The man with his eye on the ball

BUSY times for the RTÉ sports department in Montrose. Crucial times too. The Premiership is back in its stride, the World Athletics Championships begin in Osaka on Friday, while the hurling and football championships begin to reach their annual crescendo.

When the final whistle blows at Croke Park on September 16, the curtain won’t just be closing on the senior inter-county season. It will also signal the end of RTÉ’s three-year championship rights deal with the GAA.

Setanta have been loitering around, though whether that is with intent remains to be seen. Either way, the Donnybrook operation is no longer the only shop window from which Croke Park can display its wares.