Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Jonny Sexton's histories of concussion meant there was a collective intake of breath when he went down after a clash of heads against Wasps on Saturday. Shane Horgan talks to us about communication breakdowns, good news, Marty Moore's departure and captain Hartley.The Australian Open has a new match-fixing controversy to contend with and a QF draw that includes sublime post-peak Roger Federer. Plus there's a report on the Easter Island Premier League, old men getting beaten up for our viewing pleasure in the NFL, and Maurice Fitz, Andre Agassi and the importance of longevity when defining greatness. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the two big mistakes that ruined Arsenal's weekend, the conditioning regime that enables Jamie Vardy to flaunt that legendary six-pack, and Jose Mourinho's alleged six-page letter to Manchester United. Jonathan Wilson was at Old Trafford to see the home crowd turn on Louis van Gaal.And James Corbett analyses the chances of Roberto Martinez turning around Everton's disappointing form. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Murph and Ken discuss the art of trash talk, the US Republican debates, Conor McGregor's oppressors, and nice guy Rory Best.Rory McIlroy started his 2016 season this week playing alongside Jordan Spieth, in what is the opening salvo of a huge year for the golf, and for the two new superstars of the sport.US Murph talks about the Harlem Globetrotters, Brady V Manning, the greatest throw in history and the NFL championship games See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the FAI's ticket allocation, Ronaldo's lats and Roberto Mancini's calling out of a Serie A colleague.Sid Lowe joins us to talk about Bale's true value, Jorge Mendes, Casillas V De Gea and the impact of Madrid's transfer ban.And Tim Vickery gives his view on Teixeira for Liverpool, Pato for Chelsea and the likely arrival of former Chile boss Jorge Sampaoli in Europe. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Next up on the corruption merry-go-round... tennis. Match-fixing allegations have erupted on the eve of the Australian Open, hinting at another sport wilfully turning a blind eye to problems at its heart.Munster and Leinster got morale-boosting victories in Europe - Gerry Thornley and Shane Horgan talk about the need for skillful forwards, if the academy system can beat French money and why Munster's problem isn't lack of heart. Plus there's the return of the unloved, unmourned Tommy Murphy Cup, Novak Djokovic's big reveal and a rather surprising mention of Brian McClair's 1991 form-line. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran wonder why Stoke fans boo Aaron Ramsey for getting his leg broken, and why Liverpool insist on buying expensive centre-forwards who don't fit into their team.Daniel Harris gives us his view on Manchester United's win at Anfield, LVG's title talk and the recent improvement of Wayne Rooney.And Dion Fanning was there to see Roberto Martinez lash the referee out of it again as Everton lost another winning position at Stamford Bridge. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The second half of WADA's report into the IAAF has discovered a systemic failure throughout the organisation... but Seb Coe has managed to dodge criticism from the report's author Dick Pound. We discuss the general lack of beheadings of sports administrators.US Murph talks NFL kickers, the L.A Rams and Patriots hopes, and we speak to British boxer Tony Bellew about his role in the new Rocky movie. Plus there's a Jim Carrey boycott, Tom Brady's tomatoes, and Mrs Huxtable. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph talk about Lineker's humour, the best goals of the week, Mick McCarthy's anti-passing possession football, and the implications of Real and Atletico Madrid's transfer bans. On his birthday Richie Sadlier joins us to look back on the midweek football, and examines Van Gaals' latest press conference tiff.Plus there's Messi's evolving torso, defying gravity, Ricky Gervais' monologue and the Sadlier effect. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Anthony Foley questioned his own future as head coach in the aftermath of a dispiriting loss away to Stade Francais yesterday - Mattie Williams and Gerry Thornley try and apportion blame as their season goes from bad to worse.On the day the Ballon d'Or winner is announced, we speak to our good friend Oluwishina Okeleji about the African Player of the Year award, which was not won by Yaya Toure, to the disgust of... Yaya Toure. And there's the history of the fighting clan McGregor, David Bowie, El Chapo and Sean Penn's flatulence. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ciaran sit through Ken's interminable round-up of the weekend's FA Cup third round goals, and examine Spain's attitude to doping in sport. Dermot Corrigan joins us to talk about Zinedine Zidane's managerial debut at Real Madrid and Bale's next move.And a tuxedo'd Miguel Delaney reports from Zurich as the Ballon D'Or gala gets underway. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andy Farrell is Ireland's new defence coach, in a move that came as a complete bolt from the blue. Shane Horgan was critical of his influence on the English coaching ticket during the World Cup, and he gives us his opinion on the possible reasons for his appointment.US Murph talks to us about Johnny Football and the NFL playoffs. Plus there's incognito superstars, Christy O'Connor Junior, the cowardly heavyweight, and Peyton Manning V Al Jazeera. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the injury epidemic at Liverpool, where Jürgen Klopp finds himself fighting a war on two fronts against an unholy alliance of Big Sam Allardyce and Big Raymond Verheijen.Gabriele Marcotti joins us to analyse how Premier League wealth has bred conservatism. And Sid Lowe gives us his view on the arrival of Zinedine Zidane as coach of Real Madrid. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After a hectic Christmas period of inter-provincials, Irish rugby now turns it's attention to picking a new captain - Gerry Thornley and Shane Horgan think the most suitable man isn't either of the three front-runners of Rory Best, Johnny Sexton and Jamie Heaslip.The GAA season also crept back into life this weekend, and Michael Foley of the Sunday Times has a feel-good story of where the money goes from the Leinster Council's January warm-ups. Plus there's Davy Fitzgerald's New Year's Resolution, darts fever, and Ken's celebrity rugby Christmas mass. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss a weekend of phenomenal goals and whether Andy Carroll can ever overcome the challenges posed by gravity.Tony Barrett joins us to talk about Spurs' title credentials and John Stones' chilled-out penalty-box defending. And Dion Fanning was there to see West Ham complete a first league double over Liverpool in 52 years. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ring in the New Year with Eoin, Murph, Ken and Richie - its the Second Captains New Year's Eve Auld Lang Syne Hogmanay Hootenanny Special.We talk to Richie Sadlier about his bizarre experience the night Ireland beat Germany, his hopes for Euro 2016 and whether we can trust James McClean.Plus there's scum email of the year, hugging strangers, the time Paul Kimmage told Ken to stop smoking, Martin V Michael O'Neill, and SHANE LONG....BAH! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Stoke City's super-awesome Christmas, Roberto Martinez's fondness for finger-pointing, and Louis van Gaal's tendency to misspeak himself.Jonathan Wilson tells us whether we're seeing the emergence of a third great Arsene Wenger Arsenal side. Plus there's the huge Cadbury's Roses controversy, U2 in Paris, Obama and Bear Grylls, calm Walters, Jose Man United scarves, Matic's miss, Ken's prediction for the Premier League, and the art of the footballer apology. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We have once again retired to our winter retreat (a remote log cabin) along with our many horses and wolves, to produce a very special Christmas Eve show - the Second Captains Christmas Sports Pudding.We talk to the most festive and cheerful man we know, Brian Murphy, about an incredible Super Bowl story that involves Ernest Hemingway, Steve Young, a hobo, Key West, and how Brian met his wife.Plus there's an unwelcome guest, the Murph and Mackie awards, the art of shameless plugs, and KEN SINGS OUT THE SHOW! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ulster are winning pretty, and they're doing it with brilliant young Irish players. Gerry Thornley speculates on a potential new-look Irish team, analyses Munster's white line fever and Leinster's new Pro 12 vista.Andy Lee lost his WBO middleweight belt with a heart-breaking defeat to Billy Joe Saunders on Saturday night. We ask Bernard Dunne what Andy's options are now. Plus there's Lance Armstrong's love of drugs, light sabre-wielding adults, pancake arses and McGuffins. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Sepp Blatter's sorrow, Louis van Gaal's candour and Jose Mourinho's irresistible attraction to football executives who know nothing about football but a lot about TV ratings.John Brewin analyses the chances of Jose Mourinho becoming the next manager of Manchester United. And Raphael Honigstein gives us the reaction from Germany where Pep Guardiola has confirmed that he will leave FC Bayern at the end of the season. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss Jose getting the sack, the mask slipping, the limitations of charisma, his future employability, and the incredible number of mistakes he's made in half a season.Michael Calvin has written the football book of the year, it's called "Living on the Volcano", and it tells the life of an English football manager. He joins us on the line to discuss Rodgers' crown, Garry Monk's sunken eyes and how damaging the job is to your mental health. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.