The Second Captains Podcast

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

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.

World Cup Wonder, The McGuinness Melee, The Value Of Assists 28.05.2026 25min

Welcome to fight week on the Second Captains world service! There was a Donnybrook in Dalyer, the McGuinness melee in Kerry and Keano and Bruno fighting on the internet. Plus we have a champions league show tomorrow and Monday, and coming very soon, the World Cup in Canada/USA/Mexico which will be really weird and really interesting.Its a fiver to join, it takes 30 seconds, you have instant access to every show we’ve ever done, and all the top stuff coming up such as Ken at the World Cup, the Champions League final, Rory’s majors quest, the URC playoffs, the hurling championship, and the fallout from the McGuinness incident. GO TO secondcaptains.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3559: Leinster Get Dismantled, Move Fast And Win Things, Jim McGuinness Throws His Weight Around - 25/05/26 25.05.2026 47min

The other four Champions Cup finals Leinster lost were all close, winnable and heartbreaking for fans; this defeat to Bordeaux however was over after 20 minutes and deeply concerning for all involved.We chat to Shane Horgan and Andrew Trimble about all the things that went wrong in Bilbao, and what this means for Leo Cullen, Nienaber and Irish rugby.And in a weekend of massive games in hurling and gaelic football the Kerry/Donegal half-time brouhaha could yet have long-term repercussions for Jim McGuinness, if the lengthy ban for Dublin's Ger Brennan was anything to go by. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3558: Good-Bye To All That 25.05.2026 1val 31min

A day of goodbyes - Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Seamus Coleman, West Ham United.Ken gives his Premier League team of the season, and you … to be honest, you won’t be surprised by too many of his picks.Dion Fanning and John Brewin join us to talk about the end of the Premier League season. How good a season was it? Does Pep Guardiola leave Manchester City having proved himself the greatest manager of all time? And who is most likely to step up and challenge the new Arsenal supremacy? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal Celebrate, The Choker Fallacy, SpyFall 21.05.2026 27min

Welcome to winners week on the Second Captains world service! Arsenal are Premier League champions again after 22 long years, and Villa ended a 30 year wait for a trophy with their Europa League win last night.We got in touch with friend of the show Dara O’Briain and Jacob Hawley of the Screen Rot podcast, to reflect on Arsenal's journey these last few years under Arteta and to discuss the whole "choker" fallacy.We also examined the fallout from Southampton's expulsion from the Championship playoffs, we preview the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals, we grapple – not entirely successfully – with UEFA’s new format for the Nations League and European Qualifiers, and wonder if Carlo Ancelotti has done the right thing by including Neymar in the Brazil squad?Coming up tomorrow we have hurling and next week its Champions League and FIFA World Cup build up. Its a fiver to join, it takes 30 seconds, you have instant access to every show we’ve ever done, and all the top stuff coming up such as Ken at the World Cup, the Premier League and Champions League deciders, Madrid continuing to be insane, Rory’s majors quest, Leinster in the champions cup final, the munster hurling championship is getting red hot, and the football championship is getting real tasty too. GO TO secondcaptains.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3553: Westmeath Dismantle Dubs, Armagh Take Ulster, Working Class Golf Hero - 18/05/26 18.05.2026 57min

After last Sunday's heroics Roscommon may have thought they had the 2026 Cinderella Team mantle all to themselves, but yesterday in Croke Park Westmeath took that title from them, and took the Leinster title for only the second time in their history. Dara Ó Cinnéide and Paul Flynn were watching an insane day of Gaelic football - a day where Monaghan even came painfully close to turning over another pre-game favourite, before Armagh finally captured their first Ulster title since 2008. Plus there's Ken on the GAA's talent drain to Love Island and we salute golf's new working-class hero, Aaron Rai. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3552: Ken The Tim, Alonso Calling, The Four Mysteries, Ireland In Shadow, Salah Uprising, Yeats Fisherman - 18/05/26 18.05.2026 1val 29min

Most of the world wanted Hearts to win on Saturday but this little corner of it was an exception. Eoin swoons at the romance of his close personal friend Martin O'Neill becoming a champion again at the age of 74 while Ken confesses that technophobia has driven him into the sweaty arms of Celtic FC, a reassuringly old-fashioned, incompetent football entity. Rory "Jambo Unchained" Smith was at Celtic Park to see Celtic win the league. We talk about the game, the glory, the SCENES, and whether Hearts can do it again. Rory also analyses "the four mysteries" of Xabi Alonso joining Chelsea. Why didn't Liverpool show any interest? And do we really believe big Arne will still be there at the start of next season?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cheat Week, Madrid Meltdown, Why Not Alonso? 14.05.2026 22min

Welcome to cheat week on the Second Captains world service! It all started with the Arsenal West Ham VAR fallout and got progressively murkier as the week went on with the Southampton "Spygate" saga, Celtic's questionable late penalty against Motherwell and Florentino Perez calling out all the haters and losers at Real Madrid.  There was also the news this week that Chelsea are looking to get Xavi Alonso as their next manager, news that astonished Ken given Liverpool seem a better fit and given how Liverpool's season has gone with Slot in charge.Coming up tomorrow we have the latest in our series of Fiesta Fridays ™ - last week it was Seve - this week it's bullfighting culture wars. Its a fiver to join, it takes 30 seconds, you have instant access to every show we've ever done, and all the top stuff coming up such as Ken at the World Cup, the Premier League and Champions League deciders, Madrid continuing to be insane, Rory's majors quest, Leinster in the champions cup final, the munster hurling championship is getting red hot, and the football championship is getting real tasty too. GO TO secondcaptains.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3548: The Rossies Take Connacht, Murph As Condom, 'Egomaniacs' Returns - 11/05/26 11.05.2026 54min

The newest member of our championship punditry team, Dara Ó Cinnéide - already getting rave reviews - was at Dr Hyde Park to see Roscommon pip Murph's Galway to their first home win in a Connacht final in a quarter-century yesterday. Dara and Paul join us to chat about a huge day for the Rossies, the first provincial finals of the summer, Jayo Sherlock, and how, for David Clifford, it's all in the eyes. Plus there's Willie Hegarty's commentary par excellence and the return of the finest barber in the west.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3547: Arsenal So Close, Starlizard FC, Anger Farmers, Southampton Spy Ring, Madrid Psychodrama 11.05.2026 1val 35min

Arsenal are nearly there. As the manager flailed wildly with random substitutions, David Raya and Martin Ødegaard stood up to make sure that when the referees stepped up to rule on the climactic, decisive melee, Arsenal already had the crucial edge. We go through the fallout, and also talk about the Southampton spying scandal, while Eoin confesses to a faux pas in the presence of an unusually glamorous and sophisticated colleague.Nick Ames and Rich Jolly join us to talk about the West Ham-Arsenal VAR drama and debate some eternal questions. Is football's tottering refereeing system in need of urgent action to save it? Or is it actually working about as well as can be expected, but being sabotaged by a poisonous alliance of the cheating players and managers who disregard the rules, the self-righteous morons who watch them, and the entrepreneurial anger-farmers who whip everything up?Oh and Real Madrid we haven't forgotten about you.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal Double Or Quits, Guehi's Blunder, Seve Special, Mbappe On His Holidays 08.05.2026 23min

Welcome to our World Service taster show. This week was dominated by Arsenal Football Club, who could now win it all, or nothing, but either way should be allowed celebrate the wins along the way? We also covered PSG's second leg defensive masterclass, Guehi's blunder, Man Utd's next manager, Leinster and Ulster making European finals, footballers taking mid season holidays and we dedicate our Friday show to one of our all time sporting heroes, Seve Ballesteros.Click the player at the top of the page to play this taster show. To listen to our programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. It’s 5 euro a mont, 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 3552: Leinster Wobble And Win, Leo's Lecture, Porter Power, Happy Ulster, Randle Reverse - 04/05/26 04.05.2026 1val 7min

As Leinster eased into an 18 point lead with 12 minutes remaining in their Champions Cup semi final, everyone in the stadium could finally put that Northampton nightmare  behind them, right?We chat to Shane Horgan and Gerry Thornley about that late wobble and what caused it, how such a good team can also look so vulnerable, big Joe McCarthy saving the day, the blitz gamble, Leo's lecture to the media, Porter power, and the massive challenge posed by Bordeaux in the final.We also discuss power plays, Ulster finding happiness, and the Randle reverse review at Munster.Plus there's at swim two podcasters, the right runners and McDevitt's marathon wish. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Makes Football Great? 30.04.2026 26min

Welcome to our World Service taster show. This week was all about PSG Bayern and what makes for a great game of football. We interviewed Harvey Vale about his decision to join Ireland, his Chelsea years and rejecting a move to the Saudi leagues. We also covered the Arsenal Atletico Madrid peno farce, the fallout from Munster's appointment of Roger Randle (a move that has since been cancelled), LBJ's presidential manners, Leinster's return to the thunderdome, and coming up we have Flynn and McConville on football, and the Champions League second legs.Click the player at the top of the page to play this taster show. To listen to our programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. It's 5 euro a mont, 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 3537: Wall & Canning On A Wild Hurling Weekend, Marathon Goes Sub-Two, Ulster's Lambing Championship - 27/04/26 27.04.2026 56min

It’s the Jamie and Joe Show today, as Messrs Wall and Canning are together for the first time this summer to react to Cork’s thrilling 2-point win over Limerick in Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday, and the chaotic draw that Tipperary and Waterford played out a couple of hours later.  Cork were winners but with a few question marks, Limerick are going to Ennis next week without Aaron Gillane and Cian Lynch, Tipperary are in trouble, and Wexford are going nowhere.  And that’s only a taster of today’s hot takes.  Eoin unleashes a vicious tirade on the sub-2-hour marathoners, Ken wants a return to barefoot running, and why feeling a little disrespected is vital when trying to win Ulster championship games during lambing season.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3536: Ifs, Buts, and LBJ's Nuts - 27/04/26 27.04.2026 58min

What if Robert Sanchez hadn't been able to buy Chelsea some breathing space with a possibly-imaginary injury?  What if the ref last week had sent off Khusanov for fouling Havertz? What if Mikel Arteta and Daniel Farke weren't both believers in the philosophy of "you only complain when you're winning"?Pep Guardiola was buzzing throughout Manchester City's victory at Wembley though at times appeared to be struggling with his trousers: friend of the show Lyndon Johnson shows how it's done. There's news from Scotland, from Turkey and Murph transcending ancient value systems. Summer is here and everyone is getting involved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Arsenal, Chelsea Age Rosenior, Spain Show The Way - 23/04/26 23.04.2026 29min

Welcome to our World Service taster show. This week we covered Rosenior's Waterloo, Cucurella’s mouthy barber, why the haters hate on Arsenal, Spain's approach to the climate crisis and renewable energy, Katie for Croker, and coming up we have the Champions League semis, Joe Canning on hurling, Dave Hannigan on Roy Keane's early days in Cork, the Champions Cup semis and the GAA football championship is heating up nicely too.Click the player at the top of the page to play this taster show. To listen to our 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 3531: Superpundit Joe Canning Joins The Pod, Championship Hurling Is Back, What About Westmeath - 20/04/26 20.04.2026 50min

The hurling championship has begun and we have a brand new pundit for the summer, as Galway's greatest-ever hurler Joe Canning joins us. He had a front-row seat in Thurles for Cork-Tipperary yesterday, and he talks to us about the envy he feels watching the Munster championship. He was also watching on as his native county Galway tore Kilkenny apart in Pearse Stadium on Saturday evening. Cork were good, Tipp were flat, Galway are young, Clare are leaky... and next weekend is going to be massive. None other than Eoin McDevitt was in Aughrim for Dublin's narrow escape against Wicklow in the first round of the Leinster football championship, and we also salute Westmeath, who were full value for their shock win against Meath in Tullamore, scoring 4-18 in the process.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 3530: It's Happening Again...? - 20/04/26 20.04.2026 1val 25min

It's done. Or is it? Is it done? It was hard to know how to feel at the end of that, as Arsenal played one of their best games in many weeks but still ended up ceding the title initiative to Manchester City. City still need to win six games - and even then they can't be 100% sure. We talk through a great game that concluded a great PL weekend with Jonathan Wilson and Jamie Hamilton.Did the game conform to the pre-match narratives, or defy them? Why is Rayan Cherki "the most important footballer in the world"? With teams now regularly conceding goals due to taking crazy risks in defence they're not actually equipped to handle, is it time to rethink the principles of build-up play? And if Arsenal do finish the season with nothing, where does that leave Mikel Arteta?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Science Slot, Arteta On Fire, Orban Lit, McClean Media, Dub Doubt - 16/04/26 16.04.2026 21min

Welcome to our World Service taster show. This week we went deep on Liverpool's problems on and off the pitch, and in the medical room; we rejoiced in the splendour of Bayern - Madrid and recoiled at the ugliness of Arsenal Sporting.Plus there's McClean's social media output, Paul Flynn on the football championship, Arteta on fire and Sneyd & Branno on the latest young star to emerge from the Rovers academy.Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to our 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 3525: McIlroy The Master All Over Again - 13/04/26 13.04.2026 1val

Why, asked Rory McIlroy these past few days, have one Masters title when you can have two? And why win smoothly when you can terrorise your home country instead? It was another wild and ultimately joyous weekend for McIlroy at Augusta and we're joined by The 42's Gavin Cooney live from Georgia and The Sunday Times' Michael Foley to take it all in. Plus there's old green-fingers Paul McGinley, the agony and the ecstasy of ace-shootin' Shane Lowry, and the return of Van the Man.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.