Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Ken Early reports on what he's learned of the UFC and the Conor McGregor phenomenon after a week of seeing the man himself, the promoters, and his fans.Eoin Kelly joins us to talk about a Munster final triumph for Tipperary that was celebrated like it was their first.We touch on Dublin - Westmeath and their gift to the Gaels of Ireland, Wimbledon's ad-free zone, Pierce Brosnan-spotting and Andy Lee's superfan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Raheem Sterling has finally got the deal he wanted - out of Liverpool, and into the arms of Manchester City. The red half of Manchester have been going about their business a lot more smartly this summer, so we talk to Gabriele Marcotti about the arrival of Bastian Schweinsteiger at Old Trafford. Plus there's the sell-on value myth, midfielder-of-his-generation Lee Bowyer, and weird transfer-day ads. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken Early is in Las Vegas - he's bought the Liberace gear, he's gone to Celine Dion, and now he's reporting on Conor McGregor's bout with Chad Mendes.The hurling championship is down to the best 8 teams in the country, and we'll lose two of those this weekend. Plus there's the Munster hurling final - Nicky English and Malachy Clerkin look ahead to three huge games. We'll talk to US Murph about the women's soccer team, and we'll focus on Ilie Nastase, Andy Murray's likeability, and that whole Wimbledon / Streetfighter 2 connection. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mark and Murph discuss Rory McIlroy's 5-a-side skills, Stephen Keshi's sacking saga and the Kilkenny doctor's running style.Oisin McConville and Micheal Quirke look at Cork's new found aggression, Kerry's defence, Fionn Fitzgerald's point and Alan O'Connor's extreme toughness. And we chatted to Shane Lowry about contending in the majors, Murph's handsome dog and his shift tweets. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Murph discuss Irish invasions, McGregors irrelevant opponent, Higuain's Diana Ross penalty, Van Persie's Man United legacy and Bilic the special one.Tim Vickery joins us from Chile to look at Chile's red arrows Copa win, South American violence, super strikers and Argentina's ongoing issues with Messi. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Cork footballers are a much-maligned group but this weekend they have a chance to redeem themselves after last year's Munster final humiliation - we're joined by All-Ireland winner Micheal Quirke and acclaimed author Michael Foley.US Murph talks to us about the history of NASCAR and the death knell finally sounding for the Confederate flag. And we recycle the Nicki Minaj-Murph comparisons everyone's been talking about, Shane Lowry's dog-envy, Katie endorsements, and Barack Obama's podcast nerves. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Ciaran talk about England's astonishing last-minute defeat to Japan, Sepp Blatter's high-end religious paraphernalia, and Jose Mourinho's deep human respect for that true and faithful servant, Petr Cech.Jonathan Wilson joins us from Santiago as Chile gets ready for the Copa America final against Lionel Messi and Argentina. And Michiel Jongsma explains where departed Netherlands coach Guus Hiddink got it all wrong. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It was an astonishing day at Croke Park for Westmeath as they defeated Meath in the championship for the first time in their history. Man of the match John Heslin joins us on the show.Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles have harsh words for Meath, wonder if anyone can stop Dublin and spot a few chinks in the Donegal armour. Plus there's Niall Horan's tweets, bragging rights at work on a Monday morning, Ken tells Boris Becker to shut up, and psychologists and psychiatrists go to war. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Greece's choice between a rock and a hard place, crumbling social codes in Sweden, and a GAA-style outrage in Germany. Miguel Delaney and James Young join us from Chile to talk about the foreseeable disaster of a Brazil team under Dunga playing really bad football. And Sid Lowe talks us through some of the issues surrounding the possible transfer of Sergio Ramos away from Real Madrid See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Murph discuss Italia 90 tv legacy, chanelling Dave O'Leary and Roberto Firmino's private website.We talk to Emmet Malone about the FAI problem that won't go away. Liverpool have been very busy in the transfer market. We ask Tony Barrett if there's a cohesive plan. And Dion Fanning joins us to discuss the life and career of 70's maverick Stan Bowles. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Donegal are moving serenely through what looked like a historically tough route to All-Ireland glory - but is there a touch of arrogance coming into their play? Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles preview the weekend's action.US Murph re-opens the old East Coast / West Coast rap wars. Plus there's pushy parents, Wexford wonder-goals, Jose Aldo's injury and why gambling is baseball's original sin. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Its been 22 years since Argentina last won a major trophy. We talk to Jonathan Wilson at the Copa America about Messi's international 'obligation'.We talk about how Sport Against Racism Ireland has been working for years to break down barriers in Irish society through sport, and it's annual 7-aside soccer tournament yesterday was the scene of a heartbreaking loss for Second Captains FC. Plus there's June Rodgers, dodgy penalty-taking techniques, and a FIFA presidential candidate we can all get behind. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jordan Spieth is 2 for 2 in this year's golf majors. We discuss golfing chokes, selling wholesomeness and the Irish factor with Dave Hannigan.Kilkenny and Tipperary had to wait for their first games in this year's championship, but they both made telling statements of intent at the weekend - Eoin Kelly assesses their form. We talk to Frank Warren about Andy Lee's world title fight in Thomond. Plus there's wristy hurlers, talking to golf balls and which sporting mega-star now resembles Las Vegas-era Elvis. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Some football tournaments take their time getting into their stride - but this year's Copa America isn't one of them. Tim Vickery tells us about another Brazil meltdown, 6 goal thrillers and host-nation high drama.John Brewin tells us why Jose Mourinho feels Falcao deserves another chance in English football. And there's also Flava Flav, PBESO mountains, FIFA's cinematic excrement and Jonathan Pearce in Montreal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rory McIlroy was channelling LeBron James in the build-up to this week's US Open, describing himself as the world's best.Lawrence Donegan previews the second major of the golf season, while US Murph tells us why his beloved Golden State Warriors made light of James and his ragbag Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA finals. Eoin Kelly joins us in studio ahead of Tipperary against Limerick and we ask himt how managers should deal with errant players. Plus there are some tips for staying up late to watch American sporting events, tying Messi's hands behind his back to make things more interesting, dozing at mass, and crazy golf. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss national anthems, Ireland's lack of a scapegoat, Scotland's acceptance of responsibility, and rating the Women's World Cup.Emmet Malone and Dion Fanning join us in studio to talk about whether there is anything to be said for another Mass. Plus there's Jack Grealish's holiday snaps, Ken's dream permutations and fortress Reyjkavik. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mayo are being judged to a different standard than every other team in Ireland, says Malachy Clerkin, as he and Anthony Moyles take a look at thrilling Donegal, meek Meath and Mayo under new management. We hear an amazing story of heroism and heartbreak from base camp on Everest during the Nepal Earthquake from earlier this year with Irish mountaineer Paul Devaney. All that plus giant stag parties, Murph getting greased up for his local team, and our shock at Jack Grealish's twin loves of social media and lads' holidays. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Three of last year's provincial champions are in action this weekend - Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles look at obstacles facing new managers, stale Mayo, seamless Donegal and confident Meath. US Murph joins us to talk Lebron James' one-man mission and walking the egomaniac-teamwork tightrope. Plus there's McDevitt's stag, Lance V FIFA, John Giles in the media, and the Second Captains Leaving Cert exam. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Ciaran discuss Leyton Orient's Italian TV reach, Stewart Regan's cold revenge and Michael O'Neill's frustration with international political reality.Richie Sadlier considers the question of whether alcohol is an indispensable elixir of fellow-feeling and team spirit, or a dangerous drug that deceives and deludes its users and ultimately destroys everything good in the world.And Graham Hunter joins us to talk about how Gordon Strachan has brought the spark back into Scotland's play See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Maurice Shanahan fired Waterford past Cork and earned the admiring glances of Ken Early, while Dublin were humiliated by Galway - Eoin Kelly and Malachy Clerkin explain why Waterford are so goddamn loveable this year.The Women's World Cup kicked off in Canada in front of a record crowd of 53,000. ESPN's Jeff Carlisle joins us to talk about the growth of the game and playing surface sexism. Plus there's McDevitt's annoying guessing games, Italia 90 flashbacks and self refereeing. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.