Second Captains

Ireland are third in the world rankings, so why not scrap the World Cup and we'll take our bronze medals now? Gerry Thornley and Matt Williams on long term consistency and Australia. Emmet Malone on Roy Keane's latest media outburst, Ken stands up for his colleagues in the gutter journalism game and Scottish weekend.

We talk Roy's scrabble move, Murph's Milltown misery, George Galloway, getting stuck in the rugby mud and the cautionary tale of Ireland's meeting with Georgia in the 2007 World Cup. Ken Early reports live from Glasgow ahead of Ireland V Scotland on Friday night, and we profile the man with the biggest ego in US sports, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones

We discuss latest Roy Keane adventure-farce, and the Celtic Twilight that will imminently descend on the dreams of either Scotland or Ireland. Ray Houghton reminisces about 40-a-side street football in Glasgow.

Eoin and Murph discuss 'real' sport, dual players, Maradona on loop, goal line technology and meek Phil Neville. Benny Dunne and John Gardiner assess what happened to All-Ireland hurling champions Clare, and Anthony Moyles talks about whether bogey teams really exist after Monaghan finally beat Tyrone in the Ulster championship. Shane Horgan is in Argentina and talks to us about Schmidt's problems at centre and watching the World Cup in 'football loco'. And we talk about Martin Kaymer’s gift to World Cup TV viewers, Eoin ‘Nostradamus’ McDevitt and Murph's Sinatra phobia.

The first weekend of the World Cup exceeded even the most optimistic of expectations with bucketloads of goals, dodgy refs, meek commentators, fallen idols, Brazil getting a few home-town decisions, Holland shocking the world, and England finding their scapegoat - a sweaty sunburnt Ken Early reports from Brazil. Plus we talk to John Brewin and Dion Fanning about the problem Wayne Rooney is presenting Roy Hodgson, we reflect on the eerie prescience of Ken's World Cup Crystal Ball, and how Robin Van Persie's self imposed 10 month break is good for Holland.

Ken has arrived in Brazil, he has a ticket and his heart is full of football joy. He talks to Eoin about the local buzz, Messi rule, Neymar photos, the Roy Keane saga, Scholes' attack plan and Rooney relationship. Ken meets with Fernando Duarte and Jonathan Wilson in Sao Paulo to discuss paternal Scolari, Hulk respect and Brazil's overall prospects. Richie Sadlier talks to us about Spanish dominance being bad or good for the game and why Holland don't have to be loyal to their football culture.

Eoin and Murph discuss happy campers, the world's most aloof sportsman, celeb spotting and World Cup journalism. Rory McIlroy is the bookies favourite for the US Open. We talk to the author of Four Iron in The Soul Lawrence Donegan about why Rory is a good bet, the delicate nature of on course rivalries, and the big American Phil Mickelson love in. Andy Lee and his big punch were trending in America last weekend. He joins us in studio to discuss a career changing moment. We also talk to author of Last Man Standing Christy O'Connor about reaction speeds of hurling goalkeepers, Nash, copycats and Clare's seven gameplans.

This weekend's hurling was supposed to be about Sky Sports but Kilkenny's excellence did a pretty good job of stealing the limelight. Malachy Clerkin of the Irish Times and former Tipp captain Benny Dunne cast their eye over the broadcast newcomers, JBM and Brian Cody's re-energised team. Oisin McConville talks about violent parades and Mayo's sleepy start to 2014. And we are joined by Shane Horgan in Tucuman Province and Trevor Hogan in studio to talk about Joe Schmidt's honest appraisals. Plus we have Ken's maritime marathon, hurling goalkeepers bruising like a peach, and an Irishman throwing the knock-out of the year.

On the day Ken departs for Brazil, we present the snappily titled 'Irish Times Second Captains Ken Early World Cup Farewell Show'. Richie Sadlier talks about his World Cup memories and if World Cup performances define a players career. He also reveals the unusual way Irish teams used to relax during big tournaments. Tim Vickery also joins us from Rio to tell us what Ken can expect on arrival and if the Brazilian public are embracing the tournament. Plus, embarrassing interviews with Roy Hodgson, Ken Early's World Cup Crystal Ball and some very good news about our WC coverage.

Eoin and Ken discuss how much Eoin would be willing to pay to see Ireland win the World Cup. Also discussed are Roy Hodgson's tournament anxiety and Joachim Low's mixed messages. John Brewin talks through England's clumsy yet entertaining performance against Ecuador. Miguel Delaney explains why he thinks Spain are going to win the World Cup, again.

Both of last year’s All-Ireland finalists are in action this weekend, with the country still wondering if Mayo are the team best set to dethrone Dublin – Dublin legend Jason Sherlock and Shane Curran are in studio to discuss if James Horan has what it takes tactically to get his team over the line. The World Cup goes back to South America for the first time since 1978, when the tournament was hosted by an Argentina in the grip of a military dictatorship. Argentinian journalist Marcela Mora y Araujo joins us from Buenos Aires to tell us how that first World Cup victory is seen now. Plus there’s the return of Pierce Brosnan’s Emigrant Shout Outs, Ken refuses to tell us who he’s tipping for the World Cup (until Second Captains Football), and Eoin tells us the three things he needs to survive an Irish summer… the sun, the Dubs, and three football games a day.

Eoin and Ken discuss the Sunday Times FIFA exposé and the signs over the weekend that a new Ireland team is finally taking shape under Martin O'Neill. James Corbett joins us to analyse the implications of the Sunday Times report on corruption surrounding the Qatar World Cup bid. And Dion Fanning ponders the roots of our national Roy Keane addiction.

Munster champions Limerick felt disrespected in the run-up to their Munster semi-final against Tipperary - their wing-forward David Breen tells us why that particular mentality seems to play into their hands, and how they engineered that thrilling last-minute victory. Leinster are Rabo Pro 12 champions again, but are they slipping further down the European pecking order? Denis Hickie tells us what they have to do to push on from here. Plus we have the enduring fascination with Roy Keane's Ireland future, Froch-Groves II, Randy Macho-Man Savage commentating for Limerick Live 95 and the weird sporting dreams of Eoin McDevitt.

Eoin, Ken and Murph discuss the Roy Keane to Celtic rumours, the latest English footballer to writhe under the lash of Paul Scholes' criticism, and Wright Thompson's terrific profile of Luis Suarez. Fernando Duarte joins us to talk about his new book "Shocking Brazil: The Six Games That Shook the World Cup" And Gabriele Marcotti gives us the latest on events in the Italy camp ahead of the game at Craven Cottage on Saturday night

George Groves and Carl Froch made one of the most spell-binding fights in British boxing history last year, so this weekend they go at it again, in Wembley Stadium. Richie Woodhall and Irish middleweight Andy Lee preview the fight for us. Like Groves, Tipperary will have revenge on their minds against Limerick this weekend, and US Murph looks at the controversial exclusion of Landon Donovan from the US World Cup squad. Plus we have Ken’s vengeful Viking heart, David Beckham’s alligator arms, and idiot teenage sons.