The Second Captains Podcast

The GAA championship has begun, and the first weekend lived up to all reasonable expectations, at least in the area of improbable comebacks, controversial refereeing decisions and post-match managerial outbursts. Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles are in studio to take us through their highlights. Ian Madigan won the RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final for Leinster, and then found out this morning he’s been left off the Ireland squad for the tour to Argentina. Gerry Thornley discusses this and BOD situation. Ken and Eoin discuss their favourite sculptures, Miguel Angel Jimenez has a new fan, when is annual leave just a holiday, and Anthony Kim’s belt-buckle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eddie O'Sullivan is back in coaching with Biarritz, Munster are going for the full Irish with their management team, and former Ireland and Connacht full-back Gavin Duffy has rejoined the Mayo gaelic football squad - no prizes for guessing which of these stories has most exercised Murph. Former inter-county minor footballers Liam Toland and Shane Horgan give us their thoughts. US Murph talks to us about Johnny Football, and the NFL's first openly gay player sealing his selection in the NFL draft with a kiss. And we stand toe-to-toe with our colleague Malachy Clerkin in his war of words with Donald Trump, we talk sporting curses, and note the most annoying fashion trend among Irish males.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murph and Ken discuss whether getting stretchered off too much is a sign of softness, who Louis van Gaal will sign to beef up Manchester United's defence, and why buying Premier League based players is going to be more expensive than ever.Sid Lowe joins us to look ahead to the final game of the La Liga choke-a-thon.And Raphael Honigstein discusses possible tensions in the German World Cup camp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciaran and Ken talk about the power of Pulis, the satire of Sherwood, and the lessons we can learn from the story of the Shunammite (Old Testament). Jonathan Wilson and John Brewin analyse the contenders for Manager of the Year. And Philippe Auclair explains why France think they can do without a player as talented as Samir Nasri in the World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murph and Ken discuss why the Premier League is like The Wire, how Manuel Pellegrini has immediately become the eminence grise of the entire division so recently vacated by Alex Ferguson. We preview the start of the Gaelic Football championship by asking Oisin McConville, Anthony Moyles and Malachy Clerkin who will win the All Ireland, Dublin…..or one of the other 31 counties. Plus we talk about old man bumps, Steven Gerrard’s world cup candle, Jonny Sexton’s French Renaissance, Toulouse concussion fiasco, our 17th century German visitor and how Murph isn’t a total idiot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murph, Ken and Mark discuss big Andy Carroll's Liverpool motivations, Gerrard hatin', McDevitt's holiday plans and Brian Murphy's record collection. Portugal's Helena Costa is the first female to be appointed as head coach in a major men's European league, and we talk to Sergio Krithinas in Lisbon about how she got this role, and whether she is a one off talent or the product of an equitable system.All this plus Brian Murphy on nice guys finishing first, old man Giggsy, PBESO rules and Kenneth Egan politician. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murph and Ken talk about Manchester City's Premier League title win (according to their manager, this one's in the bag), Phil Nevilles emptiest day, Van Gaal's fluent Man Unitedese and Neymar's gift for marketing.Jonathan Wilson pays tribute to the understated Chilean slickster who has masterminded City's campaign.And Tim Vickery analyses the underwhelming 23 man squad that will represent Brazil in the World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the start of the season Jonathan Sexton was deemed to have made a mistake moving to Paris. Now he's a 6N champ and is in Top14 playoffs with Racing Metro. We talk to him about getting his message across in French, Joe Schmidt's special powers, watching Leinster, and summer tour to Argentina.European champ and World silver medalist Jason Quigley has departed the amateur ranks to join up with Golden Boy Promotions in USA. We talk to him about his decision to go pro, his father's role, meeting De La Hoya, and choosing a bombastic nickname.All this plus Liverpool haters, Aldo's scream, Suarez sobs, phoney Murph and Donegal pop. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murph and Ken discuss Liverpool's agony, and UEFA's not-especially-hardline approach to Manchester City's breaches of the Financial Fair Play rules. Miguel Delaney and Dion Fanning join us to discuss the incredible game at Selhurst Park. And Kieran Canning explains how the big three in Spain each threw away the league in turn last weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran ask what we have learned from the Champions League semi-finals. Is tiki-taka dead? Is anti-football dead? Is running around a lot the key to success in football? Miguel Delaney reflects on Atletico's glory night at Stamford Bridge.Gabriele Marcotti talks to us about the quiet brilliance of Carlo Ancelotti. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.