arsene prefer to deal with this guy or Silent Stan?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8c1hR54RyIJonathan Wilson joins us to analyse John Terry's departure and why Chelsea can't seem to find a role for him in their hierarchy.Our Monday broadcasts are free to air. However, to listen to all our programming, become a member of the Second Captains World Service. It’s independent, commercial-free, member-led broadcasting with daily shows and lots of added extras. Don’t miss this week's new Ken Early Political Podcast or the latest Player’s Chair with Richie Sadlier and Anthony Daly – a brilliant, revealing and personal chat available only to World Service members.Join now at www.secondcaptains.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As starts to the GAA championship summer go, 56 scores, 5 sparkling debuts, the All-Ireland champions dethroned, and a winning goal scored by a man who was told 3 years ago he'd never play again due to a heart complaint, wasn't bad.Michael Duignan was in Thurles yesterday to witness Cork's stunning 2-27 to 1-26 win over reigning champions Tipperary, and we reflect on one result that blows the whole summer wide open for everyone.The tactical freshness from Cork that bewitched Tipp, the champions' frailties at the back, and what Waterford might have learned - all that and more on the agenda.Munster march on to the Aviva Stadium next Saturday thanks to a brilliant Simon Zebo try that points to a bright future for Rassie Erasmus' side. It was a calamitous weekend for Leinster however, saving their worst performance of the season for a Pro 12 semi-final. We talk to Shane Horgan about Munster's fresh bounce and what the Leinster players will be thinking about all summer.Plus there's a scumbag emailer, some more Stone Temple Pilots chat, Franno's knowledge of the Dublin celeb scene, and journalism's Littlest Hobo embarks on another of his epic quests around Europe... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a weekend in which most of the outstanding issues of the Premier League were settled, we get the views of our correspondents Miguel Delaney and John Brewin. After Conte's man management miracle this season, rumour has it that Chelsea are planning the kind of spending splurge we haven't seen there since the early years of the Abramovich era. As Europe's richest clubs gear up to break transfer spending records, when will be the best time to do business? Jose Mourinho suggests that teams already in the top four would love to swap places with Manchester United, who get the chance to win a European trophy next week. Does he have a point?Are British managers second class citizens in their own country? And as Martin O'Neill fails to arrive on time for his press conference, Ken treads the thin line between dereliction of duty and self-liberation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2017 GAA championship is almost upon us, and we have Kildare manager Cian O'Neill in studio to help us set the scene for summer. O'Neill has been involved in All-Ireland successes in hurling and football in the last 7 years - first in 2010 when he was physical trainer to the Tipperary hurlers, and then with Kerry in 2014, when he was coach under Eamon Fitzmaurice. In between he served with Mayo, having previously worked with the Limerick footballers, so when he finally took the plunge and became manager of his native Kildare in October 2015 he was both massively experienced, and in for a shock. The difference between coaching and managing, the impact on family life, the benefits of dog ownership, working smart, and planning for the Dubs - Cian O'Neill talks about it all. Plus we even get a chance to mention the 2002 penalty shootout against Spain, David Albelda's twisted testicle, and in spite of all the haters out there, Murph keeps his GAA cup half full. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eliud Kipchoge's attempt to break the 2-hour marathon barrier was either a commendable attempt to test the outer limits of human endurance... or a deeply cynical marketing ploy to convince you to buy some runners. David Epstein, author of "The Sports Gene" is better placed than most to separate corporate speak from genuine athletic curiosity, and as Kipchoge's attempt fell 25 seconds short, there's the question of just how fast a marathon can be run by a human being. The GAA championships got underway for another summer this weekend, and Sligo were put to the pin of their collar to beat New York in the Bronx last night. Charlie Harrison, their veteran all-star full-back joins us to tell us why they felt the world was against them in the run-up. Plus there's Richie Sadlier's attempt at racing immortality, Tyson Fury's answering machine, and another chance to hear Lance Armstrong telling us what he's on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Embattled Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is struggling to generate any momentum ahead of the General Election in the UK, but he is very popular in Liverpool. Tony Barrett of sportsjoe explains why it's the last city in Britain that believes in Corbyn the politician.In spite of another miserable league campaign for Jose, the Man United boss continues to patronise Arsene Wenger. We ask Daniel Harris of The Guardian if United fans have finally lost faith.Eoin, Ken and Murph also drill deep on the big issues in football - why are Premier League fans so sleepy, should we stop calling fullbacks 'fullbacks' and why Zlatan's amazing knee is changing the face of medical science.Plus there's talk of Cuban heels, why the Emirates Stadium is such a damp squib and we deconstruct Kante.Join the World Service today for access to all our shows at secondcaptains.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.