Second Captains @ The Irish Times

The IOC have made their decision on Russia's involvement in the Rio Olympics... which is to say, they've farmed out that decision to the individual federations governing the Olympic sports. It's being criticised as a cop-out, and Owen Gibson of the Guardian is on the line to tell us how it came to this.After a hectic weekend, Podge Collins can claim a 50% success rate - his Clare footballers were victorious on Saturday against Roscommon, before he came unstuck against the Galway hurlers yesterday. Conor Sweeney of the Tipperary footballers is on the line as well, with Malachy Clerkin in studio. Plus there's whistleblowers under the bus, Murph's ticketing scam, dependable Galway and Waterford's maths problem. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin is back in the hot-seat, and we're discussing Russia's possible expulsion from the Rio Olympics and whether the 2018 World Cup is in jeopardy with author David Goldblatt.It's a big weekend for Clare, with their footballers and hurlers in action on consecutive days. How big an influence will dual player Podge Collins have, on both games? Clare's top scorer in championship hurling, Niall Gilligan joins us, along with Clare Champion journalist Peter O'Connell.Plus there's jousting in Tokyo 2020, Fergie and Mino Raiola, Big Sam, and Mountain from Game of Thrones. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Ciaran discuss Leicester City: Act 2, Eden Hazard's unease as a new Premier League season promises a lot of work ahead, and the gymnastic qualities of Giorgino Wijnaldum. John Brewin joins us to discuss the opening weeks of the Mourinho regime at Manchester United, and brings us up to speed on the progress of Sam Allardyce as he closes in on his lifetime's ambition.Plus there's Eric Cantona the berk, Hazard's unease, Big Sam's chest, and the coming tide of Leicester City literature. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Yesterday was one of the wilder days of this summer of sport - three provincial finals down for decision, and possibly the greatest British Open final round of all time. Oisin McConville and Karol Mannion talk us through provincial final wins for Dublin, Tyrone and Galway, while Golf Digest's Sam Weinman joins us to discuss Henrik Stenson the gambler.Plus there's Galway's unstoppable run of success in 2016, streaker conventions, and the long-awaited kabaddi/GAA linkup. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Ulster final between Donegal and Tyrone promises to be the most seismic collision of the football championship so far - we talk to Owen Mulligan about the rivalry, and why Tyrone need some silverware. US Murph talks to us about OJ Simpson, currently the subject of a thrilling 5-part documentary series on BT Sport.And there's Rory's regrets, the greatest goal in Croker history (Ken has a few ideas), a PBESO, and the return of #KenzFriendz.. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Portugal triumphed in the most unexpected of manners; minus their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Richie Sadlier joins us in studio to discuss Portuguese joy, French folly, and why he hates the haters.Ken examines Didier Deschamps' ridiculous selection policy and France's mental collapse and he talks to Miguel Delaney and Jonathan Wilson about an underwhelming tournament full of amazing storylines. Plus there's Fergie hugs, moth infestations, Pogba's value, and Richie on John Giles. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

High summer in the GAA, and we were treated to two monsoons in Limerick and Salthill - at the end of which Tipperary were crowned Munster hurling champions, and Galway and Roscommon played out an uninspiring draw.Karol Mannion, Oisin McConville, Liam Griffin and Malachy Clerkin are all on hand to pick out the highlights, including some stunning qualifier wins for Wexford and Longford. Plus there's Ciara Mageean, Podge Collins, Andy Murray, and Breakfast at Tiffanys. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss the second Euro semi-final with Philippe Auclair, German handballs, the grim future for the Viking Clap and why Ken is backing Portugal in the final. Griezmann is becoming an all-time legend of French football, but can we now rank him with the greats of world football? Plus there's Pogba's best position, home crowds and German gripes. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken, Ciaran and Richie discuss Ronaldo's march of destiny and whether any criticism of the world's richest and arguably most famous athlete must necessarily come from a place of bitterness and begrudgery.Chris Wathan, author of Together Stronger, a book about Wales' golden generation, joins us from Lyon to reflect on last night's semi-final. And we ask Raphael Honigstein if poor underdogs Germany have a chance against the hosts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lionel Messi joining Real Madrid sounds like a pretty big deal, right? Well that's pretty much what has happened in the NBA, with Kevin Durant signing up for US Murph's beloved Golden State Warriors.After an epic day at Wimbledon yesterday Jonathan Liew looks forward to the possibility of a Murray-Federer men's final on Sunday.Plus there's the awkward moment when Ken met Cerys Matthews, superstars' obsession with legacy, Ronaldo worshipping false idols, and Haddaway. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Richie Sadlier, Ken, Eoin and Ciaran focus on the weekend's quarter-finals at Euro 2016. We discuss whether underdogs are even wanted at this elevated stage of the competition and as Iceland's Euro dream pays a visit to Valhalla, we speak to star of last week's podcast Anton Ingi Sveinbjorsson.Plus there's more Danny Baker tweets, Ireland's physical problems, rooting for Ronaldo, and Ken's vote for Big Sam to be the next England manager. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It was a massive weekend of GAA action, and all denominations are catered for here - Oisin McConville and Micheal Quirke on the Ulster semi-final replays and a stroll in the summer sunshine for Kerry. Eoin Kelly tries to put himself in the shoes of a Galway team that lost again in predictable circumstances to Kilkenny in the Leinster hurling final, plus there's phantom goals, admiring Robbie Savage, fist pumps and rotator cuffs. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin Reddan retired last Saturday, camped in the South African 22, probing for a late Irish series victory and a slice of history. He takes us back to the day he left Munster, how his dad influenced his career, and tells us the one thing he'd do differently second time round. Shane Lowry has followed Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell and pulled out of the Rio Olympics. Lawrence Donegan tells us why the golf experiment at the Games could be doomed to failure. Plus there's Eoin's brain-scoop interview technique, a busy weekend of GAA, and our continuing obsession with Eiffel 65. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the Quarter Finals looming we go deep on Belgian over confidence, Ronaldo's veins, football in the groin, French pressure, and England's academy generation. Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur gives his thoughts on player power in the Belgian camp, John Brewin previews Poland V Portugal and Ken explains why he thinks Germany will finally get past Italy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It was a quite astonishing night of football in Nice last night - Iceland defeat England 2-1, Roy Hodgson resigns in disgrace, and the Viking thunder-clap is heard around the world. We get the Icelandic reaction from writer and historian Anton Ingi Sveinbjorsson, while Jonathan Wilson and Ken try and sift through the wreckage of another English tournament disaster. Plus there's Joe Hart's chocolate wrists, Danny Baker and Chris Waddle's righteous anger, Steve McClaren's prescient commentary and George Hamilton's finest hour. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Murph are back in studio after a day-trip to Lyon to see Ireland knocked out of the Euros by the hosts - and today we discuss Ireland's inability to finish off a poor South African team, with Shane Horgan.The GAA season at least has seen a major upturn in drama in the last 8 days, and Oisin McConville is in studio to pick apart Donegal and Monaghan's thrilling draw on Saturday night. Plus there's a free-taking clinic at no extra cost, Murph's selfie game and ageing disgracefully. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ireland made us proud in this tournament on and off the field - we sum up an amazing few weeks for the fans, players and coaches involved. We ask Richie Sadlier, Ken and Philippe Auclair if there was much more the Irish players could have done and just how good are France.Plus there's existential dread, fun pilots, Pogba's physique and making Thierry squirm. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After 36 hours of ecstasy, it's time to turn our attention to France in the last 16 of the Euros. Ken advocates zero changes to the mindset and personnel that did for the Italians on Wednesday night, and we patriotically predict French victory, safe in the knowledge our predictions have been woefully incorrect thus far. Simon Kuper and Jonathan Wilson are also on hand to talk Brexit, banks, FTSE and football, and there's the Brady family being adorable, French obsession with the Henry handball, and Ken's Larry David metamorphosis. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's a scoreline and a performance that will live long in the memory. We discuss Shane Long's crazy eyes, Wes' redemption, and the moment between Robbie Brady and his family that will be an iconic moment for this generation of football fans.Martin O'Neill's bravery in selection was utterly vindicated. Ken talks to Jeff Hendrick, Wes Hoolahan and James McCarthy in Lille, Richie Sadlier joins us in studio and we get the thoughts of Dion Fanning and Miguel Delaney. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's the morning of our final group game, and the hopes and dreams of pre-tournament have been replaced by a sense of foreboding. Antonio Conte has promised no favours, our team's confidence is fragile after Belgium, and there's uncertainty over team selection... so JOIN THE PARTY HERE!! Ken, Eoin and Murph search for reasons to be cheerful, and Emmet Malone reports from the team camp ahead of tonight's do-or-die, win-or-bust game against Italy. Plus there's Eoin's Poems, NI fans and Germania. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.