The Second Captains Podcast

Permutations Man had a rough week last week and he is back on air today to explain what happened.Ken asks if Rio Ferdinand was the worst possible choice for a complex World Cup tv draw?The Champions Cup is back, and Munster got a reality check inside the first 20 minutes against Bath on Saturday evening. Munster legend Dave Kilcoyne and Gerry Thornley lament Tadhg Beirne's early yellow card, sift through Leinster's leaky display against Harlequins in the Aviva and examine where Rieko Ioane will fit in during his short stint in Dublin.We also discuss Dingle's incredible last-minute win over St Finbarr's in the Munster club football final yesterday and raise a glass to the death of Bazball.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The memory of Friday's FIFA draw continues to linger like the smell of a dead rat under the floorboards. As he whines about middle-of-the-night kick offs, people are accusing Ken of being 'eurocentric' - but surely somebody has to be?Meanwhile Mo Salah seems to have torched his future at Liverpool by accusing the manager and club of throwing him under the bus, trying to get him to take all the blame, wanting him out of the club, etc. How is this sad situation likely to play out? Due to overwhelming popular demand and indeed anger, Ben Fisher joins us to talk about Aston Villa: the Title Charge only Villa fans Saw Coming. How did Villa get Arsenal on the ropes more than any other side they've faced this season? Is Morgan Rogers actually better than Bellingham? And - yes - are Villa going to win the league?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've seen it all this week on Second Captains, from ultrarunning with 100 mile world record holder Caitriona Jennings to 'American ultraviolence' with Hasan Piker on Ken's Politics Podcast, taking in our Sports Book of the Year Show and a brilliant follow-up chat with Ireland and QPR's Jimmy Dunne along the way. For six independent ad-free shows a week, sign up now at secondcaptains.com/join - the gang's all here!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caitriona Jennings is the proud World Record holder over the terrifying distance of 100 miles and she spoke to us in studio about how and why she was able to run this distance, what it feels like mid race, and her harrowing London Olympics marathon experience.We discuss Charlie Smyth’s extraordinary journey from the Down senior Gaelic football team to kicking a 56-yard field goal on his NFL debut yesterday, having skipped high school and college American Football altogether.There’s also Murph’s most vivid sports dreams, rugby losing its marbles, and why the Barrett brothers are in the ha’penny place when it comes to the Wall family. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just as a watched pot never boils, an obsessively tracked Irish striker in Europe does not deliver goals under the desperate hungry eyes of the nation. Is it time for us to back off Troy and Ev and give them some space to do their thing? Maybe, but not today! James Horncastle joins us to talk about Roma v Napoli. How happy is Gian Piero Gasperini likely to be with the performances of his young centre forward? Has Antonio Conte finally... mellowed? And just what is going on at Como that is drawing galactico celebs of the stature of - Fabrizio Romano - to their games? As we have grown used to complaints about football becoming robotic and predictable, it fell to Moises Caicedo and Lucas Paqueta to remind us that many footballers remain human, all too human...Toy Drive for children living in the International Protection system and Homeless Accommodation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our world service e taster show! To access all our shows go to secondcaptains.com/joinTo get some insight into the man presiding over Liverpool’s worst run of defeats in more than 70 years, we welcome Mikos Gouka, journalist with Algemeene Dagblad and author of the recently released Arne Slot: The New Era.There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’  ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GOOOOOLAZZOOOO... OK Evan Ferguson's first goal for Roma was not quite in that category but we can say now that the Eternal City has officially entered Fergie Time. Meanwhile Troy Parrott scored another nice goal: is this an unprecedented attacking selection headache for Ireland? What's the deal with playing two strikers anyway? How many teams are doing it in the Premier League right now? The answer may surprise you, as may the copious documentation of the answer.We address recent criticism that Ken doesn't talk about Liverpool enough by talking a bit about the latest struggles of the PL crisis club and how Arne Slot's treatment of one overlooked squad member hints at the deeper problems.We talk about some choppy waters in Scotland's capital of football. Dermot Desmond's son Ross tried to pour oil on the troubled waters and now the sea is on fire.Miguel Delaney and Jonathan Wilson join us to look back at some of the weekend's football. Arsenal's destruction of Tottenham showed why Opta now give them a 75% chance of winning the PL title, with Eberechi Eze dominating the derby: how did Spurs fumble that one? And who can Liverpool get to fix their broken boiler?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

South Africa beat Ireland 24-13 but in reality it was a demolition by Rassie's men. Did the whole game hang on James Ryan's deserved red card, or could Ireland have done more to adapt to the situation against the world's best team?We chat to our man in South Africa, Craig Ray about the rash of reds and yellows, if refs get influenced by external noise, if Ireland could ever dream of having a scrum as good as South Africa's and how long Rassie's reign of terror will last.Andrew Trimble examines the Ryan red fallout, if the scrum dominates the sport too much and how far off the top table Ireland now are, with France away in Paris next up.Plus there's a Murph scapegoat masterclass, the Tom Court rebuttal, stop start rugby, and the mystery bunker man. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a beautiful, podcast-packed week on the World Service since Troy Parrott stole the nation's heart on Sunday afternoon in Budapest. Seven shows later, we're bringing you a taste of what member-led broadcasting looks like in a golden few days for Irish football. Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to our programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent and commercial-free with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’  ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Irish lineout was near perfect, their kicking game was on point, a few key players are back in form, they have a new fullback option in Mack Hansen, both 10's played well, they beat Australia by a record margin and the fans in Lansdowne Road went home happy for the second time in four days... the good times just keep rolling in Irish sport.We chat to Shane Horgan and Andrew Trimble about the many positives from Saturday night, Mack at 15, the art of catching, where the tries came from, Prendergast's attacking game and his defensive frailties, who should start against South Africa and if the red cards in the last two weeks for Mostert and De Jager will soften Rassie's cough when it comes to collisions next weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Skill, heroics, late late glory... things like this don't happen to us, until now. Ken, Eoin and Murph record today's show in a state of joyous disbelief, and Branno joins us from Budapest to reflect on the goals, the emotion, the madness.Plus there's the playoff picture, Troy's week and the brilliant post match interviews. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've recorded a lot of podcasts.... but the one we just posted today about all the great moments, all the heroes, all the Ronaldo comedy and all the joy of beating Portugal 2-0 is maybe our favourite ever. Our best of show includes a taste of that joy, plus some Ken education and a great chat about Swedish football, Zlatan and Isak.On Sunday we will be posting a show straight after the Hungary game, and next week we preview Ireland V the world champs South Africa.Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to our programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’  ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland eventually got the win over Japan on Saturday but all the same doubts remain about a team that has had very few good performances since the summer of 2024.Andy Farrell was honest with the media afterwards, stating “we need to get over ourselves and get on with the big boy stuff". We chat to Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley about Farrell's frankness, why previously skilful players are making so many handling errors, how the lineout could be so clunky two weeks in a row, and if the team has any hope against a marauding South African team in two weeks time.We also chat to Craig Ray about an era defining win for Rassie's side in Paris, if the Boks have any weaknesses anymore and Australia's topsy turvy season.Plus there's body language bluster, questioning Paul O'Connell and the day Irish rugby created a monster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a surprise to wake up on Saturday morning and find that US Senator Lindsey Graham had been putting the boot into the FAI. https://x.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1986961533193032133?s=20Graham was referring to the resolution that was due to be voted on at Saturday's FAI EGM, asking the FAI to forward a motion to the UEFA Executive Committee requesting the suspension of Israel's FA from UEFA competitions. Graham's words did not deter the General Assembly from passing the resolution by a margin of 74 votes to 7. We talk through the origins and implications of the vote. Gavin Cooney and John Brewin join us to talk about the weekend's football. Are Manchester City back on the march? Did Liverpool's squad-building forget the all-important dimension of scale? Was Arsenal's wobble against Sunderland a preview of forthcoming attractions?And what now for on-screen-presence's Stephen Bradley, after he led Shamrock Rovers to their first Double since 1987?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a heck of a spread put out for our world service members this week with Infantino announcing the creation of a new FIFA peace prize and appearing on stage at the same event as Donald Trump in Miami last night, Champions League action featuring Yamal and Dan Burn, Liverpool outplaying Madrid, Trent getting booed, the DJ Carey sentencing, Ireland V NZ fallout, Ireland thumping Panama in the u-17 FIFA World Cup, and Erling Haaland's offside masterclass.Next week we will preview Ireland V Portugal in the WC qualifiers, Ireland V Joe Schmidt's Australia in the November internationals and keep an eye on the under 17's team progress.There’ll be some "touching" tomorrow, Branno and Sneyd on Heimir and the LOI season is out today and we will as ever stay on top of all the big stories.Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to our programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’  ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For an hour on Saturday Ireland looked comfortable, if not quite in control, against NZ, and then came a sliding doors moment as Jamie Osborne dropped a pass from Crowley, and within four plays the All Blacks were ahead and, as it turned out, home and hosed. Ireland have now lost to NZ three times in a row, and since the 2023 RWC have had very few good performances. We talk to Shane Horgan about the dramatic drop in standards for the final 20 mins and if this is proof of a slow decline in this team.We also discuss the faulty lineout, defensive errors, a lack of Irish line breaks, options for the Japan game and the PA/big screen/TMO clown show at Soldier Field.Plus there's breaking news on DJ Carey, Xhosa comms and selling the game to America. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Players despise fans, we know that, but should they nevertheless feel compelled to salute them at the end of every game or can we all do without this level of insincerity? Bohemians sealed fourth place in the League of Ireland and will qualify for Europe if Shamrock Rovers complete the double next weekend, but this did not improve the mood of manager Alan Reynolds, who this weekend dubbed Bohs fans "ridiculous". Branno, it turns out, likes having the whip cracked in his face.Jack Pitt-Brooke and Dion Fanning join us to talk about the weekend's football. Why are many Tottenham fans apparently unimpressed with Thomas Frank's rapid transformation of them from the laughing stock of the league to a reasonably respectable outfit? And who is currently the best midfielder in the PL, Declan Rice or Moises Caicedo? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week winter announced its arrival with rain that was general all over Ireland, nonetheless we've been having a fun week here at Second Captains Towers and now we want to share some of that with you. Before Ireland take on New Zealand in Chicago we hear from Conor Murray who was a guest of ours at the Gaiety a few weeks back. Can Ireland repeat the victory of Conor and the other men of '16. Staying in those most United of States we spoke to Defector staff writer Patrick Redford about the sweeping changes to the American sporting landscape since the legalisation of gambling and a Bond-esque caper allegedly involving the Mafia, x-ray poker tables, invisible ink, rigged shuffling machines and a handful of known NBA figures. And finally our resident Bohs fan aimlessly walks the streets of Drumcondra in search of an answer to Shamrock Rovers dominance of the League of Ireland - encountering ghosts along the way. Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to our programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’  ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Keith Andrews the new Mikel Arteta? Hard to say for sure, as it suddenly seems as though everybody wants to be the new version of the Arsenal coach, whose bulletproof juggernaut continues to bulldoze all comers. But it was another good weekend for Andrews, whose team personify the spirit of 2025. We also talk about the wildly different interpretation of the sport demonstrated by Real Madrid and Barcelona in Sunday’s Clasico, compared to the weekend’s Premier League games.Neil Atkinson and Gavin Cooney join us to talk about the weekend’s football. Have Arsenal broken the back of this thing already? What has Gavin learned from interviewing the Irishman working at the heart of one of the world’s leading laboratories of set piece ball? And can either of them identify the reasons for Liverpool FC’s ever-worsening crisis?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Orla Comerford has just come off a sensational year, one which started in Paris in September 2024 when she took a Paralympic bronze medal in the 100m and finished 3 weeks ago with double World Championship golds in the 100 and 200m. She joined us in studio this week to chat through the madness of the last 13 months.It’s almost World Series time, and reigning champions the LA Dodgers got there courtesy of the single greatest display in the history of American sports. For once, the hype is justified. We discussed the Ohtani miracle with US Murph. We also chatted to Andy Lee and Joseph Parker at our live show. Parker is a World heavyweight champion but his career was drifting until he hooked up with Andy in the last few years and he’s back in the ring this Saturday night in London.Plus there's former Derry u-20 footballer Jude McAtamney getting selected for, and then ruthlessly let go, by the NY Giants, the Guardian’s Jonathan Liew told us why he thinks a ban on Maccabi Tel-Aviv is not a ban on Jewish football fans.Next week Ken is back, there's Ire V NZ in Chicago and build up to Ireland's historic Under-17 World Cup appearance.Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to our programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’  ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.