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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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TIM McGraw has pulled out of Netflix’s upcoming rodeo series as the headline star following a serious back injury.

Insiders reveal actor-musician’s urgent need for back surgery, forcing him to take a break.

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McGraw steps back from Netflix series due to surgery, part recast as future of show hangs in the balance[/caption]

Paramount

McGraw recently appeared in Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone and its prequel, 1883[/caption]

McGraw, already recovering from recent double knee surgery, pulls the plug on his 2024 tour.

McGraw’s Netflix role: a tough-as-nails bull riding champion facing a fierce showdown.

As a fearless young rider shakes up his world, secrets from the past surface, forcing the megastar to confront his destiny in the thrilling drama.

McGraw steps back from Netflix series due to surgery, part recast as future of show hangs in the balance.

The bull riding drama is the brainchild of Brandon Camp, who penned the series and was poised to co-showrun alongside Taylor Elmore.

On screen, country music icon McGraw recently appeared in Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone and its prequel, 1883.

Other notable film roles include Friday Night Lights, Tomorrowland, The Blind Side, Country Strong.

Meanwhile, the superstar couple watched proudly as their eldest daughter made her off-Broadway debut in September.

The couple’s three daughters have each carved out their own paths in various fields, following in their parents’ illustrious footsteps.

Their eldest daughter, Gracie, 27, recently secured a role in the hit musical, Babe.

McGraw shared a photo of Gracie’s headshot as he urged fans to see the budding star in the musical.

He captioned the snap: “Check out our daughter Gracie in her debut!!! We are so proud of her!!”

Tim and his wife Faith Hill welcomed their first daughter, Gracie, in 1997, a year after tying the knot.

Growing up in Nashville amidst her superstar parents’ electrifying performances, it was only natural for Gracie to develop a passion for singing and performing on stage.

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Tim McGraw is a country music icon[/caption]

Getty

He married Faith Hill and they have three daughters[/caption]

Instagram/Tim McGraw

The eldest Gracie performed in a Broadway musical[/caption]

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KATE Garraway has shared the devastation left behind in her garden after Storm Herminia.

Storm Herminia is moving in from Europe, bringing the threat of flooding and causing disruption to transport across the country, halting flights and National Rail services in the process, and causing power outages in Ireland.

instagram/kategarraway

Kate Garraway has shared what’s happened to her garden after storm Herminia[/caption]

The Sun

The GMB favourite has been open about her financial troubles after paying for her late husband Derek’s care[/caption]

On Sunday morning, Kate shared her garden looking wrecked after the storm, revealing a tree sized plant had been destroyed across the night.

However, she determined to stay positive, revealing plans to sort the situation out herself.

She wrote alongside the video: “Had a heck of a day trying to sort out storm damage – I know it’s nothing compared to what many are facing so not complaining.”

“Lost a tree height pyracantha which had glorious orange beeriesin autumn and dainty white flowers in spring,” she continued.

“Still needs more chain saw action but am hoping life will spring back at the roots.

“Very proud of my fence mend though ( on the left ) using old fencing from elsewhere . Something satisfying about being out in the fresh air though (even if it was grey and raining) and now ready for a hot bath and bed.

“Hope everyone has had a great Sunday. ”

Fans of the star have shared messages of support, cheering Kate on as she tackled the garden herself.

“Nature is a wonderful thing bounces right back,” wrote one.

“Oh my! As if we had nothing else to do.good luck. X” said a second.

A third wrote: “I’m pleased that you and your family are safe! It’s a pity about the tree, but you did a great job Kate! Have a well deserved rest now! ”

While a fourth noted: “It will grow back stronger Kate – it’s in the garraways garden you’ve done a cracking job ”

Others shared their empathy that she was having to deal with it by herself, writing: “I think it’s less about the amount of damage, it’s more about you having to deal with it on your own. Hope you get it sorted and get lots of help x”

The latest incident is the newest blow for Kate, who has openly discussed her financial troubles after the death of husband, Derek Draper, last year.

At the beginning of this year, Kate grilled Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Good Morning Britain after Labour today announced social care reforms may not be delivered until 2028.

Revealing she was in ‘excessive debt’ as a result of providing care for Derek – who needed help round-the-clock as he dealt with devastating complications from Covid, she asked why it was taking so long so many people in the country are struggling.

Garraway – whose care bill for her late spouse amounted to £800K – confronted Streeting on the anniversary of Derek’s death.

“I am lucky, I’ve got an incredible job which pays well, but I was having to fund the situation,” she said.

“Now I’ve got excessive, unpayable debt because of it.

“And if I am in that position, what else are people going to be? People cant afford four more years of this.”

instagram/kategarraway

The star remained positive and got to work herself after the storm passed[/caption]

PA

Kate and Derek died last year after a near four-year battle with complications from Covid[/caption]

PA

Kate had to fork out thousands to transform her home and provide care for Derek[/caption]

AN acclaimed BBC comedy horror show has been axed by channel bosses after just two series despite rave reviews.

Teen series Wreck became a success when it debuted on BBC Three but now the show’s creator has confirmed that it has come to an end for good after the Beeb opted not to bring it back for another go-around.

This is despite the show racking up an almost near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%.

It is understood that the Beeb quietly pulled the plug on Wreck over half a year ago.

Ryan first alluded to the series having come to an end back in September when he referenced that the show had been axed in a buried Tweet on his X profile.

At the time, he confirmed there would be “no final series of Wreck” as he clarified: “The BBC drama team made that decision a few months ago.”

He then reiterated that point this weekend when responding to a fan’s questions on if the show would make a comeback.

Ryan said: “Sorry! The BBC buried it but never say never…”

Reacting in sadness to news of the show’s end, one fan wrote: “That is a pity. Loved the 2 seasons but hoped for a third.

“Will miss these characters and being made to jump out of my seat! Seems like alot of drama cancellations lately.”

As another penned: “There was me thinking the BBC wasn’t as bad as Netflix for cancelling things. Cba with these networks not giving these series the promotion they deserve.”

The comedy-horror show first premiered in 2022 and had a second hotly-anticipated outing last March.

Wreck became a fan favourite show thanks to its unique blend of comedy and horror.

The series, which has an increased focus on LGBTQ+ characters, follows the character of Jamie, played by actor Oscar Kennedy, as he takes a job aboard a cruise ship in order to investigate the mystery surrounding the disappearance of his sister.

In the first series, fans were left on tenterhooks as they watched on as the show took a slew of twists and turns and confirmed that in actual fact, one character, who had been presumed to be dead, was alive.

Former EastEnders star Shaheen Jafargholi and Heartstopper actor and Celebrity Big Brother housemate Bradley Riches were among the guest stars in the second series of the show.

Screen legend Alan Dale, Fair Play star Buck Braithwaite and The Sandman’s Niamh Walsh were also among the cast.