YOU’LL BE ABLE to follow the progress of Ireland’s leading amateur boxers at the World and European Championships over the next two years after RTÉ today secured the live television rights.
Beginning with the European Boxing Confederation Championships in Bulgaria this month, the state broadcaster will have live and deferred coverage of selected bouts across all its platforms including the RTÉ Player.
The European Championships started yesterday and continue until 16 August and RTÉ will broadcast the semi-finals and finals with Mick Dowling, Michael Carruth and Bernard Dunne providing expert analysis.
The seven-man strong Ireland team is led by Darren O’Neill and includes Olympic bronze medallist Michael Conlan.
Speaking about the acqusiation of the rights, RTÉ’s Group Head of Sport, Ryle Nugent said: “We are delighted to confirm that RTÉ has secured these boxing rights as part of what is an already substantial schedule of major Irish and international sports events for this year and into 2016.
There will be plenty of Irish interest in the World Championships in October and RTÉ has full coverage of that event from Qatar while details of the 2016 Women’s World Championships in February 2016 will be announced in due course.
RTÉ lost the rights to that event last year when they were outbid by TG4, prompting Katie Taylor to criticise the broadcaster for ‘jumping on the bandwagon every time the Olympics comes around.’
“These championships will prove to be of particular interest as we build towards the Rio Olympics which will of course be live and free-to-air for Irish audiences across all RTÉ platforms,” Nugent added.
Refreshing to be honest. Got to respect a guy who puts his family first.
I suspect there’s more behind this decision. He’s 32 – so unlikely to feature at another world cup – plus considering how England demolished the 2nd ranked team in the world in the 6 Nations, you’d have to rank them as amongst pre-tournament favourites. Loss for England – gain for us.
@Juniper: Hon De pool
I don’t know the exact details here but something doesn’t add up. The England camp would always allow for somebody’s personal circumstances like birth of a child. Either there is complications (hopefully not and all the best) or he’s had a falling out with somebody which is prob quite likely given his personality/past.
@Andy Dwyer: Quick question when you say it’s likely he’s had a falling out with someone given his personality/past I’m guessing you know the guy personally and aren’t just basing that on what you see on tv. Because by all accounts he’s a lovely fella off the field. He should be commended for supporting his wife rather than have people jump to conclusions.
@Eddie Hekenui: Ashton said on a podcast recently enough that Eddie Jones wasn’t in contact with him and that he got the impression he was being dropped. This may not have anything to do with him withdrawing from the squad but it’s interesting to note
@Sam Ahern: Fair play to him but I’d say he’s got the impression from Eddie that he’s only making up the numbers being involved in the extended squad.
Or maybe he’s pulling out of camp to look after his pregnant wife like he says he is.
@Eddie Hekenui: I don’t mean to questions his motives, he seems to be really decent guy and to withdraw from the camp for his wife even if he was just making the numbers says a lot about his character
He’s a great player and I’m gutted he won’t be there.
A real family man and you have to admire his stance.
When he came back from France it was all over the place he came back to play in the World Cup:: his wife getting pregnant is something you plan for normally. We all knew when the pre WC sessions were going to start and no doubt he knew ::
My opinion was that he felt he was only in for the numbers and he would much more want to be with his family, then taking that chance.
But this is a Rugby Page so we make some crazy interpations and this is only IMO
so don’t give out to me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!