The Second Captains Podcast
Listen to the award winning Second Captains free to air podcasts featuring The Second Captains Podcast and Second Captains Football. Join The Second Captains World Service and get access to our daily shows and much more. Become a Second Captains member at secondcaptains.com. - iTunes Podcast of the Year - iTunes Essentials Top 10 Podcasts of All-Time - The Guardian's 50 Podcasts You Need To Hear - Ireland's Most-Downloaded Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Recent Episodes
Ep 3622: Galway Take It West, Aussies Repel Irish Invasion, Murph Allies With Japan, Ajax By The Tolka
Aug 04, 2026Galway are All-Ireland women’s football champions for 2026, ending a 22-year wait for their second title, but the result was in doubt right until the final whistle. And earlier in the weekend, 10,000 ...
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Selling Football's Soul, The Mayo Homecoming
Jul 30, 2026You'd have thought Gianni Infantino’s rambling, incoherent, self congratulatory instagram post to all the losers and haters out there would have been the main FIFA story of the week, but he has trumpe...
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Ken Early breaks down FIFA's controversial plan to sell up to 49% of the World Cup and other competitions to private investors, with Josh Kushner's firm positioned to take a major stake. The proposal offers cash-strapped football associations up to $40 million over four years, but threatens to transform football from a community-based sport into a purely commercial entertainment product controlled by American businessmen with no connection to the game's traditions.
- FIFA's Privatization Pitch: The $40 Million Offer
- The Russian Privatization Analogy: How Oligarchs Win
Ep 3616: How Did Mayo Do It, Better Than The World Cup, Cubs Caps And Curses, Ken Called It - 27/07/26
Jul 27, 2026Given their underdog status, the weight of history and the Clifford factor, how did Mayo pull this off? We chat to Paul Flynn and Dara Ó Cinnéide about Moran's masterplan, teenage kicks, Mayo's ener...
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75 years, the curse, the finals, all those heroes denied ... until yesterday, it finally happened, Mayo are the All Ireland Champions! This morning Murph caught up with Kobe McDonald, Jordan Flynn a...
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This week on the Pod marked the return of Ken from the New World and with him he brings tales of Argentinian conspiracy theories. We also had Gavin Cooney drop by to chat about the legacy of Kevin Kee...
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A best-of compilation from the Fast and the Curious podcast featuring Ken Early's return from reporting at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reflections on Kevin Keegan's passing, and memorable insights about football culture. The episode explores conspiracy theories surrounding Argentina's World Cup performance, celebrates Keegan's legendary career and personality, and includes a fascinating archival interview revealing the fitness obsession that defined his playing days.
- Argentina's World Cup Exit and Conspiracy Theories
- Kevin Keegan: The Romantic Idealist of English Football
Galway wanted it to be one way, but it was the other way. Limerick are All-Ireland champions for the sixth time in nine years, and they were seldom troubled by an opposition that were outplayed, outfo...
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This episode analyzes Galway's defeat to Limerick in the All-Ireland Hurling Final, exploring why Limerick's dominance continues and what it means for Galway's future. The hosts discuss Limerick's tactical superiority, their work rate and positioning, the viral reception of sports psychologist Caroline Currid, and whether this Limerick team still has more championships in them. Joe Canning and Jamie Wall join to break down the match and discuss the limitations of Galway's system against elite opposition.
- Opening and Galway's Tough Day at the Office
- Caroline Currid's Cult Hero Status
Ep 3610: Spain Are World Champions - 20/07/26
Jul 20, 2026Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater, well maybe Messi wishes he had. Spain are Campeones del Mundo! It was a strange final leaving questions lingering of how FIFA has been allowed to reduce ...
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The Second Captains podcast delivers a scathing review of the 2025 Women's World Cup Final in which Spain dominated Argentina 1-0 in New Jersey. Ken Early provides vivid on-the-ground reporting from MetLife Stadium, describing what he calls "the worst World Cup final ever played" - a one-sided affair where Spain's technical superiority completely neutralized Lionel Messi and Argentina. The hosts critique not just the poor quality of football, but the excessive commercialization and American-style pageantry surrounding the event, from Trump's presence to Madonna's awkward halftime show with Brazilian legends.
- Spain's Dominant Victory Over Outclassed Argentina
- The Referee's Permissive Approach Favored Argentina
The Hand of Tuchel
Jul 16, 2026Welcome 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 w...
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Ep 3604: Blue Wave Crashes, Thy Kingdom Come, Mayo4Sam '26, Louth Hit Wall, McConville The Wicklow Boy
Jul 13, 2026Two 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,...
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A lively discussion of GAA's weekend action, focusing on Kerry and Mayo's All-Ireland semi-final victories. The podcast features in-depth analysis of controversial refereeing decisions in the Kerry-Dublin match, Mayo's impressive performance against Louth, and Wicklow's historic Tailteann Cup final comeback victory. Wicklow manager Oisín McConville provides insights into his team's dramatic 13-point halftime deficit turnaround, while the panel debates tactical approaches and looks ahead to the Kerry-Mayo final.
- Wicklow's Historic Tailteann Cup Victory
- Kerry's Controversial Semi-Final Win Over Dublin
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 ...
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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. ...
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Ep 3598: Cork's Second Half Stats, Clare Hearts Crushed, Hype And Hope, Ned Stark Wisdom - 06/07/26
Jul 06, 2026The 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...
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A comprehensive discussion of the All-Ireland Hurling semi-finals between Galway-Cork and Limerick-Clare. Galway delivered a dominant second-half performance to defeat Cork 0-25 to 0-16, exposing Cork's now-chronic collapse pattern in big games at Croke Park. Limerick narrowly edged Clare 2-20 to 1-21 in a tense encounter, with controversy surrounding a non-black card decision. The podcast analyzes Cork's mental fragility, Galway's tactical excellence, and sets up a Galway-Limerick final.
- Cork's Latest Croke Park Collapse
- Galway's Tactical Masterclass and Young Stars
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...
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A World Cup podcast covering England's dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium and Norway's historic upset of Brazil. The hosts also discuss FIFA's controversial decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's suspension for the USA, following lobbying from the White House. The episode features detailed analysis of both matches, with particular focus on individual performances, tactical decisions, and the broader implications for the tournament's integrity.
- England's Victory at the Azteca
- Debate Over England's Performance Quality
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. K...
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Ep 3591: Louth's Hot Summer, Slick Kerry Face Resurgent Dubs, Kobe's Only Shot - 29/06/26
Jun 29, 2026The 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 a...
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A comprehensive analysis of the GAA football championship quarterfinals, featuring Dublin's resurgence, Louth's historic 14-man victory over Monaghan, Kerry's narrow win against Tyrone, and Mayo's progression past Cork. The discussion explores tactical approaches, standout individual performances, and sets up two compelling All-Ireland semi-finals: Dublin vs Kerry and Mayo vs Louth.
- Louth's Historic 14-Man Victory
- Dublin's Championship Revival Continues
England are into the group 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 beginni...
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This Second Captains World Service podcast covers England's 2-0 victory over Panama and Portugal's 0-0 draw with Colombia from the Copa America tournament. The hosts provide detailed analysis of both matches, with particular focus on England's unconvincing performance despite winning, and a scathing critique of Cristiano Ronaldo's declining abilities and continued selection for Portugal at age 41. The show features live commentary from Miami where Ken and Pico attended the Colombia-Portugal match.
- England Labor to 2-0 Win Over Panama
- Harry Kane's Disconnection and England's Attack
Brazilian Thoroughbreds, Insipid England, Miami Vice
Jun 25, 2026Ken 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 insi...
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Ken and Brano's World Cup journey continues through the US, taking them from Egyptian celebrations in Queens to Miami, where they witness Brazil's star power in action. The hosts provide cultural commentary on everything from Harry Clark's controversial stained glass window to England's contrasting World Cup performances, blending football analysis with sharp observations about identity, religion, and the politics of representation in Irish art history.
- Brazil's Neymar Worship and Vinnie Jr.'s Brilliance
- Harry Clark's Censored Masterpiece
Ep 3584: Dublin Win The Battle, Kerry Crush Armagh, Mayo Madness, What's Happened Donegal - 22/06/26
Jun 22, 2026Armagh 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...
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A wide-ranging discussion of the GAA Football Championship quarter-finals following an exciting weekend of matches. The podcast analyzes Dublin's dramatic extra-time victory over Donegal, Kerry's dominant performance against Armagh, Mayo's comeback against Meath, and previews the upcoming quarter-final matchups including Dublin-Galway, Kerry-Tyrone, Cork-Mayo, and Monaghan-Louth.
- Dublin's Extra-Time Victory Over Donegal
- Kerry's Dominant Performance Against Armagh
Ep 3583: Non-Stop Pico, Egypt Goes Wild On Steinway, Yamal The Man, First We Take Manhattan
Jun 22, 2026Kevin 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 c...
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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....
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Ken Early reports from the 2026 World Cup in the United States, covering Lionel Messi's remarkable hat-trick performance for Argentina at age 39, England's dramatic 4-2 victory over Croatia featuring an extraordinary second-half turnaround, and the unique atmosphere of watching the tournament unfold across American stadiums. The episode explores how Messi continues to defy age and expectations while Thomas Tuchel's England finally showed the attacking intensity needed to compete at the highest level.
- Messi's Ageless Brilliance at 39
- England's Transformation Under Tuchel