Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Come and join our celebration of the life of The Greatest. Murph and Ken are ruthlessly axed from this momentous show in favour of World Champion boxer Andy Lee and Second Captains producer/Ali superfan Mark Horgan.Eoin, Mark and Andy are joined by one of America’s foremost civil rights figures, Reverend Jesse Jackson, to discuss Ali’s role in the freedom struggle and to hear Rev. Jackson’s personal recollections of moments shared with The Champ.And Eoin spends some time in the company of the incomparable Jerry Izenberg at his home in Nevada (Jerry’s home, not Eoin’s). Jerry unleashes all of his storytelling ability to get to the heart of what his friend Ali was like in the quiet moments, away from the ring and tv cameras.We also pay some audio tributes to Ali with a little help from Howard Cossell, Mike Tyson, Spike Lee and George Foreman.RIP Muhammad Ali. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Roy Keane's addiction to truth, Roy Hodgson's determination not to be remembered as Boring Roy, and the ongoing racism controversy in French footballEmmet Malone joins us in studio to analyse Keane's remarks and bring us up to speed on what's been happening down in Cork. Plus there’s Martin O'Neill's pop at Dunphy, Paul McGrath, and Matt Spiro talks to us about L'Affaire Benzema. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Armagh's manager Kieran McGeeney has been fiercely criticised since their heavy championship defeat to Cavan. His old team-mate Oisin McConville is in studio to talk about Brolly, McGeeney and the strained relationship between Armagh and his club Crossmaglen Rangers.With the NBA Finals about to tip off, a husky voiced US Murph tells us about the Golden State Warriors' thrilling comeback from 3-1 down to defeat Oklahoma City, and how his opinion of Steph Curry has changed in recent weeks. Plus there's Darragh O Se, fool's pardons, Eoin's Poems, keesters and basketball nirvana. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

To celebrate Ireland’s first international in Cork since 1985, we went to one of the city’s finest establishments, Crane Lane Theatre, to talk all things Euros. Brian Kerr, Stephen Hunt and Dion Fanning joined us on stage to discuss O’Neill, realistic ambitions, our group opponents, and the secret sauce that drives all Irish football teams to success at major tournaments.Plus there’s Sergio Ramos the charmer, Ronaldo’s dream and tons and tons of Cork love. Thanks everyone, we had a ball. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Exciting on the field, classy off it, successful, joyful noisy fans, loveable underdogs, beating old foes, saving their best performance for the final - this has been the perfect season for Connacht.Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley reflect on an amazing year for Pat Lam's team, what makes them tick, and look at what the future holds for all involved.Plus there's limp Leinster, comparing Real Madrid with Connacht, and magnificent Muldoon. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken is in Milan for the Champions League final between Atletico and Real Madrid, and is so far unimpressed by the brutalist architecture of that great city's train station. Emmet Malone came straight from the Ireland camp to discuss the latest squad permutations and gives us a possible surprise inclusion when Martin O'Neill eventually names his squad next Tuesday night, after Ireland-Belarus.Plus there's Jose's intellectual property rights, Ken's goooaaals, and news of a live show in Cork next Monday for our listeners, check out http://www.irishtimes.com/competitions/secondcaptainscorkevent for more details. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's seldom enough you can say with certainty that you are talking to a man who, however briefly, was the most famous man on the planet. Ben Johnson, the man stripped of the 100m gold medal in the 88 Olympics, joins us in studio. He give us his thoughts on Usain Bolt, his old rival Carl Lewis, mental health, his childhood, and how he has found peace in retirement.We speak to Eddie Bolger, coach to Ireland's latest boxing sensation Kellie Harrington. Plus there's Duffer poems, Scandinavian scum and news on our Cork show on Monday 30th May - check out http://www.irishtimes.com/competitions/secondcaptainscorkevent for more details. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rory McIlroy had a pretty good weekend - winning the Irish Open in thrilling style at the K Club. We reflect on how he saved the tournament, breathed new life into it, and at long last finally put together 4 good rounds on the course.Connacht were mainlining fan frenzy in Galway, while Leinster had their best game of the season - we talk to Gerry Thornley and Shane Horgan about emotion, back stories, Leinster flow and the final in Murrayfield. Plus there's Cork's slide against Tipp, Pardew's premeditation, Muirfield men's lunch arrangements and Zlatan's possible arrival in England. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the sacking of Louis van Gaal, the appointment of Jose Mourinho, and the path Manchester United are plotting back to the top. (It's a gold-bricked, silver-lampposted, diamante-studded Real Madrid path).Dion Fanning and Miguel Delaney join us to analyse the leaks and hatchet jobs of the weekend and give their opinion on whether United have chosen the right man. Plus there's going to an under 21 game in a Rolls Royce, Vardy's wedding, and what does Bobby Charlton even know about Instagram? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Liverpool led the Europa League final for 10 minutes, then it all fell apart - Ken forms a super group of football journalists in Basel to help explain the second half collapse, and what players should be sold off this summer.As we prepare for the FA Cup final on Saturday, we look back to Manchester United's last win in the tournament in 2004. Millwall provided the opposition that day and up against a young Cristiano Ronaldo was Irish full-back Robbie Ryan. Robbie and his old team-mate (and house-mate) Richie Sadlier give us their memories.Plus there's selfish Sturridge, how 'hand ball' isn't a thing anymore and evenings spent with the criminal underworld. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cork v Tipperary in the Munster hurling championship is always a big game - but this year, it feels like Clare and Waterford are hogging the limelight. Author and journalist Michael Foley tell us why Cork are still capable of springing a surprise. Former Irish amateur boxing prodigy Jason Quigley has won all 11 professional fights in a stunning start to his career in the paid ranks - he joins us from LA. Plus there's sports emojis, Eoin's Poems, and Connacht's search for a home. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We talk to Micheal Quirke and Karol Mannion about the injustice of forcing Dublin fans to travel outside the city, Paul Galvin's disdain for provincial titles, and who the realistic contenders are for an All Ireland title.Post Tiger was supposed to be the Rory McIlroy - Jordan Spieth era, then along came Jason Day. We talk to Sam Weinman of Golf Digest about the Australian golfing machine.Plus there's fencing fleche, golfer's gripes and justice 'Connacht Style'. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss John Terry's emotional farewell speech, Carlo Ancelotti's fresh insight into "managing up" at Chelsea, and Olivier Giroud's brutal hazing of a young Irishman trying to make his way in the game.Oliver Kay was at Old Trafford on a bizarre day that started with uncertainty and tension and ended in farce. And John Brewin witnessed the passionate love of the Geordie masses for Rafael Benitez. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Natalya Coyle won Mixed Relay Gold at the Modern Pentathlon World Cup in Florida on Sunday and joined us in studio to talk about Olympic qualifying stress, fencing tears and staying cool under pressure.We talk to David Epstein, author of "The Sports Gene", about Caster Semenya's return to the public consciousness and the sports world's attempts to make the male/female issue a binary one.Plus there's mes que un county, Murph's forked tongue and General George Patton's Olympic pedigree. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Martin O'Neill's 35-man squad, an awkward phone call between Carlo Ancelotti and Mario Götze, and the final apotheosis of Allardyce.Dion Fanning reflects on what the post-Euros future might be for Ireland's management duo. And Jacob Steinberg joins us to talk about a transformative season for West Ham United. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Clare are League champions for the first time since 1978, thanks to the last-minute heroics of 2013 Hurler of the Year Tony Kelly. Malachy Clerkin and Eoin Kelly think this could be a good result for both teams ahead of this year's championship.Connacht are following the Glasgow blueprint, but how long can both teams sustain their Moneyball-esque balancing act? The BBC's Tom English joins us. Plus there's Eoin McDevitt's poetry, GAA pundits giving it both barrels, and the importance of banging your own drum. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the Leicester title party, Vardy's nose rubbing, Kompany's misery, the difficulties of being on Pep Guardiola's medical staff, and Jurgen Klopp's Basel-invite u-turn.Jonathan Wilson thinks Sunderland are on the up after the win over Chelsea that promises Premier League redemption. And John Brewin joins us to analyse the Mancunian scramble for fourth place. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The reverberations of Leicester City's Premier League win have reached the Bay Area - we talk to US Murph about the greatest shocks in US sport, Ted Cruz's downfall, movie moments, and the corn fields of Iowa.We have the Return of the Mack, Ken's boxing nickname, and the Barack Obama comedy show. And Andy Lee comes into studio to help us look ahead to Saul Canelo Alvarez and Amir Khan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about nerd nonsense Versus mindless gut instinct, two Champions League semi-finals of contrasting quality, Sturrdige The Martian, and the golden afterglow of Leicester's title win.Raphael Honigstein joins us to discuss whether Pep has failed at Bayern. And Sid Lowe looks forward to another all-Spanish Champions League knife fight. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken caught up with Kevin Keegan to discuss Leicester's triumph, drugs in football, and the time Kevin mocked a young Eoin McDevitt.We also discuss likeable football men, 50 mile runs, Fergie's self praise and Richard Keys' sixth sense. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.