New League Sponsors - Wonder how much it was worth

**Macy** · 23/01/2009, 9:33 AM

Ken Early and the other off the ball clowns must be sick. Maybe the League of Ireland will actually be included in the "Football Hour". Maybe Ken Early will disappear up James Richardsons and Barry Glendennings arseholes on the Guardian podcast permenantly.

As for the coverage, could go either way to be honest. They did give good coverage before RTE pulled rank, but the sports shows were more professional back then on the station too.

The RTE Coverage was good, but was a pain in the arse that it was long wave only. We can overstate the quality of the RTE radio coverage by ignoring that fact and how many radios don't even have long wave these days.

**pineapple stu** · 23/01/2009, 10:01 AM

Hope RT� coverag stays alright. Will never forget heading up to the Cup quarter final in Derry in 2006, not having a hope in hell of making it because some muppet delayed me far too long in picking my car up after the repairs, turning into LW hoping for updates and hearing the magical phrase "We'll be returning to Parc des Princes for regular updates from the vital rugby World Cup tie between Ireland and France, but for long-wave listeners, it's over to our feature commentary from the Brandywell, and the FAI Cup quarter final between Derry City and UCD." Drove completely lost around the Cavan countryside listening to the dulcet tones of Mr Egan (I think) and an increasingly incredulous Liam Coyle, nearly crashed when we scored and stumbled on Monaghan town just at full time, found the last room in a hotel and sat back with a pint and a ridiculously large grin. Happy days.

Have suggested to the club that it be turned on over the PA at half time during games; don't think anyone has a LW radio though, short of me driving my car into the PA shack.

**Mad Moose** · 23/01/2009, 1:46 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Hope RT� coverag stays alright. Will never forget heading up to the Cup quarter final in Derry in 2006, not having a hope in hell of making it because some muppet delayed me far too long in picking my car up after the repairs, turning into LW hoping for updates and hearing the magical phrase "We'll be returning to Parc des Princes for regular updates from the vital rugby World Cup tie between Ireland and France, but for long-wave listeners, it's over to our feature commentary from the Brandywell, and the FAI Cup quarter final between Derry City and UCD." Drove completely lost around the Cavan countryside listening to the dulcet tones of Mr Egan (I think) and an increasingly incredulous Liam Coyle, nearly crashed when we scored and stumbled on Monaghan town just at full time, found the last room in a hotel and sat back with a pint and a ridiculously large grin. Happy days.

Have suggested to the club that it be turned on over the PA at half time during games; don't think anyone has a LW radio though, short of me driving my car into the PA shack.

Well before ya consider driving into the shack I'm sure you could hook up the online stream to the PA and you know that would be fantastic half time entertainment. The promptness of getting around the grounds, getting the score updates and the general passion for the league for those 3 hours was so impressive. Apart from the Cork boys (Pat McAuliffe et al) and young Paddy McKenna I could tolerate most of the commentators. I liked Adrian Eames and Gabriel Egan. There was a commentator who generally covered the Galway Utd games and he sort of did my head in a bit.

I imagine they will keep the programme runnng. I was often interested in establishing there listenership numbers for the programme. I'm sure it had to be pretty good. I loved the wat they adapted to the league too so in covering European ties midweek and it was just fantastic on the road.

If anybody does contact the show and gets a response please let us know.

**Rovers1** · 23/01/2009, 2:16 PM

The Friday night show is definetly gone, cant see RTE giving it much coverage when one of their rivals are 'top tier' sponsors.

**Schumi** · 23/01/2009, 2:23 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Another new logo?

That'll sort everything!

They'd have looked a little foolish if they were still using the Eircom one in fairness!

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Have suggested to the club that it be turned on over the PA at half time during games; don't think anyone has a LW radio though, short of me driving my car into the PA shack.

That's a good idea actually. I have long wave on a portable radio, if that would work.

**Dodge** · 23/01/2009, 2:25 PM

Originally Posted by Rovers1

The Friday night show is definetly gone, cant see RTE giving it much coverage when one of their rivals are 'top tier' sponsors.

Why, its not like giving the league coverage will help advertise newstalk? And its not like they gave it any coverage apart from those 2 hours on LW ona Friday anyway

**Rovers1** · 23/01/2009, 2:37 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Why, its not like giving the league coverage will help advertise newstalk? And its not like they gave it any coverage apart from those 2 hours on LW ona Friday anyway

Well i just thought when RTE mentioned, for instance the A League, they may have to mention Newstalk...

Those 2 hours are the the ONLY 2 hours any media give to the LOI

**pineapple stu** · 23/01/2009, 2:38 PM

Originally Posted by Schumi

That's a good idea actually. I have long wave on a portable radio, if that would work.

Newry City do it with the BBC sports round up. Thought it was a great service the time I was up there. Internet streaming is an idea too, though a radio would be handier. Can give it a try after one of the friendlies.

**A face** · 23/01/2009, 4:18 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Newry City do it with the BBC sports round up. Thought it was a great service the time I was up there. Internet streaming is an idea too, though a radio would be handier. Can give it a try after one of the friendlies.

Its a great idea actually, it possibly could have been a selling point for the FAI when they were nailing down the sponsorship if they got all LOI to do it, and claiming that it would introduce the station to non-listeners or whatever.

Its also good to have it, instead of texting for scores at half time to see how everyone else is doing.

**BonnieShels** · 23/01/2009, 4:40 PM

Originally Posted by A face

Its a great idea actually, it possibly could have been a selling point for the FAI when they were nailing down the sponsorship if they got all LOI to do it, and claiming that it would introduce the station to non-listeners or whatever.

Its also good to have it, instead of texting for scores at half time to see how everyone else is doing.

Also better than listening to Mika or bloody Aslan at half time too!!!

**Longfordian** · 23/01/2009, 6:05 PM

Fecking Meatloaf in Flancare. Always the same bloody tune.."Well you took the words right out of my mouth". Every game pre-game and at half-time. It's been driving me insane for the last three or four years.

**sligoman** · 23/01/2009, 6:26 PM

Originally Posted by Rovers1

Well i just thought when RTE mentioned, for instance the A League, they may have to mention Newstalk...

Why would RTE mention the A league? It's only ever done Premier Division coverage and latest scores from First Division.

**Rovers1** · 23/01/2009, 6:32 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Why would RTE mention the A league? It's only ever done Premier Division coverage and latest scores from First Division.

Why purely for ****s and giggles of course!!

found this in an interview with Daire Whelan who wrote the Who Stole Our Game book:

"Newstalk joining Boylesports, umbro and eircom as marquee partners"

Do Eircom still have a share in the LOI, or is Mr. Whelan, like in his book, talking crap??

**Magicme** · 24/01/2009, 2:07 PM

They still have a share.

**Mad Moose** · 25/01/2009, 2:14 PM

I may e-mail RTE Radio One this week if I get a chance to ask the question. I think Adrian Eames is good for a response as I remember reading a response to a query in the past.

**passinginterest** · 05/02/2009, 2:58 PM

Seems to be two more major sponsors still pnding according to this email from Newstalk:

The FAI National League will now be sponsored by 4 top tier parties - Newstalk, Eircom and 2 to be announced.
Lower tier sponsors are Boylesports, Umbro, Lucozade Sports and the National Dairy Council.