IF YOU’RE AN Irish mixed martial arts fan, you’ll probably be watching a lot of Setanta Sports this week.
BT Sport 2, which is available on the Setanta platform, is the only TV channel broadcasting Saturday night’s action from UFC 194 live in Ireland.
Setanta, who will also air the TUF 22 Finale live on Friday night, have put together a packed MMA schedule for the coming days, which looks something like this…
It all kicks off tonight at 9.30pm on Setanta Ireland with an hour-long show to preview Saturday’s UFC 194 main event between Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor.
The show, hosted by Joe Molloy, will feature a panel of guests consisting of former UFC welterweight Cathal Pendred, The42‘s own Paul Dollery and MMA writer Fergus Ryan.
The broadcast will also include interviews with Conor McGregor, his team-mates such as Paddy Holohan and Aisling Daly, as well as analysis and discussion ahead of one of the biggest fights in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Legend Rob, thanks for the memories
@Brendan Phelan: I don’t understand much about rugby but say for example no other club came in for him at the end of the season , what would stop him playing on for Leinster?? If he wanted to of course and Leinster were happy for him to train and earn a place.
@John Jones: Nothing stopping that scenario. Would be a case of Leinster wanting him to stay and paying any contract, and Rob being happy with the terms of the contract.
@Peter McCarthy: given that most of Leinster’s financial security has been as a result of all the last decade of success which RK was a huge part of – they more than owe him. Not to mention how invaluable a mentor he would be.
He got paid about half a mill for playing about two games this year, I would take that as a brilliant sweet send off, best of luck to him.
@Pretty Ladee: The most outrageous contract ever signed in the history of the IRFU to the point of suspicion considering his role and influence within IRUPA.
There was never a point where that contract seemed likely to have been offered for rugby playing reasons given Kearney’s decline and complete lack of demand from teams abroad.
@Rochelle: the best full back Ireland ever had and all you can say is the IRFU got his contract wrong. I’d rather see an Irish legend get a decent paid day than a heap of mercenaries getting paid to block irish players.
@Chris Mc: He hasn’t been a great fullback in many years, players should be paid what they’re worth not given gratitude contracts for things they achieved in 2009.
@Rochelle: what decline? He was one of the few good players at RWC – key for Leinster in the only true challenge they faced all year and then systematically removed to suit a FB who was found out against England. Meanwhile Sexton who really was in a decline was handed captaincy and Murray who’s been in a decline for 2yrs was played ahead of the form player of the year. So if u want to talk about favouritism look in the right places.
@Rochelle: Kearney was Ireland and European poty in 2012, key to our 2wins over the ABs and best player on the pitch when we beat England for the GS. So don’t know what your reference to 2009 is?
@Rochelle: we should of spent the money on another South African to bolster any gaps leinster raised players are leaving in the Munster squad.
@Rochelle: unless you have a crystal ball how can you decide if a player will be good value over the period of their contract? Irelands greatest ever full back simple as that.
@ger: He only played against Japan, Russia and New Zealand and none of those were good days for Ireland!
@Gavin Quirke: bitter comment but the point Rochelle makes it right. He was on far to much money at that stage of his career. No other negative about the man. Class player in his. Consistant for a decade. You can’t deny he was overpaid. Heaslip got the same. Insane money at that age.
@Chris Mc: Treating a player/person less favourably because of their nationality is discrimation.
@Rochelle: with supporters like you it must be a sad place for our players at times.
He got paid about half a mill for playing about 2 games this year
@Pretty Ladee: he wanted to play considerably more – he signed a contract last year because Larmour was found out against Ulster and Leinster needed him against Toulouse. Had Leinster any tough opposition this year, he would have been badly needed. But Farrell who had such great form with selection decided to remove him for a FB who was found out against England while retaining the out of form Murray and the seriously in decline Sexton.
I’m sure any contracts due to expire at the end of the season will be honored past the printed date in the unlikely event we do see out the season, but this was likely Kearneys final season in blue anyway.
I’m sure there would be plenty of clubs happy to take him on, London Irish depending on what kind of sign off he’s looking for, I think the big money move ship has sailed.
@Sean Fahey: I wouldn’t be so sure. It would definitely be a nice gesture but financially the game is in trouble. Even in Ireland, we’ll need to tighten the belt.
you have always had an issue with him. So your opinion doesn’t hold much weight. He was outstanding in the GS winning match against England and against ABs in Aviva – that’s only 2 yrs ago. He was one of our few form players at RWC, starred for Leinster in the only challenge they faced all year and then was systematically removed to suit a FB who was found out against England. Meanwhile Sexton who really is in decline was handed captaincy and Murray who has been out of form for 2yrs was played ahead of the form player of the year. That’s where the favouritism in rugby lies not with Kearney who is now set not even to get an appropriate send off.
Kearney was short changed all year. He was vital for Leinster in their away match v Lyon and would have been key against Saracens. Larmour prices against England that he is no FB. and expect Addison in the jersey next season. Throwing Kearney away like Farrell has done was seriously irresponsible especially from the sane coach who wouldn’t start Cooney citing the importance of experience. Kearney was scapegoated so Farrell could win favour with the media. Leinster should keep him on if they can – he deserves a proper send off not one behind closed doors.
@ger: They beat Wales & Scotland without him…
Kearney might move to another Irish province should his time at Leinster be up. He’d certainly improve the Munster back three and would be an upgrade on Haley.
The lack of games and financial gains from the home fixtures is going to have a massive affect on world rugby and will lead to a rebalancing on players incomes.
The squads will be reduced dramatically as that is the quickest and easiest way to trim expenditure and people will just not get their contract renewed unless they are vital to the team.
Academy players will come through quicker as a necessity and overseas players will be let go to the wayside.
Check out the current position of rugby Australia as an absolute disaster of a position.
They have no sponsor after rejecting the current one and then failing to negotiate with anyone to take over. They have lost heavily twice in massive payouts to The fullback and the public are openly revolting against the management who are all kiwis
There is a better than 50/50 chance according to the Australian media that Rugby Australia will be forced to declare bankruptcy and they are putting it all down to the CEO rather than the covid 19.
They have massive problems on and off the pitch but I would like to think that Ireland are in a much healthier position and can last even if we don’t get to complete the six nations or indeed the Nov internationals