Virgin Media Television has committed to broadcasting five more live League of Ireland games.
The station dipped its toe in the market last April by screening the Bohemians-Shamrock Rovers derby at Dalymount Park.
And today, Virgin Media has confirmed it will show Shelbourne’s clash with St Patrick’s Athletic at Tolka Park on Friday week, May 19.
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It will also have the Saints home clash with Derry City at Richmond Park on Monday, June 5.
Details of the other three top flight games will be revealed at a later date.
Virgin Media Television, Head of News and Sport, Mick McCaffrey, said: “The reaction from our viewers when we broadcast Bohemians versus Shamrock Rovers last month was extremely positive.
“We’re delighted to expand our coverage to include another five fixtures this season. It’s vital that as many games as possible are available for people to enjoy free to air.”
FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill said Virgin’s move into the live game market was ‘a reflection of growing interest in the League of Ireland’.
In a statement, Hill said: “Both sides agreed that the original one match experiment was a great success, a feeling echoed by our title sponsors SSE Airtricity.
“We will be looking at all broadcast models moving forward.
“But one thing is clear in that to attract more interest into our broadcast product we will continue to need to invest both into the on-field look and feel (quality of pitch, floodlights etc).
“But also the modern broadcast facilities we will need to have in place moving forward to maximise broadcast interest.
“(That) will in turn generate the income to drive our ambition for League football in Ireland to become an industry in its own right and for our stadia to be modern, welcoming homes for our existing and many new fans.”
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