Shamrock Rovers consider block on RTÉ covering their Premier Division home matches over failure to show European games

Shamrock Rovers have said they are "considering if it will facilitate any future requests" for RTÉ to televise their League of Ireland home matches this season after it was confirmed their two-legged Europa League play-off tie with PAOK will not be shown by the broadcaster.

The matches (on 22 in Greece and 29 August in Tallaght) will be available on the League of Ireland's independent streaming service LOITV on a pay-per-view basis.

The Hoops have progressed to this stage after beating Slovenian side Celje last Thursday in Tallaght.

They had already played two European rounds prior to that victory, neither of which where televised by any broadcaster.

Stephen Bradley's side defeated Icelandic side Vikingur before welcoming the biggest crowd for a European game in recent memory in a 2-0 defeat to Sparta Prague.

Television rights for the PAOK tie were available to acquire for any Irish broadcaster including RTÉ, Virgin Media and TG4.

In a statement, Shamrock Rovers said: "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.

"And now, the visit of PAOK will not be broadcast on terrestrial Irish TV."

Addressing their unhappiness with RTÉ Sport, in particular, for not acquiring the rights, the club said: "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.

St Patrick’s Athletic have also reached a