Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Donald Sterling was up until this week the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team - before a taped conversation showed him to be the racist many had long suspected him to be. Barack Obama, Magic Johnson and Lebron James have all had their say - and US Murph tells us why he reckons it belongs on the Mount Rushmore of US sports scandals. The National Hurling League Final is the sixth national final since 2009 to pit Kilkenny against Tipperary - we speak to former Tipperary captain Benny Dunne about what it's like to be a Tipperary hurler when your fans start turning against you, and the impact of Kieran McGeeney since he joined their backroom team. Plus we speak about Pep Guardiola on the batter, why you can't do bad stuff in private anymore, Jose quitting on his stool and hurling clones. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the essence of human nature. Are human beings the beauty of the world? The paragon of animals? Or a quintessence of dust, who, when they play football, had better make sure there are men behind the ball in the incredibly likely event of one of them making a mistake?Tony Barrett and Dion Fanning dissect Chelsea's cunning win at Anfield. And Jonathan Wilson tries to explain the miracle of Sunderland's resurrection. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sporting emotions ran high this weekend - and we're on to dress the wounds of the Munster and Liverpool fans out there. Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley were watching Toulon put another Irish province to the sword in the Heineken Cup yesterday, and we give credit where it is due to Jose Mourinho, whose Chelsea team did exactly what everyone expected them to do. And Dublin picked up the first honours of the GAA season with a thumping win over Derry in the National Football League final - Anthony Moyles and Oisin McConville join us in studio. Roy Keane regrets, Ryan Giggs' and friends, Shawsy hug, and the new breed of Dublin supporter all feature prominently. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the primacy of counter-attacking football in this season's Champions League.Sid Lowe joins us from Madrid to talk about the two very different European semi-finals the city has just hosted. And Raphael Honigstein assesses Louis van Gaal's suitability for the vacancy at Manchester United. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Munster face one of their biggest ever challenges this weekend, so we welcome Leinster and Ireland's Shane Jennings into studio to explain what exactly its like to tackle Mathieu Bastareaud, and what Munster can learn from Leinster's mistakes.European and World medalist Jason Quigley is the latest Irish amateur superstar to join the pro ranks. We ask Johnny Watterson about the advantages of joining Golden Boy, Quigley's potential in pro game and why he was so sought after.All this plus Ryan Giggs' pub landlord options, Keano's Man Utd links, McDevitt's 6 day week, Murph's soul poison and the madness in Limerick hurling. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken reflect on the end of the David Moyes era at Manchester United, scheming Giggs, the systems failure plaguing Jose Mourinho, and the distinctively Mephistophelian arc of Raheem Sterling's second goal last weekend.Richie Sadlier joins us in studio to reflect on the fateful moments of Moyes' tortured reign and just why Giggs isn't suited to the job. And John Brewin tries to anticipate the Glazer family's next move. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Moyes gone, Giggs in for remainder of the season and the media are having a ball. Could Man United classiness, Old Trafford leak, political manoeuvrings behind the scenes, Fergie's Catch 22 and Giggs as a long term option. Ken, Eoin and Gabriele Marcotti discuss. Munster know what style Toulon will play on Sunday, but does that make the task any easier. Gerry Thornley and Liam Toland on the mood in Munster, and what options they have against the biggest team ever assembled,All this plus twitter mania, Ken's lost article, Moyes jokes, time compression, Japanese soldiers, Ken Doherty love, Sunday sports binge. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Gareth Bale's magnificence and wonder whether Tony Pulis does friendlies.Diego Torres talks to us about his compelling character study of Jose Mourinho.And Scott Murray reflects on whether football really was better in the old days. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andy Lee was back in the ring last weekend, and Ireland's most charismatic boxer joins us in studio to talk about changing weight divisions, staying busy and Floyd Mayweather.After two years of internal wrangling, the European Champions Cup is coming, but Connacht look set to be on the outside looking in. Former Connacht hooker, now Grenoble coach Bernard Jackman looks at the new European landscape.And we talk about Murph's middle-age spread, Man City's balls and the battle of Bayonne. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken and Eoin imagine the Premier League as an elaborate dinner party where Brendan Rodgers has gone from being an unwanted guest to the belle of the ball. We ask Jonathon Wilson if Steve Gerrard deserves to win the league, and Miguel Delaney explains Jose's silence.Also on the menu are drug metaphors, radio phone in frenzies, Jose in no country for old men and tee-totallers Man United. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin Ken and Murph discuss digest an incredible weekend of sport that included Steve Gerrard's wild eyed call for calm, Raheem Sterling's bird like foot speed and Bubba golf. Dublin face Derry in the league final, and we welcome Oisin McConville and Malachy Clerkin into studio to discuss second half comebacks, MDMA, shabby Mayo and Cork's need for a mean streak.Jordan Spieth's sulk, Noel O'Leary up a tree, Premier League Lord of the Rings comparisons and McDevitt's All Ireland theory also feature. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss some of the tearful episodes described in an exciting new book about Jose Mourinho.John Brewin and Daniel Harris reflect on fading Fergie, short term Moyes and the effective end of Manchester United's season.And Sid Lowe joins us to talk about Atletico's victory last night and the uncertain times ahead for Barcelona. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cork have been the story of the National Football League so far - with a new manager, and a stable full of brilliant young footballers we weren't sure would ever fulfil their potential. Karol Mannion and Malachy Clerkin are in studio to look at their match-up with Dublin, Diarmuid Connolly, and the other league semi-final between Mayo and Derry.Munster's Damien Varley joins us for a chat about Rob Penney's departure, new Munster, fear, positivity and facing Toulon.All this plus Ken's poor song choice, 7 degrees of Murph, the secret to rapid weight gain, Diarmuid Connolly grace and Ultimate Warrior memories. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Colemania, Irish Brendan Rodgers, Roberto Martinez's big dream, Torres 360, Chris Hughton's sacking, and the problem of always wanting more. Jonathan Wilson joins us to discuss how Roberto Martinez has built on the legacy of David Moyes. And Miguel Delaney thinks Fulham are going to pull off an unlikely escape from relegation, but at whose expense? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Munster once again prove they're the best clutch team in Europe, while Leinster continue to struggle against more powerful opponents. We ask Bernard Jackman and Gerry Thornley if Munster have the squad depth to go all the way, if Ulster have been mortally wounded and whether Leinster need to re appraise their strategy.The Eisenhower tree is gone from Augusta, but all the other traditions remain, for better or worse. We ask Brian Murphy to wrestle with his capitalist side, and explain what its like to see a once in a generation genius do his stuff six feet away from you.All this plus Leinster's side entrance to the colosseum, joyless celebrations, Honky Tonk Ken, The Armstrong Lie, Coleman's volleys and David Feherty's joke kryptonite. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss further developments in Mourinho's management-by-sarcasm, and why Bayern Munich were like a thumbless man trying to solve a Rubik's cube.Simon Kuper describes the reaction in Paris to the home team's glorious win over Chelsea.And Raphael Honigstein on the Bavarian disappointment with Manchester United's handball-style defensive tactics. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The deal which will see Sky broadcast 14 GAA championship games exclusively live this season has prompted a huge reaction - and the less people know about it, the more outraged they appear to be. We pick through the more reasonable arguments with Karol Mannion and Anthony Moyles. With a big Heineken Cup weekend coming up, we speak to bona fide Munster legend David Wallace on Rob Penney's recent comments on Northern Hemisphere refereeing, and their major show-down with Toulouse. Joe Duffy, the grassroots, socialism, Toulon egalite, and bullish rugby predictions all in the mix too. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There was an interesting build up to Leinster Munster, but did Rob Penney's statements affect his own team more than the opposition? Denis Hickie and Shane Horgan look at the performances and how the game will impact on both teams' preparations for the Heineken Cup.Tiger Woods' body is letting him down once again - we ask Brian Murphy if his swing coach Sean Foley is to blame, and will Tiger ever win another major.All this plus Lawro's Harry Hill shirt, the eternal duality of Maverick and Ice Man, Ronaldinho and Kevin McManamon and why rugby is like a tense PE class. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin McDevitt has a dilemma – his beloved boys in blue are playing on Saturday evening, against their premier rivals. That’s right, Leinster… and Dublin. Should he travel to the Aviva, or Croke Park? Karol Mannion and Oisin McConville are on hand to try and convince him of the merits of the burgeoning Dublin Mayo rivalry. Steve James is one of the truly great sports movie directors. Hoop Dreams is a classic of the genre, and his new film “Head Games – the global concussion crisis” is a compelling look at how head trauma is a creeping disaster waiting to happen, and not just in the NFL. Some timely good news for An Garda Siochana, Mayo fans engraving crude messages on legal tender, and the Suarez variable also feature. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On the face of it Leinster V Munster doesn't have a lot riding on it but its a sellout, its a top of the table clash and there a few Munster players stewing over missing out on a 6N winners medal. We ask Alan Quinlan and Gerry Thornley about Rob Penney's statements, and if there is any takent gap between the two.The final weekend of the hurling league was made all the more dramatic by Niall McMorrow, who didn't know what score his Dublin side needed against Tipp in order to avoid a relegation playoff. We welcome Malachy Clerkin to studio to discuss the form guide ahead of the Championship.All this plus Pellegrini and ROG, Ronaldo's moan, McDevitt's Joe Namath prediction and why Munster V Leinster deserves the hype. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.