Shamrock Rovers consider national broadcaster ban after failure to secure Europa League playoff coverage

DISAPPOINTING: Shamrock Rovers have confirmed that both legs of their UEFA Europa League playoffs against PAOK will be streamed live on LOI TV, despite their best efforts to have them shown free-to-air. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Shamrock Rovers have confirmed that both legs of their UEFA Europa League playoffs against PAOK will be streamed live on LOI TV, despite their best efforts to have them shown free-to-air.

Rovers will be hoping to overcome the tough challenge of the Greek champions and reach the group stages of the Europa League for the second time.

The club had held negotiations for both the home and away fixtures to be broadcast free-to-air in Ireland but similar to their previous qualifiers, including their Champions League ties, they have failed to reach an agreement with the national broadcasters, therefore meaning the games will only be available on pay-per-view on LOI TV.

In a statement released on Monday afternoon, Rovers expressed their disappointment at the situation and also added that they will consider if they will facilitate any requests from the National broadcaster to show a match at Tallaght Stadium this season.

"Shamrock Rovers F.C. confirms that both legs of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League play-off vs the Champions of Greece, PAOK F.C, will be streamed live on LOITV.

"Negotiations have concluded that will allow Rovers fans in Ireland and the UK watch a stream of the first leg from the Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki live on Thursday, kick off is at 6.30pm Irish time. Our usual comms team of Con and Barry will supply match commentary on the LOITV platform.

"The second leg at Tallaght Stadium on August 29th will also be available on the LOITV platform and available worldwide excluding Greece and Cyprus.

"The club exhausted every avenue across the four rounds of European matches to deliver matches on a free to air National broadcaster, but to no avail.

"Live streaming has provided fans with the option to follow the Hoops home and away in Europe in July and August.

"It has been a disappointment that these thrilling games have not been showcased to a wider Irish audience; the drama of a last minute penalty miss in our first home tie advancing the team to UCL QR2, 9,500 fans packed into Tallaght Stadium for a great match against Sparta Prague game and, finally, the turnaround from an away first leg loss to beat Celje in extra time to make the UECL League phase (at a minimum). And now, the visit of PAOK will not be broadcast on terrestrial Irish TV.

"The club is considering if it will facilitate any future requests from the National broadcaster to show SSE Airtricity Premier Division fixtures from Tallaght Stadium in 2024.

"The links to the games will be posted on Monday at www.loitv.ie."

In more positive news for Shamrock Rovers, the club has re-acquired the signing of midfielder Danny Mandroiu from Lincoln City. Mandroiu played for Rovers from 2021 to 2022 where he scored 22 goals in 53 appearances.

Signed until the end of the season, Mandroiu goes straight into the squad (subject to clearance) for this week's UCL Play-off against PAOK in Greece.