After four match weeks and 80 match legs featuring all 20 League of Ireland clubs, players representing Bohemians, Sligo Rovers, Shamrock Rovers, Finn Harps, Drogheda United, Cork City, Dundalk and UCD have qualified from the group stages for the last eight.
The final eight will now battle it out for the eLOI title on Monday with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final all to be streamed live on the FAI Twitch account at www.twitch.tv/faireland.
The quarter finals kick off at 5pm on Monday when Bohemian FC Player Eric Finn takes on Sligo Rovers’ Kevin Connolly and Shamrock Rovers’ Tyrone Ryan competes against Sean Tuffy of Finn Harps. Dundalk’s Conran Tobin AKA Rannerz then takes on UCD’s Cormac Fitzpatrick while Cork City’s Ciaran Walsh and Drogheda’s Leigh Kierans battle it out.
Commentators Jamie Moore, Richie Sheridan and Cormac Dooley will be on hand to talk fans through all the action right the way through to the eLOI Final at 8pm. eLOI Ambassador and special guest David Meyler will also be on the broadcast to offer his thoughts and feedback on the final action.
Fans can also keep up to date with the eLOI at www.eloi.ie and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #eLOI.
Speaking at the virtual launch for Monday’s ELOI Finals night, former Ireland captain and LOI star David Meyler said: “I am delighted that the League of Ireland has embraced the eSports era with this eLOI and I am really looking forward to the action on Finals Night next Monday. I will be keeping an eye on my old club Cork City and I want to wish all the players the very best of luck. As a keen gamer, I know how much excitement there will be around this Finals night and I would encourage League of Ireland fans to tune in and support their clubs.”
The eLOI is part of the EA SPORTS FIFA 21 Global Series tournament circuit as an Official League Qualifier on the Road to the FIFAe World Cup, with the top two players qualifying into the FIFA Global Series PS4 Playoffs Play-In Stage to be held later this year.
Additionally, the eLOI champion will go on to be one of two designated representatives to play for the Republic of Ireland in the FIFAe Nations Series 2021 when they will go head-to-head against the top FIFA eSports nations in qualification later this month for the Grand Finals in the Autumn.
FAI Project Lead Robert Garrigan: “We’re proud to have launched the inaugural eLOI this year and have seen some incredible action throughout April and May. We look forward to crowning our eLOI champion on Monday, May 10, and welcoming the winner to the newly formed Republic of Ireland eSports National Squad. We also wish the two finalists the best as they then go on to compete in the EA Sports FIFA 21 Official League Qualifiers on the Road to the FIFAe World Cup.“
The FAI is delighted to have Ireland’s leading website Extra.ie as content partners for this inaugural eLOI season and Finals Night next Monday.
Adam Lacey, Sports Editor of Extra.ie said: “As media partner of the inaugural eLOI we have been delighted with the response of our audience to coverage of the tournament and we were also thrilled to see there’s such a huge following for eSports in Ireland.
“Our association with the eLOI has also helped us connect with a new audience, and all of us at Extra.ie are really looking forward to the finals on Monday and supporting the eventual winner when they represent Ireland in the EA Sports FIFA 21 Official League Qualifiers on the Road to the FIFAe World Cup.”