BASKETBALL/Previews: Like the Hollywood cliché the Irish Basketball Association (IBA) can always use publicity - good or bad. Yet this week's announcement of the reduced television coverage of the National Cup finals is set to deprive some clubs of publicity previously assumed to be substantial, writes Ian O'Riordan.
The cup final weekend, set this year for January 25th-27th, has become the main showpiece for Irish basketball clubs in recent years. For over a decade RTÉ have broadcast the event live, but this year they won't be covering the men's semi-finals - which take place on the Friday and Saturday evenings.
For the four clubs involved the decision brought obvious disappointment. To get this far has required a major effort, and part of the pay-off was increased publicity - and with that sponsorship - as a direct result of the TV exposure. Now they'll have to make it to the final on the Sunday afternoon to get in front of the cameras.
This year, Limerick are set to play Star of the Sea on the Friday, while Tralee meet Waterford on the Saturday. All four clubs expressed their surprise and disappointment at the loss of TV coverage, and the timing and manner in which the IBA handled it.
Yet Debbie Massey, the very able chief executive of the IBA, wasn't making any excuses. RTÉ could not justify giving the prime-time slots on weekend nights to basketball based on the viewing figures of last year, but she was satisfied that the publicity would not necessarily be lost.
A package has been worked out with RTÉ and the other networks that will ensure the weekend coverage is still substantial. On the Saturday night Premiership slot there will be highlights of the European Cup game between Ireland and Bosnia. Sunday's men's final still goes out live, and the woman's final will be shown as highlights on the Monday.
TV3 are set to carry daily reports, and the TG4 basketball programme on the Tuesday night will also have cup coverage. That, says, Massey, will ensure basketball will not lose out and "everyone will be well aware that it is the basketball's weekend".
Of course that won't be any great consolation to the four clubs that travel to Dublin to contest the men's semi-finals. Much of the anticipation has already been lost simply because they feel deprived of their right to TV exposure.
As so many other sports have discovered, however, there is no such thing as guaranteed coverage in the current world of television. Though the IBA are confident they can survive the loss and still get the exposure elsewhere, it has become increasingly difficult for minority sports to hold onto their spot on Irish television - and almost impossible to get it back once it's been lost.
FIXTURES
Men's Superleague: Tomorrow - UCD Marian v Killarney Lakers, Tralee SC, 7.45; Sligo v Demons, Sligo SC, 7.30; Killester v Limerick, IWA, 8.0; Neptune v Tolka Rovers, Neptune Stadium, 8.0; Sunday - Notre Dame v Star of the Sea, NBA, 3.0; St Vincent's v Waterford, 3.30; Killarney v Tyrone, NEC, 3.0;
Women's League: Tomorrow - Meteors v Tolka Rovers, Naomh Olaf's. 6.45; University of Limerick, UL, 7.0; Wildcats v Glanmire, Mercy Convent, 7.0.
