Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Ireland-England is the main event this weekend, and Ireland have given first caps to 2 of our brightest stars... but is Twickenham the place for Josh Van Der Flier and Stuart McCloskey to make a big splash? Ugo Monye and Gerry Thornley aid with the pre-match build-up.We discuss warm beer at The Emirates, boxing coaches that straight up don't like each other, good little un's, and Conor McGregor's Sports Illustrated cover story. Plus former world champ Bernard Dunne looks ahead to Carl Frampton's fight against Scott Quigg on Saturday night. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's the Patcast, as we give you our interview with Patrick Kluivert in London before the first leg of the Arsenal-Barcelona Champions League last-16 tie this week. Ken outlines the smoke-and-mirrors with our live audience, before Kluivert tells us about being the youngest player to score in a Champions League final for Ajax in 1995, putting an end to the team that Jack built in Anfield in November 1995 and the future for Van Gaal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran ponder FIFA's presidential messaging toolkit, and give their views on who should take over the country. Does democracy even work?Gabriel Marcotti reports from Zurich as FIFA prepare to elect a new President. And Terry Daley gives his verdict on whether Antonio Conte is the right man to take over at Chelsea. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ireland's dreams of a third Six Nations title may lie in tatters, our players may be ailling or injured, but we have the remedy for your February blues... as Shane Horgan talks us through the try that changed his life.Malachy Clerkin and 2010 All Ireland winner Shane McGrath debate whether Tipperary and Kilkenny can even be called a rivalry anymore. And we have the future of sports entertainment, Jerry Flannery potty-talk and the importance of blind panic. 22/2/16 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran regard the FA Cup fifth round fixtures with despondency, on a weekend when most of the talking points were provided by various teams abusing referees.Jonathan Wilson joins us to fulminate against Manuel Pellegrini's chickening out of the contest against Chelsea. And Miguel Delaney tries to make some sense of the swirl of rumours surrounding Manchester United and Jose. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's on. Eoin and Ken preside over 8 Mile Audio Wars part 2. Evan Flynn is back to take another shot at Second Captains. With the stakes higher than ever who is truly strongest? Crush! Tonight.US Murphy joins us to talk about Peyton Manning's dirty little secret emerging into the full glare of the post-Superbowl media spotlight. And Louise Galvin of the Irish Women's Rugby Sevens team joins us to talk about the Rio Olympics, being talented at three different sports and the one party Irish people are late to. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Dunphy's support for Ronaldo, Rooney's knee, and respond to poison pen letters from audience guttersnipes.John Brewin joins us to discuss the stories surrounding a possible move to China for Rooney. And Dermot Corrigan analyses Rafael Benitez's case for why Barcelona are better than Real Madrid. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our chances of a third Six Nations championship in a row disappeared under the weight of a French scrum, and we're joined by regular analyst Shane Horgan and former Ireland and Leinster flanker Shane Jennings to discuss whether our players need to show more initiative in big games. 15/2/16Barry Moran inspired his Castlebar Mitchels team to victory over Crossmaglen on Saturday. We ask him about the final, how much fun the club game is to play, and how it could damage his chances with Mayo. Plus there's sleeping through the last 10 minutes of a Six Nations game, musical suggestions from our listenership, and Joleon Lescott's miraculous pocket-dial. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the ethics of Lionel Messi's penalty assist, Joe Hart's faulty mind games, and the likelihood of Leicester City resisting the pressure of the run-in.Jonathan Wilson was there to see Spurs' cyborg terminators storm the Etihad. And Jack Pitt-Brooke analyses Arsenal's win over the league leaders. 15/02/16 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ireland travel to France on the second weekend of the 6N, and after all the pessimism before the Wales game, we as a nation appear to be far more chipper this week for a fixture that historically has given us precious little to write home about. Eddie O'Sullivan looks at the Irish line-up, and tells us about Paul O'Connell's future in coaching, while Jamie Cudmore joins us to talk about his battles with the big man.We investigate the possibility of the Irish Open becoming the booziest stop on the European Tour with Lawrence Donegan, plus there's Shane Lowry's crowd-pleasing antics, a listener comes at the king, and Zoolander No.2's impressive running time. 11/02/16 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Premier League big four looks a little different these days, but they meet on Sunday in what could be a defining weekend for all involved. Richie Sadlier is in studio to see if he can continue his white-hot predictions run going.Tony Barrett talks to us about Liverpool's climb-down on ticket prices and whether a precedent has been set for football clubs. There's mention too for Mauricio Pochettino getting the Fergie seal of approval, Sean Dyche's laser-focus in the pub, and the toxic qualities of Ken's seat in the studio. 11/02/2016 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Given all the pre-match pessimism, Ireland's draw with Wales left many people feeling pretty positive about our chances of winning a third championship in a row. Six Nations legend Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley poke through the embers of a scintillating game. We ask Don Van Natta Jnr of ESPN if the Peyton Manning (2016 vintage) is the worst ever quarter-back to win the Super Bowl. There's also Martin O'Neill's barnstorming performance on the BBC's NFL coverage, Sergio Parisse's lust for glory, Jamie Roberts' lust for punishment and details on our live show in Dublin later this month - we want you to meet Ajax, Barcelona and Holland legend Patrick Kluivert! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken refused to jump aboard the Leicester bandwagon before this weekend, but we now declare them Premier League champions for the 2015-16 season.Emmet Malone charts the rise of Ranieri's side and questions Van Gaal's trust in his employers. We talk to Simon Kuper about the team that defied economics, the Ajax side that won the Champions League in 1995. Plus there's details on our live show in Dublin later this month - we want you to meet Ajax, Barcelona and Holland legend Patrick Kluivert! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about the rise of China as a force in the global transfer market, ticket price madness, and the peculiar perils of being a billionaire surrounded by skilled advisers who are keen to help.Richie Sadlier joins us to discuss the likelihood of Leicester holding it together for 14 more games. And Ed Malyon reports from Barcelona, where Gary Neville got caught in the Messi-Suarez crossfire. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's a huge weekend of sport, stretching from the start of the Six Nations to the Superbowl, which will finish up in the early hours of Monday morning. US Murph gives us the latest from the lunacy in San Francisco, host city to Super Bowl 50, while Matt Williams gives us his definition of what success looks like for Ireland over the next 7 weeks.Plus there's kabaddi and Samuel Beckett, politicians pretending to be sports fans, and a birthday return for Ken Burley. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's an extra-special 6 Nations Preview Podcast, with Ireland on the brink of a third Championship in a row. Its Wales first up for Joe Schmidt's team, a rivalry that brings out the absolute worst in all of us. Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley tell us why there are reasons to be cheerful about Ireland's prospects despite the World Cup and European Cup woes of recent months. Two time Grand Slam winner Martyn Williams gives us the Welsh perspective, Ken compares rugby to fur coats, and we look at new old England. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The first weekend of the Allianz National Football League saw the issue of concussion make an unwanted reappearance - Karol Mannion and Oisin McConville join us in studio.Serena Williams was grace personified after her loss in the Australian Open, which leads us to debate what exactly is a good loser. Plus there's the Pep-Jose ecosystem, Fraggle Rock, Terry Wogan and Tony Robbins. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about the confirmation of Pep's move to Man City and what it means for Man United and Jose.Emmet Malone is in studio to talk about the FAI's decision to unveil their new strategic plan out of the glare of the media.And John Brewin explains why Chelsea have decided now is the time to say goodbye to brave John Terry. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why contract extensions for Irish rugby players don't always have to go to the brink and why having them played out in the media can have negative side effects. Former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sulllivan thinks there has to be a better way.The Superbowl is coming to San Francisco, and US Murph is ready to welcome sport's biggest party. He talks about Beyonce, Leo Di Caprio, NFL's snuff movie and Cam Newton's plutonium. Plus there's weird dreams, Ken's huge broadcasting IQ, and the start of the Allianz Football League. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin (86th in the Irish journalist Twitter power rankings), Ken (18th, second overall in sport) and Ciaran (93rd) discuss motivational speeches, Man United's tiny analyst, and Roberto Martinez's ongoing struggle against heartbreaking refereeing incompetence.Gabriele Marcotti joins us to talk about the reasons why Leicester are top of the table. And Jack Pitt-Brooke explains why Pochettino's counterintuitive brand of tough, cold, ruthless love has forged an unbreakable team spirit at Spurs. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.