The 1-1 draw with Scotland ensured that Ireland are now rank outsiders to make it through to Euro 2016. We'll try not to dwell on the fact that we, more than likely, won't be one of 24 teams fighting it out in France this time next year. However, at least we'll be able to see it on Irish TV, with or without Irish involvement.
Free to air regulations mean that Irish European Championship games must be shown on terrestrial TV as well as the semi-finals and final. However, with or without Irish involvement, RTÉ have confirmed that they have secured the rights to broadcast the tournament on Irish TV.
Group head of sport, Ryle Nugent, was looking forward to an impressive year of sport,
We are delighted to confirm that RTÉ has added the EURO 2016 finals to an already substantial schedule of major Irish and international sports events for 2016.
Next year Irish audiences can look forward to EURO 2016 alongside the GAA Championships, the Olympic Games in Rio, the 6 Nations and all of Ireland’s competitive qualifiers for both Euro 2016 and the World Cup in 2018 and much more – all free-to-air on RTÉ across all platforms.
Good news and all that but it really would be much better if we were more confident of Irish involvement.
