Apple rumoured in hunt for Premier League rights
There was speculation yesterday that Apple and Google may join Sky, ESPN, BBC and Al Jazeera in bidding for broadcast rights to the Barclays Premier League.  Apple provides NBA and MLB content through Apple TV in the US but has no similar offering in Europe.  Its content model at present is to take a cut of revenues from third party content providers offering access through its devices. 
Sky Go currently operates on iPhones and iPads while the Premier League itself offers highlights through iTunes.  In this week’s issue of Sport for business weekly we look at the growing trend towards online streaming of events as opposed to mainstream TV coverage.
Provincial GAA under way but not for Kerry
NUI Galway beat Sligo in the first round of the FBD Connacht League last night while Galway also got off to a winning start with a 1-07 to 0-07 win over Sligo IT in Ballyhaunis.
Kerry have withdrawn from the McGrath Cup in Munster, citing unavailability of players through club and college commitments, as well as travelling, as the main reasons behind the decision.  In next week’s Sport for Business weekly we will be looking at the threat of emigration to Irish sport.
O’Neill takes helm at IFA
Michael O’Neill has placed stemming the talent flow from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland as a major priority when he takes over formally as manager of Northern Ireland on February 1st.  He has held his first press conference in the role, highlighting the friendship and respect he has for the rivals he beat to the job, former Northern Ireland internationals Jim Magilton and Iain Dowie. O’Neill himself played 31 times for his country, scoring four goals.
Niland flies to Melbourne
Irish number one tennis player Conor Niland is to play in the qualifying tournament for the Australian Open in Melbourne in the coming days.  Last year he played at Wimbledon and in the US Open but he has yet to make it through to the main draw down under.