The national broadcaster, RTE, will screen a live eircomleague match on Easter Sunday but will not decide on which fixture until Friday.

The league season culminates on Sunday and RTE had hoped to televise a crucial league fixture but the recent debacle concerning St Patrick’s Athletic’s 15 point deduction has spoiled those plans.

Before losing the points - for playing an unregistered player in five games this season - St Pats were battling with Shelbourne in what promised to be a thrilling climax to the domestic season.

But when St Pats were docked the points on Friday night Shelbourne were crowned champions, thus removing the possibility of a championship winning game on Sunday.

The station will wait until mid-week Premier division games are played before committing to what they hope will be a meaningful game.

It is expected that the game will feature St Pats one way or the other.

Should Dundalk beat St Pats on Thursday night, the FAI Cup finalists will join Longford Town on 39 points. Longford then play host to St Pats on Easter Sunday in what could prove a crucial fixture.

Longford face relegation should they lose or draw to Pats and if Dundalk win away to Monaghan. St Pats, should they win, could still win the title if they were to be reinstated the 15 points.

As the table stands now, however, should St Pats beat Dundalk on Thursday they would be in line for a UEFA Cup spot on Sunday if they beat Longford and Shamrock Rovers not win at home to already relegated Galway United.