Second Captains @ The Irish Times

It's been a long, long build-up for Andy Lee but his fight with Billy Joe Saunders is finally here - we talk to the reigning WBO middleweight champion of the world about fight week, the traveller angle and going to war. And it's the long-awaited Second Captains Irish Times Christmas Books Podcast, with Malachy Clerkin, where we reveal the best (non-written-by-Second-Captains) book of the sporting year. Plus - tips for slow readers, Sonia sez relax, and we ruminate on how life's a beach and then you die. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This is now Conor McGregor's world, the rest of us just live in it. After his truly spectacular 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo on Saturday night, Ken Early joins us from Las Vegas to give his reaction.And after a weekend that started promisingly with wins for Connacht and Ulster, Munster and Leinster slipped to two more devastating, dispiriting defeats in the European Cup - we talk to Shane Horgan about deeper issues at play. Plus there's Ken's biting critique of the cowboy lifestyle, the Babe Ruth of body language experts and the return of the travelator challenge See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We give our reactions to Ireland's Euro 2016 draw, which sees us in with Belgium, Italy and Sweden; none of whom seem to rate us in any way. Emmet Malone was in Paris for the draw and tells of a city adjusting to a new 'normal'.Tony Barrett tells us about the link Jurgen Klopp is trying to forge between his team and their fans. Plus there's boring but bullish Belgians, brilliant goalkeepers, and the Duffer Stephen Hunt dynamic. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Manchester United stand alone as the only English side not to progress to the last 16 of the Champions League - John Brewin asks, are they now where Liverpool were at the start of the 1990s? And after a great night in Europe for Arsenal, Andrew Mangan of Arseblog joins us in studio to discuss if this could be the catalyst for a title charge. Plus there's our dream Euro 2016 draw, which may or may not include being in a group with England. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken Early reports live from Las Vegas ahead of the Conor McGregor / Jose Aldo UFC bout - and after over a year of build-up, it sounds like everyone (fans, fighters, and Ken) are just anxious for this fight to happen. US Murph tells us about the continuing, bewildering success of his Golden State Warriors, and we talk to Pearce Hanley, the Mayoman who this year played his 100th game of Aussie Rules football with the Brisbane Lions and recently signed a contract to keep him there until 2019. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Munster are still third in the Pro 12, and have won the only game they have played so far in Europe, but Anthony Foley isn't content. Gerry Thornley investigates what has the munster coach so unhappy. Ballyboden won their first ever Leinster club title yesterday, powered by Dublin hurler, and one-time footballer, Conal Keaney. He talks celebrations, being underestimated, and the big decision he has to make about his inter-county future. Plus there's Ken's chimpanzee advice for Conor McGregor, Mike Tyson, and old grampa Rooney and his Werthers Originals. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken talk about a bizarre weekend in the League Nobody Wants to Win (except Leicester). Meanwhile Nicklas Bendtner is tired of people thinking he is somehow unserious, but continues to dress as though he's on holiday in the Hamptons in the 1920s.Miguel Delaney was at Stoke to see Europe's flakiest big club, Manchester City, drop another three points.And watching Louis van Gaal's Manchester United has got Jonathan Wilson wondering what "attack" really means. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week's topics of discussion with US Murph - sporting perfection is reality, the Messi of the NBA and how to break your sport.What do flesh-eating viruses tell us about Brazilian society and Rio 2016? Ewan McKenna joins us from Belo Horizonte.And there's Conor McGregor's concerns over Brazilian drug-testing, Jonny Wilkinson's double-jobbing, and how Ken's family defeated the Royal Navy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Murph discuss Gary Neville's appointment at Valencia. Will he be the first graduate of the Fergie school not to be quite a disappointing manager? Meanwhile FIFA are planning to bloat the World Cup to even more ungainly proportions. Sid Lowe tells us a bit about the situation Neville is arriving into at Valencia. And Tony Barrett tries to explain how Jurgen Klopp has transformed Liverpool in two short months. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Is it time for us to hail Tyson Fury, Irish heavyweight champion of the world? His views on homosexuality, abortion and paedophilia were outlined in stark terms long before he defeated Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday night - we speak to renowned author and journalist Donald McRae.Connacht are the form team in Ireland right now, and after a dominating win over Munster in Thomond Park on Saturday night, Gerry Thornley tells us how long they can stay top of the Pro 12. Plus there's extreme cold in Crossmaglen, the chiropractor, and how to separate off-field flaws from on-field achievement. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken put themselves in Pep Guardiola's shoes. Which Manchester club would they rather manage? Richie Towell's move to Brighton and Diego Costa's bib also feature.Jonathan Liew joins us to discuss why he feels the celebrated Jamie Vardy has gotten off lightly for his racist abuse of a man in a casino. And Graham Hunter tells us why Guardiola is the essential appointment Manchester United must move heaven and earth to make. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken talk about the midweek Champions League, the grumblings at Old Trafford, the worst way to win a match 4-3, and the cultification of Klopp.Gabriele Marcotti joins us to give his views on what's happening to LVGMUFC. Why are the former United players in the media so grumpy? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran present a special edition of the podcast - a recording of the live show in the Grand Social to launch the Second Captains Sports Annual.They're joined on stage by Oisin McConville, Richie Sadlier and historian Cormac Moore to discuss the idea of an All-Ireland football team. Why do we have two separate Irish teams in football when most sports only have one for the whole island? What are the barriers standing in the way of a football reunification? How do people feel about the idea? Plus there's Grealish's pout, Ken's All Time team, and doodles. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This has the potential to be a long, fruitless campaign for the Irish provinces in Europe - Denis Hickie and Gerry Thornley discuss another two defeats for Leinster and Ulster.He may have had the worst year of his golfing career, but Graeme McDowell has managed to turn it around in impressive style, with a win last Monday followed up yesterday by a third place finish on the PGA Tour. We talk about one of Ireland's soundest sportspeople with Lawrence Donegan.Plus there's hurling attempting to break America, athletic manslaughter and Coutinho playing a little too well for Liverpool. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph talk about El Clashico, the two hours of incredible football on Saturday night played out in Madrid and Manchester. Dermot Corrigan joins us to pick over the bones of Real Madrid's humbling at the hands of Barcelona. And John Brewin was there to see Manuel Pellegrini rage like Lear on the heath after Liverpool tore his team to pieces. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about football parables, and the sabotage of the Dele Alli transfer. We're joined by the editor-in-chief of Offside magazine, Anders Bengtsson, to talk about Zlatan's role in changing the Swedish international team and even Swedish society.And Sid Lowe gives us his thoughts on the swirl of political intrigue at Real Madrid ahead of this weekend's Clasico. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The death of Jonah Lomu has been mourned worldwide - we speak to Matt Williams about the triumph of nature over nurture. US Murph is back, talking to us about excessive NFL celebrations, the state of American sports broadcasting, and Elvis on Ed Sullivan... all from the patio of his suite at the Ritz Carlton in Hawaii.Plus there's the danger with helicopters, Anthony Cunningham, a very special Italia 90-themed PBESO, Richie McCaw stats, and an intriguing peek into Ken Early's early life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to our Euro 2016 bonus podcast! Eoin, Ken and Murph talk about the star players, the job Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane have done, Super Victor the 2016 mascot, and how the Aviva Stadium has become a fun place to go watch a football game.We catch up with Richie Sadlier and Dion Fanning to get their thoughts on a memorable campaign and hear from MOTM Robbie Brady and master of ceremonies Robbie Keane. Plus we ponder which amazing French city we would like to visit, levitating fans, Ken's visit to Roma II and why things ended badly between Snap, Crackle and Pop. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 33-6 defeat at home to Wasps on Sunday was Leinster's most damaging defeat in European Cup history, and immediately casts their future in this year's competition in doubt. Gerry Thornley talks Leo Cullen, Simon Zebo's future and Munster's emotional trip to Stade Francais next Sunday.The Cork ladies footballers are Ireland's most dominant team, having won 10 All-Irelands in 11 years, and journalist Mary White has played with them, reported on them, and has now authored the first book on an Irish female sports team.Plus there's Leo the Lion getting punked, Ronda Rousey getting knocked out, and empathy-free rugby club chairmen. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about the psychology of terrorist attacks on sporting events.Simon Kuper joins us from Paris to reflect on the city's nightmarish weekend and future implications. And Miguel Delaney analyses Ireland's chances of finishing the job against Bosnia. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.