Second Captains @ The Irish Times

We chat to the legendary Tim Vickery about why Luis Diaz Sr was abducted in Colombia, why no ransom was sought, and how strong the links are between crime and football in Colombia, in the wake of the cartel era.We also welcomed Daryl Horgan to studio to discuss his time working under Stephen Kenny, Damien Duff and Anthony Barry in the Ireland set up and what happened before that infamous Ireland V England game. Plus there's Ken on Michael Owen's twitter feedback.To join go to secondcaptains.com/join - it's a fiver a month with no contracts, no minimum stay, no sneaky fees, no obligations, no ads and we're independent and Irish owned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we speak to director Laura McGann from Ireland about her brilliant documentary The Deepest Breath which last night picked up two Critics Choice awards for Best Sports Documentary and Best Cinematography.In just one week in late July The Deepest Breath had been watched on Netflix by 4.6 million people. The  story revolves around two characters - Alessia Zecchini, a world-class free diver from Italy, and Stephen Keenan from Ireland, who made a name for himself as a safety diver and was in a relationship with Alessia. Its a gripping, emotional and often shocking documentary about two people devoted to a sport and to each other.And Murph looks at the career of legendary Armagh and Crossmaglen star Aaron Kernan who announced his retirement this weekend having won 18 county titles, 8 Ulsters and 3 All-Irelands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

St Patrick's Athletic beat Bohemians 3-1 in a record-breaking FAI Cup final. FAI CEO Jonathan Hill had promised in his programme notes: "I trust memories will be made to last a lifetime as we all take another step on our respective journeys." Today we share the memories we made in that step along our respective journeys.  We talk about the sensational 4-4 at Stamford Bridge, and the truth underlying the narratives now developing around "embattled" Eddie Howe and Ange "is this guy even a football manager" Postecoglou. Gavin Cooney joins us to talk more about the FAI Cup Final. How does he explain the Cup final's rise? What gave Pat's the edge on the day? Why can't Bohs match off-field development with on-field success? And what are we to make of the fact that all this played out against the backdrop of another embarrassing storyline coming out of Abbottstown?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spurs - Chelsea was a box office affair, both during the game and after the final whistle. Ange Postecoglou’s nine-man high-line high-wire act stirred up the Spurs base and baffled everyone else. Join us for ad-free, contract-free, member-led broadcasting for just €5 + VAT a month at secondcaptains.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Kerry county final should be one of the showpiece occasions of the GAA club season, but when East Kerry won their fourth title in 5 seasons yesterday, there was a hint of a cloud overhead. There is nothing more labyrinthine in the GAA than Kerry's club championship structure but our guide today is Maurice Brosnan of the Irish Examiner, as he talks to us about proud clubs getting relegated, amalgamated sides dominating, and the impact of the split season. We also discuss back-up quarter-back Josh Dobbs' heroics with the Minnesota Vikings yesterday, who used his background in aerospace engineering to show that playing quarter-back in the NFL isn't exactly rocket science.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mikel Arteta is mad as hell and he's not gonna take it any more. That much is clear. But why were Arsenal so angry on Saturday night, and what do they actually want to see changed?Miguel Delaney and Mark Critchley join us to talk about the weekend's football. What did they make of the Newcastle-Arsenal aftermath? Why does Miguel fancy Poch to slam the brakes on the Ange Express tonight?We discuss the art of the come and get me plea, and the glorious hysteria of the Libertadores final on Saturday night. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone's favourite World Service duo (maybe) David Sneyd and Kevin 'Branno' Brannigan were back this week to chat about "Shamrock's" record-equalling fourth league title in a row, the ethics around the guard of honour and the key to success in the League of Ireland. We also spoke to 2013 All-Star and All-Ireland Winner, Conor Ryan whose intercounty career was cruelly cut short for medical reasons. Conor talks to us about finding a life and identity away from GAA, how he managed to return to play with his club Cratloe, and what lessons he was able to bring back to his teammates. Join us for ad-free, contract-free, member-led broadcasting for just €5 + VAT a month at secondcaptains.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland lost but won.. at least as far as the World Rugby’s ‘Dream Team of the Year’ selection is concerned, which is all we really wanted anyway, isn’t it?The Rugby World Cup final was a tense and compelling affair, but maybe not the showpiece we had hoped for. We chat to Shane Horgan and The Irish Independent's Rúaidhrí O’Connor about how the Springboks got it done, claiming some Irish credit and Eddie Jones’ return to Japan.Plus Ken gives us his thoughts on the Manchester derby, Antony’s antics and where Ten Hag seemed to get it so wrong. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s World Service taster, we check in with Johnny Doyle, the 45-year-old man of the match who inspired his club Allenwood to their first Kildare County title since 1990. Johnny joins us live from the fabled Monday Club. We also chatted to Ciara McCormack, the Canadian-born former Ireland international who became international news after blowing the whistle on abuse within Canadian football. Ciara talks to us about channelling those experiences into her new role as the first-ever female CEO in the League of Ireland with Treaty United in Limerick. Plus, Scotty Stevenson & Ruaidhri O’Connor give us their take on World Rugby’s plans for the future which have brought with them much controversy and confusion. Join us for ad-free, contract-free, member-led broadcasting for just €5 + VAT a month at secondcaptains.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

South Africa looked ragged and anxious against a rejuvenated England team, but once again showed they're the strongest squad, both mentally and physically. We chat to Chris Jones, the BBC's rugby union correspondent and co-host of the excellent Rugby Union Weekly podcast, and Shane Horgan, Ireland and Lions winger and veteran of two world cups, about the South African management team's triumphs and failures, allegations against SA's hooker, Bongi Mbonambi, of using racist language on the pitch, why the scrum plays such a huge (too huge?) role in some games, Pollard's amazing penalty, and who will win the final between NZ and SA.Plus there's radio silence, Matt Williams goes viral, Ken equates penalty worms with scrum laws, and we get a high-performance email.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a monster of a team Unai Emery has put together... using most of the same players the previous coach reckoned weren't up to it. After their demolition job on West Ham, the time is right to hail Villa's accomplishments - and to remember a certain somebody who hasn't been given due credit for the part he has played in their resurgence.Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal promised much and delivered... another argument over just what exactly a goalkeeper is meant to be these days. We also discuss why James Milner's managers seem to enjoy watching him suffer and look at the relationship between Bobby and Jack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our weekly world service platter. We chat to Kenny apologists Ken and Richie about Irish football’s next step, we had our best ever Grunge Week, Ken Burley comes out fighting after Ireland’s loss to NZ and we look at the Farrell DivideJoin us for ad-free, contract-free, member-led broadcasting for just €5 + VAT a month at secondcaptains.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As much of a spectacle as this weekend’s quarter finals were, going out in a classic will be of little consolation to Irish players, coaches and supporters. The World Cup hoodoo lives on - and it’s probably the most painful one yet. To pick apart this carcass we’re joined by Shane Horgan, The 42’s Murray Kinsella and Scotty Stevenson from TVNZ. Did the NZ coaches outsmart us on the day? What effect did having to chase the game so early have on Ireland? Where do we go from here? And how utterly daft was the France - South Africa game? And we check in on Ken Burley who made his grand return to the NZ airwaves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Irish sporting weekend that will echo in eternity began with a dismal 2-0 defeat to Greece on Friday night. New tactics, same old outcome. "I'm going to lose the argument whatever I say here. It's not an argument I can win," Stephen Kenny admitted afterwards. The most encouraging words were provided by Greece coach Gus Poyet who was impressed by the amount Irish fans spend on official sportswear. We sift through the ashes of defeat, as is tradition, and consider the warped incentives that await Ireland in Amsterdam next month. We also discuss the limited scope of Jordan Henderson's off-field work in Saudi Arabia and the latest developments in the Manchester United takeover saga.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The World Service is a fairly broad church and this week was no different. Ken got around to watching the David Beckham Netflix documentary and was suitably unimpressed by what he deemed to be a 'tissue of lies'.Meanwhile, we got word from New Zealand legend Justin Marshall on how he feels his boys are set for their clash with Ireland this weekend. Interestingly for us, it's not all rosy in the garden for the All Blacks. Plus, US Murph fills us in on the most dramatic news to come out of America in ages.Join us for ad-free, contract-free, member-led broadcasting for just €5 + VAT a month at secondcaptains.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At least there was one Scot who turned up on Saturday. We savour the anguish in the voice of our Stretford End correspondent, who sent a message of hopelessness late in the second half when all seemed lost. We were (mostly) spared another week of “it’s not incompetence it’s corruption” thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s late deflected winner at the Emirates. Lars Sivertsen and Jonathan Wilson join us to talk about the two big games of the weekend. Is it finally really happening for Arsenal? What is the problem with Lars’s boy, Erling Haaland? Why was Brighton-Liverpool one of the most interesting games Jonathan has seen in a long time? And what can Scandinavia teach us about football’s fight for Freedom?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland put in one of the best performances of the Farrell era to beat Scotland out the gate by halftime, at which stage everyone's thoughts turned to the mighty, but maybe less mighty than they used to be, All Blacks.We chat to Shane Horgan, Gerry Thornley and Scotty Stevenson of TVNZ about the level this Irish team are now playing at, the injury issues and what decisions Farrell will have to make over the next few days, whether past World Cups or the series win in NZ are relevant, the Joe Schmidt factor, and who they see as the more likely winner.Meanwhile, Ken is impressed by Ireland but is worried about the other nations, Murph says "I told you so" to Scotland and Simon caught up with Caelan Doris and Andy Farrell after the match in Paris.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Second Captains World Service we discussed André Onana's transformation into a Just Stop Oil protestor, Shane Horgan pleaded with our Permutations Man to be quiet (!), while Eamon Carr joined us in studio to tell us of his life on the road with the Horslips, which included some run ins with John Law. Join us for ad-free, contract-free, member-led broadcasting for just €5 + VAT a month at secondcaptains.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All we ask of the Ryder Cup is that it be close… and if it’s not close, can we at least make sure that Rory McIlroy is picking fights in the car-park on the Saturday night?  Malachy Clerkin of the Irish Times and Gavin Cooney from the 42 are back in studio to talk to us about Rory’s fightin’ talk, Patrick Cantlay’s cap, and why these things keep finishing in crushing wins for the home team. There’s also a triumphant/boring return for Permutations Man, Marcus Aurelius, and five-team groups in the Rugby World Cup.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fastest current player in the Premier League, De Zerbi De Stroyed at Villa, and the psychology of charity penalties... just some of the things we talk about today before moving on to the main event of Referees and their Video Review helpers.Miguel Delaney and Dion Fanning join us to pick through the entrails of the post-Spurs v Liverpool carnage. Is this the biggest VAR mess yet? Does it have the potential to grow from an embarrassment into a genuine scandal? Are there solutions that can improve the current situation? Or - since VAR clearly doesn't work - is the obvious fix not just to... bin it altogether? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.