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
Episode 3668: Israel 0-3 Ireland - 28/09/26
Sep 28, 2026After the most dramatic, most divisive day in Irish football for a quarter-century… a football game. Gavin Bazunu was not a part of the Irish squad, Ireland bowed their heads for the Israeli anthem, n...
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The Second Captains podcast covers the Republic of Ireland's controversial UEFA Nations League fixture against Israel, which took place in Hungary amid massive ethical concerns and internal squad turmoil. Despite days of intense team meetings, disagreements over whether to play, and Gavin Bazunu's withdrawal from the Israel games, Ireland won 3-0 in a dominant performance. The episode features reporting from Ken Early at the match, discussing the FAI's handling of the crisis, the squad's internal divisions, and questions about whether this fixture should have happened at all.
- The Extraordinary Match and Ireland's Dominant Performance
- The Significance of the Result Amid Moral Controversy
We already knew this was going to be an international football week unlike anything we’d ever experienced and the sight of the Ireland football manager accepting the support of the Taoiseach over dero...
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This World Service episode features a deep dive into the controversial Ireland vs. Israel football matches, with historian Ilan Pape discussing the power of sporting sanctions and whether Ireland should boycott. The hosts also explore how Israel's FA responded to Irish coach Heimir Halgrimson's comments about 'playing against genocide,' and Murphy provides lighter relief with updates on the NFL's chaotic start, particularly the San Francisco 49ers' successful Australian adventure.
- The Growing Controversy Around Ireland vs. Israel
- The Power of Sporting Sanctions: Ilan Pape's Perspective
A rabble-rousing weekend in the PL saw Keith Andrews and Fabian Hurzeler humble the Basque Premier League princes. But when Brighton and Brentford smash one of the big teams, who really deserves the c...
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A wide-ranging football podcast discussing the Premier League weekend, featuring Brighton's dominant 3-0 victory over Arsenal, Brentford's demolition of Chelsea, debates about tactical approaches in modern football, and Liverpool's struggles under new management. The hosts analyze whether high-intensity pressing football is diminishing the quality of play and examine the structural challenges facing major clubs.
- Arsenal's Shocking Defeat to Brighton
- The Brighton and Brentford Blueprint
The rule changes made by Jim Gavin's Football Review Committee have dramatically improved/changed the game of Gaelic football forever. Now hurling wants a piece of that pie. But why would "the great...
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Why The Israel Games Are Going Ahead According To The FAI, JJ Gabriel Wants Out at Man Utd, Ken's Height Humility
Sep 17, 2026In this week's best of show, you'll hear part of our interview with FAI Director of Football, John Martin, on why the FAI has committed to playing our Nations League games against Israel, Ken on teena...
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The Premier League season labours past week 4 with a sense that things are yet to fully ignite - but the recently rebranded Pro Ref, formerly known as PGMOL, has hit its stride by issuing their first ...
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This episode of Second Captains features an in-depth discussion about the controversial Manchester Derby between Manchester United and Manchester City, where a VAR error overshadowed the match. The hosts also explore Premier League matches, the Ballon d'Or debate, and interview William Ralston, author of 'The Impossible Job,' about the world of football refereeing. The episode concludes with updates on the League of Ireland title race and Stephen Kenny's distinctive program notes.
- Premier League Weekend Review: A Festival of Dull Football
- Manchester Derby: VAR Disaster Overshadows the Match
From the Air Force One fly-by to the Chinook helicopters to the talk on Irish unity to chants of "four more years" in the Doonbeg clubhouse, it was as strange a weekend as Irish sport has ever seen. ...
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The Second Captains podcast discusses the 2025 Irish Open at Donald Trump's Doonbeg golf course, where Shane Lowry won by a record margin. The episode explores the controversial presence of President Trump, who made repeated statements about Irish reunification and announced tariff reductions on Irish whiskey. The hosts examine the complex dynamics of celebrating sporting achievement while grappling with the political and ethical implications of hosting Trump, alongside coverage of European victories in the Walker Cup and Solheim Cup.
- Trump's Arrival and the United Ireland Comments
- The Security Spectacle and Bizarre Scenes
Champions League Week, My Beak Is Soft, Troy Media,
Sep 10, 2026The English teams have been tearing it up in the Champions League so far this week. We chatted to Lars Sivertsen about Martin Ødegaard’s blistering early-season form and signs that adoption of a tact...
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A Second Captains World Service podcast episode featuring detailed discussion of Troy Parrott's Champions League performances, Arsenal and Liverpool's impressive European campaigns, and tactical analysis of both teams' evolving styles. The show includes ornithological debates about parrot beaks, transfer contract controversies, and managerial approaches to player discipline.
- Troy Parrott's Champions League Brilliance
- The Great Parrot Beak Controversy
82,000 in the stadium and 1.6m watching on RTE - there's never been an event like this in Irish sport. We look back on a mesmerising but surreal evening in Croke Park with Sinead O'Carroll and Malac...
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An in-depth discussion about Katie Taylor's historic final fight at Croke Park in front of 80,000 fans. The hosts examine the unprecedented nature of the event, from the unexpected crowd reception of Westlife to Taylor's controversial walk-on music choice (All Hail King Jesus), and reflect on her extraordinary career and cultural impact. They explore what made this sporting occasion so unique, compare it to other major events, and consider whether boxing's most accomplished female fighter might truly be done.
- The Unprecedented Atmosphere and Cultural Phenomenon
- The Westlife Controversy and Musical Choices
For players new to La Liga, there's no better way to get people's attention than scoring the winner against Real Madrid. Betis Troy has lift-off - but did he really RAM Jose Mourinho's historic quotes...
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The Second Captains Football Podcast dives into an action-packed weekend of Premier League football, with Troy Parrott's winner against Real Madrid stealing headlines. The show examines Arsenal's dominant 2-1 victory over Chelsea, Manchester United's unconvincing win against Everton, and broader concerns about financial sustainability in the Premier League transfer market. Miguel Delaney joins to discuss the spending crisis and tactical developments across top clubs.
- Troy Parrott's Real Betis Breakthrough Against Real Madrid
- Jose Mourinho's Troy Parrott Comments Revisited
It’s been a hell of a week on the World Service - Ken is back - Katie build-up has been emotional - And on top of all that, we’ve made friends within Hector Bellerin! Plus there was transfer window...
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A World Service podcast episode covering Katie Taylor's upcoming Croke Park fight, featuring insights from matchmaker Tomas Rowan about her competitive mindset and career management, plus an interview with Hector Bellerin about helping Troy Parrott settle in Seville, and a chaotic breakdown of transfer deadline day drama involving Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea, Monaco, and Everton.
- Hector Bellerin Helps Troy Parrott Settle in Seville
- Katie Taylor's Inner Competitive Fire
Ep 3645: Andy Lee On Katie In Croker, Transfer Deadline Day, Ken's Premier League Predictions - 01/09/26
Sep 01, 2026We welcome former world champ and one of the best coaches and boxing analysts in the world, Andy Lee into studio. Andy has coached Katie, has fought on the same card as her, and was in London for her ...
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Week two of the Premier League season has concluded - and SC’s football correspondent has finally deigned to check in. Ken explains his absence and reports on his activities. We follow Troy Parrott...
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Ken Early returns from his summer holiday as the Premier League season is underway. The podcast covers a wide range of topics including Troy Parrott's La Liga debut for Real Betis, Chelsea's chaotic performance against Brighton, the scarcity of quality strikers in English football, the new documentary about Pep Guardiola, transfer market inflation, and Liverpool and Arsenal's squad situations heading into the final hours of the transfer window.
- Ken's Holiday and Return to the Podcast
- Troy Parrott's La Liga Debut and the Inverted Winger Problem
It’s been a daft week here on Second Captains with a stonking opener to Premier League season, Troy Parrott making his La Liga debut, the biggest, fastest, strangest sale in sports franchise history, ...
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A lively discussion about Troy Parrott's promising La Liga debut for Real Betis, Brentford's impressive Premier League form, and the ongoing debate around Cade O'Neill's international future between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The hosts analyze Parrott's performance, celebrate Ireland's footballing talent abroad, and tackle the complex emotions surrounding dual-eligible players.
- Troy Parrott's Real Betis Debut
- Betis's Social Media Charm Offensive
Ep 3639: All Aboard The Rory-Coaster, Golf Seeks Bastards, Pellegrini On Troy, Did LIV Win - 24/08/26
Aug 24, 2026Troy Parrott could be in line to make his La Liga debut tomorrow night in the Mestalla and we have some hot off the press Manuel Pelligrini quotes about competition for places and where he sees his ne...
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The Second Captains podcast covers Rory McIlroy's rollercoaster performance at the BMW Championship, his ongoing feud with Lee Westwood over LIV Golf, Manuel Pellegrini's comments on Troy Parrott at Real Betis, and an analysis of LIV Golf's impending collapse after the Saudi Public Investment Fund withdrew funding. The discussion includes insights on golf's future, the legacy of the LIV disruption, and what happens next for players like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.
- Troy Parrott's Real Betis Opportunity
- José Mourinho on Rodri and Real Madrid's Pull
Ep 3638: Man United Mauled, Liverpool Have Holes, Republic Of Brentford, Arsenal Cruise, Haaland's Haircut - 24/08/26
Aug 24, 2026The opening weekend of the Premier League had a bit of everything - surprise results, late goals, Newcastle/Liverpool and big-spending Spurs. We chat to Richard Jolly, who was in St James Park to wi...
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The opening weekend of the Premier League season delivered shock results, relegation battles, and tactical concerns for several big clubs. Liverpool and Newcastle played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in an emotional tribute to Kevin Keegan, while Manchester United, Tottenham, and Aston Villa all suffered defeats that raised serious questions about their seasons ahead. The weekend highlighted a theme of expensive midfields struggling to control games while more direct, counterattacking teams found success.
- Kevin Keegan Tribute and Liverpool-Newcastle Thriller
- The Alexander Isak Penalty Controversy
Welcome to our weekly Second Captains world service taster! Troy's move to Betis has lit up our lives in the last few days as we dream of press trips to Seville, watching him play in the Champions Lea...
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A comprehensive Second Captains podcast episode covering the Premier League preview, highlighted by an in-depth discussion of the new Pep Guardiola documentary 'A Beautiful Obsession,' which offers unprecedented access to Manchester City's final two seasons under the legendary manager. The show also explores the managerial vacuum left in the Premier League, Frank Lampard's prospects at Coventry, Brentford's ambitions with Damien Duff joining as assistant, and a fascinating historical deep-dive into Troy Parrott's new club Real Betis and their legendary Irish manager Don Patricio.
- Pep Guardiola's Emotional Documentary
- The Premier League's Power Vacuum
Ep 3633: Kate’s Medal Rampage, Coscoran’s Late Charge, Irish Athletics’ Week Of Wonder - 17/08/26
Aug 17, 2026A week that will live long in the memory concluded yesterday with Ireland coming away from the Birmingham track and the Parisian pool with an incredible haul of nine medals. We reflect on Kate’s med...
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The Second Captains podcast celebrates Ireland's extraordinary week at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham and European Aquatics Championships in Paris, where Irish athletes claimed nine medals including four golds. The discussion covers Kate O'Connor's heptathlon dominance, Andrew Coskren's thrilling bronze medal run, the remarkable Irish fan presence in Birmingham, and the emotional medal ceremonies that captivated viewers at home.
- Ireland's Golden Week in Athletics and Swimming
- The Irish Fan Invasion of Birmingham
Ep 3632: Arsenal End City, Rice Mines, Elliot Anderson Tax, The Bezos Era, Pats Dent Rovers - 17/08/26
Aug 17, 2026The Community Shield has never lied to us yet, so what exactly should we make of Arsenal 3-0 Manchester City? Gavin Cooney is with us to say goodbye to Man City, and to crown Arsenal as back-to-ba...
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A Monday football podcast covering the Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City, discussing the controversy around Manchester United vs Leeds at Croke Park, League of Ireland cup action, and major developments at Liverpool with Jeff Bezos acquiring a 30% stake. The hosts analyze Arsenal's dominant performance, City's struggles under new management, and question Liverpool's transfer activity and ownership changes.
- GAA and Croke Park Commercialization Debate
- League of Ireland Cup Action and Domestic Football
Man United and Leeds selling out the home of the GAA, James McClean's Derry disaster, our lust for glory medal charge at the European swimming and athletics championships, the dog whisperer, trying to...
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A deep dive into the new Netflix documentary 'Mourinho' examining Jose Mourinho's managerial career, with hosts Ken and Kieran analyzing his psychological manipulation tactics, comparing them to celebrity dog trainer Cesar Millan's techniques. The discussion explores how Mourinho dominated players like John Terry and Frank Lampard, his conflicts at Real Madrid with Cristiano Ronaldo and Iker Casillas, and his philosophical influences from Nietzsche. The conversation also touches on Nord Stream pipeline investigation and author interviews.
- The Mourinho Documentary Overview
- The Cesar Millan Connection - Managing Players Like Dogs