Newstalk 106-108 fm has announced a new partnership between Ford Ireland and the station's multi award-winning sports programme, Off the Ball. The partnership coincides with the announcement that Off the Ball will now broadcast seven days a

week - replacing Newstalk Sport Saturday and Newstalk Sport Sunday.

Ford Ireland's sponsorship of the new-look show, which begins October 1st, and will run until the end of September, 2014.   

Broadcasting from 7pm to 10pm, Monday to Friday and now from 2pm to 6pm every Saturday, and 1pm to 6pm every Sunday, Off the Ball is the most popular sports show on national radio. Fronted by Newstalk sports editor, Ger Gilroy, the show's new look team includes former Loais GAA star, Colm 'Woolly' Parkinson and Wexford hurler, Diarmuid Lyng - alongside sports-nuts Joe Molloy, Donny Mahoney and Michael McCarthy, former Sports Broadcaster of the Year, Adrian Barry, and one of Ireland's finest sports commentators, Dave McIntyre.

Speaking at today's announcement, Ger Gilroy said: "Extending Off the Ball to a seven-day show is a revolution in sports radio in Ireland. We're bringing together the best in live coverage with the best in analysis, all under one roof. We've grown the team significantly and we now have big game experience and expertise on tap from Colm and Diarmuid, while we're also able to call on the radio nous of Adrian. Adding them in to the panel of experts we call on each week - John Giles, Pat Nevin, Graham Taylor, Graham Hunter, Keith Wood, Eddie O'Sullivan, Liam Toland, Conor Deegan, Jamesie O'Connor, Daithi Regan, and David Brady - means we're the first stop for great sports radio. We're thrilled to be partnering with Ford who have such a clear affinity with sport and can really help us drive Off the Ball forward."

"Ford, both globally and here in Ireland, has a long history of involvement in sport - just think of our support of the Champion's League and closer to home, with the FAI Ford Cup, and you will see why this sponsorship is a great fit for Ford", said Ciaran McMahon, Director of Marketing, Ford Ireland. "Whether it is GAA, soccer, rugby, horse-racing, lawn bowls or all of the above, I think Irish people are really passionate about their chosen sports and, a programme like Off the Ball, has become required listening for all those who take their sport seriously."