Champions are refused coverage

Negotiations between TV3, RTE and Bohemians have failed to yield positive results in the champions’ quest to have their second…

Negotiations between TV3, RTE and Bohemians have failed to yield positive results in the champions’ quest to have their second round Champion’s League qualifier televised to an Irish, and indeed, a Swedish audience.

The ‘Gypsies’ stood to gain £40,000 from Swedish television - eager to see their champions in action - should the match have been televised live tomorrow night.

Both TV stations claimed they had not got sufficient funds to televise the match.

The controversial decision was slammed by Bohs secretary, Gerry Cuffe, who sees the refusal of TV3 and RTE as a damning indictment of the regard in which they hold domestic football.

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Cuffe the Evening Herald: "It's disappointing that once again we have been ignored by both of the country's TV stations.They both say they have no funds to cover the game.

"I’m sure the money would have been found if we got to play someone like Liverpool or Celtic in the next round," he added.

The decision will no doubt provoke angry reaction from National League fans, regardless of their allegiances, who see the tie as positive representation of the growing stature of domestic football.

Carl O'Malley

Carl O'Malley

The late Carl O'Malley was an Irish Times sports journalist