The Second Captains Podcast

Kevin 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 can regain full fitness during this tournament.Branno and Ken go to Little Egypt and witness the North African's first ever win at the World Cup and get caught up in the crazy aftermath. Plus there’s Eoin’s Metallica shame, the Turks get angry and the player Brazilian fans love to hate.

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... at least that's what MOST people thought.Next up its Brazil for Ken, and with loads of surprise results and some of the big stars shining, its shaping up to be a great tournament.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.

The All-Ireland football championship knew it had to produce something to grab some eye-balls on this World Cup weekend, and boy did it deliver.  Donegal and Armagh were both beaten, and they now face trips to Dublin and Kerry respectively.Paul Flynn and Dara Ó Cinnéide line up at the start line with us before a whirlwind tour of 8 incredible games this weekend.  Have Kerry’s injuries cleared up just in time; are Monaghan under-rated; how did Cork break down Donegal; is there a kick in Meath this year… and just how valuable will 2 weeks’ break be for Galway?And as the 'Dubs to Parnell Park' debate rages, there's a Brannecdote of note.  

This weekend gave us our first glimpses of Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti, Switzerland, Qatar, Germany and Curacao, and we manage to call in on quite a few teams on our Sunday night whistle-stop tour. We speak to comedian, podcaster and Scotsman Ray Bradshaw about Scotland's first win at a World Cup in 36 years and the influence of McTominay and McGinn.And Ken was in beautiful* Houston for Germany 7-1 Curacao this evening, where he may have seen Jurgen Klopp, but he definitely saw Bastian Schweinsteiger, and he also caught up with Curacao journalist Lilo Sulvaran. 

We’re less than an hour away from the big kick-off at World Cup 2026, Ken is at the Azteca and we are having a blast on the World Service this week. You’ll hear from Ken all tournament long and Branno’s gonna join him in a few days time.Click the player at the top of the page to play the show. To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. It costs 5 euro a month, 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, and helping us send Ken and Branno to America.

Ireland are preparing for one of the biggest nights in the history of women’s football in this country… but yet again, off-field issues threaten to overshadow our winner-take-all match against France in Grenoble tomorrow night.The FAI have released a statement saying no official announcement will be made until Thursday, but today government sources state that our home game against Israel in October will now be played at a neutral venue.Gavin Cooney of the Irish Times joins us from France to go through the significance of this news and to analyse Ireland's chances of beating France and securing a place at the World Cup.

The Munster and Leinster hurling finals didn’t eliminate anyone from this year’s All-Ireland championships, but judging by the on-pitch celebrations, winning them really, really mattered for Limerick and Galway.Joe Canning and Jamie Wall tell us why Cork can have few complaints about their 1-point defeat to Limerick… and is there a chance Galway spoil the Munster re-match in July’s All-Ireland final?We discuss Katie's half time walk-on in Croker, the best fans in the world, and Murph’s shameful and boastful post-match behaviour.And there's Andy Farrell’s new forever contract with Ireland; as this generation begin to retire, can he get more from the next group coming through?

We're just one week out from the World Cup and we're starting to feel it. First stop for Ken is Mexico City early next week, but before he went he gave us a special World Cup edition of KenCall!This week we also had Tim Vickery on Ancelotti's source code for coaching and how old injured legends Neymar and Messi will fare in the heat. Plus there's Mbappe's defensive stats, who Ken is supporting and Madrid men stirring the pot. Click the player at the top of the page to play this best of show. To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the rest of the summer, join the Second Captains World Service. It costs 5 euro a month plus VAT, there’s no contracts, no hidden fees, no sign up fee, no ads 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.