The Second Captains Podcast

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 back down his throat, or is it possible that the interpersonal rivalry element of this story has been exaggerated for dramatic purposes? We talk about Arsenal's dominant victory against Chelsea, and why, despite Michael Carrick's words, it shouldn't be much consolation for Manchester United that Everton's two goals were miracle-strikes. Miguel Delaney joins us to talk about Arsenal-Chelsea and related issues. Did we see new layers to Mikel Arteta's side? Should they have done the deal for Morgan Rogers or will it ultimately prove wiser to wait? And can the PL cash bubble really keep inflating forever?

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 madness, and today one of Germany’s most respected football writers, Christoph Biermann, joined us to talk about his new book: Game Theory: How Luck and Analytics shape football.Next week we have the Champions League, we will review Troy V Jose and Katie's fight, plus there's Trump's trip to Doonbeg and a few big GAA and rugby stories coming to the boil.Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to all 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.

We 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 moment of Olympic glory.Ken took a look at who has moved, and more importantly, who hasn’t, on the final day of the transfer window, and how a butterfly flapping its wings creates an angry fan on the other side of the world.To listen to all 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.

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’s quest to establish himself at Ireland’s new pet club, Real Betis. Some unduly harsh reviews of his full debut remind us that Spain is traditionally a difficult feeding ground for number 9s. We talk about the spiralling inflation in the Premier League transfer market. How can this be explained? Is it new accounting rules? Too much money chasing not enough talent? The level of computerised games? Sheer rank stupidity? Chelsea under Alonso, Pep's message, Cherki's laces, John McGinn and Cosette-Gakpo feature along the way.

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, and Glasgow Celtic flaming out of the Champions League.Next week is even tastier with Katie Taylor's historic fight in Croker and more importantly, the return of Ken Early!To listen to all our programming, go to secondcaptains.com/join 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 you’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’ ‘Where Is George Gibney?

Troy 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 new striker fitting in.Last week Rory McIlroy finished third last at the St. Jude Championship, 25 shots behind the winner Scottie Scheffler. This weekend at the BMW Championship he came within three holes of winning the whole thing. All aboard the Rory-Coaster!We chat to Mal Clerkin about Rory's very patchy season, golf beefs, the need for more bastards, LIV"s legacy and if in fact the Saudis were successful at sports washing.Plus there's Rory's floor, Ciarán Murphy's two point masterclass and Jose knowing his audience.

The 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 witness the Keegan tribute, and Lars Sivertsen about United getting mauled by Hull, Spurs' damaging defeat, Villa getting hammered by Brighton and Arsenal in cruise control.Plus there's the Irish men of Brentford, Duff gets glazed, Kenny's glasses and Haaland's haircut.

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 League, taking those Spanish smarts back to Ireland camp - It really is the perfect move. We also have the Premier League to look forward to, which looks more unpredictable than ever. We chatted to Rory Smith and Dion Fanning about the power vacuum in the league now that Pep is gone.We have more Premier League next week, the Katie fight is coming up fast and on Friday we have a great show about the power of protest. To hear all our shows go to secondcaptains.com/join - it's 5 euro a month, it only takes a couple of minutes to join, there's nothing sneaky or tricksy about it, there's no hidden fees or contracts, you can try it for a month and see how you go. We're independent, member led, Irish owned and we do 6 shows a week. Give it a whirl.

A 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 medal rampage and how she’s set for the Olympics, Corcoran’s perfect timing, Rhasidat’s fresh mindset and English’s glory with Cathal Dennehy and Sonia O'Sullivan.The River Liffey's Paul O'Flynn reminds us of someone and a hero of Giants Stadium salutes a rising track star.