Mbappé, Messi and Magic - The World Cup comes alive. Malachy Clerkin on the healing power of sporting greatness, Keith Duggan's UFC detour

[upbeat music] You're listening to The Irish Times.

[static] Goal.

[static] Chance of a second for Germany.

[static] Roberto Baggio.

[crowd cheering] He's missed it.

And Brazil win the World Cup.

[upbeat music] I don't know if I'm supposed to say soccer or football.

We support the US, US, US.

That's the way we like it, we like it, we love it.

[crowd cheering] Argentina Oh, oh, Zinédine.

Oh, Zinédine.

We'll be ready for you in Canada.

[laughs] Gilvan.

Duff has pulled away in the middle.

It'll come to Haaland.

He's done it.

[upbeat music] I have a son that loves soccer.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

What are you laughing at?

[laughs]

I'm doing a thing.

Is that-

I'm doing a thing here.

Just go with it.

[laughs]

Do not go gentle-

This is what you say in the mirror every morning, is it? [laughs]

[laughs] Okay.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Old age should burn and rave at the close of day.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Welcome.

Welcome to America 2026.

I'm Paul Howard, and I'm delighted to be joined on today's podcast by a flabbergasted-

[laughs]

...

Malachy Clerkin.

Dylan Thomas.

Dylan Thomas, yeah.

Dylan Thomas.

Played for, uh, Swansea and Merthyr Tydfil.

[laughs]

We, we got a note from the editor's office to say that the show lacked intellectual heft.

[laughs]

So I thought we'd start with a, a bit of, uh, poetry today.

It sounded all right.

And I was worried it was gonna sound like David Brent reading John Betjeman.

Yeah.

Uh-

Come friendly bombs and fall and slow.

[laughs]

Yeah.

No, but I, I think it worked.

And t-

Yeah