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Lest my chances with supermodel Andrea Roche be ruined forever, Live Bets Direct will not actually be posting any of Paddy Power’s odds on the sportsbook’s novelty bet entitled “Who will win Miss Universe Ireland 2009?”

It is, after all, the order of things. An event, manmade or otherwise, goes down in Ireland or the U.K., the result of which is unknown and therefore fodder for gambling. Paddy Power instantly makes said event “more interesting” with a clever and well-promoted prop bet.

Alas, Ms. Roche just thinks the Paddy is a big meanie; the model was quoted in the Irish Herald as stating “I don’t think it’s very fair on the girls and I know some of them get very upset because at the end of the day, all these bookies are doing is looking at a few photographs and judging the girls purely on their looks and nothing else.

“It’s not nice and it’s not fair,” Andrea complained.

“I actually would prefer if they didn’t put out any odds on the girls. It’s of no benefit to me or them. All I can do is advise [the contestants] not to pay any heed to it.”

Well, now, that last statement appears to be the most rational statement of the lot from Ms. Roche. Couldn’t it be argued by Roche’s logic that betting on football is unfair, because all we have to go is game film and past results? And, since Miss Universe Ireland actually goes through a series of contests, wouldn’t a prudent bookmaker actually consider results of other contests as well?

However, even should the bookmaker collect all the “facts” about a given cricket match, national election or beauty contest, don’t the competitors have to actually play the game to the outcome? And yes, Miss Universe contestants are competitors who want to win; check out Miss Universe Ireland 2008, Lynn Kelly, dishing on some backstage shenanigans which were also not very “nice” or “fair.”

So you know what? Sorry, Andrea. I’ve got to give those willing to do a little research and show the intestinal fortitude to back their team … I mean, “pony” … I mean “contestant.” And may the best woman win. Does this mean we’re off for Friday night?

The table for Paddy Power’s “Who will win Miss Universe Ireland 2009?” proposition bet runs as follows.

Lynn Kelly (Don't judge by the picture, boys: That's not nice!)

Diana Donnelly: 5/4
Alma McCabe: 6/4
Rozanna Purcell: 4/1
Hayley Ryan: 12/1
Hazel Britton: 12/1
Michelle Cummins: 14/1
Suzanne Jackson: 14/1
Eileen Crerar: 16/1
Jill Macken: 16/1
Ashley McNicholas: 18/1
Aly Boyle: 18/1
Toni Harney: 18/1
Aoife Turner: 18/1
Claire Murray: 20/1
Tara Lynch: 22/1
Mary Beth O’Brien: 22/1
Kerri O’Connor: 22/1
Emma Quinlan: 25/1
Bebhinn McGrath: 25/1
Caitriona Hoy: 25/1