Irish League fans can enjoy landmark BBC live streaming option

Irish League fans can turn to the web to stay on top of this season’s Premiership programme thanks to a BBC Sport NI streaming deal.
Coleraine boss Oran Kearney. Pic by PressEye Ltd.Coleraine boss Oran Kearney. Pic by PressEye Ltd.
Coleraine boss Oran Kearney. Pic by PressEye Ltd.

The arrangement with the Irish FA and Northern Ireland Football League will result in BBC Sport NI providing a stream of 50 league games this season across the website and BBCiPlayer.

It marks the first time in Irish League history that games will be streamed live - starting on Friday, October 16 with Coleraine’s home clash against Ballymena United (7.45pm kick-off).

Glenavon’s first Mid-Ulster league derby with Portadown in three years will be available online on Saturday, October 17 (5.30pm kick-off).

Ballymena United manager David Jeffrey. Pic by Pacemaker.Ballymena United manager David Jeffrey. Pic by Pacemaker.
Ballymena United manager David Jeffrey. Pic by Pacemaker.

Other confirmed fixtures across October are as follows: Friday, October 23 - Crusaders v Cliftonville (7.45pm), Saturday, October 24 - Ballymena v Linfield (5.30pm), Friday, October 30 - Linfield v Crusaders (7.45pm).

BBC NI will also broadcast 12 live fixtures from the Premiership and Irish Cup plus the showpiece knockout final.

Other BBC Sport NI coverage of the Irish League includes live commentary each Saturday afternoon from 2-6pm on Sportsound and the BBC iPlayer Premiership highlights package.

However, BBC Sport NI have confirmed a decision to “pause production” of Final Score this season due to the “varied football schedule and the challenges of Covid-19”.

In other Irish League news, the Irish FA Appeals Board has dismissed the appeal by PSNI against their relegation from last season’s NIFL Championship.

A statement by PSNI FC confirmed “we believe we have strong grounds to appeal the decision” but “we are concerned by the risk of costs of taking the case to arbitration which would see our club likely to go out of business if found liable”.

The PSNI FC statement also called for an “urgent review” of the appeals system.

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