New League Sponsors - Wonder how much it was worth

**Rovers1** · 22/01/2009, 1:00 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Interesting. I'd imagine this will signal the end of RTE's Friday night show.

yeah its finished.

Very suprised to hear Newstalk sponsoring the league as Off The Ball, its main sports show has no time for the LOI. Any references to it are usually smug ones from Ken and that thick sounding lad 'Murph'

**Rovers1** · 22/01/2009, 1:04 PM

Originally Posted by Harpsbear

There was a regular late evening time sports programme as I remember it. GAA, english football and rugby filled as I remember it.

it still does....

garyderry · 22/01/2009, 1:09 PM

Originally Posted by Rovers1

yeah its finished.

Very suprised to hear Newstalk sponsoring the league as Off The Ball, its main sports show has no time for the LOI. Any references to it are usually smug ones from Ken and that thick sounding lad 'Murph'

it does have a ten minutes slot every week so roddy collins can run the league down. and usual makes a big deal when there is bad news.

Maybe now they may do some decent coverage. They definitely used to do good coverage in the past.

**Rovers1** · 22/01/2009, 1:13 PM

Originally Posted by garyderry

it does have a ten minutes slot every week so roddy collins can run the league down.

only person who actually gives a plop about the league thats on that programme is the Irish Indo's sports columnist Daniel *enter his second name here*, who usually ends up arguing with Roddy.

**Jersey Cow** · 22/01/2009, 1:16 PM

O'Donnell......

**Dodge** · 22/01/2009, 1:29 PM

Close, its Dan McDonnell

**HammerNThongs** · 22/01/2009, 1:32 PM

Well, it's a media outlet at least I guess, so hopefully they will pimp the league some bit. Would be kind of stupid for them not to. Any bit of extra pimpage is better then the bare necessary exposure we are getting now.

**Mr A** · 22/01/2009, 1:36 PM

If Newstalk really buy into this and take a genuine and ongoing interest in the league it could be very beneficial indeed.

Radio is still a pretty powerful medium and while RTE's radio coverage was good on a Friday night there was damn all to it apart from that. If Newstalk go all out on this it could be very good news.

**TheBoss** · 22/01/2009, 1:39 PM

Well, the have the logo of the League on Ireland on their homepage
http://newstalk.ie/newstalk/index.html

**holidaysong** · 22/01/2009, 1:41 PM

It's good if it means FM coverage for the LOI on a Friday night instead of long wave - which a lot of people don't have..

**R�iteoir** · 22/01/2009, 1:59 PM

Originally Posted by holidaysong

It's good if it means FM coverage for the LOI on a Friday night instead of long wave - which a lot of people don't have..

And conversely - all us stuck abroad now lose the option of listening to LW coverage which RT� provided.

Was useful enough when nowhere near a computer.

It's a crying shame that Friday Sportsnight now looks to be no more - think about it - we lose Gabriel Egan's commentary, Brian de Salvo's Column, Con Murphy presenting, and a very polished and well run show.

Instead we'll be stuck with bloody Declan "I'm trying to be Jonathon Gould by shouting very loudly at nothing" Drake - and that's if we're lucky

**TheBoss** · 22/01/2009, 2:07 PM

It will br interesting to see what they will be discussing on Off the Ball tonight.

**Hibs4Ever** · 22/01/2009, 2:14 PM

Originally Posted by TheBoss

It will br interesting to see what they will be discussing on Off the Ball tonight.

Most likely live reports from Burnley after their performance last night

**HarpoJoyce** · 22/01/2009, 4:03 PM

While the Media may be a Vice it's better than Alcohol, Gambling or Fast Food industries.

But it may mean the reinstatement of 'Dirge' Gilroy and his side-kick that used to watch the telly and gave a depressing commentary on what he was watching.

**BrayUnknowns** · 22/01/2009, 4:11 PM

Originally Posted by HammerNThongs

Well, it's a media outlet at least I guess, so hopefully they will pimp the league some bit. Would be kind of stupid for them not to. Any bit of extra pimpage is better then the bare necessary exposure we are getting now.

Spot on. It would make them look rather foolish to continue slating something they are sponsoring. Surely they will give more time to the League now and actually sell it a bit more.

Plus is that the new official League logo on Newstalk's web site ?

**Mad Moose** · 22/01/2009, 7:45 PM

Originally Posted by holidaysong

It's good if it means FM coverage for the LOI on a Friday night instead of long wave - which a lot of people don't have..

I'll forever live with romantic notions of friday sportsnight on RTE Radio and I'll particularly mourn its passing and be grateful to RTE for these excellent 3 hours on a friday night when the end of a weeks work culminated in a bit of footy action from home. Eoin Hand will forever sound in my head and more than anything I'll regret the fact I can't get the footer while I'm travelling. I specifically set my travelling for the programme.

I'll have to plan better and resort to be indoors on friday night and listen online which will never quite have the same feel really. I'll miss the opening tune and Eoin Hand rabitting on and falling out with Eamon Collins

.

I hope Newstalk as league sponsors step up to the mark and produce something decent and worthwhile and that they get a few of the leagues characters in there. They won't approach Roddy Collins surely. *shudders* That would be too much to take. Here's hoping coverage is frequent and consistent and if it matches RTE in any respect come friday night I'll be very happy indeed.

I hadn't reall planned for the day when RTE Radio coverage would be no more.Oh and the reason for quoting you holidaysong. LW is a lifeline for a few of us.

**Buile Shuibhne** · 23/01/2009, 8:43 AM

from the Examiner:

The deal does not affect RT� radio�s primacy as broadcasters of live League of Ireland football, although the state broadcaster will not have exclusive rights to games.

**R�iteoir** · 23/01/2009, 8:44 AM

I'll drop an email to a couple of people involved in Friday Sportsnight - see if they know of any plans for next season

**A face** · 23/01/2009, 8:48 AM

Newstalk named top tier sponsor of the League of Ireland

The Football Association of Ireland today (January 22) unveiled Newstalk 106-108 fm, Ireland�s independent national talk radio broadcaster, as top tier sponsor of the League of Ireland in an agreement that will last three years starting in March 2009. Under the agreement, Newstalk will also become title sponsor of the Newstalk A Championship which is played by 16 clubs country-wide under the Premier and First divisions.

From next season, the League of Ireland is being offered to the market under a new multi-sponsor format, and with today�s three year deal, Newstalk will benefit from signage, marketing and promotional rights associated with the League of Ireland and the Newstalk A Championship. With the addition of Newstalk as a top tier sponsor, the FAI will now be in a position to provide an increase in prize funding and subsidies for League of Ireland clubs next year.

Read more at www.eircomloi.ie