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
Nov 9, 2026 • 50min
Ep 3703: Ireland Pump Pumas, Baloucoune Burns Bright, Baird Breaks The Mould, Prince Pollock - 09/11/26
Former Ireland wingers Shane Horgan, a Leinster great, and Andrew Trimble, an Ulster legend turned analyst, join the discussion. Ireland’s 42-12 win over Argentina sparks praise for a dynamic back three, Baloucoune’s all-round game and inventive attacking shapes. They assess Craig Casey’s emergence, Baird and Timoney’s influence, mounting number-eight injuries, Prendergast’s progress and Henry Pollock’s irresistible rugby-and-media buzz.
Nov 9, 2026 • 1h 14min
Ep 3702: Football In Tha Mist
Jonathan Wilson, football author and founder of The Blizzard, and John Brewin, Guardian Premier League writer, join a lively tour of the weekend’s action. They examine Nottingham Forest’s breakthrough, Liam Delap’s potential, Manchester City’s midfield imbalance, Manchester United’s relegation worries, Brighton’s smart football model, Sunderland’s progress, and Unai Emery’s baffling post-match interview.
Nov 5, 2026 • 23min
Arteta Is The Boss, Man Utd's Roma Takeaways, Como Over, Vincent - 05/11/26
Manchester United’s chaotic Roma comeback gets a forensic examination, from a disastrous first half to renewed belief in the stands. Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta faces scrutiny for his unconventional team-building experiments, NASA-backed injury prevention and theatrical dressing-room motivation. There’s also sharp discussion of Gasperini’s relentless pressing and the uneasy mood around United’s leadership.
Nov 2, 2026 • 33min
Ep 3697: Ciara Mageean (1992-2026) - 02/11/26
Michael Darragh MacAuley, former Dublin footballer, All-Ireland champion and broadcaster, remembers his friendship with Ciara Mageean. He recalls meeting her on a gruelling Costa Rican adventure, her toughness through cancer, extraordinary empathy and concern for others. He also shares memories of her wedding, her love of life and the profound lessons she left behind.
Nov 2, 2026 • 1h 18min
Ep 3696: An Arsenal And Brighton Title Race (?) - 02/11/26
Rich Jolly, a Premier League reporter, and Rory Smith, a football journalist and author, join a wide-ranging discussion of Arsenal’s control at Anfield and Brighton’s surprise title credentials. They examine Liverpool’s costly attack, Alexander Isak’s limited involvement and Florian Wirtz’s struggles. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes dependence, Lisandro Martínez’s collapse and Michael Carrick’s uncertain future also come under scrutiny.
Oct 29, 2026 • 27min
Arteta's Wunderkind Worry, Drugs In Football, The Pep Formula
James McClean, the outspoken Irish footballer, discusses fitness, mental wellbeing, extreme nutrition and suspicions about performance-enhancing drugs in football. Tactical analyst and author Jon Mackenzie explores his new book on Pep Guardiola’s enduring influence. The conversation also tackles Max Dowman’s red card, Mikel Arteta’s handling of teenage talent, Manchester United, Arsenal’s shock defeat and penalty shootout chaos.
Oct 26, 2026 • 1h 2min
Ep 3691: Jose's Formula, The Chorus of Old Trafford - 26/10/26
Mourinho’s classic defensive formula frustrates Barcelona, while Araújo’s physical brilliance raises questions about what the Catalan giants have sacrificed. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa rebuild and Nico Jackson’s emergence take center stage. Manchester United’s defeat to Bournemouth sparks a fierce debate over Bruno Fernandes, Michael Carrick, nostalgia, fan anger, and the club’s need for a fresh start.送彩金
Oct 22, 2026 • 25min
Man Utd's Lake Como Meltdown, Iraola For The Long Haul?, The GAA Vs The AFL
Paul Flynn, four-time All-Ireland winner and former Dublin star, joins the discussion. Manchester United’s Lake Como collapse prompts a look at Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s turbulent leadership, executive appointments and managerial search. Liverpool’s demanding Iraola era comes under scrutiny. Flynn also explores Finnbarr Roarty’s AFL move and the GAA’s struggle to keep elite players at home.
Oct 19, 2026 • 44min
Ep 3686: Wins All Round In The Champions Cup, Connacht Conquer Saracens, Munster Get It Done In Cork - 19/10/26
Former Connacht and Ireland fly-half Jack Carty joins Shane Horgan, the ex-Leinster and Ireland winger turned analyst, to unpack a thrilling Connacht comeback against Saracens and Munster’s emotional win over Racing 92. They also examine Leinster’s victory in Clermont, bonus-point confusion, tougher maul laws, Sam Prendergast’s growing confidence and the return of the banana kick.
Oct 19, 2026 • 1h 1min
Ep 3685: Crash Bang Premier League, Rovers On The Ropes, Arteta's Joker Guru, Webb Eats Gorilla, Lampards Golden Wrist - 19/10/26
David Sneyd, an Irish football journalist and League of Ireland broadcaster, joins a lively look at Shamrock Rovers’ wobble and whether Bohemians can revive the title race. The discussion also tackles a brutal Premier League weekend, Howard Webb’s “invisible gorilla” explanation, Arsenal’s unconventional creativity guru, Brighton’s ruthless reset, and the bizarre legend of Frank Lampard’s million-pound watch collection.
