Late Lunch recruits of-FISH-ial pundit to predict this year’s World Cup winners.

For further information:

Sharon McHugh
TV3 PRESS OFFICE
+3531 419 3430 / 087 922 4143
sharon.mchugh@tv3.ie
publicity@tv3.ie

Ciara Byrne
+353 1 419 3329 / 087 3199732
ciara.byrne@tv3.ie

TV3 GROUP RELEASE

IMMEDIATE: Thursday 12th June, 2014.

 

 

 

Late Lunch recruits of-FISH-ial pundit to predict this year’s World Cup winners.

 

TV3’s afternoon show ‘Late Lunch’ has taken on a new colleague in the hope of beating the bookies by predicting this year’s crucial World Cup games.

 

‘Late Lunch Lionel’ the goldfish (named after the incredible Lionel Messi) will today be introduced to viewers and will predict the first game of the tournament between Brazil and Croatia.

 

Over the next few weeks Lionel will attempt to predict the results of a whopping 28 games.

 

‘Late Lunch’ airs weekdays from 3.30pm – 4.30pm, on TV3.

 

Forget Paul the Octopus, TV3’s Late Lunch has its own animal oracle – Late Lunch Lionel. In what is bound to be the ‘fin-acle’ of his pundit career so far, Late Lunch Lionel will attempt to predict the outcome of a whopping 28 matches during the World Cup.

 

If you’re thinking this is quite small ‘scale’ in comparison to Paul the Octopus, wait until you see what Lionel can do. ‘Tuna’ in to Late Lunch today to see Lionel kick off his ‘fin-tastic’ World Cup predictions.

 

Ahead of the opening ceremony in Brazil, Lionel will join Martin and Lucy on today’s show, just in time to predict the outcome of the Brazil v Croatia match. The pro-pundit will take residence at TV3 right up until the final on 13th July.

 

Speaking ahead of Lionel’s first inspiring choice, Lucy Kennedy said: “We have unwavering faith in our tipster Lionel. We’re all waiting with ‘baited’ breath!”

 

Ireland’s leading bookmaker and mischief maker Paddy Power has come on board to offer a €100 stake for each of Lionel’s picks with the winnings going to TV3’s charity of the year - Crumlin Children’s hospital.

 

A spokesperson for Paddy Power said: “We’re delighted that Lionel has decided to swim with the sharks and take on the bookies for the duration of the World Cup. It’s all in the name of a good cause and if he’s anywhere near as devastating as his namesake we could be in store for a very long tournament!”

 

‘Late Lunch’ airs weekdays from 3.30pm – 4.30pm, on TV3.

 

Images have been sent to your picture desks.

 

See Notes to Editor for the list of games that Lionel will be predicting.

 

ENDS

 

For further information
Ciara Byrne – Press Officer – 01 419 3329/087 319 9732

Jean O’Donovan – Press & Publicity Assistant – 01 419 3428

Sharon McHugh – Head of Press & Publicity – 087 922 4143

publicity@tv3.ie                        
www.tv3.ie

 

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Notes to Editor:

List of games Late Lunch Lionel will predict

 

1.    Thursday 12th June

Brazil vs Croatia

 

2.    Friday 13th June

Spain vs Netherlands

 

3.    Saturday 14th June

England vs Italy

 

4.    Monday 16th June

Germany vs Portugal

 

5.    Tuesday 17th June

Brazil vs Mexico

 

6.    Wednesday 18th June

Spain vs Chile

 

7.    Thursday 19th June

England vs Uruguay

 

8.    Friday 20th June

Switzerland vs France

 

9.    Sunday 22nd June

USA vs Portugal

 

10. Monday 23rd June

Netherlands vs Chile

 

11. Tuesday 24th June

Costa Rica vs England

 

12. Wednesday 25th June

Nigeria vs Argentina

 

TBC on other 16 games (there’ll be a total of 28 games that Lionel will be predicting)