The Consumers Association of Ireland (CAI) has said that Virgin Media subscribers should be free to cancel their contracts with the company without penalty, given the “significant” loss of Eir Sports and BT Sports.

Rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll’s earning power shows no sign of slowing down as accumulated profits at his firm last year soared to €4.4m.

The new sports channel Eir Sport has acquired the exclusive Irish rights to the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Gary Lineker has backed Wayne Rooney to amass plenty more England goals between now and the end of his international career and hopes that he can lead the country to the 2018 World Cup.

Accumulated profits at Brian O’Driscoll’s main firm last year soared by more than €100,000 to €3.6m as the rugby icon’s massive earning power continued to pay rich dividends.

Michael Conlan will know next month whether he intends to continue on his current road to Rio, or whether the frustrating vagaries of amateur boxing’s scoring system finally push him into the professional game.

The Premier League’s new TV deal will net more than €150,000 a minute — a staggering 70% increase in the value of its British television rights for the 2016-19 seasons, with Sky and BT Sports paying a combined £5.136 billion (€6.92 billion) to show games. 

“Premier League clubs deliver competitive and compelling football to fans in stadiums and on television, driving interest levels to new heights."

The practical consequences of the realignment of European professional rugby have become apparent — and very expensive — for the majority of bedrock fans who watch the games at home.

With wallets stuffed and kidneys steeled, thousands of punters flocked to Ballybrit for the opening day of the annual madness that is the Galway Races.

While Irish rugby is entitled to bask in the afterglow of our Six Nations success, I suspect each of the respective unions are more than pleased with developments off the field over the course of the championship.