Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Ulster and Munster face a defining couple of weeks in the Pro12, and after early European exits for both teams, Alan Quinlan tells us the margin for error is wafer-thin. Kerry Howley, author of "Thrown" tells us about the lure of MMA and the UFC and why trash talking isn't what the purists want. We also discuss the whodunit plot twist behind American anti-hero Bill Belichick, a Roscommon footballer's journey to enlightenment and Toulon's football transfer technique. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Floyd Mayweather won the 'Fight of the Century' with a proto-typical Mayweather performance - but the plain fact that he will never be loved was never clearer as the boos rang out at the final decision. Don Van Natta Jnr of ESPN joins us to discuss the one fight Mayweather will never win.One of the greatest forwards of the modern era Eoin Kelly from Tipperary joins us to talk about Waterford's league triumph, Toulon win a third European Cup in a row to minimal fan-fare, and there's also Ken's ground-breaking idea for success in bullfighting, sideline cuts and winning with a smile on your face. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss managerial meltdowns, Portuguese proverbs and the Champions League semi-finals.Dion Fanning was there to see John Carver wash his hands of his Newcastle players. And Gabriele Marcotti reflects on how Chelsea's third title under Jose Mourinho was different from the last two. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Floyd Mayweather against Manny Pacquaio is 'the fight of the century' - but can we separate the athlete from the abuser? We ask Louisa Thomas of Grantland about Mayweather's serial woman-beating, and whether our pay-per-view money is well spent. We talk sleepovers and sports itineraries for our upcoming San Francisco trip with US Murph. Plus there's Payweather, why its hard to care about the Champions Cup final, and the simple joy of baseball f bombs. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Nigel Pearson's short fuse, and Bayern Munich's penalty shooting.Richard Sadlier joins us to reflect on Nigel Pearson's tirade and whether his occasional outbursts are in any real sense detrimental to his career prospects. And Jonathan Wilson explains why he recently compared Jose Mourinho to Satan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the chest-beating triumph of John Terry, the signs that Thierry Henry is developing a taste for blood, and the militaristic attitudes of Australian media networks.Tony Barrett was at Goodison to see Everton sweep Man Utd aside, led by their dynamic goalscoring midfielder James McCarthy. And Kristof Terreur reflects on the development under of new PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Dubs have won their third League title in a row, but Cork's weak-willed performance was the focus of most of the post-match reaction - Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles re-evaluate Cork's chances of a championship run this year.AP McCoy has stepped away from racing after 20 years at the top - we look back at an extraordinary day at Sandown on Saturday. Plus there's annoyingly bad sports teams, John Terry Day, and the return of Nigerian manager Stephen Keshi. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the mysterious gifts of Thomas Muller and celebrate the fact that Kevin Grealish is finally getting the credit he deserves.Richard Sadlier opens up on his inadvertent war with Thierry Henry, and contemplates some thorny issues of national identity. And Sid Lowe on whether Diego Simeone is falling a little too in love with the dark side for his own good. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss goal celebration etiquette, the GAA Versus The Millenium Bug and the Splash Brothers.The NBA playoffs have kicked off, and US Murph tells us his loser home-town team the Golden State Warriors just might be the best team in basketball. Plus there's the mystery of Trevor Giles' sleeveless jersey is finally laid to rest, Andre Rieu's german soul, The Sunday Game theme tune, and the humbling aftermath of a motion picture's fairy tale success. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The manner of Leinster's defeat to Toulon may haunt them as much as the result - Gerry Thornley and Shane Horgan look back on a missed opportunity.The events of the fire at the Bradford City 30 years ago are the subject of a new book by Martin Fletcher, who lost 4 of his closest relatives that day. He joins us on the show to discuss the startling new facts which have come to light. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss Jack Grealish's Wembley triumph, twitter spats, Martin O'Neill's latest task, and Pep Guardiola's major medical team malfunction.Jonathan Wilson has his theory on why Jose Mourinho takes a perverse delight in winning ugly. And Miguel Delaney was at Wembley to see Tim Sherwood lead Aston Villa... back to Wembley. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What is Leinster's biggest problem before their Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon this Sunday - their opponents' galaxy of stars, or their own form? Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley join us.We talk about the issue of naming rights for Croke Park with the author of the definitive book on Croker history, Michael Foley.Plus a big day for Brand Murph, the added value in Joe Schmidt, sporting hubris and Messi's new super-friend. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Raheem Sterling's moral war, Man City fans' pointless anger, and media shy John Delaney.We ask Richie Sadlier if every other team should give up now that Suarez, Messi and Neymar are all in form.And Raphael Honigstein talks about Bayern's shock loss to Porto and what Jurgen Klopp's game is. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jordan Spieth was a universally popular winner of the US Masters and proved himself a threat to Rory's future dominance. We discuss the impact he's made, plus Tiger's return, with author/caddy/musician Lawrence Donegan.Andy Lee just doesn't do drab - another extraordinary mid-fight turnaround saw him save a draw in front of 2.5 million tv viewers in America on Saturday night. Plus there's helicopter parents, only child issues, Bubba Watson hatin' on the Louvre, David Silva hiding behind a corner-flag, and Kid Chocolate's weighing scales See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the trials of Manuel Pellegrini, the triumph of Manchester United's outcasts over adversity, and the venomous tongue of Tony Pulis.Jonathan Wilson was at Old Trafford to see Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young lead the destruction of Manchester City. And Kieran Canning joins us from Madrid to look ahead to the Champions League quarter-final between the city's great rivals. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andy Lee's first defence of his world middleweight title is in Brooklyn on Saturday. Lou DiBella tells us why this fight will influence the rest of Andy's life.The US Masters has an unprecedented 5 Irish players in the field. Malachy Clerkin and Lawrence Donegan talk Tiger's next step, Rory's long game and ipod etiquette. Plus there's Rory's paylords, ROCKY IV, the ebb and flow of psychic energy in Wrestlemania III and Ian Poulter's massive headphones. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Liverpool absolutism and Cristiano Ronaldo and Ciaran McDonald's respective scoring records. Richie Sadlier tells us why he thinks it will be insane if Tim Sherwood finishes the season with more credit than Sean Dyche. And John Brewin has a crippling case of Manchester Derby Fever. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Tim Krul's sportsmanship, Mats Hummels' big decision and Raheem Sterling's favourite song.Jonathan Wilson was there to see Arsenal's biggest league win over Liverpool in the Arsene Wenger era. And Dermot Corrigan tells us how the Bernabeu greeted Real Madrid's 9-1 win. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Leinster are in a European Cup semi-final... so why is everyone so downbeat? We try and accentuate the positives and ask if they should go for broke against Toulon.The Gaels of Ireland were supposed to be attending a wake this weekend - instead there was a festival of football. Doctors McConville and Moyles hail the patient's miracle recovery.Plus we tell you why GAA beefs in January are never a good idea and why Bakkies Botha and Ali Williams are riddled with fear. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss Richard Keys' global reach, the What's App prison and the Seven Deadly Sins of sport. We ask Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley about Leinster's identity, Bath's style, comparisons with Ireland V England and the reliance on returning 6N stars.Plus there's a Hong Kong PBESO, Leinster's holding pattern, Ken's mind palace and Nike's strange policy on superstar endorsements. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.