The Second Captains Podcast

Ken refused to jump aboard the Leicester bandwagon before this weekend, but we now declare them Premier League champions for the 2015-16 season.Emmet Malone charts the rise of Ranieri's side and questions Van Gaal's trust in his employers. We talk to Simon Kuper about the team that defied economics, the Ajax side that won the Champions League in 1995. Plus there's details on our live show in Dublin later this month - we want you to meet Ajax, Barcelona and Holland legend Patrick Kluivert! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about the rise of China as a force in the global transfer market, ticket price madness, and the peculiar perils of being a billionaire surrounded by skilled advisers who are keen to help.Richie Sadlier joins us to discuss the likelihood of Leicester holding it together for 14 more games. And Ed Malyon reports from Barcelona, where Gary Neville got caught in the Messi-Suarez crossfire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a huge weekend of sport, stretching from the start of the Six Nations to the Superbowl, which will finish up in the early hours of Monday morning. US Murph gives us the latest from the lunacy in San Francisco, host city to Super Bowl 50, while Matt Williams gives us his definition of what success looks like for Ireland over the next 7 weeks.Plus there's kabaddi and Samuel Beckett, politicians pretending to be sports fans, and a birthday return for Ken Burley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's an extra-special 6 Nations Preview Podcast, with Ireland on the brink of a third Championship in a row. Its Wales first up for Joe Schmidt's team, a rivalry that brings out the absolute worst in all of us. Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley tell us why there are reasons to be cheerful about Ireland's prospects despite the World Cup and European Cup woes of recent months. Two time Grand Slam winner Martyn Williams gives us the Welsh perspective, Ken compares rugby to fur coats, and we look at new old England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first weekend of the Allianz National Football League saw the issue of concussion make an unwanted reappearance - Karol Mannion and Oisin McConville join us in studio.Serena Williams was grace personified after her loss in the Australian Open, which leads us to debate what exactly is a good loser. Plus there's the Pep-Jose ecosystem, Fraggle Rock, Terry Wogan and Tony Robbins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about the confirmation of Pep's move to Man City and what it means for Man United and Jose.Emmet Malone is in studio to talk about the FAI's decision to unveil their new strategic plan out of the glare of the media.And John Brewin explains why Chelsea have decided now is the time to say goodbye to brave John Terry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why contract extensions for Irish rugby players don't always have to go to the brink and why having them played out in the media can have negative side effects. Former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sulllivan thinks there has to be a better way.The Superbowl is coming to San Francisco, and US Murph is ready to welcome sport's biggest party. He talks about Beyonce, Leo Di Caprio, NFL's snuff movie and Cam Newton's plutonium. Plus there's weird dreams, Ken's huge broadcasting IQ, and the start of the Allianz Football League. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin (86th in the Irish journalist Twitter power rankings), Ken (18th, second overall in sport) and Ciaran (93rd) discuss motivational speeches, Man United's tiny analyst, and Roberto Martinez's ongoing struggle against heartbreaking refereeing incompetence.Gabriele Marcotti joins us to talk about the reasons why Leicester are top of the table. And Jack Pitt-Brooke explains why Pochettino's counterintuitive brand of tough, cold, ruthless love has forged an unbreakable team spirit at Spurs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonny Sexton's histories of concussion meant there was a collective intake of breath when he went down after a clash of heads against Wasps on Saturday. Shane Horgan talks to us about communication breakdowns, good news, Marty Moore's departure and captain Hartley.The Australian Open has a new match-fixing controversy to contend with and a QF draw that includes sublime post-peak Roger Federer. Plus there's a report on the Easter Island Premier League, old men getting beaten up for our viewing pleasure in the NFL, and Maurice Fitz, Andre Agassi and the importance of longevity when defining greatness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the two big mistakes that ruined Arsenal's weekend, the conditioning regime that enables Jamie Vardy to flaunt that legendary six-pack, and Jose Mourinho's alleged six-page letter to Manchester United. Jonathan Wilson was at Old Trafford to see the home crowd turn on Louis van Gaal.And James Corbett analyses the chances of Roberto Martinez turning around Everton's disappointing form. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.