Virgin Media the only show for LOI after FAI turn off RTÉ

While RTÉ dithered and delayed in submitting a formal proposal to the FAI, eventually pitching a small increase from 17 to 20 matches Virgin stole a march by offering a package with 16 extra live games.

ONLY SHOW: Virgin Media will be the one-stop shop for all League of Ireland live broadcast this year after the FAI board rubberstamped a switch from traditional rights holder RTÉ. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Virgin Media will be the one-stop shop for all League of Ireland live broadcast this year after the FAI board rubberstamped a switch from traditional rights holder RTÉ.

The decision was ratified at a meeting of the 14-person FAI board on Wednesday – the same forum that endorsed the appointment of Carla Ward as new manager of the Ireland women’s team.