Former Ireland manager Stephen Kenny says he doesn't blame Shamrock Rovers for threatening to exclude the state broadcaster from their games.
Rovers released a statement this week after it was announced that their two-legged Europa League play-off tie with PAOK on August 22 in Greece and August 29 in Tallaght will not be shown on Irish television.
"The club is considering whether it will facilitate any future requests from the national broadcaster to show SSE Airtricity Premier Division fixtures from Tallaght Stadium in 2024," they said on Monday.
This isn't a new issue, Rovers aren't the only side that has been left aggrieved by RTÉ's decision not to show their European games this year.
Kenny, the manager of St. Patrick’s Athletic, has managed to get his side to the Europa Conference League play-offs. They will now play Turkish side Istanbul Başakşehir in two legs, but this also won't be on tv. and before this, none of their other games were shown because RTÉ decided to show the Paris Olympics instead of Ireland's clubs in Europe.
The former Ireland boss doesn't buy into the notion that the Olympics were the reason for the lack of coverage.
📸 A memorable European campaign so far, captured by @sportsfile
The next chapter kicks-off at 7.45pm tonight at Tallaght Stadium #StPatsFC 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/kFZObd1fEv— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) August 22, 2024
“It is hard to believe, really. It is hard to believe. I don’t really accept that it’s the Olympics; that’s a non-argument,” said Kenny via the Mirror.
“There are club games, GAA games, rugby under-20, whatever, throughout other sports and different events.
“The Olympics are amazing, but I don’t think it’s just about that.”
Kenny also added in his pre-match press conference that he understood why Rovers were not allowing TV cameras into their ground this season. He also found it strange that the state broadcaster didn't back its own.
“I certainly don’t blame Shamrock Rovers (for threatening to exclude TV cameras); you can understand where they are coming from with that statement.
“When they are champions and in the Champions League and none of their games have been shown, and you know, sort of, it’s strange, like in your own country, you’re... there are words I want to use that I won’t use. But it is strange.”
Pats' game against Istanbul Başakşehir starts at 19:45 tonight.
