Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Welcome to a very special recording of the show from the historic Liberty Hall Theatre, featuring our superstar guests, US Murph, and Richie Sadlier's loveable pooch, Bobbi.Ireland's favourite rugby player Tadhg Furlong joins us on stage to talk NZ roadkill, wrestler nicknames, and his Wexford roots.Plus Oisin McConville, Sinead O'Carroll and Richie discuss 2016, and Ken's Fair View gets a celeb scrub up . See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Jose's new Armenian gem, Klopp's kids and how managers have been using the EFL Cup to mine for talent in the outer regions of their squads. Ewan MacKenna joins us from Brazil to discuss the tragic air crash involving Copa Sudamericana finalists, Chapocoense. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The return of Tiger Woods to competitive golf looked less and less likely as 2016 went on - but as the year comes to a close, he's back at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. Christine Brennan of USA Today joins us. 8% of the revenue of a sport to go to the competitors in that sport? Doesn't seem like a great deal to us, but a number of UFC fighters have set up a union looking for just that. Petesy Carroll is in studio to discuss. Plus there's TEAM USA, Pat Kenny fending off cheap shots, Eoin's Poems, and confirmation that US Murph has indeed arrived on Irish soil. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about water bottles, Man United Versus God goalies, and the visible and invisible tightropes managers have to tread, and the need for them to balance stick and carrot when motivating their players.Sid Lowe joins us to talk about Barcelona losing their fizz a week ahead of the showdown with Real Madrid. And John Brewin analyses Chelsea's victory over Spurs as Antonio Conte's team continue their impressive title charge. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ireland's final game of the November series saw them grind out a win against Australia which seemed distinctly unlikely with 20 minutes to go. Gerry Thornley and Shane Horgan reflect on a momentous month. Katie Taylor made her professional debut on Saturday night, and it seemed like she embraced all the bells and whistles - Andy Lee joins us in studio. Plus there's Planet Earth II, song choices, and good news for our American-based listeners. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Steve Gerrard, the Euro 2020 launch in Dublin, and the week's Champions League action. Are our eyes deceiving us or are Barcelona slowing down a bit?Richie Sadlier joins us in studio to discuss the belated emergence of the child abuse scandal in English football. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Paul O’Connell joins us in studio to talk about his new book, The Battle. Ken and Paul share old swimming gala stories, and reveal contrasting attitudes to the sweet allure of the humble cigarette.Katie Taylor makes her professional debut this weekend so we invited Monaghan fighter Christina McMahon in to discuss the hard road that is a career in women's pro boxing.Plus there’s podcast polygamy, Paul O’Connell’s guinea pig putting greens, Ireland V Australia chat and the mask that eats into the face. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran argue about whether Wayne Rooney deserves to be singled out for doing what every other drinker does.We talk to cartoonist David Squires about turning football into comic strips and his brilliant new book "The Illustrated History of Football".And Philip O'Connor reports from Sweden where Helsingborgs fans are in no mood to respect their club legends. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

New Zealand scored three tries, and we scored none, and that should be the end of the matter. But in a brutal second test against the All-Blacks, did the world’s number 1 side go over the line? Gerry Thornley and Matt Williams on Saturday’s 21-9 defeat. Barney Ronay talks to us about the very un-British rise of Andy Murray to world number 1, plus we discuss Planet Earth II, and contemplate unleashing Bono on the New Zealanders. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about the open season on Wayne Rooney and Jurgen Klopp's effort to persuade Philippe Coutinho that his future lies at LiverpoolJohn Brewin joins us to discuss Rooney's problemsAnd Marcela Mora Y Araujo tells us why Lionel Messi is leading Argentina's players in a press boycott. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ireland face New Zealand for the second time in 14 days, and this time the All Blacks are trying to install themselves as the underdogs. Shane Horgan is on hand to preview the game. Live from Hawaii US Murph tells us about the NBA coaches expressing their disgust at recent events in America, and there's our latest email scumbag, McGregor fallout, and Ireland's bid for the Rugby World Cup in 2023. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Ciaran discuss plans for their Russian vacation in 2018, smart Ireland, the San Marino press officer's dubious retort to Thomas Müller, and the world's highest-paid sports teams. Dion Fanning joins us in studio to look back on James McClean's glory night.Plus there's Andre Rieu atmosphere, the Viennese buffet, and Frau Early. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ireland did the necessary against Canada last Saturday, and now attentions can turn to the rematch with New Zealand, the build-up to which is now all about whether we can back up the heroics in Chicago. Gerry Thornley joins us in studio. Conor McGregor has achieved immortality, according to the man himself, by becoming the UFC's first ever simultaneous dual-weight champion. Dave Hannigan was there, and he tells us what he made of it all. Plus there's that Lebanese ad that continues to ensorcell us, Eamon Dunphy fires a shot across Ken's bow, and the tiresome Muhammad Ali comparisons that won't go away. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the upcoming match between Ireland and Austria, edgy Roy Keane, Polster pain, some club v country injury-squabbles, and Manchester United's claim to be at least as big as Jesus, without being disrespectful in any way.And Jonathan Wilson joins us to talk about the dispute between England, Scotland and FIFA over the poppy armbands. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We felt bad for US Murph this week... so bad in fact, that before we talked Trump with him, we invited him over to Dublin for a few days in December! Full details and a shocked Brian Murphy on the show. Conor McGregor will become immortal if he wins this Saturday, according to himself at any rate. Jeremy Botter previews the fight. Plus we look ahead to Ireland-Canada, Murph challenges Finlay Bealham to a sprint, and we consider moving to Lebanon. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Richie Sadlier is in studio to discuss Jose's latest tirade against his own players, and the FAI Cup final, won in dramatic fashion by Cork City yesterday. Tony Barrett is on hand to tell us about Liverpool's current stunning run of form, and Ken joins us from Lisbon with news from the latest Pep Guardiola hagiography. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What an extraordinary evening Irish rugby had on Saturday. Our first ever win over New Zealand came in Soldier Field in Chicago, by 40 points to 29, and forever more we can think differently about our position in world rugby.Shane Horgan was there, one of the pantheon of former Irish greats who had fallen at this hurdle in the past, and he joins us on the line. Former All-Black Ali Williams rejoins us to discuss the greater significance of this result for both nations. And Matt Williams analyses Joe Schmidt's role in it all.There's even a PBESO from inside the stadium on Saturday, so come join the celebrations. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Martin O'Neill and Ronald Koeman are at daggers drawn over the fitness of James McCarthy - Dion Fanning of SportsJoe joins us in studio to talk about the escalating war of words over our midfielder.Andrew Mangan of Arseblog discusses Mesut Ozil, Dennis Bergkamp and the greatest Arsenal goal he's ever seen.Plus there's our scumbag of the week, Daryl Horgan, Man City and the two cults surrounding Pep Guardiola. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Chicago Cubs ended their 108 year drought in dramatic fashion last night, but can Ireland end their 111 year drought against New Zealand on Saturday?We talk to Gordon Darcy about the 2013 game, what he learnt over the years, and his reasons for hope this time round. Ali Williams has beaten Ireland five times in all - we ask him if this is the greatest All Blacks side ever.Plus there's US Murph on Cubs mania, the Bill Murray show, and being in an emotional glass cage. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cathal McCarron's new autobiography "Out Of Control", written with Christy O'Connor, tells an unflinching story of theft, gambling addiction, and pornography. The 3-time All-star nominee and Tyrone footballer joins us in studio. We discuss the meteoric rise of Joey Carbery as Ireland face New Zealand in Chicago this Saturday.Plus there's PBESO signs, Eoin's binge-eating, and swizzel fizzers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.