The Second Captains Podcast

At the dawn of a new era for Gaelic football we’ve got one of the greats of the last two decades, Conor McManus, on the show to talk about retirement and the GAA 2.0.With the Football League underway the ''New Rules'' are finally the rules. Paul Flynn and Conor chat to us about this brave new world of the tap and go, 2 point arcs, reduced shithousery and stranded keepers.Plus there's Ciaran Whelan's giant gloves, International Rules and a gloating Eagle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Oliver tried to plunge another dagger into the heart of Arsenal but his wicked plan backfired as the substitute he caused to be introduced, Riccardo Calafiori, scored the winning goal against Wolves. At least that's one popular narrative of what happened at Molineux on Saturday. We discuss whether Oliver might be the real victim of injustice here. Ruben Amorim has turned 40 and his comments on Marcus Rashford are getting more unpleasant. Is there a strategy here or is Amorim simply getting meaner with age?John Brewin and Rich Jolly join us to talk about the weekend's football. John was at the Vitality Stadium to see Andoni Iraola's Football of the Future. Rich saw Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov make contrasting debuts for Manchester City. We also argue over whether Daniel Levy is to blame for Ange Postecoglou's continuing purgatory at Tottenham. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our weekly world service best of show which this week includes Ken's Man City eulogy, hatin' on Dublin superclubs and US Murph on "the drop" and the rookie QB lighting up the playoffs.Join the party for just a fiver a month—no contracts, no sign-up fee, no minimum stay, no hidden charges, and no ads. Head to secondcaptains.com/join for more details. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack Crowley gave two brilliant try assists, kicked a touchline conversion, made big tackles, launched counter attacks, caught high kicks, geed up the crowd, and at the very end of Munster's game in Northampton, made a line break that could have secured home advantage for the Champions Cup Round of 16. It wasn't quite enough for Munster, but will it be enough to get him the Ireland 10 jersey?If Leinster wanted to stress test their blitz defence then they had just the man in Finn Russell, who put Bath into a 14-0 lead and later a 21-19 lead, forcing Leinster to go into attack mode. We learned something new about holes in Leinster's defensive system, but also about just how good they can be in attack, when they really need to be. We chat to Shane Horgan and Ruaidhri O'Connor about a weekend of thrills and spills, Munster's trip to La Rochelle, ridiculous Toulouse and the Leinster way.Plus there's Leinster's X problem, heavy metal poison and Novak's gripe with an Aussie tennis broadcaster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes as a manager you have to take the opportunity to do a quick victory lap. On Saturday evening at the G-Tech, Arne Slot felt the time was right. Darwin Nunez in his occasional thrilling moments of success can have that intoxicating effect on people. We also talk about a weekend of heartbreak for Arsenal, hear about Jose Mourinho's latest commercial venture and catch up on FIFA president "Johnny" who has joined the thousands of pilgrims making their way to Washington today to kiss the feet of the god emperor. Mark Critchley and Nick Ames join us to talk about the weekend's football. What is Ruben Amorim hoping to achieve by describing his team as possibly the worst in the history of Manchester United? How is it that Brighton can keep regenerating into new forms with different players and coaches and still maintain such a consistent level? And has the Arsenal board's thinking around Arsenal's squad strength changed in line with Mikel Arteta's shifting rhetoric?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's World Service pod two of the finest footballing minds in our stable, Rory Smith and Jonathan Wilson, tried to answer an existential question: just who or what is Declan Rice as a footballer? And who should he be aiming to be? Earlier in the week, serial All Ireland club title winner Oisín McConville joined us to chat about how brilliant Peter Canavan's sons Ruairí and Darragh have been for Errigal Ciarán ahead of their club decider against Cuala this weekend. And a determined Brian Murphy joined us for our weekly NFL playoffs slot after a weekend in which he went a paltry 3 out of 6 in predictions.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not even the La Rogelle fans waving half Munster / half La Rochelle flags could stop Leinster on Sunday afternoon, as a world class defensive effort led by Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier soaked up the pressure to secure a third win in a row over their old rivals. That's the battle won, but ROG wasn't long reminding us all that the war happens in May.It was an enthralling European Cup encounter in keeping with the previous evening's fare in Thomond Park; do we have our Champions Cup back? We chat to Chris Jones of the BBC and Shane Horgan about the entertainment factor, the Thomond factor, Munster playing with guts and their gut, if Leinster can and should remain in battle mode, and the simple, vital brilliance of the John Hodnett and Joe McCarthy tries.We get all the permutations for Munster and Leinster's games against Northampton and Bath, and a few unnecessary extras, Murph fills us in on Connacht’s Mayo move, while Eoin reveals a themed party featuring James Lowe cocktail sticks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I think the Arsenal team felt that maybe today is not their day." Ruben Amorim's newly resilient Manchester United had their best day so far, knocking Arsenal out of the Cup with ten men. The next question: can they do it in front of their own fans? Miguel Delaney joins us to discuss the situation at Arsenal with appropriate understanding and compassion. As it enters the sixth year, is this Arteta project still on track? Are Arsenal going to do anything in what remains of this transfer window? And who is the currently-down-on-his-luck super-striker whose signing could change everything? Ken has a Big Idea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our weekly taster of the world service which this week included TGL golf, the Buffalo Bills, Robbie's move to Hungary, Arsenal's self image, Musk's monarchy, Spurs' win over Liverpool and Var.Join the party for just a fiver a month—no contracts, no sign-up fee, no minimum stay, no hidden charges, and no ads. Head to secondcaptains.com/join for more details. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Friday night at the Ally Pally 17 year old Luke Littler became the youngest world champion in darts history, and he made it look easy. Given his youth, popularity and alcohol-free path to greatness, has he changed the sport forever?We chat to long time darts fan and darts journalist for The Guardian, Jonathan Liew, about the sport's moment in the sun, darts parents, Littler's talent, the historical link between pubs and darts, the "no excuses" sport, and what's with all the double 10's?We discover the “no reindeer suits in the press box” rule, and Murph is back from his holidays in New Zealand - did he meet any All Blacks while he was over there? Funny you should ask… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.