The Second Captains Podcast

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

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 Murph on Cubs mania, the Bill Murray show, and being in an emotional glass cage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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 behalf of all hairy chested footballers. 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. Plus there's Bill Murray super-fan, Eoin's fear of US Immigration, and the awesome power of Irish away fans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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/privacy for more information.

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 Ireland. There's also Padraig Harrington's win in Portugal, Manchester United's globality, and Bahamas high jinks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Toulouse in the first round of the European Rugby Champions Cup. Plus there's Munster's wake, a Pierce Brosnan Emigrant Shout-Out, and we studiously ignore the Man United / Liverpool bore-fest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.