Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Is it time for us to hail Tyson Fury, Irish heavyweight champion of the world? His views on homosexuality, abortion and paedophilia were outlined in stark terms long before he defeated Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday night - we speak to renowned author and journalist Donald McRae.Connacht are the form team in Ireland right now, and after a dominating win over Munster in Thomond Park on Saturday night, Gerry Thornley tells us how long they can stay top of the Pro 12. Plus there's extreme cold in Crossmaglen, the chiropractor, and how to separate off-field flaws from on-field achievement. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken put themselves in Pep Guardiola's shoes. Which Manchester club would they rather manage? Richie Towell's move to Brighton and Diego Costa's bib also feature.Jonathan Liew joins us to discuss why he feels the celebrated Jamie Vardy has gotten off lightly for his racist abuse of a man in a casino. And Graham Hunter tells us why Guardiola is the essential appointment Manchester United must move heaven and earth to make. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken talk about the midweek Champions League, the grumblings at Old Trafford, the worst way to win a match 4-3, and the cultification of Klopp.Gabriele Marcotti joins us to give his views on what's happening to LVGMUFC. Why are the former United players in the media so grumpy? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran present a special edition of the podcast - a recording of the live show in the Grand Social to launch the Second Captains Sports Annual.They're joined on stage by Oisin McConville, Richie Sadlier and historian Cormac Moore to discuss the idea of an All-Ireland football team. Why do we have two separate Irish teams in football when most sports only have one for the whole island? What are the barriers standing in the way of a football reunification? How do people feel about the idea? Plus there's Grealish's pout, Ken's All Time team, and doodles. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This has the potential to be a long, fruitless campaign for the Irish provinces in Europe - Denis Hickie and Gerry Thornley discuss another two defeats for Leinster and Ulster.He may have had the worst year of his golfing career, but Graeme McDowell has managed to turn it around in impressive style, with a win last Monday followed up yesterday by a third place finish on the PGA Tour. We talk about one of Ireland's soundest sportspeople with Lawrence Donegan.Plus there's hurling attempting to break America, athletic manslaughter and Coutinho playing a little too well for Liverpool. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph talk about El Clashico, the two hours of incredible football on Saturday night played out in Madrid and Manchester. Dermot Corrigan joins us to pick over the bones of Real Madrid's humbling at the hands of Barcelona. And John Brewin was there to see Manuel Pellegrini rage like Lear on the heath after Liverpool tore his team to pieces. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about football parables, and the sabotage of the Dele Alli transfer. We're joined by the editor-in-chief of Offside magazine, Anders Bengtsson, to talk about Zlatan's role in changing the Swedish international team and even Swedish society.And Sid Lowe gives us his thoughts on the swirl of political intrigue at Real Madrid ahead of this weekend's Clasico. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The death of Jonah Lomu has been mourned worldwide - we speak to Matt Williams about the triumph of nature over nurture. US Murph is back, talking to us about excessive NFL celebrations, the state of American sports broadcasting, and Elvis on Ed Sullivan... all from the patio of his suite at the Ritz Carlton in Hawaii.Plus there's the danger with helicopters, Anthony Cunningham, a very special Italia 90-themed PBESO, Richie McCaw stats, and an intriguing peek into Ken Early's early life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to our Euro 2016 bonus podcast! Eoin, Ken and Murph talk about the star players, the job Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane have done, Super Victor the 2016 mascot, and how the Aviva Stadium has become a fun place to go watch a football game.We catch up with Richie Sadlier and Dion Fanning to get their thoughts on a memorable campaign and hear from MOTM Robbie Brady and master of ceremonies Robbie Keane. Plus we ponder which amazing French city we would like to visit, levitating fans, Ken's visit to Roma II and why things ended badly between Snap, Crackle and Pop. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 33-6 defeat at home to Wasps on Sunday was Leinster's most damaging defeat in European Cup history, and immediately casts their future in this year's competition in doubt. Gerry Thornley talks Leo Cullen, Simon Zebo's future and Munster's emotional trip to Stade Francais next Sunday.The Cork ladies footballers are Ireland's most dominant team, having won 10 All-Irelands in 11 years, and journalist Mary White has played with them, reported on them, and has now authored the first book on an Irish female sports team.Plus there's Leo the Lion getting punked, Ronda Rousey getting knocked out, and empathy-free rugby club chairmen. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about the psychology of terrorist attacks on sporting events.Simon Kuper joins us from Paris to reflect on the city's nightmarish weekend and future implications. And Miguel Delaney analyses Ireland's chances of finishing the job against Bosnia. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Michael Conlan is our first ever male world boxing champion, a fact overshadowed in recent weeks by the Billy Walsh farrago. We went to the National Stadium to talk to our choice as Irish Sports Personality of the Year about turning pro, Rio, and the Conor McGregor template.The English Rugby World Cup farce shows no sign of losing momentum - with Sam Burgess on his way back to rugby league, and players embroiled in a financial controversy, Shane Horgan talks to us from London. Plus Murph quotes Garth from Wayne's World, we have Jim McGuinness' Good Wall choices, swing confidence, and TV3's Six Nations coup. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The reaction to Ireland getting Bosnia in our Euro 2016 qualification play-off was cautious optimism - but with injuries and suspensions taking a heavy toll, many Irish fans would take any result tomorrow night that gives us a fighting chance on Monday evening at the Aviva. Ken talks to us from Heathrow, and we have Richie Sadlier in studio ahead of another seismic few days for the Ireland football team.Missed flights, bullet-proof self-confidence and phenomenal d******** also feature prominently. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

WADA have recommended that Russia be banned from international athletics in an extraordinary story which leads all the way to the cabinet of the Russian government. David Epstein, author of 'The Sports Gene' gives us his reaction. Gerry Thornley looks ahead to the start of the European Champions Cup, and we talk mighty Russian sturgeons, an inconvenient draw in Kerry, and whether the last two months of 2015 could finally kill off sport altogether. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph talk about Cristiano Ronaldo - who this week finds himself the subject of an authorised film spectacular, and an unauthorised biography. Would he have been better off remaining at Manchester United? And which animal has he come to resemble? Jonathan Wilson tries to explain why Chelsea suddenly seem so reluctant to sack their manager. It's never been a problem for them before.And Kieran Canning joins us from Spain to discuss the departure of David Moyes from Real Sociedad. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Murph and Ken discuss the Web Summit's wanderly wagon, watching sport in pubs, how to become a Viscount and America's Pepe Reina. US Murph tells us about the Kansas City Royals' World Series party and the return of the 'gut' guy.Plus we talk about the scandal enveloping the IAAF, as a former President is investigated for taking money to suppress positive drug tests. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Somali pirates, Viking tattoos and delve into the deathless memory banks of the internet to analyse Jose Mourinho's love-hate relationship with the Chelsea fans. Richie Sadlier joins us in studio to discuss dressing-room treachery and whose criticism to take seriously.And Ken interviewed Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre at the Web Summit. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jim McGuinness' new memoir has already attracted its first controversy, with current Donegal manager Rory Gallagher hotly refuting Jim's version of the events that led to Gallagher's leaving the backroom staff under McGuinness in late 2013. Can high-profile number 2's ever work, and should we sit back and open the popcorn ahead of Davy Fitzgerald and Donal Og Cusack's partnership with Clare next year?Shane Horgan gives us his thoughts on another World Cup triumph for New Zealand, and Ireland's RWC 2023 bid.We discuss Steve Williams and his unique view on the role of golf caddy, Big Sam's disciplinarian dad and Jose Mourinho's mental walls. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the weekend's Premier League. Vardy and Mahrez continue to rip it up while the walls close in on Jose.Dion Fanning was there to see Liverpool's 3-1 win at the Bridge.And John Brewin joins us to discuss whether Manchester United's goalscoring problems lie with the players or the philosophy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about Sepp Blatter's Russian interview, Michel Platini's courtly metaphors and Paul Scholes' ongoing onslaught against Louis van Gaal's revolution.Gabriele Marcotti joins us to discuss Blatter's revelations. And Sid Lowe talks to us about the contrasting images of Rafael Benitez and Cristiano Ronaldo See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.