The Second Captains Podcast

This week on the Pod the curious World of FIFA continued to unravel before our eyes. To help guide us through the labyrinth, experienced FIFA-ologist Sam Kunti joined us to chat Infantino and possible contenders for the throne.To listen to all of our 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.

Galway 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 miles away, a collection of Ireland’s best gaelic footballers were taking on the best Australian AFLW players in a first international Aussie Rules match.Five-time All-Ireland winner Noelle Healy, and one of Ireland’s star players Vikki Wall are with us to discuss last-minute controversies, the lacklustre final at the end of a positive season, and representing your country in front of a packed-out, 75% Irish crowd in North Sydney.The Japanese Ambassador to Ireland also makes an appearance, and we discuss a big week for Irish clubs in Europe, with real football man™️ Kevin Brannigan.

You'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 trumped it by unveiling a plan to sell the World Cup to private investors. Ken explained why selling the soul of football to American businessmen is bad for everyone involved in the game.We also chatted to Tariq Panja of the NYT about how likely this is to happen and who can stop Infantino.Mayo's All Ireland triumph dominated the week. We had great chats with Andy Moran and Kobe McDonald, we got Paul Flynn and Dara O'Cinneide to explain how Mayo pulled this off, and Murph and Ken went to Castlebar for their homecoming, where Ken revealed how much he loves this side and why they remind him so much of Argentina.Tomorrow we have another football show for you; we talk about two of the fallen giants of European football, Italy and Germany, appointing Mancini and Klopp, two managers who have done a lot in the game but who's public images have taken a hit in recent times.Its a fiver a month, there's no ads, no hydration breaks, no sign up fee, no hidden costs and we're fully independent. To sign up go to secondcaptains.com/join.

Given 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 energy edge and a sensational display from Ryan O'Donoghue.Was this the greatest football season ever? Was this better than the World Cup? And what data did Ken utilise in order to predict a Mayo win?Plus there's Cubs caps, Coyne's calling and "be more Mayo".

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 and manager Andy Moran.We discuss the greatest ever day in Croker, the many Hollywood moments and the reality living up to the dream.

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 Keegan. To listen to all of our 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.

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, outfought and outgunned.Jamie Wall and Joe Canning talk us through how Limerick came good on All-Ireland final day - again; the ageless brilliance of their best players, the new blood coming through, and why they’re still the ultimate challenge.Plus we discuss the one happy Galway man yesterday, Kiely’s finals record, and facing not chasing.

Don'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 the centre-piece of the football world to an add-on alongside a tacky, ill-conceived concert.Ken dials in for the last time this tournament. We hope you’ve enjoyed it all. 

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.