Second Captains @ The Irish Times

The rugby season has been dominated by endless statements from administrators and club owners, but on Saturday in Thomond the fun starts. We talk to former Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan and former Leinster, Munster and Ireland player Trevor Hogan about how the stars will perform with these issues hovering in the background.American sports franchises struggle to maintain consistency over a long period of time, but in the last decade the New England Patriots have managed it better than any other side. Brian Murphy explains why.We also have Oisin McConville on marking the legendary Tomas O'Se, the 1972 Miami Dolphins, panenka V roulada, and Brian O'Driscoll's game face. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The nation was blown away by Clare's confidence and skill on saturday, but they have designs on building an empire. We ask Nicky English, Malachy Clerkin and Christy O'Connor whether a county without a history of success can go on to dominate.Johnny Sexton has been one of the most influential and interesting men in Irish rugby for the last five years, and we talk to him about Paris, O'Gara, principles and the role Brian O'Driscoll has played in his career.There's also hurling exhortations, mature Clare youths, anger as a gift and rugby friendships. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Clare hurlers said they enjoyed the drawn final, while the Cork team have spent the last three weeks repeatedly being told they're an inferior side. Author, journalist and former Clare player Christy O'Connor and Tipp legend Nicky English join us to discuss what has been a strange build-up for the two sides involved.Irish amateur boxing is springing a few leaks at the moment with John Joe Nevin on the verge of turning pro, Olympic bronze medallist Michael Conlan threatening to turn pro and Katie Taylor disillusioned with her career since the London Games. We talk to Kenneth Egan about what is a difficult time for the sport ahead of next month's World Championships.We also have Ciaran 'lights out' Murphy, why its bad to be the underdog in a replay, enjoyable failure and Katie's Irish pub experience. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we walk through the post All-Ireland wasteland to see if there are any Mayo bodies alive under the rubble. Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles wonder if Dublin winning is good for football, and we ask Mike Finnerty of the Mayo News if this is the defeat that will finally break the county's will. Brian Murphy looks at the issue of preferential treatment for star players, and why the NFL continues to produce so many athletes who struggle with life, and the law, off the field of play.We also have Aidan O'Shea's favourite poem, filthy stadiums, youth V's experience and why Mayo can't become 'just another county'. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A year after Jim McGuinness seemed to have changed the way football would be played forever, Dublin have this summer successfully pursued a very different tactic. Oisin McConville and Karol Mannion look at the philosophy of the quiet man of this championship, Jim Gavin.The future of the Heineken Cup has long been in jeopardy, but flip flopping this week by the world governing body, the IRB, calls into question just who controls the world game. Former Leinster captain and Irish Times writer Liam Toland and Chris Hewitt of the London Independent look at the bigger picture for the sport.We also have the latest on the Donegal situation, David Cameron's ancestral fear of jocks, Dubs fan WB Yeats and McDevitt's dreams. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mayo and Dublin thought their way out of trouble in their semi finals, but will James Horan and Jim Gavin make any changes to gameplan based on those scares. Mike Finnerty of the Mayo News and Malachy Clerkin of The Irish Times have met the managers and the players this week and give us the inside scoop.Two time winner of the William Hill sports book of the year Duncan Hamilton attempts to explain how football was the cause of George Best's problems in his latest book Immortal, which was written with the help of Best's family.We also have triathlete Aileen Reid on her world class performances this season, Mayo News' 64 page All-Ireland supplement, dealing with fame in the 60's, and schoolboy tactics in top class sport. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Trap is gone and Martin O'Neill is hot favourite to be his successor, but Ken and Eoin wonder would an older Roy Keane, in small (international window) doses, be the perfect man to lead the country once again.We talk about the demise of the NFL enforcer, the softening of America, and why European crowd noise is better than American crowd noise, with Brian Murphy.All this plus why success could change Mayo people, the catholic curse, why money is not the main issue in international management, an RTE TV PBESO, and how lighthouses were the cause of the downfall of the west of Ireland. Follow the show on twitter @secondcaptains, on Facebook.com/secondcaptains and send your emails to secondcaptains@irishtimes.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Ireland Sweden game brought us all to our knees, but Sunday's final was the ultimate energiser. Dublin hurler Peter Kelly and author, journalist and Clare man Christy O'Connor try to put some sense on a frenetic game of hurling, and wonder what changes the managers will make ahead of the replay. It's a fresh start for Irish rugby this season with Joe Schmidt now in charge of the national side, and two new provincial coaches in place. We ask Eddie O'Sullivan and Trevor Hogan if this is Irish rugby's big chance to think big. All this plus tepid Murph, why Davy fitz needs Robbie Keane, wrestlemania, and Trap's dignified nonsense.Follow us on twitter @secondcaptains, on facebook.com/secondcaptains and email the show second captains@irishtimes.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cork may be one of Hurling's 'Big 3' but when it comes to winning Munster and All-Ireland titles at underage recently, it's Clare that have all the pedigree. We talk to a man who has won it as a player and coach, Nicky English, along with six time winner Derek Lyng, and author, journalist and former Clare goalkeeper Christy O'Connor.Kieran McGeeney has been voted out of the Kildare job, to the disenchantment of his players - we ask his former selector Niall Carew if McGeeney needed to play the political game in order to achieve his aims with the county. The NFL season starts tonight - we ask US Murph if the concussion story has been tidily squared away or will fans now look at the sport, and the collisions, in a new light. All this plus kung-fu Zlatan, Murph's All-Ireland final livestock update, the rhythm of an international football week, and Ken reveals the truth behind Flipper's evil smile.Download it here, follow the lads on twitter @SecondCaptains and on facebook.com/secondcaptains. Email the show at se

When you’ve got a killer right hook, and no chin, you don’t really have much of an option but to come out swinging – so was that why we were treated to a game for the ages on Sunday in Croke Park? Anthony Moyles and Oisin McConville sift through the gold and look ahead to Mayo-Dublin and another potential classic in the final. Ireland’s top two cyclists have had contrasting experiences in the Vuelta Espana – Nicolas Roche won a stage, had the leader’s jersey and lies in third, whereas Daniel Martin suffered a race-ending crash in controversial circumstances. We talk to both of them.All this plus Leinster’s new coach Matt O’Connor on the challenges of taking over from Joe Schmidt, a gigantic Australian PBESO, deadline day horse-play and the fastest All Ireland pairing of all time.Download it here, follow the lads on twitter @SecondCaptains and on facebook.com/secondcaptains. Email the show at secondcaptains@irishtimes.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dublin and Kerry meet in the second All-Ireland semi-final this weekend, and the marquee rivalry in the GAA has managed to survive 70 years of almost uninterrupted Kerry dominance. We discuss with Kerry legend Darragh O Se and the Irish Times’ Malachy Clerkin. US Murph tells us about the NFL’s control over the media, and why America's most popular sport isn't too big to fail, while acclaimed author and journalist David Epstein explains why Darragh O Se was always going to be a good footballer, and Daithi O Se was never going to cut it. His book “The Sports Gene” investigates why sports stars are as good as they are. All this plus Cluxton's kick-outs, cankles, an Andy Townsend Tactics Truck Pierce Brosnan Emigrant Shout Out (ATTT PBESO) and will Ireland ever win the Olympic marathon.Follow the lads on twitter @SecondCaptains and on facebook.com/secondcaptains. Email the show at secondcaptains@irishtimes.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andy Moran was a sub in 2004 and 2006, and was on crutches watching on for last year's final against Donegal - this week he starts preparation for his fourth All-Ireland football final, this time hoping to play a full part as Mayo captain. He speaks to us today, while the best GAA analysts in the business, Anthony Moyles and Oisin McConville discuss how last Sunday could have been the perfect way to win a semi-final, and who Mayo can expect to play on September 22nd. And we talk about one of the greatest swindles of all time, involving the most-watched tennis game in history - the Battle of the Sexes, between business-man and gambler Bobby Riggs, and former great Billie Jean King.We've also got Kerry DNA, the Dublin virus, Arnie and Hercules, Jose's sacrifice and the 40 year secret. Download it here, follow the lads on twitter @SecondCaptains and on facebook.com/secondcaptains. Email the show at secondcaptains@irishtimes.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 2012 it looked like Jim McGuinness was a once in a generation genius, but this year James Horan is on track to achieve something just as outrageous. Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles tell Mayo fans that this time round history doesn't matter.According to Brian Murphy the only things Americans hate more than a cheat, is a cheating rat - step up Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees. We've also got Maria Sharapova's sugar rush, bench clearing brawls, Bale lunacy, a special corporate America PBESO and Eoin McDevitt's secret formula for All Ireland success.Follow us on twitter @SecondCaptains, on facebook.com/secondcaptains and email the show SecondCaptains@irishtimes.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sean Kelly was the world’s number 1 cyclist for five years, and was one of the most beloved Irish sportspeople worldwide throughout the Eighties. He also failed two drugs tests, and was at times overshadowed by his compatriot Stephen Roche. He discusses his new book ‘Hunger’ with Eoin today.Tyrone have had a bizarre lead-in to their All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo this weekend, with conspiracy theories, fact sheets and tackle counts looming large. Three time All-Ireland winner Enda McGinley and Malachy Clerkin of The Irish Times discuss whether their paranoia is justified, and how this might impact on Mayo. We also look at Clare / Limerick and hurling hype with Derek Lyng and Nicky English, Pat McQuaid the journalist, Brolly the barrister, good drugs, and the Davy Fitz death stare.Contact us on twitter @SecondCaptains, email the show SecondCaptains@Irishtimes.com and follow us on facebook.com/secondcaptains. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We only have 3 athletics world champions in our history, so the company is pretty rarefied for Rob Heffernan – we introduce him to one of the other members of the golden circle, Sonia O’Sullivan, on today’s show, to talk about a lifetime's work and what's needed from the next generation.US Murph tells us about the rise, the fall, and the possible return of the 'honey badger', one of the players to watch in next years NFL season and we go to Clare and Limerick to discuss media wars and the Limerick curse ahead of this weekend’s All-Ireland hurling final. All this plus McDevitt's shame, Ireland Wales numbness and the citizenship test.Download it here, follow the lads on twitter @SecondCaptains and on facebook.com/secondcaptains. Email the show at editor@secondcaptains.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today's show Nicky English and Christy O'Connor talk about the influence history has on a team's fortunes, and Peter Kelly tells us if his fellow Dublin hurlers feel 2013 was their last big chance to win an All Ireland.Russian sports administrators have a busy few years ahead hosting the Winter Olympics and the World Cup, and so the world has turned its attention to Putin's attitude to gay rights - David Herszenhorn of the New York Times reports from Moscow.We also have the captain of the Irish boxing team at the London Olympics, Darren O'Neill, on whats been a tough year in and out of the ring. Plus there's death-road PBESO, voodoo hurling, Westy's meltdown and fan culture in Irish football.Download it here, follow the lads on twitter @SecondCaptains and on facebook.com/secondcaptains. Email the show at editor@secondcaptains.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Donovan Bailey is the last 100m world record holder and Olympic gold medalist, besides Usain Bolt, to have no association with performance enhancing drugs. He joins the lads to discuss cheats, insecure athletes, and if we can believe in Bolt.Tiger Woods is back winning tournaments, and thanks to little Charlie Woods, might be winning the PR battle too. Brian Murphy explains why America is learning to forgive the world's best golfer. We've also got Mark McHugh on concussion and Donegal's demolition, cocky sprinters, Johnny Football's latest stunt, and how Ger Loughnane could help Anthony Daly win the All Ireland. Download it here, follow the lads on twitter @SecondCaptains and on facebook.com/secondcaptains. Email the show at editor@secondcaptains.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Now that the Sean Cavanagh tackle has become an incident of national importance, we talk to Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles about the consequences for the underage players, as well as Tyrone hatin', Mayo lovin', and why James Horan might be a genius. In the week that Sonia O'Sullivan questioned the ambition shown by our young athletes at major events, we talk to 800 metre runner Mark English about what goes on in the mind of a 20 year old man who's on his way to the World Championships.We've also got fake apologies, the fight and the fighter that shocked America, hero worship and Joe Brolly's tears.Download it here, follow the lads on twitter @SecondCaptains and on facebook.com/secondcaptains. Email the show at editor@secondcaptains.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The All Ireland Football Championship goes from a steady jog to a full gallop this weekend - Oisin McConville and David Brady talk about Jim McGuinness, referee manipulation, Mayo's flight of discovery and how one man can dominate a 15 man game.Joe Schmidt has recruited the final member of his management team, so we talk to Ireland's new forwards coach John Plumtree about his plans for the team.We've also got PBESO, sporting revenge, frat parties and Johnny Football, the most talked about athlete in America.Follow us on twitter @secondcaptains, facebook.com/secondcaptains, secondcaptains.tumblr.com and email the show editor@secondcaptains.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the first of our four shows this week, we talk to Ireland’s first UFC superstar, Conor McGregor, about wealth, fame and the joys of proving your parents wrong.Brian Cody is gone for this summer, and the man to take him down was Jimmy Barry Murphy - we talk to Nicky English and Derek Lyng about his magical presence and why himself and Davy Fitzgerald are the same, but different.There’s also Michael Meehan on scoring the goal of the season, the fall and rise of Cavan football, Eamon Dunphy’s taxi driver and Pat McQuaid’s latest political move. Download it here, follow the lads on twitter @SecondCaptains and on facebook.com/secondcaptains. Email the show at editor@secondcaptains.com. Second Captains Football will be available from 6pm. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.