Premier League switch may threaten Ireland’s culture of Friday night lights

Twenty-five years of regular Friday night League of Ireland programmes could become a rarity next season after the impact of the English Premier League’s new schedule was highlighted yesterday.

Derry City requested from the FAI an earlier kick-off time than 7.45pm for their game against champions Dundalk on Friday to avoid clashing with the televised clash between Aston Villa and Manchester United and the consequential adverse effect on attendance.

Although the departure to Friday night from the weekend is a one-off during this campaign because of a controversial English Defence League march taking place in Birmingham on Saturday, next season will see fixtures take place on 10 Fridays under a lucrative new broadcast package.