This week on The Saturday Panel we're delving into the area of off-pitch and online issues that face athletes. Joining John Duggan in studio: Leigh Nicol, an ex-professional footballer and victim of sextortion; Fraser Franks, also a former professional footballer who had football suddenly taken from him owing to a heart condition; and Matt Himsworth, a media lawyer who protects players from so many evils that lurk online.

Saturday Panel: Online abuse of athletes | Social media as 'a drug'

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Ex Ireland internationals Mike Ross, Marcus Horan and Alison Miller join OTB's John Duggan to discuss the Rugby World Cup which starts on Friday this coming week!  It's with thanks to L’Oreal – Give your skin the power to age better with the Power Age range of Hyaluronic acid products

THE SATURDAY PANEL | Ireland will 'be out in the quarters, or win the whole thing!' | Weighing up Ireland's opponents

It is All-Ireland football final weekend and John Duggan is joined by Dublin All Ireland winners Ger Brennan and John O'Leary and Celtic Cross holders with Kerry Sean O'Sullivan and Fionn Fitzgerald to discuss the biggest game in the GAA calendar.

The panel will look at what makes this rivalry so special, why the Kingdom have struggled to retain their crown in the past and the mouthwatering clash of Mick Fitzsimons and David Clifford 

Gaelic football on Off The Ball is in partnership with AIB - Proud sponsors of the GAA senior football Championship. Check out #TheToughest for more.

Old rivals collide, stopping Clifford and the difficulty of going back to back

John Duggan was joined on the panel in studio by legendary golf journalist Dermot Gilleece & Irish golfer and T-4 finisher in the 1982 Open, Des Smyth. They discussed the 151st Open & some fond memories of previous Open Championships.

This Saturday Panel was brought to you with thanks to the all new Renault Austral E-Tech full hybrid- with 200 horsepower and up to 1,100km range.

Saturday Panel: Online abuse of athletes | Social media as 'a drug'

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