Shelbourne are one game away from a full European campaign
Shelbourne are halfway to making history following their 2-1 win at Rijeka on Thursday night, putting them in a fantastic position for a lengthy European campaign.
If they get through next week’s Europa League 3rd qualifying round second leg at Tolka Park, they will be guaranteed at least a group stage spot in the Europa Conference League, and the €4m bounty that goes with it.
Even if they lose, they will get the chance to get to that group stage against either Linfield or Vikingur. It would be the first time Shelbourne have ever reached the group stage of a competition.
If they win against Rijeka next week, they will face either PAOK or Wolfsburger in the Europa League play-off round, with the fall back of the Conference League.
It’s all history-making stuff for Shels, but causal fans might be forgiven for not being fully up to speed with the situation.
That’s because watching these European ties has been a struggle. Wednesday’s historic first-leg win in Croatia was not available on Irish television in any form, much to the annoyance of fans.
The Champions League first qualifying round first leg against Linfield at Tolka Park was on RTE and BBC NI, but the second leg was on pay-per-view on SolidSport TV for €15.
Both Champions League second qualifying round matches against Qarabag were also on PPV streams, but nobody picked up the Rijeka first leg. It remains to be seen whether the second leg on Tuesday at Tolka Park will be broadcast.
Shamrock Rovers’ Conference League third qualifying round first leg in Kosovo against Balkani will be on LOITV, while St Patrick’s Athletic’s first leg against Besiktas will be on SolidSport again.
But fans are dumfounded with RTE or Virgin’s reluctance to broadcast the games given these League of Ireland sides are on the brink of history with genuine chances of long European runs.
One fan said: “Huge result for Shels. RTÉ/Virgin really need to get the finger out and start showing these games.”
Another said: “Criminal that game wasn’t on the TV. Just shows no matter what progress were making it’s still miles off where it needs to be.”
A third said: “Between the Shels result tonight at the Croatian champions and the size of the tie in Tallaght tomorrow for Pats, it’s absolutely mental that @RTEsport picked up no game. A shambolic national sport broadcaster led by a spoofer @RTEmcbennettd.”
