What time and TV channel is PAOK v Shamrock Rovers on in Europa League play-off?
Shamrock Rovers are already guaranteed Europa Conference League group stage football, but could yet land an even more lucrative prize.
Shamrock Rovers have confirmed that this week’s Europa League play-off away leg against Greek side PAOK will be streamed live - after failing to secure TV coverage once again of their European exploits this season.
The four-in-a-row League of Ireland winners take on the Greek champions for a spot in the Europa League group stages, with the losers of the tie already guaranteed Europa Conference League group stage football.
Rovers confirmed on Monday that, following negotiations, Thursday’s first leg will be available for Hoops fans in Ireland and the UK to watch on LOITV.
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The match kicks off at 6.30pm Irish team and commentary will be provided by Con Murphy and former goalkeeper Barry Murphy.
The second leg, at Tallaght Stadium on August 29, will also be available on the LOITV platform and available worldwide, excluding Greece and Cyprus.
These two games will be Rovers’ seventh and eighth in Europe so far this season, with at least another six guaranteed, or eight if they make the Europa League.
But none have been screened live on television, despite their progress to the group stages, leading the Hoops to threaten broadcasters with a Tallaght Stadium lock-out for the remainder of the year.
Rovers opened their campaign in the Champions League with a draw away to Icelandic side Vikingur. They won the second leg 2-1 at home in dramatic style, with their visitors missing a last-minute penalty.
Next up was the visit of top Czech side Sparta Prague. With a squad that included players that had featured at Euro 2024, they won both legs and progressed 6-2 on aggregate.
Rovers were parachuted into the Europa League, where they were drawn against Slovenian outfit Celje, who won the first-leg 1-0.
Stephen Bradley’s side turned things around in last week’s second-leg, winning 3-1 after extra-time to guarantee themselves group stage football and progress to the Europa League play-offs.
Rovers used Monday’s announcement to criticise the fact that none of their games in Europa so far have been televised.
And they warned that cameras might not be allowed into Tallaght Stadium for the remainder of the 2024 campaign.
“The club exhausted every avenue across the four rounds of European matches to deliver matches on a free to air National broadcaster, but to no avail,” read a statement.
“Live streaming has provided fans with the option to follow the Hoops home and away in Europe in July and August.
“It has been a disappointment that these thrilling games have not been showcased to a wider Irish audience; the drama of a last minute penalty miss in our first home tie advancing the team to UCL QR2, 9,500 fans packed into Tallaght Stadium for a great match against Sparta Prague game and, finally, the turnaround from an away first leg loss to beat Celje in extra time to make the UECL League phase (at a minimum).
“And now, the visit of PAOK will not be broadcast on terrestrial Irish TV.
“The club is considering if it will facilitate any future requests from the National broadcaster to show SSE Airtricity Premier Division fixtures from Tallaght Stadium in 2024.”
The links to the games will be posted on Monday at www.loitv.ie
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