RTÉ’s refusal to broadcast National Cup finals ‘shortsighted’

BASKETBALL IRELAND chiefs last night blasted RTÉ’s decision not to broadcast next year’s National Cup finals on television.

The station yesterday confirmed that there will be no TV coverage of the sport’s showpiece event in January (27-29), claiming their decision was “due to budgetary considerations characterised by stringent cutbacks across the board.” However Basketball Ireland Secretary General Bernard O’Byrne last night hit back at an announcement he described as “shortsighted”.

O’Byrne said: “We are very upset and annoyed by this announcement. RTÉ’s objective as a public service broadcaster is not served by this decision.