Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about the open season on Wayne Rooney and Jurgen Klopp's effort to persuade Philippe Coutinho that his future lies at LiverpoolJohn Brewin joins us to discuss Rooney's problemsAnd Marcela Mora Y Araujo tells us why Lionel Messi is leading Argentina's players in a press boycott. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ireland face New Zealand for the second time in 14 days, and this time the All Blacks are trying to install themselves as the underdogs. Shane Horgan is on hand to preview the game. Live from Hawaii US Murph tells us about the NBA coaches expressing their disgust at recent events in America, and there's our latest email scumbag, McGregor fallout, and Ireland's bid for the Rugby World Cup in 2023. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Ciaran discuss plans for their Russian vacation in 2018, smart Ireland, the San Marino press officer's dubious retort to Thomas Müller, and the world's highest-paid sports teams. Dion Fanning joins us in studio to look back on James McClean's glory night.Plus there's Andre Rieu atmosphere, the Viennese buffet, and Frau Early. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ireland did the necessary against Canada last Saturday, and now attentions can turn to the rematch with New Zealand, the build-up to which is now all about whether we can back up the heroics in Chicago. Gerry Thornley joins us in studio. Conor McGregor has achieved immortality, according to the man himself, by becoming the UFC's first ever simultaneous dual-weight champion. Dave Hannigan was there, and he tells us what he made of it all. Plus there's that Lebanese ad that continues to ensorcell us, Eamon Dunphy fires a shot across Ken's bow, and the tiresome Muhammad Ali comparisons that won't go away. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the upcoming match between Ireland and Austria, edgy Roy Keane, Polster pain, some club v country injury-squabbles, and Manchester United's claim to be at least as big as Jesus, without being disrespectful in any way.And Jonathan Wilson joins us to talk about the dispute between England, Scotland and FIFA over the poppy armbands. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We felt bad for US Murph this week... so bad in fact, that before we talked Trump with him, we invited him over to Dublin for a few days in December! Full details and a shocked Brian Murphy on the show. Conor McGregor will become immortal if he wins this Saturday, according to himself at any rate. Jeremy Botter previews the fight. Plus we look ahead to Ireland-Canada, Murph challenges Finlay Bealham to a sprint, and we consider moving to Lebanon. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Richie Sadlier is in studio to discuss Jose's latest tirade against his own players, and the FAI Cup final, won in dramatic fashion by Cork City yesterday. Tony Barrett is on hand to tell us about Liverpool's current stunning run of form, and Ken joins us from Lisbon with news from the latest Pep Guardiola hagiography. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What an extraordinary evening Irish rugby had on Saturday. Our first ever win over New Zealand came in Soldier Field in Chicago, by 40 points to 29, and forever more we can think differently about our position in world rugby.Shane Horgan was there, one of the pantheon of former Irish greats who had fallen at this hurdle in the past, and he joins us on the line. Former All-Black Ali Williams rejoins us to discuss the greater significance of this result for both nations. And Matt Williams analyses Joe Schmidt's role in it all.There's even a PBESO from inside the stadium on Saturday, so come join the celebrations. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Martin O'Neill and Ronald Koeman are at daggers drawn over the fitness of James McCarthy - Dion Fanning of SportsJoe joins us in studio to talk about the escalating war of words over our midfielder.Andrew Mangan of Arseblog discusses Mesut Ozil, Dennis Bergkamp and the greatest Arsenal goal he's ever seen.Plus there's our scumbag of the week, Daryl Horgan, Man City and the two cults surrounding Pep Guardiola. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Chicago Cubs ended their 108 year drought in dramatic fashion last night, but can Ireland end their 111 year drought against New Zealand on Saturday?We talk to Gordon Darcy about the 2013 game, what he learnt over the years, and his reasons for hope this time round. Ali Williams has beaten Ireland five times in all - we ask him if this is the greatest All Blacks side ever.Plus there's US Murph on Cubs mania, the Bill Murray show, and being in an emotional glass cage. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cathal McCarron's new autobiography "Out Of Control", written with Christy O'Connor, tells an unflinching story of theft, gambling addiction, and pornography. The 3-time All-star nominee and Tyrone footballer joins us in studio. We discuss the meteoric rise of Joey Carbery as Ireland face New Zealand in Chicago this Saturday.Plus there's PBESO signs, Eoin's binge-eating, and swizzel fizzers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Sergio Aguero's plump little hamstrings, Jurgen Klopp's precision piston engineering, and John O'Shea's vain efforts to organise Sunderland's defence.Miguel Delaney joins us to talk about Spurs, who are harder to score against than anybody, yet often find it a struggle to score themselves.Plus there's Messi's mini rebellions, Jose's reds, and McDevitt's request on behalf of all hairy chested footballers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about homophobic fans, Zlatan in disguise and football's TV ratings problem. Is football on TV too expensive, or does it have bigger problems?Jonathan Wilson joins us to talk about Manchester United's victory in the derby.And John Brewin was at the London Stadium to document the further fraying of civilization. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today signals the end of the most glittering amateur boxing career this country has ever seen, as Katie Taylor joins the professional ranks. Her new manager Brian Peters joins us on the show. Simon talks to Jonny Sexton about injuries, facing NZ, Schmidt, and the next month of Ireland internationals. US Murph tells us about the Curse of the Billygoat, and Hillary Clinton's bandwagon-jumping ways. Plus there's Bill Murray super-fan, Eoin's fear of US Immigration, and the awesome power of Irish away fans. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss "The Return". Manchester United find themselves back among the trailing pack already - do they have the cojones to deal with it?Dundalk fitness coach Graham Byrne joins us to talk about the methods that have helped the team win their third consecutive LOI title.And Dermot Corrigan reports on a fractious weekend for Spain's superstars. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kieran Donaghy blew up the All-Ireland championship not once, but twice - when he first came on the scene in 2006, and then again in 2014. We talk to one of the country's most engaging sportspeople on fathers, football and fighting dyslexia.Liam Toland and Gerry Thornley talk us through an extraordinary and sometimes uplifting day in Thomond Park on Saturday, and whether Ringrose is ready for Ireland. There's also Padraig Harrington's win in Portugal, Manchester United's globality, and Bahamas high jinks. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Manchester City's humbling in Barcelona and Mesut Özil's feeling for social media.Gabriel Marcotti joins us to analyse what went wrong on a tough night for Pep Guardiola.Plus there's mad li'l goalies and Hillary spin bowling Trump in the final debate. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken McGrath was one of the most flamboyant characters in one of the most colorful hurling teams in recent years - he talks about his hurling career with Waterford, his open-heart surgery at the age of 37, the failure of his business, and his comebacks in life, hurling management and health. John Fallon tells us how buoyant the Connacht rugby scene is in the aftermath of their 23-21 win over Toulouse in the first round of the European Rugby Champions Cup. Plus there's Munster's wake, a Pierce Brosnan Emigrant Shout-Out, and we studiously ignore the Man United / Liverpool bore-fest. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran look forward to Red Monday, as Liverpool take on Manchester United amid a frenzy of voodoo and some subtle managerial goading.Simon Hughes joins us to talk about the game and his book "Ring of Fire: Liverpool into the 21st century, the Players' Stories".Plus there's calls for ruthless Mourinho, Scholes' helicopter view, Ched Evans' moral compass and Pep's thought crime. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The death of Munster and Ireland legend Anthony Foley has shocked the entire country. Today's show is a tribute to one of the greatest figures in Irish sports.Gerry Thornley, Liam Toland, his international rival Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, and former Munster coach Alan Gaffney share their memories. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.