Expansion of GAA coverage abroad is good for our games – O’Mahony

Fine Gael TD for Mayo and former All Ireland winning manager, John O’Mahony, has today (Tuesday) responded to the GAA’s announcement regarding its TV and radio broadcasting rights from 2014-2017, welcoming the expansion of our national game abroad, but expressing caution that the big matches should remain free to air here at home.

“I genuinely welcome the expansion of Gaelic Games worldwide, facilitated in part by the GAA’s TV and radio broadcasting rights from 2014 to 2017. For example in Australia, Channel 7 will have free to air online streaming of 45 championship matches next year. It is fantastic to see that the millions of Irish diaspora across the globe can continue to take an interest in their national game, despite being far from home.

“It is good to hear that 31 matches will be shown on RTE next year, however it is concerning that for the first time ever, some qualifier and provincial games will not be free-to-air. The change from 2013 amounts to nine less championship games available free to air.

“The GAA forms the very fabric of our communities here in Ireland and it is really important that access to Gaelic Games is maintained for all.

“At the very least it is crucial that the provincial finals, all Ireland semi-finals and all Ireland finals continue to be free to air in order to ensure equal access to our national sport across the entire community.”