Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Its been 22 years since Argentina last won a major trophy. We talk to Jonathan Wilson at the Copa America about Messi's international 'obligation'.We talk about how Sport Against Racism Ireland has been working for years to break down barriers in Irish society through sport, and it's annual 7-aside soccer tournament yesterday was the scene of a heartbreaking loss for Second Captains FC. Plus there's June Rodgers, dodgy penalty-taking techniques, and a FIFA presidential candidate we can all get behind. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jordan Spieth is 2 for 2 in this year's golf majors. We discuss golfing chokes, selling wholesomeness and the Irish factor with Dave Hannigan.Kilkenny and Tipperary had to wait for their first games in this year's championship, but they both made telling statements of intent at the weekend - Eoin Kelly assesses their form. We talk to Frank Warren about Andy Lee's world title fight in Thomond. Plus there's wristy hurlers, talking to golf balls and which sporting mega-star now resembles Las Vegas-era Elvis. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Some football tournaments take their time getting into their stride - but this year's Copa America isn't one of them. Tim Vickery tells us about another Brazil meltdown, 6 goal thrillers and host-nation high drama.John Brewin tells us why Jose Mourinho feels Falcao deserves another chance in English football. And there's also Flava Flav, PBESO mountains, FIFA's cinematic excrement and Jonathan Pearce in Montreal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rory McIlroy was channelling LeBron James in the build-up to this week's US Open, describing himself as the world's best.Lawrence Donegan previews the second major of the golf season, while US Murph tells us why his beloved Golden State Warriors made light of James and his ragbag Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA finals. Eoin Kelly joins us in studio ahead of Tipperary against Limerick and we ask himt how managers should deal with errant players. Plus there are some tips for staying up late to watch American sporting events, tying Messi's hands behind his back to make things more interesting, dozing at mass, and crazy golf. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss national anthems, Ireland's lack of a scapegoat, Scotland's acceptance of responsibility, and rating the Women's World Cup.Emmet Malone and Dion Fanning join us in studio to talk about whether there is anything to be said for another Mass. Plus there's Jack Grealish's holiday snaps, Ken's dream permutations and fortress Reyjkavik. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mayo are being judged to a different standard than every other team in Ireland, says Malachy Clerkin, as he and Anthony Moyles take a look at thrilling Donegal, meek Meath and Mayo under new management. We hear an amazing story of heroism and heartbreak from base camp on Everest during the Nepal Earthquake from earlier this year with Irish mountaineer Paul Devaney. All that plus giant stag parties, Murph getting greased up for his local team, and our shock at Jack Grealish's twin loves of social media and lads' holidays. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Three of last year's provincial champions are in action this weekend - Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles look at obstacles facing new managers, stale Mayo, seamless Donegal and confident Meath. US Murph joins us to talk Lebron James' one-man mission and walking the egomaniac-teamwork tightrope. Plus there's McDevitt's stag, Lance V FIFA, John Giles in the media, and the Second Captains Leaving Cert exam. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Ciaran discuss Leyton Orient's Italian TV reach, Stewart Regan's cold revenge and Michael O'Neill's frustration with international political reality.Richie Sadlier considers the question of whether alcohol is an indispensable elixir of fellow-feeling and team spirit, or a dangerous drug that deceives and deludes its users and ultimately destroys everything good in the world.And Graham Hunter joins us to talk about how Gordon Strachan has brought the spark back into Scotland's play See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Maurice Shanahan fired Waterford past Cork and earned the admiring glances of Ken Early, while Dublin were humiliated by Galway - Eoin Kelly and Malachy Clerkin explain why Waterford are so goddamn loveable this year.The Women's World Cup kicked off in Canada in front of a record crowd of 53,000. ESPN's Jeff Carlisle joins us to talk about the growth of the game and playing surface sexism. Plus there's McDevitt's annoying guessing games, Italia 90 flashbacks and self refereeing. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Ireland-England heartburn, the Barbra Streisand effect, Neymar's private moment, and why anybody could manage Barcelona.Emmet Malone joins us to look back on an incredible fortnight in the career of John Delaney.And Jonathan Wilson reviews the Champions League final, and examines why English teams can't beat cut price Juve. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For part of his career David Gillick trained in America with Tyson Gay and other athletes who turned out to be dopers. David talks to us about last night's Panorama documentary on Mo Farah's coach, and how easy it is to pass drugs tests.We chat to US Murph about the FBI's historical links to corruption in sports and just how much America is enjoying watching FIFA collapse.Plus there's McDevitt's EPO marathon times, Beckham the moral crusader, salad days for sports journalists, and why Ken likes what he sees when he looks into sports' cheating eyes. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the latest revelations from the worlds of Chuck Blazer and Jack Warner, and look ahead to Saturday night's Champions League final.Martin Lipton joins us to give his view on whether the Ireland-England friendly is a bad idea, as some coverage has suggested. And we preview the big final in Berlin with Dion Fanning. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sepp Blatter shocked the world, and Ken, by standing down from his role as head of FIFA. We examine his lengthy career, his motives for this sudden departure, whats coming next for him and for FIFA, who should take over, and if this really changes anything for world football.James Montague, author of When Friday Comes: Football in the War Zone says all of football's ills were not channelled through Sepp, and that Europeans still don't get the bigger picture for the game. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Jerome Valcke's inbox problem, Sepp Blatter's enduring popularity with non-European voters, Milner time, and Lionel Messi's outstanding physical condition.Philippe Auclair joins us to discuss what the future holds for Jerome Valcke. And Gabriele Marcotti gives us his view on Rafael Benitez's time in charge of Napoli. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss vengeful Americans, wayward Englishmen and the art of blaming it on the dead guy.Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles tell us weaker county massacres will become more common and more comprehensive in the future unless the GAA make some changes. Five years ago Glasgow were a non entity in a football mad city, and this year they crushed all before them in the Pro12. The BBC's Tom English says if they can do it, anybody can. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Lebron's urban regeneration, Rory McIlroy's trouble with squinting windows, and Real's Rafa Benitez gamble.We talk to the BBC's Iain Carter about golf's ability to humiliate the greats and Rory's motivation for reviving The Irish Open.Plus there's Brian Murphy on LeBron chasing Jordan's legacy, the saddest city in America, selfish sports stars and Snoop Dogg becoming a pushy parent. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken talk about FIFA and the Feds, menacing hotel concierges, and the pivotal role being played in the unfolding global drama by prescient FAI CEO John Delaney.David Goldblatt joins us to talk about why this crisis is different from anything Sepp Blatter has faced before. And we ask Jonathan Wilson why the English clubs have a phobia about Thursday night football. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The hurlng championship had its first big day yesterday - Tipperary legend Eoin Kelly joins us to talk about Davy's post-match interview, and Limerick's precocious new star.Connacht were the victims of an inexplicable refereeing performance on Sunday. We ask Gerry Thornley about ill luck, Paul O'Connell's future and what characteristics the next Leinster coach should have. Plus there's Henry Shefflin's punditry, comparing San Francisco to Galway, Ken's day at Dublin Castle and MC Hammer Time. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We were all saddened today to hear of the passing of one of the true legends of Irish broadcasting, Bill O'Herlihy. Italia 90 and all the other major sporting occasions wouldn't have been the same without him. We had the honour of having Bill in to The Irish Times studios last year to talk about his incredible career. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken reveals his dream of conceiving a child together with Eoin. Ciaran joins in to discuss the last day of the Premier League, and together we review Sepp Blatter's audience with his preferred Swiss organ.John Brewin was at the KC Stadium to see Hull go down to the Championship. Chris Bascombe joins us to discuss the possible consequences of Liverpool's evisceration at Stoke. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.