Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the glorious new dawn of the second era of Wayne Rooney. There is also a lot of transfer and Ashley Madison dating talk today.James Corbett joins us to talk about why Everton feel they should have a chance of holding on to John Stones.And Raphael Honigstein gives us his view on the record transfer of Kevin de Bruyne to Man City, while bringing us up to date with the latest in football jargon. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the weekend's football. How many more lifetime minutes has Rooney played than Pedro? And how can Tony Pulis reconcile his admiration for Napoleon with his love of tradition, order and respect?Jacob Steinberg joins us to discuss West Ham's calculated risk in appointing Slaven Bilic. And John Brewin was at the Hawthorns to see Mourinho finally get the better of Tony Pulis. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kerry are in the All-Ireland final again - the first champions to make it back to the final the following year since they did it themselves in 2008. Oisin McConville and Micheal Quirke discuss the incredible 24 month turnaround from talk of a drought to talk of an era of dominance.Usain Bolt V Justin Gatlin pulled in the fans this weekend - David Gillick tells us if the good vs evil narrative helps the sport of athletics. And we talk the Rorschach test for Chris Bart-Williams, Daley Thompson's tracksuit and the 'footbal fan on post-game rant' youtube genre - the gift that keeps on giving. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Pedro. A cut-and-dried case of Chelsea coveting their neighbour's ass? If Manchester United didn’t covet Pedro, what was Ed Woodward doing in Barcelona? And why does Jose Mourinho burn out wingers at such an alarming rate?Richie Sadlier joins us to talk through the ramifications of the Pedro deal, and whether Manchester United can feel confident about their attacking options if that’s the last action of the transfer window. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kerry and Tyrone face off in the first of the All Ireland semis on Sunday. Micheal Quirke talks Tiernan McCann ban farce, Kerry converting superiority into a win, and the day Paidi O"Se faced one of his own fans.Johnny Sexton talks to Simon about Leo the coach, recruiting from within and fine tuning for the RWC. Plus there's Ronaldo hair, the crazy cats at the CCCC, and refugees, dictatorships and cycling in Eritrea. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss complicated Van Gaal, John Terry's crushed pride and the options now open to Chelsea's wounded Lion.Dr Jonathan Wilson attempts to diagnose what is eating Chelsea FC. And John Brewin assesses Wayne Rooney's prospects of successfully carrying the Manchester United attack this season. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Finally, Galway and Tipperary gave us a game to remember, and we have Eoin Kelly in studio to talk to us about a thrilling All-Ireland hurling semi-final.We discuss Jason Day's incredible journey to becoming a major champion and creating a Big Three, and we talk to one of Ireland's best sportspeople, boxer Michael Conlan, after his European Championship gold medal and Boxer of the Tournament success. Plus there's Eoin's hurling helmet getting a trip to Croke Park, boozed up golf fans, and celebrations in the Early house. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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Eoin and Ken discuss the medical profession. Is it ethical for a doctor to stand up for themselves if they are publicly criticised by their employer? And what constitutes celebrity status?Dion Fanning joins us to talk about Jose Mourinho's masterclass in how not to run your public relations. And Gabriele Marcotti analyses the impact of the Premier League's latest gigantic TV contract. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran reflect on the opening weekend of the Premier League season and particularly Swansea City, who are suddenly bristling with superstar players. Is Jonjo Shelvey the English Rijkaard? Is Jefferson Montero the Ecuadorean Jimmy Johnstone? Is Andre Ayew the Ghanaian Tim Cahill?Jonathan Wilson joins us to reflect on the growing strength of the Premier League's middle class. And Oluwashina Okeleji joins us from Nigeria to talk about the Super Eagles' pursuit of Jordon Ibe and THAT interview with Stephen Keshi. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It was a bumper weekend of sport, the highlight of which was Shane Lowry's win in the Bridgestone Invitational. We also talk about Ireland's assured start to their World Cup build-up with Gerry Thornley.Kilkenny move remorselessly on - Murph thinks Kilkenny are fallible, the rather better-qualified Eoin Kelly isn't so sure - and there's Mayo and Tyrone down to the last 4, but not without some controversy. Plus there's Richie Hogan's skinless feet, intense hair-ruffles, and Brian Cody selfies. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mayo and Donegal is the first meeting of heavyweights in this year's championship, and Oisin McConville and Malachy Clerkin ask some tough questions of Mayo. They're still backing them for victory mind, and Ken goes 2 steps further, backing them for ultimate glory in September.Shane Horgan talks to us about walking the tightrope between avoiding injury and cementing your place in the squad during these Rugby World Cup warm-up games. Plus there's a bad case of wicket-fever, welsh hallucinations, Kamp Staaldraad and Waterford's reasons for hope. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran ponder how long you realistically need to prove yourself in the eyes of a judge as perceptive as Jose Mourinho. 10 matches? 10 minutes? 10 seconds?Tony Barrett joins us to discuss the potential transfer of John Stones, and how market forces are recasting the city of Liverpool as a feeding ground for the richest clubs. Plus there's evil Messi, Ken's predictions for PL and McDevitt's marathon fable. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We have world middleweight champion Andy Lee in studio talking about his new career as a boxing promoter, his challenger's distasteful thoughts on women, and visualising the biggest night of his career.David Epstein, author of The Sports Gene, joins us to talk about the explosive Sunday Times / ARD investigation that suggests widespread doping in athletics.And we talk about just why Jim McGuinness was right to be disturbed by the weekend's football action. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss the possibility of an island, the impossibility of a handshake, and why Pep Guardiola seems to be eager to let everyone know Bastian Schweinsteiger is a crock.Miguel Delaney joins us to talk about whether Arsenal really are the biggest threat to Chelsea's chances of retaining the title. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Diego Costa's dead dog, and Michel Platini's political rivals.Jonathan Wilson joins us to talk about whether the mere fact of becoming Britain's most expensive player means you need to take any responsibility for your own performance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Four games in the gaelic football championship this weekend, and some teams that have impressed in the qualifiers face their acid test - Oisin McConville joins us in studio. Adam Goodes, one of Australian Rules' biggest stars, is in the middle of a massive racism storm - we speak to Rohan Connolly about some uncomfortable home truths for Aussie sports fans to confront. US Murph tells us about the latest developments in the Tom Brady Deflategate omnishambles and we pay tribute to the late Peter O'Sullevan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Louis van Gaal's skewed priorities, Alex Ferguson's retaliator strategy and Hulk Hogan's floundering PR battle. We also hear from Roy Keane and Ruud Dokter who today launched the new national U17 league in a press conference at FAI HQ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We are down to the last four in the All-Ireland hurling championship - and Galway and Waterford both stepped up to suggest they can trouble the provincial winners in the semi-finals. Eoin Kelly runs the rule over them. Leo Cullen looks set to be installed as the new Leinster head coach - Bernard Jackman and Gerry Thornley outlines the positives, while Eoin McDevitt mentions 'the Steve Staunton precedent'. Plus there's NSFW post-match interviews, Froome's Tour de France win, and the end of Cork sport. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Eoin's past as an agricultural slave in Australia. Meanwhile Arsene Wenger is lecturing Manchester United and Barcelona on how to do their business.John Brewin joins us to talk about Ed "Zero Gravity" Woodward and his remarkable transformation from market jester to transfer kingpin, and whether Raheem Sterling's agent really deserves the criticism that comes his way. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.