Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Paul McGrath joins Ken, Eoin and Murph to continue our coverage of Ireland in our daily Euro 2016 podcast, and one of Ireland's greatest ever footballers is bullish about our chances of handling Romelu Lukaku and company on Saturday. We get the Welsh view from Tom Williams of AFP as Gareth Bale channels his inner Warren Gatland and needles the English ahead of their match tomorrow, and there's also feverish Icelandic commentary, Ronaldo's poor grasp of geography and the post-masculine vibe of the Irish fan experience. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It was a positive start to the Euros for Ireland, with Wes Hoolahan's goal and performance the highlight in our 1-1 draw with Sweden. Ken is in Paris, having sampled a night with the Irish fans, which he assures us was part of a wider study on fan behaviour throughout the tournament...Richie Sadlier joins us in studio and we discuss Jeff Hendrick's coming of age, Jon Walters injury, what exactly it takes for a player to fail a pre-match fitness test, issues with Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy, and Robbie's eyes. And Richie reveals his anguish at taking on the senior analyst role in RTE. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It was as if the world of sport realised that it needed to up it's game to get any attention as the Euros kicked off... and both the GAA and rugby action at the weekend was pretty entertaining.14-man Ireland recorded a stunning first ever victory over the Springboks in South Africa, while our u-20s beat New Zealand in similarly emphatic style. Tipperary hammered Cork, Donegal opened up their summer, and Oisin McConville and Gerry Thornley are on hand to talk us through it all. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken, Ciaran and Emmet Malone look forward to Ireland's Euro 2016 opener against Sweden, and back to the European festival or tear gas that took place in Marseille over the weekend. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Euros are finally here, and we have the first of our daily shows throughout the tournament. Ken Early is in Marseilles, uncomfortably close to the Queen Victoria pub, the unofficial England football supporters' HQ. Dion Fanning tells us why Ireland have taken the day off today, and Michael Walker is with Northern Ireland. Plus there's a scumbag of the week, and the giant dildo UEFA had to distance themselves from. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two more All-Ireland contenders make their summer bow this weekend - Mike Quirke and Karol Mannion talk Donegal, and Kerry... and debate whether Roscommon deserve to be in that bracket too.We talk about the Muslim footballers playing in Euro 2016 and competing at the highest level while also observing Ramadan with journalist and activist Shireen Ahmed. Plus there's tedious Euros bus slogans, Ken's all-time Euros XI, and supporting Northern Ireland. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran are in the grip of Euro fever, as Jerome Boateng becomes a political football, the sportswear marketing campaigns become ever more complex, and Zlatan reveals another reason why he didn't fit in at Barcelona.We check in with Philippe Auclair to talk about the Yin and Yang of Frenchitude, on the eve of the tournament. And Oluwashina Okeleji joins us to pay tribute to his friend and interview sparring partner Stephen Keshi, aka the Godfather of Exodus, who died suddenly this week aged 54. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken has arrived in France, and reports live from his old town of Marseilles as preparations for Euro 2016 continue. Ireland have already had a couple of media storms, with Martin O'Neill's "queers" comment from last week revealed, and then apologised for over the weekend. Miguel Delaney joins us to talk about the relatively restrained reaction. Plus there's Ken's rapprochement with Basile Boli, laser hair removal with the Ireland football team, Jamie Vardy's next move and Zlatan's thoughts on Leicester. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Waterford are All-Ireland contenders, and one of us is convinced they're about to win their first Liam McCarthy since 1959. Eoin Kelly and Malachy Clerkin are in studio to talk about their convincing win over Clare on Sunday.We discuss Jim McGuinness' 5-point plan to beat the Dubs, and Eoin relays in exhaustive detail his journey with the Hill on tour. Plus there's Muhammad Ali's magic tricks, emails from scum around the country, and Murph plans a road-trip with his Dad. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Come and join our celebration of the life of The Greatest. Murph and Ken are ruthlessly axed from this momentous show in favour of World Champion boxer Andy Lee and Second Captains producer/Ali superfan Mark Horgan.Eoin, Mark and Andy are joined by one of America’s foremost civil rights figures, Reverend Jesse Jackson, to discuss Ali’s role in the freedom struggle and to hear Rev. Jackson’s personal recollections of moments shared with The Champ.And Eoin spends some time in the company of the incomparable Jerry Izenberg at his home in Nevada (Jerry’s home, not Eoin’s). Jerry unleashes all of his storytelling ability to get to the heart of what his friend Ali was like in the quiet moments, away from the ring and tv cameras.We also pay some audio tributes to Ali with a little help from Howard Cossell, Mike Tyson, Spike Lee and George Foreman.RIP Muhammad Ali. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Roy Keane's addiction to truth, Roy Hodgson's determination not to be remembered as Boring Roy, and the ongoing racism controversy in French footballEmmet Malone joins us in studio to analyse Keane's remarks and bring us up to speed on what's been happening down in Cork. Plus there’s Martin O'Neill's pop at Dunphy, Paul McGrath, and Matt Spiro talks to us about L'Affaire Benzema. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Armagh's manager Kieran McGeeney has been fiercely criticised since their heavy championship defeat to Cavan. His old team-mate Oisin McConville is in studio to talk about Brolly, McGeeney and the strained relationship between Armagh and his club Crossmaglen Rangers.With the NBA Finals about to tip off, a husky voiced US Murph tells us about the Golden State Warriors' thrilling comeback from 3-1 down to defeat Oklahoma City, and how his opinion of Steph Curry has changed in recent weeks. Plus there's Darragh O Se, fool's pardons, Eoin's Poems, keesters and basketball nirvana. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

To celebrate Ireland’s first international in Cork since 1985, we went to one of the city’s finest establishments, Crane Lane Theatre, to talk all things Euros. Brian Kerr, Stephen Hunt and Dion Fanning joined us on stage to discuss O’Neill, realistic ambitions, our group opponents, and the secret sauce that drives all Irish football teams to success at major tournaments.Plus there’s Sergio Ramos the charmer, Ronaldo’s dream and tons and tons of Cork love. Thanks everyone, we had a ball. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Exciting on the field, classy off it, successful, joyful noisy fans, loveable underdogs, beating old foes, saving their best performance for the final - this has been the perfect season for Connacht.Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley reflect on an amazing year for Pat Lam's team, what makes them tick, and look at what the future holds for all involved.Plus there's limp Leinster, comparing Real Madrid with Connacht, and magnificent Muldoon. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken is in Milan for the Champions League final between Atletico and Real Madrid, and is so far unimpressed by the brutalist architecture of that great city's train station. Emmet Malone came straight from the Ireland camp to discuss the latest squad permutations and gives us a possible surprise inclusion when Martin O'Neill eventually names his squad next Tuesday night, after Ireland-Belarus.Plus there's Jose's intellectual property rights, Ken's goooaaals, and news of a live show in Cork next Monday for our listeners, check out http://www.irishtimes.com/competitions/secondcaptainscorkevent for more details. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's seldom enough you can say with certainty that you are talking to a man who, however briefly, was the most famous man on the planet. Ben Johnson, the man stripped of the 100m gold medal in the 88 Olympics, joins us in studio. He give us his thoughts on Usain Bolt, his old rival Carl Lewis, mental health, his childhood, and how he has found peace in retirement.We speak to Eddie Bolger, coach to Ireland's latest boxing sensation Kellie Harrington. Plus there's Duffer poems, Scandinavian scum and news on our Cork show on Monday 30th May - check out http://www.irishtimes.com/competitions/secondcaptainscorkevent for more details. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rory McIlroy had a pretty good weekend - winning the Irish Open in thrilling style at the K Club. We reflect on how he saved the tournament, breathed new life into it, and at long last finally put together 4 good rounds on the course.Connacht were mainlining fan frenzy in Galway, while Leinster had their best game of the season - we talk to Gerry Thornley and Shane Horgan about emotion, back stories, Leinster flow and the final in Murrayfield. Plus there's Cork's slide against Tipp, Pardew's premeditation, Muirfield men's lunch arrangements and Zlatan's possible arrival in England. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the sacking of Louis van Gaal, the appointment of Jose Mourinho, and the path Manchester United are plotting back to the top. (It's a gold-bricked, silver-lampposted, diamante-studded Real Madrid path).Dion Fanning and Miguel Delaney join us to analyse the leaks and hatchet jobs of the weekend and give their opinion on whether United have chosen the right man. Plus there's going to an under 21 game in a Rolls Royce, Vardy's wedding, and what does Bobby Charlton even know about Instagram? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Liverpool led the Europa League final for 10 minutes, then it all fell apart - Ken forms a super group of football journalists in Basel to help explain the second half collapse, and what players should be sold off this summer.As we prepare for the FA Cup final on Saturday, we look back to Manchester United's last win in the tournament in 2004. Millwall provided the opposition that day and up against a young Cristiano Ronaldo was Irish full-back Robbie Ryan. Robbie and his old team-mate (and house-mate) Richie Sadlier give us their memories.Plus there's selfish Sturridge, how 'hand ball' isn't a thing anymore and evenings spent with the criminal underworld. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cork v Tipperary in the Munster hurling championship is always a big game - but this year, it feels like Clare and Waterford are hogging the limelight. Author and journalist Michael Foley tell us why Cork are still capable of springing a surprise. Former Irish amateur boxing prodigy Jason Quigley has won all 11 professional fights in a stunning start to his career in the paid ranks - he joins us from LA. Plus there's sports emojis, Eoin's Poems, and Connacht's search for a home. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.