Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Sergio Aguero's plump little hamstrings, Jurgen Klopp's precision piston engineering, and John O'Shea's vain efforts to organise Sunderland's defence.Miguel Delaney joins us to talk about Spurs, who are harder to score against than anybody, yet often find it a struggle to score themselves.Plus there's Messi's mini rebellions, Jose's reds, and McDevitt's request on behalf of all hairy chested footballers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about homophobic fans, Zlatan in disguise and football's TV ratings problem. Is football on TV too expensive, or does it have bigger problems?Jonathan Wilson joins us to talk about Manchester United's victory in the derby.And John Brewin was at the London Stadium to document the further fraying of civilization. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today signals the end of the most glittering amateur boxing career this country has ever seen, as Katie Taylor joins the professional ranks. Her new manager Brian Peters joins us on the show. Simon talks to Jonny Sexton about injuries, facing NZ, Schmidt, and the next month of Ireland internationals. US Murph tells us about the Curse of the Billygoat, and Hillary Clinton's bandwagon-jumping ways. Plus there's Bill Murray super-fan, Eoin's fear of US Immigration, and the awesome power of Irish away fans. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss "The Return". Manchester United find themselves back among the trailing pack already - do they have the cojones to deal with it?Dundalk fitness coach Graham Byrne joins us to talk about the methods that have helped the team win their third consecutive LOI title.And Dermot Corrigan reports on a fractious weekend for Spain's superstars. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kieran Donaghy blew up the All-Ireland championship not once, but twice - when he first came on the scene in 2006, and then again in 2014. We talk to one of the country's most engaging sportspeople on fathers, football and fighting dyslexia.Liam Toland and Gerry Thornley talk us through an extraordinary and sometimes uplifting day in Thomond Park on Saturday, and whether Ringrose is ready for Ireland. There's also Padraig Harrington's win in Portugal, Manchester United's globality, and Bahamas high jinks. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Manchester City's humbling in Barcelona and Mesut Özil's feeling for social media.Gabriel Marcotti joins us to analyse what went wrong on a tough night for Pep Guardiola.Plus there's mad li'l goalies and Hillary spin bowling Trump in the final debate. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken McGrath was one of the most flamboyant characters in one of the most colorful hurling teams in recent years - he talks about his hurling career with Waterford, his open-heart surgery at the age of 37, the failure of his business, and his comebacks in life, hurling management and health. John Fallon tells us how buoyant the Connacht rugby scene is in the aftermath of their 23-21 win over Toulouse in the first round of the European Rugby Champions Cup. Plus there's Munster's wake, a Pierce Brosnan Emigrant Shout-Out, and we studiously ignore the Man United / Liverpool bore-fest. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran look forward to Red Monday, as Liverpool take on Manchester United amid a frenzy of voodoo and some subtle managerial goading.Simon Hughes joins us to talk about the game and his book "Ring of Fire: Liverpool into the 21st century, the Players' Stories".Plus there's calls for ruthless Mourinho, Scholes' helicopter view, Ched Evans' moral compass and Pep's thought crime. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The death of Munster and Ireland legend Anthony Foley has shocked the entire country. Today's show is a tribute to one of the greatest figures in Irish sports.Gerry Thornley, Liam Toland, his international rival Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, and former Munster coach Alan Gaffney share their memories. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss book recommendations by football journalists, the limits of locker room talk, and the sad story of the agent involved in the sting that brought down Sam AllardyceEmmet Malone of The irish Times joins us in studio to talk about Daryl Horgan's chances of getting into the Ireland squad sooner rather than later.Plus there's Ken's voice-a-like, McDevitt's giggle and poor Sergio Aguero. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Donal Lenihan is one of the smartest voices on rugby in the country, and his new book Donal Lenihan - My Life In Rugby takes us through the Triple Crowns of the early 80s, The Rose of Tralee debacle, and modern Munster's big problem. Marc O Se's retirement yesterday ended a 23-year association with the Kerry senior football team for three of the greatest footballers of all time - we rank the O Se brothers, and talk to Marc himself about what's next. Plus there's The Sash My Father Wore, Garryowen being a disgrace, and chilled out younger brothers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran are spellbound by the old school charm of Seamus Coleman.Richie Sadlier joins us in studio to look back over the Moldova performance and the Irish players' challenge to the Irish media: we keep getting the results, if you don't like it turn off your station.Plus there's Ireland's faithful attack hound (Georgia), threadbare Wales, Rooney's wealth and Pique's stripes. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two inter-provincial games over the course of the weekend, with Leinster and Connacht emerging victorious - Gerry Thornley and former Munster captain Damien Varley look at Connacht's resurgence, Leinster's new midfield and Munster's power shortage.We discuss Davy Fitzgerald's return to inter-county management after a full two weeks out of the media loop, with Malachy Clerkin.And there's reaction to the great debates of the last 24 hours - Donald Trump v Hillary Clinton, and Martin O'Neill v Tony O'Donoghue. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to our special bonus podcast looking back on how Ireland got away with it against Georgia.We look at Seamus Coleman's magic bullet goal, Shane Long's late introduction to the game of football, injuries and suspensions ahead of the Moldova game and why Ireland's best players haven't kicked on since Euro 2016.Plus there's the Harry Arter rumours, Dan Carter's TUE problem, diabetes scum and why foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran look forward to the Ireland match, and back to Italy v Uruguay and how Mario Balotelli feels about having given the worst footballing performance of all time.Seamas O'Reilly joins us from London to analyse the collected literary works of Steve Bruce.Plus there's Ozil's gaff, Shane Long's goal threat, and Vardy's port in a storm. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 2016-2017 rugby season has kept a low profile thus far, but Leinster Munster is a pretty good way to get blast things off. We talk to Mattie Williams about the importance of this fixture, and about some landmark legal cases regarding concussion and player welfare.We talk to Christine Brennan of USA Today about Maria Sharapova’s reduced ban, putting the blame on your agent and why you should always read your emails.Plus there’s Eddie the Eagle’s Superman routine, Eoin’s trip to Galway, and giving credit where its due. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ciaran, Ken and Richie talk about Spurs' win against City, the perils of the playmaking goalkeeper, and the persistence of the bung culture in English football.Dundalk's success is the best story to come out of Irish club football in years, so why isn't everyone happy about it? Plus there's how to spend your Europa winnings, Pep glow and Jose's tricky fixture list. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The All-Ireland football final replay ended in familiar, devastating, fashion for Mayo - we celebrate Dublin's two-in-a-row and try and sift through the Mayo wreckage with Oisin McConville and Micheal Quirke.Lawrence Donegan tells us about a Ryder Cup victory for the US at long last, and tells us the Europeans need to be more stoic in the face of fan abuse.And there's Bubba's blubbers, Haddaway, the Oireachtas Report, and of course... The All Ireland Final 'Fair View'. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the Champions League results and the latest revelations from the Telegraph's sting investigation into corruption in English football.Tom English reports from Glasgow on a glorious night at Celtic Park.Plus there's Ken's diabetes snobbery, Bilic's loose curfews, and the video game footballers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The All-Ireland football final replay is finally upon us - and we have all of our big guns Karol Mannion, Oisin McConville and Micheal Quirke on analysis and ready to pick a winner. US Murph looks ahead to the Ryder Cup in Minnesota this weekend, and is mortally offended by Danny Willett's brother. Plus there's the vanity of orthodontic work, Tamangos, and, in the year of Trump and Brexit, who needs to win the Ryder Cup more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.