Second Captains @ The Irish Times

The All-Ireland hurling quarter-finals are the main event in the GAA this weekend, and we talk to Limerick hurler Seamus Hickey about how their conquerors Dublin will fare against Waterford, and look ahead to Cork v Galway, as well as a reflection on Limerick's season - turning-points that proved to be round-abouts, team meetings about team meetings and ultimate disappointment. We discuss Chris Froome's utter domination of the Tour de France, and how a team owned by a media company can have such a bad handle on basic PR - and there's the twitter spat that's divided our office (Nicki Minaj vs Taylor Swift vs Katy Perry). See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Zach Johnson wins the tournament that didn’t want to end - Lawrence Donegan on tears, golfing charisma, Spieth and hope for Harrington. Meanwhile the mighty pair of Monaghan and Mayo have been dealing out the pain to the surfing hotspots of Sligo and Donegal. Oisin and Karol Mannion are in studio to talk through the weekend's football. Plus there's Sepp's cash confetti, Ken's apology, the birdie dance and Mick Rock's connacht final speech. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss James McClean's exaggerated sense of justice. Is his stance on God Save The Queen really a battle worth fighting and does he know what the word Albion means?Ken was at the FAI's AGM this weekend to watch various chairmen cheering on John Delaney. Also features Benteke's strange fit with Liverpool, The Queen's nazi salute, consequences of the industrial revolution and Santana's Let The Children Play. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to the Second Captains 'rock or bust' live tour from The Sugar Club in Dublin. Oisin McConville, Dessie Dolan and Anthony Moyles discuss the Dublin Armagh challenge match saga, the Jim McGuinness All Ireland plan and this weekend's provincial finals.Jockey Brian Toomey talks about his incredible recovery and return to racing this week, having been declared dead after a fall two years ago. And we once again mined your memories for stories with our childhood heroes segment, which features a visit from semi retired guardian angel Victor Costello. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken Early reports on what he's learned of the UFC and the Conor McGregor phenomenon after a week of seeing the man himself, the promoters, and his fans.Eoin Kelly joins us to talk about a Munster final triumph for Tipperary that was celebrated like it was their first.We touch on Dublin - Westmeath and their gift to the Gaels of Ireland, Wimbledon's ad-free zone, Pierce Brosnan-spotting and Andy Lee's superfan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Raheem Sterling has finally got the deal he wanted - out of Liverpool, and into the arms of Manchester City. The red half of Manchester have been going about their business a lot more smartly this summer, so we talk to Gabriele Marcotti about the arrival of Bastian Schweinsteiger at Old Trafford. Plus there's the sell-on value myth, midfielder-of-his-generation Lee Bowyer, and weird transfer-day ads. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken Early is in Las Vegas - he's bought the Liberace gear, he's gone to Celine Dion, and now he's reporting on Conor McGregor's bout with Chad Mendes.The hurling championship is down to the best 8 teams in the country, and we'll lose two of those this weekend. Plus there's the Munster hurling final - Nicky English and Malachy Clerkin look ahead to three huge games. We'll talk to US Murph about the women's soccer team, and we'll focus on Ilie Nastase, Andy Murray's likeability, and that whole Wimbledon / Streetfighter 2 connection. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mark and Murph discuss Rory McIlroy's 5-a-side skills, Stephen Keshi's sacking saga and the Kilkenny doctor's running style.Oisin McConville and Micheal Quirke look at Cork's new found aggression, Kerry's defence, Fionn Fitzgerald's point and Alan O'Connor's extreme toughness. And we chatted to Shane Lowry about contending in the majors, Murph's handsome dog and his shift tweets. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Murph discuss Irish invasions, McGregors irrelevant opponent, Higuain's Diana Ross penalty, Van Persie's Man United legacy and Bilic the special one.Tim Vickery joins us from Chile to look at Chile's red arrows Copa win, South American violence, super strikers and Argentina's ongoing issues with Messi. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Cork footballers are a much-maligned group but this weekend they have a chance to redeem themselves after last year's Munster final humiliation - we're joined by All-Ireland winner Micheal Quirke and acclaimed author Michael Foley.US Murph talks to us about the history of NASCAR and the death knell finally sounding for the Confederate flag. And we recycle the Nicki Minaj-Murph comparisons everyone's been talking about, Shane Lowry's dog-envy, Katie endorsements, and Barack Obama's podcast nerves. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Ciaran talk about England's astonishing last-minute defeat to Japan, Sepp Blatter's high-end religious paraphernalia, and Jose Mourinho's deep human respect for that true and faithful servant, Petr Cech.Jonathan Wilson joins us from Santiago as Chile gets ready for the Copa America final against Lionel Messi and Argentina. And Michiel Jongsma explains where departed Netherlands coach Guus Hiddink got it all wrong. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It was an astonishing day at Croke Park for Westmeath as they defeated Meath in the championship for the first time in their history. Man of the match John Heslin joins us on the show.Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles have harsh words for Meath, wonder if anyone can stop Dublin and spot a few chinks in the Donegal armour. Plus there's Niall Horan's tweets, bragging rights at work on a Monday morning, Ken tells Boris Becker to shut up, and psychologists and psychiatrists go to war. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Greece's choice between a rock and a hard place, crumbling social codes in Sweden, and a GAA-style outrage in Germany. Miguel Delaney and James Young join us from Chile to talk about the foreseeable disaster of a Brazil team under Dunga playing really bad football. And Sid Lowe talks us through some of the issues surrounding the possible transfer of Sergio Ramos away from Real Madrid See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Murph discuss Italia 90 tv legacy, chanelling Dave O'Leary and Roberto Firmino's private website.We talk to Emmet Malone about the FAI problem that won't go away. Liverpool have been very busy in the transfer market. We ask Tony Barrett if there's a cohesive plan. And Dion Fanning joins us to discuss the life and career of 70's maverick Stan Bowles. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Donegal are moving serenely through what looked like a historically tough route to All-Ireland glory - but is there a touch of arrogance coming into their play? Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles preview the weekend's action.US Murph re-opens the old East Coast / West Coast rap wars. Plus there's pushy parents, Wexford wonder-goals, Jose Aldo's injury and why gambling is baseball's original sin. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Its been 22 years since Argentina last won a major trophy. We talk to Jonathan Wilson at the Copa America about Messi's international 'obligation'.We talk about how Sport Against Racism Ireland has been working for years to break down barriers in Irish society through sport, and it's annual 7-aside soccer tournament yesterday was the scene of a heartbreaking loss for Second Captains FC. Plus there's June Rodgers, dodgy penalty-taking techniques, and a FIFA presidential candidate we can all get behind. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jordan Spieth is 2 for 2 in this year's golf majors. We discuss golfing chokes, selling wholesomeness and the Irish factor with Dave Hannigan.Kilkenny and Tipperary had to wait for their first games in this year's championship, but they both made telling statements of intent at the weekend - Eoin Kelly assesses their form. We talk to Frank Warren about Andy Lee's world title fight in Thomond. Plus there's wristy hurlers, talking to golf balls and which sporting mega-star now resembles Las Vegas-era Elvis. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Some football tournaments take their time getting into their stride - but this year's Copa America isn't one of them. Tim Vickery tells us about another Brazil meltdown, 6 goal thrillers and host-nation high drama.John Brewin tells us why Jose Mourinho feels Falcao deserves another chance in English football. And there's also Flava Flav, PBESO mountains, FIFA's cinematic excrement and Jonathan Pearce in Montreal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rory McIlroy was channelling LeBron James in the build-up to this week's US Open, describing himself as the world's best.Lawrence Donegan previews the second major of the golf season, while US Murph tells us why his beloved Golden State Warriors made light of James and his ragbag Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA finals. Eoin Kelly joins us in studio ahead of Tipperary against Limerick and we ask himt how managers should deal with errant players. Plus there are some tips for staying up late to watch American sporting events, tying Messi's hands behind his back to make things more interesting, dozing at mass, and crazy golf. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss national anthems, Ireland's lack of a scapegoat, Scotland's acceptance of responsibility, and rating the Women's World Cup.Emmet Malone and Dion Fanning join us in studio to talk about whether there is anything to be said for another Mass. Plus there's Jack Grealish's holiday snaps, Ken's dream permutations and fortress Reyjkavik. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.