The Second Captains Podcast
Second Captains
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 15, 2026 • 29min
Man Utd And Martinez, Haaland's Moral Core, Bohs Bite Back
Lars Sivertsen, a Norwegian football writer and author, and Gavin Cooney, an Irish football journalist and analyst, unpack Manchester United’s recruitment chaos and Lisandro Martínez’s public criticism. They examine Guardiola’s bond with Manchester City, Norway’s scrutiny of Erling Haaland’s Abu Dhabi ties, and why City’s style can limit him. Plus, fallout from a toxic Dublin derby and St Patrick’s title hopes.
Oct 13, 2026 • 1h 7min
Ep 3681: The Long Walk to Justice; George Gibney Jailed for 15 1/2 Years - 13/10/2026
Ber Carley and Trish Kearney, Irish survivors and advocates, reflect on George Gibney’s 15-and-a-half-year sentence after decades of seeking justice. Journalist and documentary maker Mark Horgan joins them to discuss the case’s long journey, the podcast’s unexpected role in bringing forward new testimony, Orla Poole’s courageous public statement, survivor solidarity, courtroom tensions, and why accountability cannot erase the lifelong impact of abuse.
Oct 12, 2026 • 43min
Ep 3680: Leinster's Bright Lights, Sam's Guns, Telescopic Tees, Wing Craft - 12/10/26
Jack Carty, former Ireland and Connacht fly-half, and Shane Horgan, ex-Leinster and Ireland wing, dissect the provinces ahead of Europe. Leinster’s RDS return, Munster and Ulster’s chaotic draw, Sam Prendergast’s growing physicality and the curious telescopic kicking tee all come under scrutiny. They also explore modern backfield defence, wing craft and whether Leinster can finally chase a fifth European crown.
Oct 12, 2026 • 1h 27min
Episode 3680: Cum On Feel The Noize - 12/10/26
Jonathan Wilson, acclaimed football writer and author of Inverting the Pyramid, and Neil Atkinson of The Anfield Wrap dissect Manchester City’s demolition of Liverpool at Anfield. They examine City fans’ reaction to the guilty verdict, football’s credibility crisis, and the league’s legal limbo. Plus, Elliot Anderson’s red card, Liverpool’s unbalanced attack, Florian Wirtz’s struggles, Iraola’s pragmatism, and Ryan Cherki’s dazzling finish.
8 snips
Oct 9, 2026 • 23min
Liverpool V Man City, Maresca Won't Meddle, Ronaldo's Rant, A Long Time Ago
Manchester City’s legal troubles cast a shadow over their showdown with Liverpool, sparking debate about sanctions, players’ futures, football’s financial rules and the Premier League’s closed shop. A journey along Armagh’s Garvaghy Road explores memory, tradition and Drumcree. Plus Ronaldo’s rant, Ireland’s under-21 win over England, emerging Irish rugby talent and a feisty League of Ireland run-in.
Oct 5, 2026 • 44min
Ep 3675: Mark Zuckhurlberg , Eamonn Fitzmaurice Heads To Galway, Dara Ó Cinnéide On His Opposition To Outside Managers - 05/10/26
Dara Ó Cinnéide, former Kerry footballer, All-Ireland winner and respected analyst, weighs in on Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s move to Galway. They debate the value and risks of outside managers, Fitzmaurice’s tactical imagination, Kerry’s coaching pipeline and the future of club football. Plus, Mark Zuckerberg’s unexpected Waterford hurling intervention gets a skeptical review.
Oct 5, 2026 • 57min
Episode 3674: Ireland's Window Finally Closes, A Plea For Divorce, Early 4 Taoiseach - 05/10/26
Ken Early, Irish journalist, author and football analyst, joins from northern Serbia to discuss Ireland’s turbulent Nations League window. They examine the flat performance against Israel, Troy Parrott’s wonder goal, player welfare and press-conference chaos. The conversation turns to calls for a footballing divorce, the collision of sport and politics, and Ken’s unlikely route to becoming Taoiseach.
Oct 1, 2026 • 29min
Sham City, Player Relations, Ken Seeks Clarity
Richie Sadlier, former Republic of Ireland international and football analyst, joins a lively discussion on squad personalities, power dynamics, player dissent, and repairing relationships after conflict. The conversation also examines Manchester City’s alleged sham contracts, disguised funding, and competitive advantage, alongside FAI scrutiny, Heimir Hallgrímsson’s media tensions, and Ireland’s looming international challenge.
10 snips
Sep 28, 2026 • 53min
Episode 3669: The 114, Klopp Kool Aid, Loose Lip Barbers - 28/09/26
Miguel Delaney, The Independent’s chief football writer, examines Manchester City’s historic 114-charge verdict, possible sanctions, appeals and the fallout for English football. Archie Rhind-Tutt, a Germany-based football broadcaster, discusses Jürgen Klopp’s experimental new era, Musiala’s health and the squad’s cultural reset. Plus, an unexpectedly heated debate about barber etiquette.
5 snips
Sep 28, 2026 • 35min
Episode 3668: Israel 0-3 Ireland - 28/09/26
Ireland’s 3-0 win over Israel capped a turbulent and divisive week. The discussion covers the team’s striking performance, bowed heads during the anthem, post-goal gestures, Gavin Bazunu’s withdrawal and squad tensions. It also examines the FAI’s handling of the fixture, politicized media coverage, conflicting accounts, and suspected racist chants aimed at Irish players.
