The Second Captains Podcast

The Hand of Tuchel 16.07.2026 29мин

Welcome to our World Cup taster show which this week has us throw you - the listener- straight into the middle of Ken Early's report live from Atlanta as Argentina celebrate their classic semi-final win over England below him. You'll also hear Tim Vickery and David Sneyd and if you sign up you'll hear a lot more...To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’ ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3604: Blue Wave Crashes, Thy Kingdom Come, Mayo4Sam '26, Louth Hit Wall, McConville The Wicklow Boy 13.07.2026 1ч 7мин

Two sell-outs in Croke Park this weekend, a bewildering cocktail of storylines, and a Kerry/Mayo final to look forward to in 2 weeks time - Dara Ó Cinnéide and Paul Flynn discuss VAR, Mayo’s forwards, and Louth hitting the wall.And Oisin McConville joins us to tell us how he and his Wicklow team turned a 13-point deficit into the most glorious day in their football history.All that plus concertina solos, high emotion, and the best summer this sport might have ever had. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3602: England Stagger On, Cable of God, Haaland Loses Oars, Whatever! - 12/07/26 12.07.2026 1ч 3мин

England will wake up on Sunday morning with a hangover and a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup.The once maligned Jude Bellingham again rescued this English team before becoming embroiled in a bizarre post-match back and forth with his manager via the medium of ITV.We chat to Lars about the view from Oslo (well, Dallas) and discuss TV cable interference, and the hooking of Rice and Haaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Messi Abides, Conspiracy On The Nile, Non-Stop World Cup 09.07.2026 35мин

Welcome to our World Cup taster show which this week finds us in Atlanta as Ken expertly reports live from the stadium moments after Argentina overcome Egypt in one of the games of the tournament. To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’ ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3598: Cork's Second Half Stats, Clare Hearts Crushed, Hype And Hope, Ned Stark Wisdom - 06/07/26 06.07.2026 57мин

The hurling season needed two big semi-finals, and this weekend was redemptive. Galway provided the shock, Clare came within minutes of joining them, and the fifth meeting of Cork and Limerick will not materialise after all. Jamie Wall and Joe Canning talk the Cork hype train, the mental scars from last year, Galway’s third-quarter masterclass, and Limerick’s resilience and composure down the stretch.Plus there’s Ned Stark wisdom, manifestation and Cork's shocking second half stats.Click the player at the top of the page to play the show. Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’  ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3597: England Beat Mexico, Haaland Bosses Brazil, Trump Calls FIFA - 06/07/26 06.07.2026 1ч 7мин

England survived weather delays, altitude, the home fans, a red card, a penalty and their own history to overcome Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca and go through to a World Cup QF against Norway.It will be Norway's first ever World Cup QF with Haaland bossing the Brazil defence, scoring two goals and cementing his status as one of the greats.We chat to Ken in NYC and Lars in Dallas about an epic night of football and Trump lobbying FIFA to lift the USMNT striker Folarin Balogun’s ban for a red card.Plus there's Neymar's tears, angry Shearer and Taylor's type.Click the player at the top of the page to play the show. Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’  ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American Shuffle, World Cup Ghosts, Ken An The Range, Pico V Messi 02.07.2026 20мин

Welcome to our World Cup taster show which includes slow moving Americans, German ghosts and Ken on the range. Tonight we cover Spain Austria and Ronaldo's latest/last shot at winning the World Cup. Ken and Branno are in NYC and will be covering Pico V Messi and Vini V Haaland.To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’ ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3591: Louth's Hot Summer, Slick Kerry Face Resurgent Dubs, Kobe's Only Shot - 29/06/26 29.06.2026 57мин

The All-Ireland football quarter-finals did not disappoint, and we have two tasty semi-finals to look forward to - Kerry against Dublin, which a small number of people might have predicted, and Mayo against Louth, which absolutely no-one would have predicted.Paul Flynn and Dara Ó Cinnéide are the best in the business, and they have much to discuss - red cards, penalties, Kobe's one shot at the title, how far can this new-look Dublin team go, and should Tyrone have started Darren McCurry?Plus there’s sad celebrations, old man Ronaldo and the impetuosity of youth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3590: Old Man Ron, England Seize Canal, Taste The Bao - 28/06/26 28.06.2026 46мин

England are into the knock-out stages of the World Cup where they will face DR Congo. It took them just over an hour to score the first of two goals against Panama and previous Tuchel-Boosters are beginning to have doubts. Ciarán chats to James Horncastle.It's 2030 and Ken is in a stadium shouting into a microphone about the preposterous situation of the 45 year old Ronaldo lining out in a World Cup Group Stage game for Portugal - that, it seems, is the future we have to look forward to.For now Ken and Branno were in Miami/Bogotá to see Portugal and Colombia both advance to the latter stages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brazilian Thoroughbreds, Insipid England, Miami Vice 25.06.2026 23мин

Ken is having a ball at this World Cup having watched Messi's record breaking feats, Mo's moment in little Egypt, Haaland go berserker and of course the highlight so far, being proved right about insipid England.Ken and Branno were also in Miami to see Scotland’s dreams crushed by a Vini Jr-inspired Brazil and tonight we set them loose in the city of vice!To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’ ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3584: Dublin Win The Battle, Kerry Crush Armagh, Mayo Madness, What's Happened Donegal - 22/06/26 22.06.2026 1ч 6мин

Armagh and Donegal are out before the quarter-final stages of the All-Ireland senior football championship, just as everyone predicted. We have Dara Ó Cinnéide and Paul Flynn, past players from the two big winners this weekend, and there’s plenty to sink their teeth into - what’s gone wrong with Donegal, what’s driving Dublin, Kerry’s trampling of Armagh, Monaghan’s scoring rate, Mayo madness and why teams need to have more than one style of play.  Plus there’s Geaney's "easy" finish, Oisin McConville’s Wicklow on the march, Cape Verde live on the BBC, and Ken and Branno on the streets of New York. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3583: Non-Stop Pico, Egypt Goes Wild On Steinway, Yamal The Man, First We Take Manhattan 22.06.2026 1ч

Kevin Brannigan has arrived in New York City, and his first job is to release battery hen Ken from his content cage.We talk to Pablo Montano from AS about Spain’s thumping win today, and if Yamal can regain full fitness during this tournament.Branno and Ken go to Little Egypt and witness the North African's first ever win at the World Cup and get caught up in the crazy aftermath. Plus there’s Eoin’s Metallica shame, the Turks get angry and the player Brazilian fans love to hate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Messi Delivers, The England Plan, Ken Early's America 18.06.2026 20мин

Ken is having a great time at this World Cup and has chosen wisely so far, catching Messi's hat trick, The Azteca on opening night and England putting in one of their best ever World Cup performances... at least that's what MOST people thought.Next up its Brazil for Ken, and with loads of surprise results and some of the big stars shining, its shaping up to be a great tournament.To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’  ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3576: All-Ireland Championship Insanity, Delicious Draws, Kerry Host Armagh, Donegal Beaten, The Pixies > RHCP - 15/06/2026 15.06.2026 1ч 8мин

The All-Ireland football championship knew it had to produce something to grab some eye-balls on this World Cup weekend, and boy did it deliver.  Donegal and Armagh were both beaten, and they now face trips to Dublin and Kerry respectively.Paul Flynn and Dara Ó Cinnéide line up at the start line with us before a whirlwind tour of 8 incredible games this weekend.  Have Kerry’s injuries cleared up just in time; are Monaghan under-rated; how did Cork break down Donegal; is there a kick in Meath this year… and just how valuable will 2 weeks’ break be for Galway?And as the 'Dubs to Parnell Park' debate rages, there's a Brannecdote of note.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3575: World Cup Whistle Stop, Brazil Must Change, Happy Curacao, Houston's Got Problems - 14/06/24 14.06.2026 58мин

This weekend gave us our first glimpses of Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti, Switzerland, Qatar, Germany and Curacao, and we manage to call in on quite a few teams on our Sunday night whistle-stop tour. We speak to comedian, podcaster and Scotsman Ray Bradshaw about Scotland's first win at a World Cup in 36 years and the influence of McTominay and McGinn.And Ken was in beautiful* Houston for Germany 7-1 Curacao this evening, where he may have seen Jurgen Klopp, but he definitely saw Bastian Schweinsteiger, and he also caught up with Curacao journalist Lilo Sulvaran.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

World Cup 2026 Takes Off, Banos Hermanos, Trump's One Way Street, Predicting The Winner 11.06.2026 26мин

We’re less than an hour away from the big kick-off at World Cup 2026, Ken is at the Azteca and we are having a blast on the World Service this week. You’ll hear from Ken all tournament long and Branno’s gonna join him in a few days time.Click the player at the top of the page to play the show. To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. It costs 5 euro a month, there’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, and helping us send Ken and Branno to America. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3570: Israel Game Set For Neutral Venue, Ireland's World Cup Dream - 08/06/26 08.06.2026 43мин

Ireland are preparing for one of the biggest nights in the history of women’s football in this country… but yet again, off-field issues threaten to overshadow our winner-take-all match against France in Grenoble tomorrow night.The FAI have released a statement saying no official announcement will be made until Thursday, but today government sources state that our home game against Israel in October will now be played at a neutral venue.Gavin Cooney of the Irish Times joins us from France to go through the significance of this news and to analyse Ireland's chances of beating France and securing a place at the World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3569: Limerick Delight, Galway For The Double, Katie Balboa, Farrell Forever - 08/06/26 08.06.2026 56мин

The Munster and Leinster hurling finals didn’t eliminate anyone from this year’s All-Ireland championships, but judging by the on-pitch celebrations, winning them really, really mattered for Limerick and Galway.Joe Canning and Jamie Wall tell us why Cork can have few complaints about their 1-point defeat to Limerick… and is there a chance Galway spoil the Munster re-match in July’s All-Ireland final?We discuss Katie's half time walk-on in Croker, the best fans in the world, and Murph’s shameful and boastful post-match behaviour.And there's Andy Farrell’s new forever contract with Ireland; as this generation begin to retire, can he get more from the next group coming through? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

World Cup Week, KenCall, Neymar's Cankles, Why Norway? 05.06.2026 26мин

We're just one week out from the World Cup and we're starting to feel it. First stop for Ken is Mexico City early next week, but before he went he gave us a special World Cup edition of KenCall!This week we also had Tim Vickery on Ancelotti's source code for coaching and how old injured legends Neymar and Messi will fare in the heat. Plus there's Mbappe's defensive stats, who Ken is supporting and Madrid men stirring the pot. Click the player at the top of the page to play this best of show. To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the rest of the summer, join the Second Captains World Service. It costs 5 euro a month plus VAT, there’s no contracts, no hidden fees, no sign up fee, no ads and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3564: PSG Triumphant, Don Revie's Arsenal, Slot Departs, Cultural Repository Players 01.06.2026 1ч 13мин

Arsenal went to Budapest surfing a tidal wave of hope and joy, and finished losing on penalties after one shot on target in more than two hours of play. Less than Inter managed losing 5-0 last year, and less than Arsenal themselves managed against Barcelona in 2006, when they played most of the match with ten men. Did Mikel Arteta's best-laid plans nearly come off - or did the plan ultimately get between them and the chance of a first Champions League title? We also talk about Arne Slot, whose two seasons at Liverpool came to an end a few hours before kick-off in Budapest. What he did right, what he did wrong, the things that happened that were beyond his control, and the things that didn't happen that maybe weren't. Can the apparent successor, Andoni Iraola, realistically do any better without major reinforcements to the squad?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.