Bosses at Eircom might have anticipated a hint of welcome good publicity this week when its £6 million (€7.62 million) sponsorship of the Republic of Ireland soccer team - part of an impressive £17 million sponsorship package for Irish soccer - was formally launched, but 'twas not to be. A boisterous Monday night on the town by Phil Babb and Mark Kennedy ensured that the only news on Tuesday concerned their arrest and charges before Dublin District Court.

Given the dismal performance of Eircom's stock, Alfie Kane et al are well-accustomed to bad news. Yet they might have expected better from the footballers.

The sight of Eircom's corporate logo on the shirts of the national soccer team - whatever its fortunes - is unlikely to distract shareholders from its share price, which appears to have found a semi-permanent valuation in the doldrums.