Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Ken and Eoin discuss the Robbie Keane/Wes Hoolahan/Shane Long dilemma, the shrinking home advantage, Roy Keane's expectations of telepath, and Roy Hodgson stepping on another rake.Emmet Malone takes the pulse of the Irish squad before they take on the world champs.German analyst Stephan Uersfeld tells us they remain super confident in spite of shaky recent form. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken, Eoin and Murph discuss monkey attacks, the pebble of Cashel, short kick outs, memorable goalies and if life would be better with a name like Jordan Perez.We welcome Gerry Thornley and Denis Hickie into studio to discuss the start of the European season, which Irish team will go furthest and if 'Toulon the unstoppable money machine' are bad for the game. On Saturday Poland secured their first win ever against hated rivals Germany, who hadn't lost a qualifier since 2007. We talk to Maciej Iwanski, football commentator with TVP Poland about the historical and sporting significance of this win. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Roy Keane's new book and wonder do we know the man any better after reading this latest autobiography.Emmet Malone was at today's launch of Roy's book and we hear his reaction to what has been a bizarre week overall.And Sid Lowe joins us to talk about FC Barcelona's part in the Catalan independence debate. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken has been speed reading the Roy Keane book and finds within those pages a man deeply unsure of himself, a comic genius and one who still enjoys confrontation as much as ever.We talk to Gabriele Marcotti about Keane, the Kevin Pietersen farce, bullying in elite sport and what its like to write Paolo Di Canio's autobiography.We also have Christy O'Connor on Cork legend Ger Cunningham replacing Anthony Daly, a Mt Kiliminjaro PBESO special, Mr Football Wally Downes, and lots of insight into the mind of Roy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss various managers' views on the proper response for injured or semi-injured footballers: do you grit your teeth and play through the pain, or burst into tears and let everyone down?John Brewin was at Stamford Bridge to see Chelsea rolling over the top of Arsenal.And Manuel Veth talks to us about the cost of Russia 2018. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin Ken and Murph implore Leinster and Munster to start fighting again, dismiss Carlow football, have a cunning plan for Joe Schmidt and explain how to out sprint Jim McGuinness.Denis Hickie and Gerry Thornley worry for Leinster, Munster and also Ireland after a sub standard derby on saturday night.Oisin McConville explains why Donegal's All Ireland win in 2012 was the greatest coaching achievement in the history of the GAA and why there's good news for, Meath, Galway and Longford. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss whether the best way to stop conceding goals at set pieces is to practise not conceding goals from set pieces, and wonder whether Arsene Wenger has finally found his Caleb Folan.Richie Sadlier joins us to talk about Liverpool's abject showing in Basel.And Tim Vickery on the huge impact FIFA's ban on third-party ownership will have on Brazilian football's chaotic economy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken ponder the future for sports journalism, the challenges of replacing greatness (Suarez and BOD specifically), the walk of shame and how criticism is the grit that turns Kilkenny oysters into pearls.David Wallace and Shane Horgan preview Leinster V Munster and discuss the Leinster/Ireland 13 jersey subplot.We ask Jackie Tyrell about channeling personal criticism, defending in packs and NFL nicknames. All this plus US Murph on Yankees legend Derek Jeter and whether his clean cut corporate image is too good to be true. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the sweetest taste in sport, which is the taste you get in your mouth as you watch your critics eating their words. Miguel Delaney analyses Chelsea's effortless rise to the top of the Premier LeagueAnd Kieran Canning fills us on on whether Luis Suarez has turned to comfort eating as the long biting ban rolls on. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss Lefty's Fletcher Christian moment, the timing of Brian Cody's gripes, UFC's big sell, Cork's outrageous comeback and Monty's final word on being cool.Paul Kimmage was in Scotland to witness Mickelson throw Watson under the bus, while Malachy Clerkin assesses the magnitude of McGinley's achievements this week.Maurice O'Brien and Benny Dunne join us to discuss Kilkenny's dominance, Tipp's drop off and whether Clare 2013 was just a bump in the road for old style hurling. All this plus Pat Murray's Second Captains midas touch, Murph's dad's jeans and 'aloof' Dubuisson. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss how to remain positive in a negative world and the weight of footballing expectation. And for the first time, Eoin opens up on his own experience in football management, including a furious dressing room clash with maverick winger Noel King.Jonathan Wilson joins us to talk about the growth of tactics-focused journalism.And Tony Barrett talks to us ahead of this weekend's Merseyside Derby. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Can there be such a thing as TOO much sport in one weekend? We say of course not, and that's why we're looking ahead to the All-Ireland hurling final replay, the Ryder Cup, and talking to our first ever current NFL-playing guest. Michael Kavanagh and Maurice O'Brien don their baseball caps and do their best Brian Cody impersonation to pick their likely All-Ireland final selections, while US Murph tells us why Rickie Fowler has the cajones to win the Ryder Cup back for his beloved Yanks. Pat Murray is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker, and tells us why his heroes are Ronan O'Gara, and Monaghan's Paul Finlay - all that, and Ken reverses the tactics truck back into our consciousness, right here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We tried to like the All-Ireland football final for as long as we could, but there was no escaping it in the end - it was a pretty poor game. Tell a Kerry person who cares though, because they're champions for a 37th time. Our double-hard analysis dream team of Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles tell us where it was won and lost.We also look back on a crazy week of Premier League football, and there's a new documentary that helps explain why the Irish are so good at golf (its the gulf stream, rugged cliffs, and Scottish bankers).There's also golfers on Tinder, two mighty tractors in a battle to the death, Tommy Walsh's muscles, Ken's dubs, and footballers in jeans. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Frank Lampard's exemplary professionalism, Frank Lampard's deep sincerity, Frank Lampard's property empire, and Frank Lampard's kind, soulful eyes. Dion Fanning joins us to talk through Big Sam's tactical triumph at Upton Park and the trouble with Steve G.And Stuart James was there to see what Gary Lineker described as the greatest performance in the history of Leicester City FC. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Dortmund's destruction of Arsenal, and whether football fans have a duty to take into account the moral acceptability or otherwise of a club's owners.Gabriele Marcotti gives his view on the Abramovich question.And Jonathan Wilson on the same question as it applies to Manchester City, Bayern and Argentina 1978. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph give their thoughts on childhood holidays in Kerry, biased local commentators, footballer love, Carlow, and dolmens."It's going to be the pinnacle in the evolution of Gaelic Football", says Anthony Moyles in our All-Ireland football final preview, and who are we to argue. Oisin McConville, Eoin and Murph all have their say ahead of Kerry and Donegal on Sunday afternoon.US Murph gives his prediction for Kerry V Donegal, tells us how not to chat up Donegal women and also explains why, in American sport, a good big 'un isn't necessarily always better than a good little 'un. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken talk about various forms of chips, Jack Wilshere's game of two halves and Alan Pardew's brilliant litany of excuses.John Brewin joins us to talk about how Louis van Gaal is starting to strut - and Rio Ferdinand is settling some scoresAnd we check in with Raphael Honigstein ahead of this week's big Anglo-German Champions League matches See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss cycling accidents, public booze shame, the power of the vox pop, Man United's football village and how Scottish independence could impact MONKEANO.Alex Massie explains how the sporting debate over independent Scotland's future has followed along political and financial lines - threats, fear mongering, lies, celebrity campaigns and complete uncertainty.Dan Martin crashed out on the first stage of the Giro D'Italia in Belfast. We ask him how he managed to finish 7th overall in the Vuelta Espana... after falling down a ravine. We also catch up with Tony Kelly after what's been a crazily successful underage career with Clare. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From coal mining to world transfer records to Welbeck's potential, today's football show runs the whole gamut.Michael Walker joins us to talk about his new book "Up There" about football in the north-east of England.And the Angel of the North, Jonathan Wilson, talks through some recent policy changes at Manchester United. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

US Murph talks to us about Ray Rice, the NFL player who's been banned indefinitely by the NFL after a shocking video of him punching his fiancee was made public this weekend. We ask Brian if this is one episode the NFL won't survive.Former Roscommon star Karol Mannion is in studio to tell us about his history of concussion and where perceptions currently lie in Ireland. And we ask what's going on in Clare, as Podge Collins decides to play football a couple of days before they go for an under-21 three in a row.All this plus Shane O'Donnell's dancing injury, Davy Fitz, Murph's unpalatable pen pic, Back To The Future and small county fever. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.