Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran reminisce about Eric Cantona, and wonder where Chelsea will find room in their squad for the latest £25m+ right-sided attacking midfielder.Jonathan Wilson is on the line from Equatorial Guinea where he's covering the Africa Cup of NationsAnd Dermot Corrigan fills us in on the state of play at Atletico Madrid, whose coach Diego Simeone insists they get fitter the more they play See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's only the second time in 17 seasons that Munster have failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the European Cup - Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley analyse a sobering weekend for Munster, and a much improved showing from Leinster. The winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award this year was 'Night Games', by Anna Krien, which touches on many of the same issues currently being discussed as part of the Ched Evans farrago - she joins us from Melbourne. And Ken, Eoin and Murph discuss Conor McGregor's latest UFC win See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran talk about Arsenal's new "Terminator" mode, Santi Cazorla's paradoxical foot-speed and Jose Mourinho's respect for Steven Gerrard unlike certain others he could name. John Brewin was there to see Manchester City terminated by Arsene Wenger's mechanical attack dogs and Jonathan Liew joins us to analyse the pros and cons of January transfer trading. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ciaran and Ken discuss why some people still appear to struggle with the concept that others can read their racist Facebook postings, and how Sir Jack Hayward embodied the kind of class you seldom find in football nowadays. Miguel Delaney on why Man City's signing of Wilfried Bony might be annoying Jose Mourinho and Gabriele Marcotti joins us for some blue-sky thinking on the future of the European game See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Fergus Connolly is the Irishman currently in charge of Elite Performance with the San Francisco 49ers, the latest stopping-off point in a career that has seen him work with the Dublin senior footballers, Liverpool FC, Bolton Wanderers, the Wales national rugby team and the Seattle Seahawks - we hear if there's any difference between our Irish sportspeople and the brash, ultra-confident stars of the NFL. We take a look back at the glory days of Shoot magazine, Ken talks about Winston Churchill's Nobel Prize for Literature, and there's US Murph too. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We’re staring down the barrel of a province-less quarter-final lineup for the European Rugby Champions Cup after the Six Nations, but Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley reckon Munster have what it takes to beat Saracens away this weekend. Steph Roche continues her quest for Puskas Award glory and Peter Stringer joins us from Bath as he enjoys an Indian Summer in the Aviva Premiership. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ciaran and Ken discuss Gus Poyet's contempt, FIFA's Zurich gala and the new bad boy image of Lionel Messi.Jonathan Wilson saw Chelsea return to the top of the Premier League with an ultimately-comfortable win against NewcastleAnd John Brewin is on to discuss Southampton's victory at Old Trafford See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Murph and Ken discuss the latest developments in the Ched Evans situation.Sid Lowe analyses Lionel Messi's recent power plays at Barcelona.And Tony Barrett is on the line to talk about why Roberto Martinez has started to run into problems at Everton. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ched Evans' repeated attempts to get back into football have polarised opinion - Malachy Clerkin joins Mark, Ken and Murph to discuss the latest news on his chances of ever playing professionally in the UK again. US Murph tells us about why exactly he tore the San Francisco 49ers owner a new one on live radio last week, and our resident darts fan tells us why it is the sport of kings. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Connacht now play successful, crowd-pleasing rugby. Head coach Pat Lam joins us to discuss skills, the new fan base and how big the province can get.Gerry Thornley looks at who has been impressing Joe Schmidt over the Christmas period. Plus there's the Oisin McConville suite, the state of Christmas family relations and the Cowboys' biggest fan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken talk about Neymar's holidays, John Terry's respectful nature, and the road less travelled.Dion Fanning joins us to discuss Steven Gerrard's big announcement. Kieran Canning analyses one of the greatest results of David Moyes' career. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hey there 2015! Today’s show includes two of our favourite ever interviewees - David Baddiel and Michael Parkinson.We talk to David about supporting Abramovich era Chelsea, the real Mourinho, Ken’s yak hair, and the legacy left by his Fantasy Football show. Michael Parkinson chats about football and the community, why sport still matters, and the Premier League machine. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Jose's threadbare routine, Irish Everton woes and wonder which is the best resort for old ladies in the hills of Tuscany.John Brewin saw both Manchester clubs hit a speed bump over the post-Christmas period. He also reveals who really knocked Liverpool off their perch. Plus there's Mignolet's return, Harry's touch and FIFA's footballing heroine. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Seasons greetings from the SC Christmas Cabin where we have, as ever, left our families in order to shoot game and play parlour games.Its an especially festive Brian Murphy (the most Christmassy of all our friends) on the US sporting year. Plus we talk to one of the stars of 2014, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, about helming Kerry to an All Ireland title. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Shane Curran has written one of the books of the sporting year - he joins us to talk about his life in football, the League of Ireland, and how he can lead Roscommon back to All-Ireland glory, as manager. Shane Horgan is on hand to discuss Johnny Sexton's concussion setback, and Ken Early sings out the show as our special Christmas gift to you. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Jose Mourinho's 11-man circle of magic, Falcao's neck power and why coach Rodgers isn't getting enough credit. Jonathan Wilson watched Sunderland's historic fourth win in a row over Newcastle. Tim Vickery explains why South American strikers are simply better. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s our equivalent of the Late Late Toy Show as we take a look back at the sports books of the year, review a few all time classics and talk about the art of sportswriting with Malachy Clerkin and Lawrence Donegan.Eoin Ken and Murph discuss Frozen, the worry eater, over parenting, the BOD Paul O'Connell relationship and Jose's cocktail of cruelty, vanity and lies. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss the legacy of Thierry Henry, and managers' bosses signing players they don't want.Dion Fanning analyses the success of committee-based transfer dealings. Philippe Auclair explains the significance of the resignation of FIFA Ethics Committee chair Michael Garcia. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andy Lee became the first Irishman since the 1930's to win a world title in America. Himself and his trainer Adam Booth join us to discuss Andy's future and the importance of their friendship.Gerry Thornley and Bernard Jackman look at how serious issues are for Leinster and Munster. Plus there's coach Brian, finishing the job, and Ken's gripe with SPOTY celebs. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Van Gaal's managerial masterpiece, and whether Liverpool will follow Spurs template all the way to the end.John Brewin tries to make sense of events at Old Trafford and we ask Jonathan Wilson if dropping an underperforming keeper can jolt him back into form. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.