logo
RTE strike deal to show FAI Cup matches for two years

RTE strike deal to show FAI Cup matches for two years

RTE have agreed a deal to broadcast FAI Cup matches for the next two years.
Six games in this season's competition will be shown live on RTE2 and RTE Player, with seven slated for next season.
It marks the return of League of Ireland football to RTE screens for the first time since losing Premier Division rights to Virgin Media Television this season.
This year, RTE will show an FAI Cup third round match, two quarter-finals, both semi-finals and the final at Aviva Stadium on November 9. In 2026, RTE will add a second round game into the mix.
Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sean Kavanagh, Commercial Director, FAI, said: 'RTÉ have a long history with the League of Ireland and Men's FAI Cup.
'The final has become a standout moment of the Irish sporting calendar which is set to continue with the help of their coverage over the next two years.
'With huge crowds at the Aviva Stadium over recent years, this broadcast agreement will ensure that the magic of the Cup will continue to be compelling viewing.'
And Declan McBennett, Group Head of Sport, RTÉ, said: 'The Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup has always proven to be the biggest draw of the domestic soccer season.
'The magic of the Cup prevails and we are delighted that our extended coverage and high quality production standards will capture those moments.'
This season, RTE will pick a third round fixture for live broadcast on the week ending August 17.
The two quarter-finals to be shown will be on the week ending September 14, while the semi-finals are scheduled on the week ending October 5.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'It takes a camp or two to get used to it. It can definitely be daunting'
'It takes a camp or two to get used to it. It can definitely be daunting'

The 42

time33 minutes ago

  • The 42

'It takes a camp or two to get used to it. It can definitely be daunting'

WITH A BREAKTHROUGH season behind him, Jack Boyle can target the year ahead as the one in which he truly makes his stamp with Leinster and Ireland. The former St Michael's man has ticked a lot off the bucket list recently. The 23-year-old came into Ireland camp last month with a URC medal in his pocket, and he was centrally involved in that success. While Boyle only played six minutes in the URC final, he notched up 15 URC games across the season, with his total number of appearances across the campaign shooting from nine in 2023/24 to 17 in 2024/25. It was also the season he made his Champions Cup debut and won his first two caps for Ireland, coming off the bench twice in the Six Nations. Today he reaches another milestone, with the loosehead starting a Test match for the first time as Ireland take on Georgia in Tbilisi this evening [KO 6pm, Virgin Media]. He's not one of those players who sits down to plan out his goals for the season ahead, but these are the experiences he would have been targeting when he arrived back in for pre-season last summer. 'I suppose, in a weird way, I'd be a goal setter,' Boyle says. 'I wouldn't necessarily write them down or constantly be thinking about them but they'd definitely be at the back of my mind. 'I knew there's obviously two world-class players in front of me with Cian Healy and Andrew Porter, so I knew there would be a bit of being patient and biding my time, but ultimately I knew I wanted to play in an Irish jersey and I was lucky enough to do that over the Six Nations. 'The start of the year, it's tough to gauge where you're at, and you kind of have to take it week by week. I know that's quite cliché, but you really don't know where you stand until you get into the season. So for the most part it was week-on-week, but ultimately you have to keep performing well, keep pushing hard and if you get opportunities you just have to take them.' Advertisement Boyle was a URC winner with Leinster last season. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO Looking to the future, there's one less obstacle in Boyle's way, with the long-serving Cian Healy now retired. That the 37-year-old managed to stay at the highest level for so long highlights not just his own impressive longevity, but also the fact that Ireland haven't exactly been blessed with looseheads. There's an opportunity there for Boyle to grab, and while he's still one of the newer faces around the Irish squad his time in camp earlier this year has helped him take a more confident approach into this two-game summer tour, which continues in Portugal next week. 'It's always tough coming into camp for the first time. So making sure that you don't take the feedback too seriously, you don't take criticism too seriously, you enjoy the experience and you get to know the way Irish players play and the way that the coaches want to see you play. To be honest, it does take probably a camp or two to get properly used to it. It can definitely be daunting. 'The main thing is being yourself. Faz would always speak about being yourself and making sure that you don't try too hard, you don't get in your own way, you don't overthink things too much, you enjoy the experience and you get to know the lads. The better and closer you are with the lads, the easier it will be, on the pitch they'll pick you up, they'll give you a bit of feedback, they'll help you out. 'So yeah, not getting in your own way and probably not taking it too seriously at times as well (is important).' The loosehead was capped twice during the Six Nations. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO This evening Boyle starts in an all-Leinster front row alongside hooker Gus McCarthy and tighthead Thomas Clarkson, with a total of 12 Test caps shared between the three. Given the pride Georgia place on their own scrummaging, it's a game that will put the spotlight firmly on the Ireland front-rowers. 'Yeah, Georgia obviously traditionally very strong up front, but I suppose we're not going to shy away from that. We're going to impose ourselves and make sure we have a real crack at it. 'There's plenty of Top 14 experience and all that kind of thing, but at the same time we're not going to take a step back from that, we're going to enjoy the challenge and hopefully get on the right side of them really. 'There's obviously a young enough group front row-wise, but the competition and the hunger in the group to keep improving is there, definitely. 'We spoke with Cullie (Tucker) when we first came into camp about Georgia's strengths and what they'll look to look to do there, so we know exactly what they're going to bring and we just need to make sure that we match it.'

What TV channel is Georgia vs Ireland on? Kick-off time, FREE stream, team news and odds for summer series opener
What TV channel is Georgia vs Ireland on? Kick-off time, FREE stream, team news and odds for summer series opener

The Irish Sun

time35 minutes ago

  • The Irish Sun

What TV channel is Georgia vs Ireland on? Kick-off time, FREE stream, team news and odds for summer series opener

PAUL O'CONNELL'S Ireland are in Tbilisi for their opening summer series Test against Georgia. The Munster legend is standing in for the series in place of Advertisement 2 Paul O'Connell's Ireland face Georgia on Saturday Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile 2 Craig Casey captains the team Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Here's everything you need to know about the match. When is it on and what time is kick-off? Georgia vs Kick-off is at 6pm Irish time. Where can I watch it? Fans in Ireland will be able to watch the game, as well as the follow-up Test against Portugal on terrestrial TV . Advertisement Read More on Ireland Rugby Virgin Media One will be showing both games, with today's coverage getting underway at 5:33pm. It will also be available to stream via the Virgin Media Player. What are the teams? Georgia: Davit Niniashvili, Akaki Tabutsadze, Demur Tapladze, Giorgi Kveseladze, Sandro Todua, Luka Matkava, Vasil Lobzhanidze; Giorgi Akhaladze, Vano Karkadze, Irakli Aptsiauri, Mikheil Babunashvili, Lado Chachanidze, Luka Ivanishvili, Beka Saghinadze, Tornike Jalagonia. Replacements: Irakli Kvatadze, Giorgi Tetrashvili, Beka Gigashvili, Giorgi Javakhia, Ilia Spanderashvili, Mikheil Alania, Tedo Abzhandadze, Tornike Kakhoidze. Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union Ireland: Jimmy O'Brien, Tommy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Stuart McCloskey, Replacements: Tom Stewart, Michael Milne, Jack Aungier, Tom Ahern, Cian Prendergast, Ben Murphy, Craig Casey shares hilarious 'fear' weighing on him before captaining Ireland for first time vs Georgia What are the odds? Georgia, who are 11the in the world rankings and above Wales , are 7/1 to beat the new look Ireland team. As for the visitors, they are out to 1/12 to pick up the victory while the draw is at 35/1. Advertisement What has been said in the build-up? summer series and Interim boss out in the absence of injured captain Since Australia with the British and Irish Lions, O'Connell has been left with a majorly inexperienced squad for the summer Tests. Captain Doris was unavailable with a shoulder injury and Wales in the Advertisement With other seasoned internationals such as Peter O'Mahony and When speaking to Virgin Media he spoke about what it means to him to be given the Ireland captaincy for the summer Test matches.] He said: "It was brilliant. It's probably not something you dream about when you are younger. Captaining Ireland is probably something that is way out of my league of what I thought I could do when I was younger. "When you see the calibre of players that have never captained their country I think it is very special for me. Advertisement The former Ardscoil Rís captain was asked what will be going through his head as he leads his Ireland teammates out onto the pitch to face Georgia and his response was an unexpected one. He answered "Firstly I hope the mascot isn't taller than me like the (Ireland) A game."

Why Ireland's off-Broadway clash with Georgia is a crucial first step in 2027 World Cup journey
Why Ireland's off-Broadway clash with Georgia is a crucial first step in 2027 World Cup journey

Extra.ie​

time2 hours ago

  • Extra.ie​

Why Ireland's off-Broadway clash with Georgia is a crucial first step in 2027 World Cup journey

It will be 2am in Sydney when Ireland's clash with Georgia gets going at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi. Andy Farrell is very much in Lions mode at the moment, but it's highly likely that he'll be hunkered over a laptop in the small hours to see how this young and experimental Irish team go against a rising force of the global game. The Lions – replete with a record contingent of 16 Irish players – are hogging all the limelight at present and Ireland's summer tour has a distinct 'off-Broadway' vibe about it. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Make no mistake, however, Farrell is keeping tabs on developments in Eastern Europe. It will be the same story in Lisbon next week. Team Ireland have been utterly fragmented in recent months. Farrell, a sizeable crew of assistant coaches and a busload of frontliners are currently in Australia. Caelan Doris, Robbie Henshaw and Iain Henderson are back home in Ireland rehabbing injuries. Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Cian Healy have retired while Paul O'Connell – the interim, interim head coach – is bringing a crew of fringe players on tour. It's all a bit chaotic but there will be a singular focus once the autumn internationals appear on the horizon. Farrell and his merry band of Lions will be back on national duty. There will be no distractions come November. A looming rematch with the All Blacks in Chicago will focus minds. Soldier Field: Part 2 is going to be box office. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile The Wallabies and the Springboks are also paying visits to Dublin. And there will be a real sense that the countdown to the 2027 World Cup has begun. The draw for the global showpiece in Australia is set to take place in December. Farrell and this entire Ireland setup will begin to zero in on the big one in two years' time. In that context, these looming games against Georgia and Portugal are massive opportunities. This is a chance for the next generation to stake their claim for inclusion in November and the 2026 Six Nations, and beyond. It's been clear for the past 12 months that Ireland are in dire need of another reboot across the board. From personnel to tactics. Performance and results have been patchy. Ireland are in the early stages of the next evolution. There is a clutch of top players who are on the wrong side of 30, namely Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Tadhg Beirne, Henderson and Jamison Gibson-Park. Tadhg Furlong is beginning to show signs of wear and tear from a decade at the coalface, while O'Mahony, Murray and Healy have all called it a day. Farrell's Ireland is going to have a very different look in November. Fast forward to 2027 and the matchday 23 will have a fresh look about it. The latest rebuild begins in Tblisi and Farrell will be watching with interest. Tommy O'Brien and Darragh Murray are making their Test debuts with four more potential new caps on the bench in the form of Michael Milne, Jack Aungier, Tom Ahern and Ben Murphy. O'Brien recently turned 27 so he's no spring chicken when it comes to top-level rugby. Last season was the first time that this talented wing, who has been blighted by injuries throughout this career, got a run of games, and it showed. O'Brien was superb for Leinster. His pace could be a real game-changer for an Irish side which has lacked a bit of gas in the wide channels for quite some time. Crucially, he revels in the defensive side of things. O'Brien is the kind of player who could rise up the Test ranks swiftly. Jamie Osborne and tour captain Craig Casey are also banging on that door. This doesn't sound like it's going to be an occasion for free-flowing rugby, however. The weather has been biblical in Tblisi all week and the Georgians, despite unearthing some real gems out wide – namely La Rochelle-bound full-back Davit Niniashvili – will be going Old Testament on the Irish pack this evening. The Lelos are renowned for their forward power and pride themselves on their fearsome scrum. Their starting frontrow of Irakli Aptsiauri, Vano Karkadze and Giorgi Akhaladze are all seasoned operators who all ply their trade in the Top14 with Lyon, Montpellier and Clermont respectively. They will be eyeing up Ireland's trio of greenhorns in the frontrow with relish. Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson have just 10 international caps between team. We're likely to see plenty of scrums and plenty of opportunities to feel the heat. All three frontrowers made massive strides last season and if they come through this stern scrummaging examination with reputations greatly enhanced, it will be a massive boost for Ireland's World Cup chances down the line. Clarkson, in particular, finished Leinster's campaign in impressive form with the young tighthead delivering a dominant display against a giant Bulls pack in the URC final. McCarthy has taken to senior rugby with ease while Boyle had seemingly moved ahead of Healy in the loosehead pecking order. Leinster and Ireland desperately need him to make the step up. This is a huge night for Ireland's frontrow stocks. Murray can further has cause, too. The uncapped Connacht lock is a real lineout technician. The Westerners endured a poor campaign but their lineout was one of the best in the URC and Murray was central to it. The 24-year-old will be calling the lineout tonight. Again, if he can oversee a smooth-running set-piece against formidable opponents in tough conditions, he could find himself back in the mix when November rolls around. Murray will lean heavily on Ryan Baird in that department. The Leinster flanker is very much the leader of this young pack, with 27 Test caps to his name. Baird really needs to kick on now. His talent or freakish athleticism has never been up for debate. Consistency has been the issue. Too often, Baird has gone off the boil. Now that O'Mahony has retired, the blindside spot is there for the taking. Baird hit a rich vein of form at the tail-end of the season. Indeed, if the 25-year-old had been playing like that a few months earlier, he would on tour with the Lions. Baird has the capacity to be Rocky Elsom 2.0. He can lay down a marker against their hardy Georgian backrow. And he haven't even mentioned Sam Prendergast yet. This will be a night for playing the percentages and keeping the pack on the front foot. Jack Crowley will be chomping at the bit to get involved from the bench. Two quality player jostling for position. In truth, Ireland need that level of competition in all departments in the coming years. Farrell will welcome those selection headaches. He will be watching with interest from the southern hemisphere.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store