Second Captains @ The Irish Times

The Champions League final will be between Barcelona and Juventus - and quite a few people seem relieved it's not going to be a Clasico final. We get the reaction from Italy and Spain.Emmet Malone joins us in studio to try and help us understand why people have started to turn on Jack Grealish. Plus there's an update on Thai Premier League relegation fodder, Madrid's 'Disaster of the Century' and poor ol' Gareth Bale. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A Monaghan GAA player has been found guilty of a doping violation - Malachy Clerkin joins us to talk about whether it's unfair to ask amateur players to submit to regular drug-testing, and if stories like this are always good news for a sport, no matter what soul-searching is done.In 'rival-sports-podcasts' news, Bill Simmons has been booted out by the crusty old deans at ESPN; there's Roy Keane's latest thoughts on punditry, Aston Villa and multi-tasking; the secret of Kerry's success; and Ken's Lock of the Week. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With relegation looming for Hull's Irish contingent, we thank Everton for getting their act together in time to ensure at least a few Irish players have PL football to look forward to. John Brewin watched Liverpool's slim chances of a CL place evaporate after their draw against Chelsea. We ask him if Rodgers will get the boot. Jonathan Wilson looks ahead to Bayern Munich V Barcelona PtII. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Messi's destruction of Bayern Munich. Guardiola has the highest win percentage of any Bayern coach in history yet it seems many of their supporters might be happy to see him go.Richie Sadlier joins us in studio to talk about Memphis Depay and whether he's got the right kind of personality for Manchester United. And Tim Vickery tells us why he thinks Barcelona's all South American front line is working so well. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ulster and Munster face a defining couple of weeks in the Pro12, and after early European exits for both teams, Alan Quinlan tells us the margin for error is wafer-thin. Kerry Howley, author of "Thrown" tells us about the lure of MMA and the UFC and why trash talking isn't what the purists want. We also discuss the whodunit plot twist behind American anti-hero Bill Belichick, a Roscommon footballer's journey to enlightenment and Toulon's football transfer technique. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Floyd Mayweather won the 'Fight of the Century' with a proto-typical Mayweather performance - but the plain fact that he will never be loved was never clearer as the boos rang out at the final decision. Don Van Natta Jnr of ESPN joins us to discuss the one fight Mayweather will never win.One of the greatest forwards of the modern era Eoin Kelly from Tipperary joins us to talk about Waterford's league triumph, Toulon win a third European Cup in a row to minimal fan-fare, and there's also Ken's ground-breaking idea for success in bullfighting, sideline cuts and winning with a smile on your face. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss managerial meltdowns, Portuguese proverbs and the Champions League semi-finals.Dion Fanning was there to see John Carver wash his hands of his Newcastle players. And Gabriele Marcotti reflects on how Chelsea's third title under Jose Mourinho was different from the last two. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Floyd Mayweather against Manny Pacquaio is 'the fight of the century' - but can we separate the athlete from the abuser? We ask Louisa Thomas of Grantland about Mayweather's serial woman-beating, and whether our pay-per-view money is well spent. We talk sleepovers and sports itineraries for our upcoming San Francisco trip with US Murph. Plus there's Payweather, why its hard to care about the Champions Cup final, and the simple joy of baseball f bombs. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Nigel Pearson's short fuse, and Bayern Munich's penalty shooting.Richard Sadlier joins us to reflect on Nigel Pearson's tirade and whether his occasional outbursts are in any real sense detrimental to his career prospects. And Jonathan Wilson explains why he recently compared Jose Mourinho to Satan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the chest-beating triumph of John Terry, the signs that Thierry Henry is developing a taste for blood, and the militaristic attitudes of Australian media networks.Tony Barrett was at Goodison to see Everton sweep Man Utd aside, led by their dynamic goalscoring midfielder James McCarthy. And Kristof Terreur reflects on the development under of new PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Dubs have won their third League title in a row, but Cork's weak-willed performance was the focus of most of the post-match reaction - Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles re-evaluate Cork's chances of a championship run this year.AP McCoy has stepped away from racing after 20 years at the top - we look back at an extraordinary day at Sandown on Saturday. Plus there's annoyingly bad sports teams, John Terry Day, and the return of Nigerian manager Stephen Keshi. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the mysterious gifts of Thomas Muller and celebrate the fact that Kevin Grealish is finally getting the credit he deserves.Richard Sadlier opens up on his inadvertent war with Thierry Henry, and contemplates some thorny issues of national identity. And Sid Lowe on whether Diego Simeone is falling a little too in love with the dark side for his own good. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss goal celebration etiquette, the GAA Versus The Millenium Bug and the Splash Brothers.The NBA playoffs have kicked off, and US Murph tells us his loser home-town team the Golden State Warriors just might be the best team in basketball. Plus there's the mystery of Trevor Giles' sleeveless jersey is finally laid to rest, Andre Rieu's german soul, The Sunday Game theme tune, and the humbling aftermath of a motion picture's fairy tale success. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The manner of Leinster's defeat to Toulon may haunt them as much as the result - Gerry Thornley and Shane Horgan look back on a missed opportunity.The events of the fire at the Bradford City 30 years ago are the subject of a new book by Martin Fletcher, who lost 4 of his closest relatives that day. He joins us on the show to discuss the startling new facts which have come to light. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Jack Grealish's Wembley triumph, twitter spats, Martin O'Neill's latest task, and Pep Guardiola's major medical team malfunction.Jonathan Wilson has his theory on why Jose Mourinho takes a perverse delight in winning ugly. And Miguel Delaney was at Wembley to see Tim Sherwood lead Aston Villa... back to Wembley. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What is Leinster's biggest problem before their Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon this Sunday - their opponents' galaxy of stars, or their own form? Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley join us.We talk about the issue of naming rights for Croke Park with the author of the definitive book on Croker history, Michael Foley.Plus a big day for Brand Murph, the added value in Joe Schmidt, sporting hubris and Messi's new super-friend. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Raheem Sterling's moral war, Man City fans' pointless anger, and media shy John Delaney.We ask Richie Sadlier if every other team should give up now that Suarez, Messi and Neymar are all in form.And Raphael Honigstein talks about Bayern's shock loss to Porto and what Jurgen Klopp's game is. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jordan Spieth was a universally popular winner of the US Masters and proved himself a threat to Rory's future dominance. We discuss the impact he's made, plus Tiger's return, with author/caddy/musician Lawrence Donegan.Andy Lee just doesn't do drab - another extraordinary mid-fight turnaround saw him save a draw in front of 2.5 million tv viewers in America on Saturday night. Plus there's helicopter parents, only child issues, Bubba Watson hatin' on the Louvre, David Silva hiding behind a corner-flag, and Kid Chocolate's weighing scales See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the trials of Manuel Pellegrini, the triumph of Manchester United's outcasts over adversity, and the venomous tongue of Tony Pulis.Jonathan Wilson was at Old Trafford to see Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young lead the destruction of Manchester City. And Kieran Canning joins us from Madrid to look ahead to the Champions League quarter-final between the city's great rivals. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andy Lee's first defence of his world middleweight title is in Brooklyn on Saturday. Lou DiBella tells us why this fight will influence the rest of Andy's life.The US Masters has an unprecedented 5 Irish players in the field. Malachy Clerkin and Lawrence Donegan talk Tiger's next step, Rory's long game and ipod etiquette. Plus there's Rory's paylords, ROCKY IV, the ebb and flow of psychic energy in Wrestlemania III and Ian Poulter's massive headphones. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.