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THE LEAGUE OF IRELAND has confirmed a four-year TV deal with Virgin Media.

RTE had offered to increase its number of live games from 17 to 20.

Sportsfile

But they were blown out of the water when their rivals – who had started showing some games in 2023 – pledged to show a match in each of the 36 rounds of the Premier Division.

A lack of consistency and regularity to coverage was a long-standing criticism of the national broadcaster.

The length of the Virgin deal also provides welcome certainty to the League.

The first games to be shown will be announced on Wednesday, ahead of the league kicking off on February 14.

Virgin Media Television, Director of News and Sport, Mick McCaffrey, said: “We are delighted to be the exclusive broadcaster of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division for the next four years.

“Virgin Media Television is committed to the League and to delivering on the fans’ ask for more live matches.

“For the first time ever, supporters will have free to air coverage of the biggest and best game each Friday of the season along with the goals from every other game.

“We are excited to bring greater exposure to the league and play our part in increasing grassroots participation in communities throughout the country.”

Virgin had shown 14 matches last year having started out with seven in 2023.

FAI Commercial Director Sean Kavanagh added: “We’re delighted to announce this landmark broadcast agreement for the League of Ireland with Virgin Media Television.

“Since our initial agreement in 2023, the partnership has grown along with the interest in the League and this new announcement will be able to help take the League of Ireland to another level.

“Having the consistency of live broadcasts for every round will be crucial in building the level of coverage needed for the League of Ireland and we are excited to continue working with the team at Virgin Media Television who have been brilliant partners since we have started working together.

“Along with recent partnership announcements for the League of Ireland, this new agreement shows the level of interest and excitement in the League are increasing year-on-year and we’re excited to see what we can achieve together.”

THIS is the ‘insane’ moment a jockey fight breaks out mid-race – as one WHIPS another repeatedly while riding at top speed.

The amazing bust-up between Group 1-winning jockey Gavin Lerena and Jason Gates was caught during a contest at Turffontein in South Africa capital Johannesburg.

Video shows Lerena actually stand up in his irons in an effort to whack Gates with the full force of his whip in the final 200 yards of the race.

Lerena, who was riding the 3-1 favourite Gimme A Storm, will now be grilled by National Horseracing Authority bosses over the astonishing flashpoint.

It looked like the scrap started when Gates on 66-1 Blurred Vision hung left into Lerena’s path.

There appeared to be a coming together of the horses and jockeys – prompting Lerena to lash out.

He has now issued a lengthy statement on the fight, claiming what he did was in response to Gates’ previous actions.

Lerena said: “I feel it is imperative to offer a formal statement to the racing community.

“What took place is entirely inconsistent with my character, and I deeply regret the incident.

“I extend my sincerest apologies to the owners and trainer of the horse, my sponsors, the racing fans, and the relevant race day authorities affected.

“I do want to clarify that my reaction followed encounters and actions from Mr Gates.

“In any competitive sport, the instinctual response to a perceived threat, provocation, or aggression can lead to a reaction that, under normal circumstances, we would not exhibit.

“I acknowledge that my response has raised views and opinions.”

Punters were bowled over by the bust-up, with one calling it ‘insane’ and another commenting: “That has to be at least one to two years out of the sport, right? Absolutely disgraceful.”

Amazingly, this isn’t the first time a whipping storm has erupted in a South African race.

A fellow rider nicknamed ‘striker’ was filmed cracking his whip over a jockey four times during a race a few years ago.

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