Second Captains @ The Irish Times

... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken goes to Russia tomorrow battling accusations that he has been spreading orientalist brain-rot via the pages of the Irish Times. Has he anything to say for himself? Has Putin got to him? Then Tim Vickery and Jonathan Wilson join us for our big World Cup preview. After finding out their respective earliest World Cup memories we turn to what we can expect on the field. Can Brazil rescue the reputation of South American international football? Can Argentina shake off their fatalism and prove themselves worthy of Messi? Are Germany and Spain getting enough respect? What would Jonathan's Auntie Doris have made of it?And can England find a new way to disappoint? Getting ready for Russia, good luck! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The All-Ireland hurling championship was always going to claim a few high-profile early exits, but it's still hard to believe that two of last year's All-Ireland semi-finalists, Tipperary and Waterford, are gone already. Michael Duignan is in studio to help us look back over Clare's seminal win over Tipperary in Thurles, and Kilkenny's ten-point turnaround against Wexford which saw them come back from the brink and land in a Leinster final. Shane Horgan watched Ireland against Australia, and has reasons to be cheerful despite the fact we got schooled in the air, at the breakdown and in contact. It's going to be an interesting week for Joe Schmidt, but Shane has a specific solution in mind for the threats posed by Folau, Beale and Pocock. Plus there's Ken's Presidential Time, the GAA's World Cup survival strategy, MO Salah goes down Grozny way, and bad news for Eddie Jones and his acolytes (Ken, for example). See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We were in Kilkenny at the Cat Laughs Festival this weekend, and took two of our favourite comedians, David O'Doherty and Adam Hills, for a walk on the mild side. With the World Cup starting in Russia in a few days and sports fans everywhere about to take a break from real life, we asked them why does sport get so much attention/love/hatred? David also has some breaking news on the Real Madrid job, Adam tells us about his Rugby League career, and we explain the Socceroos World Cup curse.Plus there’s Roseanne’s racism, the problem with gyms, and a very special live edition of Ken’s Champions League voice. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

At half-time in Thurles yesterday, it looked like Tipperary's hurling world was falling in around them. Nine points down, at home to Cork, and with the criticism of the previous week's defeat to Limerick still ringing in their ears they somehow managed to resurrect their season, coming back to draw a thriller.Michael Duignan and Malachy Clerkin were there, and join us to talk about that, Waterford's horror opener, and Murph reports from Pearse Stadium as Galway's physicality and superior skill finally wore down Kilkenny.The big story in the football championship was Carlow's brilliant win over Kildare, and we speak to their manager and Svengali, Turlough O'Brien about why this is important for Carlow's self-image as a county, beyond sport.Plus there's Ed Sheeran, Linford Christie, the death notices on Shannonside FM, and Sean Óg de Paor. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We expected a dramatic Champions League final, and it didn't disappoint. Real Madrid are three-in-a-row champions of Europe, and Liverpool are left to rue Loris Karius' extraordinary, unprecedented performance, and Mo Salah's first half injury.Ken was there for us, and saw Karius' horror display, and the greatest goal he's ever seen, in the flesh. There's also his thoughts on Sergio Ramos being the exact opposite of a master of the dark arts, and we get reaction from all quarters, including the European Judo Union.Ken spoke with Miguel Delaney, Jonathan Wilson and Mark Critchley in the stadium after the game, and we also have time to talk about Tana Umaga's tip tackle on Brian O'Driscoll, Gareth Bale's 'come and get me' plea, and how sport is cruel, God doesn't exist and the Champions League respects no moral code. HAPPY MONDAY EVERYBODY!! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Leinster Championship was first into the fray last week, and with four games across both provincial round-robins yesterday, Eoin has called it - he's a big fan of the new-look All-Ireland hurling championship.We have Michael Duignan and former Tipperary legend Eoin Kelly in studio to talk about Cork and Limerick's opening day wins, and Dublin's second spirited display in seven days, which ends with them leaving empty-handed again.Will Tipperary's hurling public turn on their team, are Cork the real deal, and are Clare destined to forever lose close games? All issues up for debate on today's show.Plus we remember the day Ken met Haddaway, Jonno Gibbs is put on the spot, and we lament Munster Rugby's inability to pass which is perhaps a more vexed problem than they're willing to admit. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Chelsea won the FA Cup but the future of the club looks uncertain, with question marks over the future of Antonio Conte, Eden Hazard and even Roman Abramovich, whose investor visa has not yet been renewed by the UK Foreign Office.Jonathan Wilson joins us to talk about what is likely to happen there over the summer, and whether Chelsea as we know them could weather the departure of their owner.We discuss the claims of Manchester United directors that the club's profitability is not affected by relative lack of success. Does success off the field really lead to success on the field, or is something getting lost in translation?Plus there’s the Portuguese Cup Final heroics, Iniesta’s beautiful battles, Ken’s scrapes, Team Willian, and did Jose Mourinho choose the wrong sport? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Leinster are European champions for a fourth time after their gruelling 15-12 victory over Racing 92 in Bilbao on Saturday, bringing them level with Toulouse as the most-decorated team in northern hemisphere club rugby.Shane Horgan, Matt Williams and Gerry Thornley are all on hand to discuss how Leinster have managed to turn it around just 2 years after losing 5 from 6 in their pool and Johnny Sexton questioning the culture of the club.With a barely believable strength in depth, a huge fan base, an adaptable playing style, and a few more years left in Johnny Sexton, the future looks uncommonly bright all of a sudden. So the suggestion that Leo and Lancaster could take the reins with Ireland after RWC 2019 is the only foreseeable problem for Leinster.Murph had his first taste of WWE live action on Friday, he breathlessly tells us what "Delete, Delete" means, plus there’s iron Donnacha Ryan, The Swerve to Bath and Ken gives his views on child labour. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Barcelona threw away the chance to complete an unbeaten season in La Liga by resting Lionel Messi to ensure his availability for a moneymaking midweek friendly in South Africa. Meanwhile, Manchester City reached the 100-point mark in the Premier League. Is it too early to say The Game's Gone?Also under discussion are Mauricio Pochettino's "shtones" challenge to Daniel Levy, and the fact that Mikel Arteta is now the favourite to take over Arsenal.We talk to Tariq Panja of the New York Times about some of the big changes that are being considered in football's future. FIFA have been presented with a radical new idea for the World Club Cup - what has been suggested, and who is behind it? Arsene Wenger says a European super league is "inevitable" - is he right?And what about a new threat to the TV money that financially underpins the game? Richard Keys and Andy Gray have thoughts... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

To listen to Ken solve the world's problems, our compelling and uncomfortable interview with Eamon Magee, our Champions Cup preview and the start of our GAA coverage, become a World Service member now at secondcaptains.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Steven Gerrard has agreed to become the new manager of Rangers. Ken, who earlier today was exposed by his own sloppy journalism to the unforgiving nature of the Glasgow football rivalry, expresses his sympathies.Arsene Wenger left the Emirates for the last time as manager towing a six-litre keg of wine gifted to him by an appreciative press corps; meanwhile Chelsea are mounting a late charge for the Champions League after beating Klopp's Kop flops at Stamford Bridge. Have Liverpool lost their rhythm at the worst possible time, or are they just running on empty?Dermot Corrigan was in Barcelona to see the ten-man Spanish champions defend their unbeaten domestic record in a low-key end-of-season clasico. Are Real Madrid likely to change things up for the final against Liverpool? Plus there's the return of Nesbittwatch... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In football nothing lasts forever, neither grudges, nor coaching mind-melds. Over the weekend Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho posed for a friendly picture on the sideline at Old Trafford, while Zeljko Buvac, Jurgen Klopp's "Brain", surprisingly left his role at Anfield - at least for now - on the eve of the Champions League semi-final second-leg.Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri is also clinging to the line that nothing lasts forever because it seems that Juventus' domination of Serie A is an exception. After an astonishing, yet also grimly predictable weekend of results, it sounds as though everyone involved in Italian football could do with a break to cool down.Kieran Canning joins us to discuss the state of the Old Firm rivalry. Is it possible to enjoy winning a one-horse race over and over again? Have Rangers fans learned to laugh at themselves? And can Steven Gerrard turn things around at Ibrox? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A tiny taste of what you missed out on from this week's Second Captains World Service. Join us and support independent, member-led broadcasting for just five euro a month at secondcaptains.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ulster Rugby couldn't get the bonus point win against Munster that would have given them a sniff at a Pro14 playoff place, and now face a battle to even qualify for next year's Champions Cup. Shane Horgan give us his view on a turbulent, depressing season for them, the arrival of their new head coach Dan McFarland, and John Muldoon's emotional send-off at the Sportsground on Saturday.Katie Taylor unified world titles in the ring in Brooklyn on Saturday night, but judging by the online reaction as it happened, there weren't many watching at home in Ireland. Michael Foley of The Sunday Times tries to figure out why her achievements still aren't capturing our imagination as a country.Plus there's Ken feeling disrespected, showboater's guilt, and the pride of the Arabian world. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In football nothing lasts forever, neither grudges, nor coaching mind-melds. Over the weekend Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho posed for a friendly picture on the sideline at Old Trafford, while Zeljko Buvac, Jurgen Klopp's "Brain", surprisingly left his role at Anfield - at least for now - on the eve of the Champions League semi-final second-leg.Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri is also clinging to the line that nothing lasts forever because it seems that Juventus' domination of Serie A is an exception. After an astonishing, yet also grimly predictable weekend of results, it sounds as though everyone involved in Italian football could do with a break to cool down.Kieran Canning joins us to discuss the state of the Old Firm rivalry. Is it possible to enjoy winning a one-horse race over and over again? Have Rangers fans learned to laugh at themselves? And can Steven Gerrard turn things around at Ibrox? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Leinster marched imperiously through to a first European Rugby Cup final since 2012 on Saturday, but Munster failed to complete the Irish double after a massively disappointing semi-final defeat to Racing 92 in Bordeaux yesterday - European Cup winners Shane Horgan and Barry Murphy assess the weekend's action.Are Munster just not good enough, or was Sunday a case of some really poor individual performances? Whatever the reason, it was a desperately disappointing display, and a sixth straight semi-final defeat since their last final appearance in 2008.Leinster on the other hand were exceptional against the Scarlets, and are now firm favourites to win a fourth European Cup. We analyse just how effectively they utilise all the various weapons at their disposal.Plus there's Scott Quinnell, Ken's travelling travails, bums in dressing-rooms, Simon gives James Ryan some gym advice, and fans give themselves a well-deserved pat on the back. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.