The Second Captains Podcast

Eoin and Ken talk about the Premier League title race, which is a bit like watching all your uncles playing Mario Kart. Who will blunder over the line first? Why did Liverpool decide to sack Rodgers now? And what does Jose Mourinho think he's doing?Simon Hughes and Dion Fanning join us to talk about Brendan Rodgers' leaving of Liverpool. And Miguel Delaney was at the Emirates to see Arsenal blow Manchester United away. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss one of the more insane weekends of sport this year - Liverpool FC lost their manager, the Rugby World Cup lost their hosts, Ireland nearly lost to Italy, Jose lost his mind, and Galway look like losing their hurling manager.We ask Denis Hickie and Gerry Thornley if Ireland's performance against Italy was something to worry about or just a road bump on the way to the France game. Plus there's Diego Maradona V Prince Harry, managerial heaves, 4 year plans and Rodgers And Me by Ken Early. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the Conroy report on the League of Ireland. Might everything get better if we all stopped being so negative? Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho appears to have a John Terry problem.Gabriele Marcotti joins us to analyse the reasons why English clubs have been so poor in Europe this season.And John Brewin was there on Tuesday to see one of Arsenal's most humiliating ever nights in the Champions League Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Ferris is in studio to talk to us about his glittering career, gym V game impact, throwing javelin and why Ireland can go all the way in RWC2015. The Mayo players want their management team out, and in the midst of another GAA civil war, there are no easy ways out. Malachy Clerkin and Mike Finnerty of the Mayo News talk us through the latest chapter in the never-dull history of the county. Plus there's the correlation between lifting weights and being a good rugby player, Cameron from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Devin Toner's tightly-packed viscera. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Shefflin is widely acknowledged as the greatest player in the game's history, and now he has written a great autobiography. He joins us in studio to discuss self doubt, Cody, Cork hurlers and the sports psychologist priest. Ireland are moving serenely through the gears in the rugby World Cup, but England lost in devastating fashion to Wales - Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley talk us through back three conundrums and Stuart Lancaster's meltdown. Plus there's reaction to Jack Grealish, Murph's love for Kilkenny that dare not speak its name, and a sparkling Mike Brown post-match interview. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken discuss feeding frenzies, Steve G's pus drainage and how September has transformed Premier League expectations.Jonathan Wilson joins us to talk about the outlook for Brendan Rodgers, who says he needs the right tools to do the job. And Dermot Corrigan tries to tell us: what kind of manager do Real Madrid actually want? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Lewandowski's stupendous Fünferpack, Pep's office Iago Aspas' lack of physique and Alex Ferguson's latest - and disappointingly boring - book.Richard Sadlier joins us to talk about Diego Costa, Dennis Wise and the rights and wrongs of "playing on the edge".And Michiel Jongsma brings us up to date on a feud between two legendary Dutch football men who straight up don't get along. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For all of Conor McGregor's global appeal, the biggest star in the UFC right now is Ronda Rousey. She's sold out the 70,000 seater Etihad Stadium in Melbourne for her next fight. We discuss her unique marketing mix.It was a good couple of days there, but the age of the little guy in the Rugby World Cup is over. Mattie Williams gives us his impressions of the first week of the tournament. And there's Barry McGuigan's anti-jogging rant, Murph's tricep-less arms, and England's World Cup panic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All-Ireland football final day was a bit of a damp squib this year - Oisin McConville and Micheal Quirke reflect on Dublin's victory and one of the worst big-match displays by a Kerry team in living memory.Ken was at Japan-South Africa in the Rugby World Cup, and he, Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley talk us through a thrilling opening weekend. Plus there's Ken's letter from Brighton, dream finals, heartfelt apologies, and hulking superstructures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about Diego Costa. Is Chelsea's centre forward a soul in pain? Is it time for compassion rather than condemnation?Dion Fanning joins us to analyse Costa's struggle.Paul Doyle was at St Mary's to see Anthony Martial demolish a Premier League defence for the second week running. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.