Irish network goes out with a mushy compilation tribute

Three weeks ago we suggested the England/ Kazakhstan game would be Setanta’s last, and yesterday our prophecy of doom finally came to pass*. As you know by now, the Irish broadcaster was the latest victim of the financial nuclear winter, as they failed to honour the payments on their hugely over-priced TV rights packages.

Setanta finished broadcasting in the UK at 6pm last night, but not before a gushing self-tribute from the nation’s second favourite 24-hour Sport news channel.

The farewell compilation they showed was a little anti-climactic (who could forget the Steve Claridge phone-in?), but we like the line about delivering sports news “regardless of the rights holder” - a clear reference to Sky Sports News’ tendency to pretend a sporting event doesn’t exist if a rival is showing it.

*Technically, Azerbaijan/ Wales was the last game as it was broadcast later in the day. Fortunately, it doesn’t matter as no one cares.

[101GG]

Cricketer aims to bail out favourite club. Pun intended.

Luton’s financial prayers could be answered by England and Northamptonshire bowler Monty Panesar, who has emerged as a candidate to buy the League Two outfit:

Luton fan Monty Panesar says he will splash the cash on The Hatters if he pockets $1million in cricket’s money-spinning Twenty20 international.

The spinner wants to be in the England side to face a Super Stars XI in Antigua on November 1, organised by mutli-millionaire Sir Allen Stanford.

The club, who start next season with a ten point deduction due to transfer irregularities, were ‘rescued’ from administration by the Luton Town FC 2020 consortium in January. It’s a nice gesture from Luton-born Panesar, but