The Second Captains Podcast

It's only the second time in 17 seasons that Munster have failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the European Cup - Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley analyse a sobering weekend for Munster, and a much improved showing from Leinster. The winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award this year was 'Night Games', by Anna Krien, which touches on many of the same issues currently being discussed as part of the Ched Evans farrago - she joins us from Melbourne. And Ken, Eoin and Murph discuss Conor McGregor's latest UFC win Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about Arsenal's new "Terminator" mode, Santi Cazorla's paradoxical foot-speed and Jose Mourinho's respect for Steven Gerrard unlike certain others he could name. John Brewin was there to see Manchester City terminated by Arsene Wenger's mechanical attack dogs and Jonathan Liew joins us to analyse the pros and cons of January transfer trading. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciaran and Ken discuss why some people still appear to struggle with the concept that others can read their racist Facebook postings, and how Sir Jack Hayward embodied the kind of class you seldom find in football nowadays. Miguel Delaney on why Man City's signing of Wilfried Bony might be annoying Jose Mourinho and Gabriele Marcotti joins us for some blue-sky thinking on the future of the European game Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fergus Connolly is the Irishman currently in charge of Elite Performance with the San Francisco 49ers, the latest stopping-off point in a career that has seen him work with the Dublin senior footballers, Liverpool FC, Bolton Wanderers, the Wales national rugby team and the Seattle Seahawks - we hear if there's any difference between our Irish sportspeople and the brash, ultra-confident stars of the NFL. We take a look back at the glory days of Shoot magazine, Ken talks about Winston Churchill's Nobel Prize for Literature, and there's US Murph too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re staring down the barrel of a province-less quarter-final lineup for the European Rugby Champions Cup after the Six Nations, but Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley reckon Munster have what it takes to beat Saracens away this weekend. Steph Roche continues her quest for Puskas Award glory and Peter Stringer joins us from Bath as he enjoys an Indian Summer in the Aviva Premiership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciaran and Ken discuss Gus Poyet's contempt, FIFA's Zurich gala and the new bad boy image of Lionel Messi.Jonathan Wilson saw Chelsea return to the top of the Premier League with an ultimately-comfortable win against NewcastleAnd John Brewin is on to discuss Southampton's victory at Old Trafford Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murph and Ken discuss the latest developments in the Ched Evans situation.Sid Lowe analyses Lionel Messi's recent power plays at Barcelona.And Tony Barrett is on the line to talk about why Roberto Martinez has started to run into problems at Everton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ched Evans' repeated attempts to get back into football have polarised opinion - Malachy Clerkin joins Mark, Ken and Murph to discuss the latest news on his chances of ever playing professionally in the UK again. US Murph tells us about why exactly he tore the San Francisco 49ers owner a new one on live radio last week, and our resident darts fan tells us why it is the sport of kings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht now play successful, crowd-pleasing rugby. Head coach Pat Lam joins us to discuss skills, the new fan base and how big the province can get.Gerry Thornley looks at who has been impressing Joe Schmidt over the Christmas period. Plus there's the Oisin McConville suite, the state of Christmas family relations and the Cowboys' biggest fan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Neymar's holidays, John Terry's respectful nature, and the road less travelled.Dion Fanning joins us to discuss Steven Gerrard's big announcement. Kieran Canning analyses one of the greatest results of David Moyes' career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.