Leinster's Isa Nacewa: costs money

Last weekend's big rugby match between Limerick and Donnybrook was accompanied by complaints that it could only be seen live on Sky Sports. One newspaper reader complained about a "national sporting event in our national stadium" being shown live on a foreign subscription broadcaster. The government should intervene on RTÉ's behalf, he implied.

Three things about all that: firstly, the game wasn't a national sporting event; it was a European semi-final between two Irish teams with limited support outside their home bases. Secondly, Croke Park isn't our national stadium; it's a sporting ground hired out by its owners for enormous sums of money. Thirdly, the government should have no right to interfere in broadcasting contracts signed by two independent organisations, in this case Sky TV and the rugby authorities. Rugby, like soccer, needs Sky's money, which is paid for exclusive rights. Take those away, and Leinster and Munster would suddenly have a lot less money to keep their top players.