John Duggan

The radio audience figures for Off the Ball on Weekends on Newstalk are out. Both the Saturday (158,000 listeners) & Sunday (155,000 listeners) shows have reached historical all time highs. Thank you to all our listeners & also to our fantastic team of on air and off air staff.

My 4 against the field each way for The Open at Royal Portrush:

Patrick Cantlay 60/1
Ryan Fox 80/1
Sepp Straka 45/1
Rasmus Hojgaard 125/1

50 years ago today my cultural hero Rod Serling passed away. A World War II veteran & game changer in the New Frontier of Television with the timeless messages delivered on the human condition & American soul via his creation, ‘The Twilight Zone’. His artistry & genius lives on.

WE’RE NOT SPURSY ANYMORE! WE’RE NOT SPURSY ANY MORE…🏆

Thank you to all our weekend listeners and our great team of on and off air personnel & contributors. Off the Ball SATURDAY on Newstalk is at a record high of 157,000 weekly listeners in the latest JNLR Survey & SUNDAY has 146,000 listeners. Special shout out to top producer Shane Hannon.

Great to see that from Galopin Des Champs. A horse of a generation.

Just had a highly enjoyable chat with one of Ireland’s best sports writers Eamonn Sweeney to mark the release of his excellent new book ‘The Last Ditch’ - the interview airs this Saturday at 2pm on Off the Ball on Newstalk.

The Masters had become the white whale for Rory McIlroy, Moby Dick. Now captured. A lot of us have something like that in our lives. I am delighted for him, and it’s not even an Irish thing. I imagine he will feel a wonder at being on the other side.

Paul McGinley is right. There is a human resilience angle to this Rory McIlroy sporting victory for the ages. An example to us all.

Rory McIlroy. Masters Champion. Green Jacket. Career Grand Slam. 5th Major Championship, 11 years after his 4th. Holywood Blockbuster. History. Incredible. ☘️ ⛳️

A 4 shot lead for Rory McIlroy on the back nine of Masters Sunday. It feels better than 2011. 🤞🏻

PlayStation golf from Rory McIlroy.

Off the Ball Saturday on Newstalk from 1pm to 5pm today features Live and Exclusive commentary of Munster v Bordeaux in the Champions Cup - We also have Football Saturday, the latest from the Masters and a preview of the Ladies NFL Finals.

100 days of walking done. I find it easier with each year. If this was your first year on the journey, congratulations on your achievement! Enjoy it. The only advice I would give is to walk tomorrow.

Masters 2025: I have had €10 each way on Patrick Cantlay at 33/1 and €5 each way on Will Zalatoris at 50/1. Let’s hope Rory does it though!

What an amazing day for the Mullins family with Patrick Mullins riding Nick Rockett to victory in the Aintree Grand National. They have achieved everything in racing but this is probably the best day.

In the silence of the kitchen reading all the lovely pieces about Micko, a huge figure in Irish cultural life. It’s in these moments that we are reminded of the unique and deeply connected nature of Gaelic Games throughout our land. 🙏🏻

I have profiled all 34 horses for Saturday’s Aintree Grand National - full preview on this week’s Racing POD on @offtheball.bsky.social @newstalkfm.bsky.social

Mick O’Dwyer was Gaelic Football, as a player and as a manager. They didn’t call them the Golden Years in Kerry for nothing. His success with other counties was also a mark of his legend. Condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace. 💚💛🙏🏻

1974’s Rumble in the Jungle in Zaire has so many layers; the fight; Ali’s comeback, Foreman’s first defeat, rope a dope, Mobutu, the money, Don King, the rain, David Frost’s interview, and Hunter S Thompson not even going to the fight.

We are live now! Football Saturday! @offtheball.bsky.social @newstalkfm.bsky.social

George Foreman RIP. From the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ to regaining the World Heavyweight Boxing title at the age of 45. We will pay tribute to him on Off the Ball on Newstalk this afternoon.

Eddie Jordan was a trailblazer, a risk taker and a great Irish success story in a global sport. May he rest in peace. 🇮🇪🏎️

Cheltenham Friday Charity Bets with William Hill - Bet responsibly!

4.40 €50 each way Rocky’s Howya (NAP) - 10/1
5.20 €35 each way Karafon - 14/1
3.20 €15 each way Fishery Lane - 40/1

Cheltenham Thursday Charity Bets with William Hill - Bet responsibly!

5.20 €45 each way Mint Boy (NAP) - 9/1
4.00 €35 each way Lucky Place - 6/1
4.40 €20 each way Personal Ambition - 16/1

UNLOCKED: The Cheltenham Show | Keep an eye on Solness | Today's top picks Off The Ball · Episode

Wednesday’s Cheltenham Show - Every race profiled ⬇️🏇

open.spotify.com/episode/2J7z...

Cheltenham Wednesday Charity Bets with William Hill - Bet responsibly!

5.20 €40 each way Kalypsochance (NAP) - 11/2
2.40 €20 each way Sandor Clegane - 18/1
4.00 €20 each way Marine Nationale - 5/1
4.40 €20 each way JPR One - 8/1

Well done Johnny Ward - his NAP Putyourhandstogether on The Cheltenham Show won at 17/2 @offtheball - better than my duds - we are on again in the morning.

UNLOCKED: The Cheltenham Show | Will Constitution Hill live up to expectations? | Day 1 picks Off The Ball · Episode

Free to air podcast preview of all of Tuesday’s races at Cheltenham with me, Thom Malone and Johnny Ward.

open.spotify.com/episode/6ocd...

Cheltenham Tuesday Charity Bets with William Hill - Bet responsibly!

4.00 €50 win Constitution Hill - 4/6
1.20 €15 each way Workahead - 17/2
2.40 €15 each way Whistle Stop Tour - 12/1
3.20 €15 each way Dysart Enos - 28/1
4.40 €15 each way Holy See - 14/1
5.20 €15 each way Captain Cody - 14/1