The Second Captains Podcast
The Second Captains Podcast is an award-winning Irish sports podcast covering a wide range of topics, including football and other sports. It has been recognized as iTunes Podcast of the Year and included in The Guardian's list of 50 essential podcasts. The show offers free episodes as well as exclusive daily content for members via the Second Captains World Service.
Episodes
Ep 3650: Katie Grabs The Mic, The Croker Crowd, Walk On Music - 07/09/26
82,000 in the stadium and 1.6m watching on RTE - there's never been an event like this in Irish sport.We look back on a mesmerising but surreal evening in Croke Park with Sinead O'Carroll and Malachy Clerkin. We discuss Katie's insights on Katie', grabbing the mic, how boxing was always the easy bit, and if she is 100% definitely retiring.Plus there's Westlife, the Croker crowd, seeing both sides
Ep 3649: Troy La Liga Main Character, Arsenal 2.0, Stoic Carrick, Heavy Crane In Oxygen Tent, Sensei v Sensei - 04/09/26
For players new to La Liga, there's no better way to get people's attention than scoring the winner against Real Madrid. Betis Troy has lift-off - but did he really RAM Jose Mourinho's historic quotes back down his throat, or is it possible that the interpersonal rivalry element of this story has been exaggerated for dramatic purposes? We talk about Arsenal's dominant victory against Chelsea,
Troy's Spanish Sensei, Katie Week, Ken Is Back, Transfer Trauma
It’s been a hell of a week on the World Service - Ken is back - Katie build-up has been emotional - And on top of all that, we’ve made friends within Hector Bellerin!Plus there was transfer window madness, and today one of Germany’s most respected football writers, Christoph Biermann, joined us to talk about his new book: Game Theory: How Luck and Analytics shape football.Next week we h
Ep 3645: Andy Lee On Katie In Croker, Transfer Deadline Day, Ken's Premier League Predictions - 01/09/26
We welcome former world champ and one of the best coaches and boxing analysts in the world, Andy Lee into studio. Andy has coached Katie, has fought on the same card as her, and was in London for her moment of Olympic glory.Ken took a look at who has moved, and more importantly, who hasn’t, on the final day of the transfer window, and how a butterfly flapping its wings creates an angry fan on the
Ep 3644: Mad Money, Handsome Donkeys, Troy's Hits, Cherki's Laces - 31/08/26
Week two of the Premier League season has concluded - and SC’s football correspondent has finally deigned to check in. Ken explains his absence and reports on his activities. We follow Troy Parrott’s quest to establish himself at Ireland’s new pet club, Real Betis. Some unduly harsh reviews of his full debut remind us that Spain is traditionally a difficult feeding ground for number 9s.
Troy Watch, Which Country, Premier League Begins, Ken Returns
It’s been a daft week here on Second Captains with a stonking opener to Premier League season, Troy Parrott making his La Liga debut, the biggest, fastest, strangest sale in sports franchise history, and Glasgow Celtic flaming out of the Champions League.Next week is even tastier with Katie Taylor's historic fight in Croker and more importantly, the return of Ken Early!To listen to all our program
Ep 3639: All Aboard The Rory-Coaster, Golf Seeks Bastards, Pellegrini On Troy, Did LIV Win - 24/08/26
Troy Parrott could be in line to make his La Liga debut tomorrow night in the Mestalla and we have some hot off the press Manuel Pelligrini quotes about competition for places and where he sees his new striker fitting in.Last week Rory McIlroy finished third last at the St. Jude Championship, 25 shots behind the winner Scottie Scheffler. This weekend at the BMW Championship he came within three ho
Ep 3638: Man United Mauled, Liverpool Have Holes, Republic Of Brentford, Arsenal Cruise, Haaland's Haircut - 24/08/26
The opening weekend of the Premier League had a bit of everything - surprise results, late goals, Newcastle/Liverpool and big-spending Spurs.We chat to Richard Jolly, who was in St James Park to witness the Keegan tribute, and Lars Sivertsen about United getting mauled by Hull, Spurs' damaging defeat, Villa getting hammered by Brighton and Arsenal in cruise control.Plus there's the Irish men of Br
In Search Of Aura And Alphas, Troy's Dream Move To Betis, The Power Of Protest
Welcome to our weekly Second Captains world service taster! Troy's move to Betis has lit up our lives in the last few days as we dream of press trips to Seville, watching him play in the Champions League, taking those Spanish smarts back to Ireland camp - It really is the perfect move. We also have the Premier League to look forward to, which looks more unpredictable than ever. We chatted to Rory
Ep 3633: Kate’s Medal Rampage, Coscoran’s Late Charge, Irish Athletics’ Week Of Wonder - 17/08/26
A week that will live long in the memory concluded yesterday with Ireland coming away from the Birmingham track and the Parisian pool with an incredible haul of nine medals.We reflect on Kate’s medal rampage and how she’s set for the Olympics, Corcoran’s perfect timing, Rhasidat’s fresh mindset and English’s glory with Cathal Dennehy and Sonia O'Sullivan.The River Liffey's Paul O'Flynn reminds us
Ep 3632: Arsenal End City, Rice Mines, Elliot Anderson Tax, The Bezos Era, Pats Dent Rovers - 17/08/26
The Community Shield has never lied to us yet, so what exactly should we make of Arsenal 3-0 Manchester City? Gavin Cooney is with us to say goodbye to Man City, and to crown Arsenal as back-to-back champions. Is Elliot Anderson worth 116 million quid, or is his now-teammate Erling Haaland correct? Martin Odegaard looks like he's got his swagger back, and Declan Rice is back for
Jose Seeks Obedience, Croker Sells Out, Scathing Reviews- 13/08/26
Man United and Leeds selling out the home of the GAA, James McClean's Derry disaster, our lust for glory medal charge at the European swimming and athletics championships, the dog whisperer, trying to figure out who blew up the Nordstream Pipeline… it’s been another wild week of podcasting on the Second Captains World Service.To listen to all our programming throughout the rest of the week, j
Ep 3627: FIFA 2026, Troy Of The Canals, Jose's Truth, Vini's Decision - 10/08/26
The warring football confederations of the world have once again spent the weekend slinging statements at one another. But is Gianni Infantino’s position substantively any worse than it was this time last week?We look at some of the pre-publicity for the new Jose Mourinho Netflix documentary and wonder how we have come to such a pass that Mourinho can be considered ‘old school’.There’s also more o
Ep 3626: Cork Exact Revenge, The "Let It Flow" Era, Coleman In Killybegs, Low Hanging Fruit - 10/08/26
Camogie is in it’s “Let It Flow” era, and it made for a hell of a game between Cork and Galway, two sides that keep meeting in finals and two sides that.... straight up don’t like each other.We chat to friend of the show Sinead O’Carroll of The Journal about Cork's narrow win, the beef between these two and the levels of physicality in the game now.Plus there's Branno's fruit theory, Galway in fin
Reading The FIFA Leaves In Rabat And Zurich
This week on the Pod the curious World of FIFA continued to unravel before our eyes. To help guide us through the labyrinth, experienced FIFA-ologist Sam Kunti joined us to chat Infantino and possible contenders for the throne.To listen to all our programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened
Ep 3622: Galway Take It West, Aussies Repel Irish Invasion, Murph Allies With Japan, Ajax By The Tolka
Galway are All-Ireland women’s football champions for 2026, ending a 22-year wait for their second title, but the result was in doubt right until the final whistle. And earlier in the weekend, 10,000 miles away, a collection of Ireland’s best gaelic footballers were taking on the best Australian AFLW players in a first international Aussie Rules match.Five-time All-Ireland winner Noelle Healy, and
Selling Football's Soul, Big Beasts Prowl, Mayo's Secret Sauce
You'd have thought Gianni Infantino’s rambling, incoherent, self congratulatory instagram post to all the losers and haters out there would have been the main FIFA story of the week, but he has trumped it by unveiling a plan to sell the World Cup to private investors. Ken explained why selling the soul of football to American businessmen is bad for everyone involved in the game.We also chatte
Ep 3616: How Did Mayo Do It, Better Than The World Cup, Cubs Caps And Curses, Ken Called It - 27/07/26
Given their underdog status, the weight of history and the Clifford factor, how did Mayo pull this off?We chat to Paul Flynn and Dara Ó Cinnéide about Moran's masterplan, teenage kicks, Mayo's energy edge and a sensational display from Ryan O'Donoghue.Was this the greatest football season ever? Was this better than the World Cup? And what data did Ken utilise in order to predict a Mayo win?Plus th
Ep 3615: Mayo Are The All Ireland Champions - 27/07/26
75 years, the curse, the finals, all those heroes denied ... until yesterday, it finally happened, Mayo are the All Ireland Champions!This morning Murph caught up with Kobe McDonald, Jordan Flynn and manager Andy Moran.We discuss the greatest ever day in Croker, the many Hollywood moments and the reality living up to the dream. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Return Of The Earl, Global North v Argentina, Kevin Keegan Icon
This week on the Pod marked the return of Ken from the New World and with him he brings tales of Argentinian conspiracy theories. We also had Gavin Cooney drop by to chat about the legacy of Kevin Keegan. To listen to all of our programming throughout the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, o
Ep 3611: Limerick All-Ireland Champions Again - 20/07/26
Galway wanted it to be one way, but it was the other way. Limerick are All-Ireland champions for the sixth time in nine years, and they were seldom troubled by an opposition that were outplayed, outfought and outgunned.Jamie Wall and Joe Canning talk us through how Limerick came good on All-Ireland final day - again; the ageless brilliance of their best players, the new blood coming through, and w
Ep 3610: Spain Are World Champions - 20/07/26
Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater, well maybe Messi wishes he had. Spain are Campeones del Mundo!It was a strange final leaving questions lingering of how FIFA has been allowed to reduce the centre-piece of the football world to an add-on alongside a tacky, ill-conceived concert.Ken dials in for the last time this tournament. We hope you’ve enjoyed it all. Hosted on Acast. See acas
The Hand of Tuchel
Welcome to our World Cup taster show which this week has us throw you - the listener- straight into the middle of Ken Early's report live from Atlanta as Argentina celebrate their classic semi-final win over England below him. You'll also hear Tim Vickery and David Sneyd and if you sign up you'll hear a lot more...To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the week, join the Second
Ep 3604: Blue Wave Crashes, Thy Kingdom Come, Mayo4Sam '26, Louth Hit Wall, McConville The Wicklow Boy
Two sell-outs in Croke Park this weekend, a bewildering cocktail of storylines, and a Kerry/Mayo final to look forward to in 2 weeks time - Dara Ó Cinnéide and Paul Flynn discuss VAR, Mayo’s forwards, and Louth hitting the wall.And Oisin McConville joins us to tell us how he and his Wicklow team turned a 13-point deficit into the most glorious day in their football history.All that plus concertina
Ep 3602: England Stagger On, Cable of God, Haaland Loses Oars, Whatever! - 12/07/26
England will wake up on Sunday morning with a hangover and a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup.The once maligned Jude Bellingham again rescued this English team before becoming embroiled in a bizarre post-match back and forth with his manager via the medium of ITV.We chat to Lars about the view from Oslo (well, Dallas) and discuss TV cable interference, and the hooking of Rice and Haaland.
Messi Abides, Conspiracy On The Nile, Non-Stop World Cup
Welcome to our World Cup taster show which this week finds us in Atlanta as Ken expertly reports live from the stadium moments after Argentina overcome Egypt in one of the games of the tournament. To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on
Ep 3598: Cork's Second Half Stats, Clare Hearts Crushed, Hype And Hope, Ned Stark Wisdom - 06/07/26
The hurling season needed two big semi-finals, and this weekend was redemptive. Galway provided the shock, Clare came within minutes of joining them, and the fifth meeting of Cork and Limerick will not materialise after all. Jamie Wall and Joe Canning talk the Cork hype train, the mental scars from last year, Galway’s third-quarter masterclass, and Limerick’s resilience and composure down the stre
Ep 3597: England Beat Mexico, Haaland Bosses Brazil, Trump Calls FIFA - 06/07/26
England survived weather delays, altitude, the home fans, a red card, a penalty and their own history to overcome Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca and go through to a World Cup QF against Norway.It will be Norway's first ever World Cup QF with Haaland bossing the Brazil defence, scoring two goals and cementing his status as one of the greats.We chat to Ken in NYC and Lars in Dallas about an epic night of
American Shuffle, World Cup Ghosts, Ken An The Range, Pico V Messi
Welcome to our World Cup taster show which includes slow moving Americans, German ghosts and Ken on the range. Tonight we cover Spain Austria and Ronaldo's latest/last shot at winning the World Cup. Ken and Branno are in NYC and will be covering Pico V Messi and Vini V Haaland.To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no co
Ep 3591: Louth's Hot Summer, Slick Kerry Face Resurgent Dubs, Kobe's Only Shot - 29/06/26
The All-Ireland football quarter-finals did not disappoint, and we have two tasty semi-finals to look forward to - Kerry against Dublin, which a small number of people might have predicted, and Mayo against Louth, which absolutely no-one would have predicted.Paul Flynn and Dara Ó Cinnéide are the best in the business, and they have much to discuss - red cards, penalties, Kobe's one shot at the tit
Ep 3590: Old Man Ron, England Seize Canal, Taste The Bao - 28/06/26
England are into the knock-out stages of the World Cup where they will face DR Congo. It took them just over an hour to score the first of two goals against Panama and previous Tuchel-Boosters are beginning to have doubts. Ciarán chats to James Horncastle.It's 2030 and Ken is in a stadium shouting into a microphone about the preposterous situation of the 45 year old Ronaldo lining out in a World C
Brazilian Thoroughbreds, Insipid England, Miami Vice
Ken is having a ball at this World Cup having watched Messi's record breaking feats, Mo's moment in little Egypt, Haaland go berserker and of course the highlight so far, being proved right about insipid England.Ken and Branno were also in Miami to see Scotland’s dreams crushed by a Vini Jr-inspired Brazil and tonight we set them loose in the city of vice!To listen to all our World Cup programming
Ep 3584: Dublin Win The Battle, Kerry Crush Armagh, Mayo Madness, What's Happened Donegal - 22/06/26
Armagh and Donegal are out before the quarter-final stages of the All-Ireland senior football championship, just as everyone predicted. We have Dara Ó Cinnéide and Paul Flynn, past players from the two big winners this weekend, and there’s plenty to sink their teeth into - what’s gone wrong with Donegal, what’s driving Dublin, Kerry’s trampling of Armagh, Monaghan’s scoring rate, Mayo madness
Ep 3583: Non-Stop Pico, Egypt Goes Wild On Steinway, Yamal The Man, First We Take Manhattan
Kevin Brannigan has arrived in New York City, and his first job is to release battery hen Ken from his content cage.We talk to Pablo Montano from AS about Spain’s thumping win today, and if Yamal can regain full fitness during this tournament.Branno and Ken go to Little Egypt and witness the North African's first ever win at the World Cup and get caught up in the crazy aftermath. Plus there’s Eoin
Messi Delivers, The England Plan, Ken Early's America
Ken is having a great time at this World Cup and has chosen wisely so far, catching Messi's hat trick, The Azteca on opening night and England putting in one of their best ever World Cup performances... at least that's what MOST people thought.Next up its Brazil for Ken, and with loads of surprise results and some of the big stars shining, its shaping up to be a great tournament.To listen to all o
Ep 3576: All-Ireland Championship Insanity, Delicious Draws, Kerry Host Armagh, Donegal Beaten, The Pixies > RHCP - 15/06/2026
The All-Ireland football championship knew it had to produce something to grab some eye-balls on this World Cup weekend, and boy did it deliver. Donegal and Armagh were both beaten, and they now face trips to Dublin and Kerry respectively.Paul Flynn and Dara Ó Cinnéide line up at the start line with us before a whirlwind tour of 8 incredible games this weekend. Have Kerry’s injuries cl
Ep 3575: World Cup Whistle Stop, Brazil Must Change, Happy Curacao, Houston's Got Problems - 14/06/24
This weekend gave us our first glimpses of Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti, Switzerland, Qatar, Germany and Curacao, and we manage to call in on quite a few teams on our Sunday night whistle-stop tour. We speak to comedian, podcaster and Scotsman Ray Bradshaw about Scotland's first win at a World Cup in 36 years and the influence of McTominay and McGinn.And Ken was in beautiful* Houston for
World Cup 2026 Takes Off, Banos Hermanos, Trump's One Way Street, Predicting The Winner
We’re less than an hour away from the big kick-off at World Cup 2026, Ken is at the Azteca and we are having a blast on the World Service this week. You’ll hear from Ken all tournament long and Branno’s gonna join him in a few days time.Click the player at the top of the page to play the show. To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Cap
Ep 3570: Israel Game Set For Neutral Venue, Ireland's World Cup Dream - 08/06/26
Ireland are preparing for one of the biggest nights in the history of women’s football in this country… but yet again, off-field issues threaten to overshadow our winner-take-all match against France in Grenoble tomorrow night.The FAI have released a statement saying no official announcement will be made until Thursday, but today government sources state that our home game against Israel in Octobe
Ep 3569: Limerick Delight, Galway For The Double, Katie Balboa, Farrell Forever - 08/06/26
The Munster and Leinster hurling finals didn’t eliminate anyone from this year’s All-Ireland championships, but judging by the on-pitch celebrations, winning them really, really mattered for Limerick and Galway.Joe Canning and Jamie Wall tell us why Cork can have few complaints about their 1-point defeat to Limerick… and is there a chance Galway spoil the Munster re-match in July’s All-Ireland fin
World Cup Week, KenCall, Neymar's Cankles, Why Norway?
We're just one week out from the World Cup and we're starting to feel it. First stop for Ken is Mexico City early next week, but before he went he gave us a special World Cup edition of KenCall!This week we also had Tim Vickery on Ancelotti's source code for coaching and how old injured legends Neymar and Messi will fare in the heat. Plus there's Mbappe's defensive stats, who Ken is supporting and
Ep 3564: PSG Triumphant, Don Revie's Arsenal, Slot Departs, Cultural Repository Players
Arsenal went to Budapest surfing a tidal wave of hope and joy, and finished losing on penalties after one shot on target in more than two hours of play. Less than Inter managed losing 5-0 last year, and less than Arsenal themselves managed against Barcelona in 2006, when they played most of the match with ten men. Did Mikel Arteta's best-laid plans nearly come off - or did the plan ultimately
World Cup Wonder, The McGuinness Melee, The Value Of Assists
Welcome to fight week on the Second Captains world service! There was a Donnybrook in Dalyer, the McGuinness melee in Kerry and Keano and Bruno fighting on the internet. Plus we have a champions league show tomorrow and Monday, and coming very soon, the World Cup in Canada/USA/Mexico which will be really weird and really interesting.Its a fiver to join, it takes 30 seconds, you have instant access
Ep 3559: Leinster Get Dismantled, Move Fast And Win Things, Jim McGuinness Throws His Weight Around - 25/05/26
The other four Champions Cup finals Leinster lost were all close, winnable and heartbreaking for fans; this defeat to Bordeaux however was over after 20 minutes and deeply concerning for all involved.We chat to Shane Horgan and Andrew Trimble about all the things that went wrong in Bilbao, and what this means for Leo Cullen, Nienaber and Irish rugby.And in a weekend of massive games in hurling and
Ep 3558: Good-Bye To All That
A day of goodbyes - Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Seamus Coleman, West Ham United.Ken gives his Premier League team of the season, and you … to be honest, you won’t be surprised by too many of his picks.Dion Fanning and John Brewin join us to talk about the end of the Premier League season. How good a season was it? Does Pep Guardiola leave Manchester C
Arsenal Celebrate, The Choker Fallacy, SpyFall
Welcome to winners week on the Second Captains world service! Arsenal are Premier League champions again after 22 long years, and Villa ended a 30 year wait for a trophy with their Europa League win last night.We got in touch with friend of the show Dara O’Briain and Jacob Hawley of the Screen Rot podcast, to reflect on Arsenal's journey these last few years under Arteta and to discuss the whole "
Ep 3553: Westmeath Dismantle Dubs, Armagh Take Ulster, Working Class Golf Hero - 18/05/26
After last Sunday's heroics Roscommon may have thought they had the 2026 Cinderella Team mantle all to themselves, but yesterday in Croke Park Westmeath took that title from them, and took the Leinster title for only the second time in their history. Dara Ó Cinnéide and Paul Flynn were watching an insane day of Gaelic football - a day where Monaghan even came painfully close to turning o
Ep 3552: Ken The Tim, Alonso Calling, The Four Mysteries, Ireland In Shadow, Salah Uprising, Yeats Fisherman - 18/05/26
Most of the world wanted Hearts to win on Saturday but this little corner of it was an exception. Eoin swoons at the romance of his close personal friend Martin O'Neill becoming a champion again at the age of 74 while Ken confesses that technophobia has driven him into the sweaty arms of Celtic FC, a reassuringly old-fashioned, incompetent football entity. Rory "Jambo Unchained" Smith was at
Cheat Week, Madrid Meltdown, Why Not Alonso?
Welcome to cheat week on the Second Captains world service! It all started with the Arsenal West Ham VAR fallout and got progressively murkier as the week went on with the Southampton "Spygate" saga, Celtic's questionable late penalty against Motherwell and Florentino Perez calling out all the haters and losers at Real Madrid. There was also the news this week that Chelsea are looking t
Ep 3548: The Rossies Take Connacht, Murph As Condom, 'Egomaniacs' Returns - 11/05/26
The newest member of our championship punditry team, Dara Ó Cinnéide - already getting rave reviews - was at Dr Hyde Park to see Roscommon pip Murph's Galway to their first home win in a Connacht final in a quarter-century yesterday. Dara and Paul join us to chat about a huge day for the Rossies, the first provincial finals of the summer, Jayo Sherlock, and how, for David Clifford, it's all i
Ep 3547: Arsenal So Close, Starlizard FC, Anger Farmers, Southampton Spy Ring, Madrid Psychodrama
Arsenal are nearly there. As the manager flailed wildly with random substitutions, David Raya and Martin Ødegaard stood up to make sure that when the referees stepped up to rule on the climactic, decisive melee, Arsenal already had the crucial edge. We go through the fallout, and also talk about the Southampton spying scandal, while Eoin confesses to a faux pas in the presence of an
Arsenal Double Or Quits, Guehi's Blunder, Seve Special, Mbappe On His Holidays
Welcome to our World Service taster show. This week was dominated by Arsenal Football Club, who could now win it all, or nothing, but either way should be allowed celebrate the wins along the way? We also covered PSG's second leg defensive masterclass, Guehi's blunder, Man Utd's next manager, Leinster and Ulster making European finals, footballers taking mid season holidays and we dedicate our Fri
Ep 3552: Leinster Wobble And Win, Leo's Lecture, Porter Power, Happy Ulster, Randle Reverse - 04/05/26
As Leinster eased into an 18 point lead with 12 minutes remaining in their Champions Cup semi final, everyone in the stadium could finally put that Northampton nightmare behind them, right?We chat to Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley about that late wobble and what caused it, how such a good team can also look so vulnerable, big Joe McCarthy saving the day, the blitz gamble, Leo's lecture to t
What Makes Football Great?
Welcome to our World Service taster show. This week was all about PSG Bayern and what makes for a great game of football. We interviewed Harvey Vale about his decision to join Ireland, his Chelsea years and rejecting a move to the Saudi leagues. We also covered the Arsenal Atletico Madrid peno farce, the fallout from Munster's appointment of Roger Randle (a move that has since been cancelled), LBJ
Ep 3537: Wall & Canning On A Wild Hurling Weekend, Marathon Goes Sub-Two, Ulster's Lambing Championship - 27/04/26
It’s the Jamie and Joe Show today, as Messrs Wall and Canning are together for the first time this summer to react to Cork’s thrilling 2-point win over Limerick in Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday, and the chaotic draw that Tipperary and Waterford played out a couple of hours later. Cork were winners but with a few question marks, Limerick are going to Ennis next week without Aaron Gillane an
Ep 3536: Ifs, Buts, and LBJ's Nuts - 27/04/26
What if Robert Sanchez hadn't been able to buy Chelsea some breathing space with a possibly-imaginary injury? What if the ref last week had sent off Khusanov for fouling Havertz? What if Mikel Arteta and Daniel Farke weren't both believers in the philosophy of "you only complain when you're winning"?Pep Guardiola was buzzing throughout Manchester City's victory at Wembley though at times app
Why Arsenal, Chelsea Age Rosenior, Spain Show The Way - 23/04/26
Welcome to our World Service taster show. This week we covered Rosenior's Waterloo, Cucurella’s mouthy barber, why the haters hate on Arsenal, Spain's approach to the climate crisis and renewable energy, Katie for Croker, and coming up we have the Champions League semis, Joe Canning on hurling, Dave Hannigan on Roy Keane's early days in Cork, the Champions Cup semis and the GAA football championsh
Ep 3531: Superpundit Joe Canning Joins The Pod, Championship Hurling Is Back, What About Westmeath - 20/04/26
The hurling championship has begun and we have a brand new pundit for the summer, as Galway's greatest-ever hurler Joe Canning joins us. He had a front-row seat in Thurles for Cork-Tipperary yesterday, and he talks to us about the envy he feels watching the Munster championship. He was also watching on as his native county Galway tore Kilkenny apart in Pearse Stadium on Saturda
Ep 3530: It's Happening Again...? - 20/04/26
It's done. Or is it? Is it done? It was hard to know how to feel at the end of that, as Arsenal played one of their best games in many weeks but still ended up ceding the title initiative to Manchester City. City still need to win six games - and even then they can't be 100% sure. We talk through a great game that concluded a great PL weekend with Jonathan Wilson and Jamie Hamilton.Did the ga
Science Slot, Arteta On Fire, Orban Lit, McClean Media, Dub Doubt - 16/04/26
Welcome to our World Service taster show. This week we went deep on Liverpool's problems on and off the pitch, and in the medical room; we rejoiced in the splendour of Bayern - Madrid and recoiled at the ugliness of Arsenal Sporting.Plus there's McClean's social media output, Paul Flynn on the football championship, Arteta on fire and Sneyd & Branno on the latest young star to emerge from the
Ep 3525: McIlroy The Master All Over Again - 13/04/26
Why, asked Rory McIlroy these past few days, have one Masters title when you can have two? And why win smoothly when you can terrorise your home country instead? It was another wild and ultimately joyous weekend for McIlroy at Augusta and we're joined by The 42's Gavin Cooney live from Georgia and The Sunday Times' Michael Foley to take it all in. Plus there's old green-fingers Paul McGi
Ep 3524: Arsenal in the Underworld - 13/04/26
We're into what looks like the defining week of the Premier League season, as nine months of Mikel Arteta's careful order, structure and planning may just be about to be confounded by the spirit of pure chaos in the form of Rayan Cherki. Lars Sivertsen and John Brewin join us to talk about the weekend's football. Why did the Emirates boo at the end of Saturday's game? Have Arsenal's effo
Ep 3519: City Burn Liverpool, Chelsea Hammer Enzo - 06/04/26
The Champions League quarter-finals is usually one of the most exciting weeks of the football calendar and an entertaining bunch of FA Cup quarter-finals got things off to a good start, with family members of participants like Maria Guardiola and Danny Dyer adding to the gaiety, and Finn Azaz, Ryan Manning and Tomas Soucek experiencing reversals of fortune.Arsenal began "the most beautiful part of
Prague Comedown, Italian Football Surrenders, Tiger Tanks, Writing Rory
Welcome to our World Service taster show and this week it's all about the Prague come-down and the build-up to the Masters.As we watched on with horror as Czechia booked their place at this summer's World Cup, Ken was able to find the slimmest of silver linings; at least we're not Italian.And as Rory aims to go back-to-back at next week's Masters, we speak to some Golf writing Big Beasts as
Ep 3514: We Can't Go On, We Must Go On, ScapeGoat Hunt, The Keys Of Navarone
Passing through the latter stages of grief today. Eoin, on the hunt for victims, puts Ken in the dock, accusing him of blaming the Ireland fans for our defeat in Prague. On the positive side, at least being out of the World Cup frees us up to talk more about the shadow of evil looming over the tournament.Elsewhere - Roberto de Zerbi might be about to take over at Tottenham, and thanks also to Rich
Ep 3513: Donegal In Different League, Michael Murphy's Red Mist, Kick Out Central, The Wicklow Way - 30/03/26
The pain of Thursday night will last a long time in all our hearts, so let's hold hands and podcast together.Oisin McConville joins us to discuss Donegal's one sided league final win over Kerry, Michael Murphy's baffling yellow card, the huge influence kick outs now have on the game and his own heartbreak after Wicklow failed to gain promotion to Division 3.Plus there's disappearing Dres
The World Cup Dream is Dead, Prague Week Ends
The World Cup Dream is Dead, Prague Week EndsIt’s goodbye to Prague, farewell Denmark, so long Azteca Stadium. Over and out from Czechia. We reflect on the final whistle.We’re in Berlin after one of the great weeks on The Second Captains Podcast (before the extreme heartbreak took over). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 3506: Prague Week Beginneth, In The Studio With Kenneth, Man City Cup Winneth - 23/03/26
Prague Week starts with Kenny Cunningham joining us in studio to talk about how he wants to see Ireland approach the World Cup playoff on Tuesday night. Caution: Kenny's team may shock you. We talk about the Carabao Cup final, and whether the tactical match-up of baiting the press vs refusing to press is the worst thing ever to happen to football. While all this is happening Ken goe
Ep 3505: National Football League Drama, Michael Lyster Memories - 23/03/26
Kerry and Donegal are in the Division 1 final, Cork and Meath have won promotion, Armagh and Galway survive, Dublin are relegated, and even that fails to tell the full story of a thrilling last day’s action in the national football league. Ger Brennan lost his composure at half-time in Salthill, and his team lost their composure thereafter; David Clifford continues to do David Clifford thing
Prague Week, Heimir Seeks Calm, Retro Mo, Pep's Legacy
Welcome to our World Service taster show and this week it's all about the build-up to the World Cup Playoff against Czechia. We will be in Prague next week, in the heart of the action, broadcasting two shows a day from our balcony.We also had retro Mo, Pep's legacy, Rosenior's notes, Saint Parrott's Day, and coming up we have Gary Breen on the Iran 2001 playoff, and next week its more build up to
Ep 3500: Ireland's Crown, Rugby Fun, Murph's Sixth Nation Sense - 16/03/26
Thomas Ramos' kick in the 83rd minute of the last game decided the championship, broke Irish hearts, and was one of hundreds of epic moments that made up the greatest Six Nations yet.We chat to Shane Horgan and Andrew Trimble about the quality of rugby on display, Ramos' reliability, Pollock's winner/loser moment, McCloskey's massive influence on Ireland, Crowley's best performance
Ep 3499: Chelsea Respect The Ball, Pep's Annus Mirabilis, Max Power, Anfield Slot Changed, Save Us Didzy
Is the future like a black highway at night? What does it really mean to 'respect the ball'? And is there anything in the game with such universal appeal as an implausibly aged footballer? We pick the likely player of the year candidates and discuss why Manchester United's transformation under Michael Carrick is Arne Slot's biggest problem in more ways than one.Rory Smith and Rich Jolly join
Spurs Spiral, ROG's Advice, Panenka Kick, The Trip To Prague
Welcome to our world service taster show.To become a member and hear our shows all week it costs 5 euro a month and there’s no ads, no sign up fee, no minimum stay, no contract, and we’re independent and member led – go to secondcaptains.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep 3494: Old School Old Firm, Hell Ball, Brother Turns Against Brother - 09/03/26
Rangers and Celtic timed their run well, staging a chaotic Scottish Cup quarter-final heightened by some old-school “disgraceful scenes” on an FA Cup weekend to finally get some overdue coverage on here. But are Old Firm riots as stirring as they used to be? The archive audio suggests otherwise.But - as we bemoan the violence crackling everywhere in the air, what about journalist-on-journalist vio
Ep 3493: Swashbuckling Scots Set Sail For Dublin, Making History In Rome, Perms-a-Plenty, Plans For Prague - 09/03/26
Scotland defeated France 50 points to 40 on Saturday in one of the greatest northern hemisphere performances of the professional era, and are now in the frame for the 6 Nations championship… after losing to Italy in the first round.They face Ireland in Lansdowne Road next Saturday, a team Gregor Townsend has lost to 11 times in a row. We chat to Shane Horgan and the BBC's Chris Jones about the&nbs
Bonus Episode: Phantom Publics and the Reality of the Edogbo Racist Abuse
We have a special bonus World Service podcast for you all today. The show you’re about to hear caused quite a stir amongst our members over the past week, many of whom suggested it should be released free to air. So here it is.Edwin Edogbo made his debut for Ireland against Italy earlier this month. The experience was marred by online racist abuse he suffered on Irish Rugby channels, culminat
Ep 3488: Kobe’s Star Rises, Lowry’s Latest Collapse, Allianz Sponsorship Protests - 02/03/26
The GAA weekend saw games in both the hurling and football leagues, but looming over all that was the protest at Congress in Croke Park that saw Jarlath Burns and his top table brought face-to-face with anti-Allianz protestors. Paul Flynn is with us to try and prize apart which parts of the GAA behave like a corporate entity, and which would rather remain amateur. We also discuss th
Ep 3487: Slot Tunes Out, Mile High Irish, IFAB Conflab, Boehly's Minerals, Domestic Banners - 02/03/26
Chelsea’s record 24-25 loss impressed a lot of people, but today we hear from Todd Boehly’s appearance at a conference in Miami where it became clear that Chelsea is about the least interesting item in his current portfolio.Dion Fanning and John Brewin join us to talk about the weekend’s Premier League action. Arsenal ground out another crucial win, but Arne Slot, for one, wrinkles his nose in dis
Gianni And Friends, Posting On X, Canada And USA
Edwin Edogbo made his debut for Ireland against Italy earlier this month. The experience was marred by online racist abuse he suffered on Irish Rugby channels, culminating in comments on X being blocked by the IRFU. Mark has been taking a look at where these comments originated and spoke to Dr Eileen Culloty, Associate Professor in the School of Communications in DCU where she’s also Dep
Ep 3481: Spurs Go Arse Up, The Melancholy Of Private Rice, Skinny Legs In Libreville, Bored Of FIFA
Miguel Delaney and Jonathan Wilson join us to talk through the North London derby - a near-historic margin of victory for Arsenal, yet a victory that felt almost routine. Will this settle the nerves? Has big Vik answered the critics? Could Arsenal benefit from a night in the old Tuesday Club style? Meanwhile, have Spurs been wise to appoint a fixer-coach who favours an unfamiliar system? How
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