One of the great things about the Internet is the fact that someone in Melbourne can watch MNS live while they're munching on their Corn Flakes.
I got an e-mail from Seamus Kelly in Stranorlar after the programme this week, telling me that his Finn Harps supporting son in Melbourne watches the show online. With Harps' recent form it has probably made for painful viewing, but I never cease to be amazed by the wonders of modern technology.
We get tons of e-mails from supporters all over America and Europe who watch the programme on the net. It's another example of how the eircom League can be a big part of what you are, even if you're living on the other side of the globe.
On Sunday night, myself and the other half, Lorraine, took my friend's nine-year-old son, John Denvir (and yes, as a matter of fact the youngster is a very good singer) to his first ever eircom League game.
He absolutely loved the atmosphere and is now the proud possessor of a 'Proud to be a Hoop' scarf, and a Shamrock Rovers cap to boot.
The result didn't go Rovers' way and it was a pity that he didn't at least have a goal to celebrate, but you could see that he was filled with wonder when we walked into the ground and he saw the massive green and white flags, the singing and cheering at close quarters, and the Hoopla - if you'll excuse the pun - that surrounds the pre-match build-up to the game.
When we were walking out of the ground I asked him if he'd like to go to another game, and he responded with an immediate 'yes'. It once again reminded me of how much I used to love going to games every Sunday at Milltown or around the country with my dad, and how it eventually became the highlight of every week.
No matter what anyone says, it's very hard to beat the excitement of going to a live match compared to watching The Premiership on TV. That's not to knock The Premiership, which is a brilliant product and a really well thought out and put together programme. It's simply the hairs standing up on your neck moment when the two teams walk out the tunnel, the flags fly, the people cheer and sing, the tannoy plays music, and the anticipation of what's about to happen is hard to beat.
There's no doubt that the product today is a lot sexier than it was in the days when I used to boringly read out the teams over the PA at the RDS for Shamrock Rovers home games.
The most exciting thing ever to happen pre-match was when I used to raise my voice a bit when reading out the Shamrock Rovers team!, and on the 'excitement-ometer' that was pretty low.
But nowadays the flags and colours and (I know I shouldn't mention them without risking a fine, but the flares) and the music and singing. It really is great to behold.
The Burdock's chips and batter sausage were pretty good too! I'd like to think that John Denvir's dad will bring him back for more.
I enjoyed this week's MNS. Roddy's opinion may not be to all viewers' liking, but he has strongly held beliefs, and he articulates them in such a way as to develop interesting debates.
As it happens, Tony McDonnell and Neil O'Riordan didn't agree with him about the standard of the league not improving over the last decade or so. But it's a good talking point.
The feature on Sean Prunty's premature retirement from the game was very sobering, and a reminder of how fragile a footballer's career can be. I was in Seville earlier this season, quite soon after Antonio Puerta had died while playing for Sevilla, and the stadium was still bedecked in tributes to the player, who lost his life in his prime.
It was a tragedy, but perhaps a tragedy that could have been avoided if the right medical intervention and tests had taken place earlier. There's a brief questionnaire on the FAI's website which all sportsmen and women should look at and answer before participating in games.
It's very simple and would only take a minute to answer. Click here to access the questionnaire.
Speaking of websites, on the FAI's eircom League website I've been enjoying my old pal Brian De Salvo's weekly column since the start of the season. If you haven't read them yet, I'd highly recommend it.
Brian was in Galway last week for Jeff Kenna's first match, and he echoes my opinion about the pre-match entertainment, and the quality of the matchday programme, etc. I hope Jeff turns things around at Galway, because the work they've put in off the field deserves reward.
I'm off for a few days hols now - Tony O'Donoghue will be presenting next week. The good news is that he's recovered from a recent bout of pneumonia, but he's still fragile, so be gentle with him!
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