Second Captains @ The Irish Times

It has been a life-affirming few days for sports fans and sports stars in their mid-30s. We speak to Luke Jensen of ESPN about Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Venus Williams rolling back the years at the Australian Open. Sam Weinman of Golf Digest talks to us about his new book "Win At Losing: Harnessing the Power of Setbacks to Succeed in Work and Life". Plus there's the unfolding planetary train-wreck, old codgers and Andy Lee on Carl Frampton's status among the all time greats. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin McDevitt is BACK. On today's agenda - Rooney, China, Pep Guardiola's courage, Arsene Wenger's rage, and some terrible corner kicks.Sid Lowe joins us from Madrid to analyse what we've learned about Zinedine Zidane over the course of a successful year in charge at Real Madrid. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin McDevitt's triumphant return to the hotseat continues, as we discuss Munster and Leinster's progression to the quarter-finals of the European Cup, Connacht's heartbreak, and the Ireland squad for the 6 Nations, with Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley. Kevin Cullen of the Boston Globe tells us why everyone is rooting against Donald Trump's favourite NFL team, the New England Patriots, and there's a brief digression into the Weimar Republic, Sean Spicer and alternative facts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Richie Sadlier attempts that 'difficult second podcast', as he sits in for Eoin and chats to his old team-mate Stephen Elliot about their time together under Roy Keane at Sunderland, Dwight Yorke's body fat, and why academies are the root of all ills in football. There's also the day Richie's parents met some Man City ultras, helicopter parents, and what breed of dog Ken would be, if he were to transform into a species of mammal that Richie actually admires... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Ciaran discuss Mauricio Pochettino's disdain for social media, and why you should never trust a political article that makes a football comparison.Emmet Malone joins us in studio to talk about John Delaney's appearance yesterday before a Dail committee.And Simon Hughes reflects on the career of Xabi Alonso, who announced yesterday that he will retire at the end of the season. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Ciaran talk about Merseyside v Manchester, after a great weekend for long-haired bearded English footballers, and a bad weekend for Iberian galactico super-coaches.Miguel Delaney and John Brewin join us to analyse the weekend's action: did Jose blow his big chance? Will Pep lose patience with City before City lose patience with him?Plus there's Andy Carroll's giant leap for mankind, Everton's young 'uns and La La Liga. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

One year ago, the Irish provinces were going nowhere fast in Europe - now Munster and Leinster are through with a round to spare, and Connacht still have their destiny in their own hands. Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley on another good-news weekend for Irish rugby. And we speak to Katie Cooke, an inspirational 19 year old living with epilepsy and not letting it prevent her from finishing the last two Dublin marathons, and her doctor Colin Doherty, an epielpsy specialist in St James Hospital, who runs with her every step of the way.Plus there's Tadhg Furlong's pillow, Quasar and hugging it out. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Ciaran scour history searching for feats to compare with the miracle that Jose Mourinho has performed at Manchester United.Rob Smyth joins us to look ahead to the weekend's match at Old Trafford.And Philippe Auclair explains what's going on between Dmitri Payet and West Ham United. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We invited Richie Sadlier in as guest host and he immediately started bossing us around, demanding in depth interviews on weighty topics..... and that we walk and feed his dog Bobbi.First up is Luke Fitzgerald, who like Richie, had to retire early because of injury. Luke turns the tables and starts asking Richie some searching questions. We also talk to Dion Fanning about the football world's inability to openly discuss Paul Gascoigne's alcoholism. Plus there's Ken's mood swings, Astro scum, rating colleagues, and how to become a football man. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Ciaran comb the desolate wilderness of the FA Cup third round weekend like a couple of stray dogs rooting through a rubbish tip for giblets.After Merse and Thommo kicked off on Soccer Saturday, Jonathan Liew joins us to talk about whether English football is giving English football men a fair deal.And Josh Robinson is in Zurich for FIFA's annual gala, which has been renamed The Best. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Munster utterly dominated Racing Metro of Paris in every facet on Saturday - Liam Toland and Shane Horgan ask if they (and Leinster) have what it takes to go on and win the Champions Cup outright this year.Davy Fitzgerald got off to a flying start as Wexford hurling manager yesterday - we ask Liam Griffin if it's OK to start getting carried away yet.Plus there's the weekend that didn't matter, BDO darts upheaval and making people look like lunatics. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Spurs blew the title race wide open last night, defeating Chelsea 2-0 to end their 13 match winning streak. Have Spurs shown others how to crack Conte's code? Dion Fanning joins us in studio to talk about another calamitous week for Arsenal, and Murph and Ken discuss whether Jefferson Montero has ever heard of Ronald Reagan.Plus there's Fergie's comfort zone, Sanchez's hissy-fit and Arsenal Fan TV. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

US Murph joins us for the first time in 2017 to tell his hopes and dreams (not Trump related) for the new year. We talk about Ronda Rousey's precipitous fall from grace in the UFC, plus there's a brand new edition of Kens Friendz, US sports franchises most popular with 1990s teens, and John Giles. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Ciaran talk about a busy New Year's weekend in the Premier League. As the pressure increases, there are signs that managerial heads are beginning to melt.Miguel Delaney was at the Olympic Stadium to see Manchester United extend their winning run to sixAnd Jack Pitt-Brooke looks ahead to Tottenham v Chelsea, a match Spurs need to win to keep people believing the title race is still on... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two wins from two meant Munster certainly had the most productive Christmas of the four Irish provinces; Gerry Thornley and Denis Hickie join Simon, Ken and Murph to look back over the festive rugby action. Gregor McGuckin tells us why he wants to take part in the sporting world's version of a time machine; the Golden Globe solo round the world yacht race.Plus there's celestial navigation, Pep's country for old men, swimming with sharks, and Devin Toner the giant Irish man. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken look back on the Christmas football programme, including Eden Hazard's superb display against Bournemouth, Pep eyeing Liverpool, and a rough 24 hours for Samir Nasri.Jonathan Wilson joins us to reflect on Bob Bradley's brief spell in charge of Swansea City. And there's Harry the Hornet, Mkhitaryan majesty, and World Cup gluttons. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We've left the Christmas cabin but the magic is still alive as we discuss smoking outside Mass, Jerry Flannery sightings, Michelangelo, and Brian O'Driscoll's snooze button snobbery.We look back at some of our favourite shows from 2016 including the Muhammad Ali special, Emmanuel Petit on French society, and the time Cerys from Catatonia out analysed Ken Early. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Murph discuss China's contribution to civilization, Putin the cuddly cartoon and mighty Zlatan's relentless drive to be Knighted.We ask Raphael Honigstein why German fans now hate Red Bull more than they hate Bayern Munich.And Dermot Corrigan explains why Madrid are about to cut some flab. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's a very special festive edition of The Irish Times Second Captains podcast, as we look back at the best moments of 2016 with Richie Sadlier and a collection of our most popular music montages. Expect Robbie Brady, Robbie Henshaw, Pat Kenny, John Giles, Bobbi the dog, and Steve McClaren to feature prominently.Plus we look at the impact of Euro 2016 on Ireland, NZ rugby fallout and there's a war of words between Richie and Murph. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the art of looking like you care when you don't really care, and other pressing issues from the weekend's football.Jonathan Wilson analyses Man City's victory over Arsenal in the big game of the weekend.And Rory Smith joins us to talk about his meeting with Francesco Totti, still going strong at 40. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.