It’s been a while since I’ve brought you news on a Bertie earner – being the recession and all I suppose times are tough for the Iar Taoiseach and the way he might scratch a few euros to make up for his pension levy losses.

However news reaches us today of Bertie Ahern’s signing as the newest columnist with the Irish News of the Screws – entitled Bertie Ahern Talks Sport, the column will bring us the opinions of Dublin Centrals’ finest on sports at home and abroad.

‘It’s no secret that I am sports-mad and this column will give me the chance to look at the good, the bad and the ugly of Irish and international sport. Let’s hope I end up writing about Ireland qualifying for the World Cup, winning the Six Nations again and Padraig Harrington lifting a few more Majors.”

That’s code for earners to all the 6 nations Matches and a few Major’s so?

And is Bertie the first former prime minister to have a sports column? He says in the press release from the NOTW that he’ll have to set aside his allegiances to Dublin GAA (not so difficult after yesterday) and Manchester United for his new role.  His first column will be published this weekend in what Geoff Frazer, the editor of the Irish News of the World says ‘will be an unmissable read for every sports fan in Ireland. ‘