GAA must resolve farce of not broadcasting All Ireland championship matches – Kennelly

GAA football and hurling fans cannot be subjected to another season of not being able to watch their county teams compete in the provincial and All-Ireland championships on TV, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Mike Kennelly said the GAA and all involved in it’s promotion and broadcasting contracts must sit down together over the coming months and work out a solution for the 2027 championships.

“We cannot endure another summer of people not being watch their teams compete in the championship,” Senator Kennelly said.

“Keeping games behind a paywall or not broadcasting them at all excludes people and is causing massive concern for supporters, clubs, and volunteers right across the country.

“Every year the same issue comes up, supporters across the country can’t watch their county play unless they pay a subscription or travel to a game. But not everyone can afford these options, people want to just turn on their TV and be able to put on the match.

“This weekend, we see some matches aren’t being broadcast at all.

“Kildare V Kerry will not be shown on either RTÉ or GAA+. Fans right across Kerry will be disappointed that they won’t be able to watch the match if they can’t travel to Kildare.

“It was the same for the recent Kerry match against Donegal – no free to air TV. I know one GAA club which transported seven elderly members to their clubhouse so they could watch the game there on GAA+.

“Likewise this Saturday, Donegal against Cork won’t be televised either with the sold out match to be played in Ballybofey. A lot of Cork supporters will miss out if they can’t make the long journey to Donegal.

“There are Tailteann Cup games on this weekend and there is no option to even stream them.

“We need to see a long-term plan to address this.

“The GAA is an inclusive, volunteer-led and community-based organisation, and we need to ensure that these volunteers and members can watch their county play,” Senator Kennelly said.

“Many people have paid their GAA+ subscription for the year but now won’t even get to see their county play some of their biggest matches. That’s a farce.

“I’m not in agreement with GAA matches on subscription models but we should be looking at ways of increasing access to watch these games for the remainder of the championship if no other solution is available.

“Clubber streams club matches from right across the country. If fans can have access to their local club games online they should be able to watch all county games that are not on RTÉ or GAA+.

“We have the technology to broadcast these games, let’s use it as a short term solution for the remainder of the year. After this weekend, there is still a third round of football qualifiers to come.

“The current set up is just not good enough, we need to see a clear plan from the GAA on how they’ll ensure fans can watch all county games next year.

“I’m cognisant that contracts exist with broadcasters, but viable solutions need to be found.

“I know of several organisations, including supporter clubs, who are contacting GAA HQ over this farce. It can’t continue,” he said.