Mayo councillor condemns RTÉ’s disregard for Irish soccer on historic European night
MAYO Councillor Paul Lawless has expressed his disappointment at national broadcaster RTÉ’s refusal to air two historic football matches involving Irish League of Ireland clubs, Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick's Athletic.
The decision has sparked widespread disappointment among Irish soccer fans and, he said, highlights a concerning inconsistency in RTÉ’s broadcasting choices.
Shamrock Rovers played a crucial Europa League qualifier against PAOK in Greece, while St. Patrick's Athletic faced off in a European Conference League match at Tallaght Stadium. Despite the significance of these matches for Irish soccer, RTÉ chose not to broadcast them, despite opting to air a match between Turkish club Galatasaray and Swiss side Young Boys Bern just the previous night, two clubs from two leagues not widely followed in Ireland as much as our own domestic league.
Councillor Lawless remarked: “It is simply unacceptable that RTÉ, our national broadcaster, funded by the public through a forced €160 licence fee, would prioritise airing Home and Away and Reeling in the Years over the historic achievements of our own Irish clubs. This is particularly disappointing given that the Olympic Games have concluded, the inter-county GAA season is over, and the rugby season has yet to begin. There is no justification for RTÉ to deny these important games the coverage they deserve.”
The councillor highlighted the broader implications of RTÉ’s decision, emphasising the vital role that local soccer clubs play in Irish communities.
He commented: “From underage teams in clubs like Kiltimagh Knock United, Claremorris and Castlebar Celtic, to senior teams across Mayo and the rest of Ireland, local soccer, like other field sports such as GAA and rugby, are the heartbeat of our communities. It is essential that young players have the opportunity to see their heroes on the biggest stage, representing Irish soccer with pride and passion.”
Councillor Lawless also criticised RTÉ for its failure to support Irish soccer, despite its mandate to promote Irish culture and sport.
“RTÉ justifies its licence fee by claiming to support Irish culture, yet when it comes to Irish soccer, they are nowhere to be found. Instead, they prefer to broadcast matches from leagues that are not even followed by most Irish viewers. This neglect is not only a disservice to our soccer clubs but also to the Irish public who fund this broadcaster.”
He added: “This is not just about one or two games; it’s about the broader issue of respect and recognition for Irish soccer. Our clubs deserve to be in the spotlight, and our young athletes need role models they can aspire to, right here in Ireland.
“RTÉ's failure to support our teams in these critical moments is a betrayal of their responsibility to promote Irish sport.”
Councillor Lawless called on RTÉ to reconsider its approach and urged them to prioritise the broadcasting of Irish soccer matches in the future.
“The success of Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick's Athletic in Europe is a moment of pride for the entire nation. It’s time RTÉ stands with Irish soccer and gives our teams the coverage they have rightfully earned,” he stated.