TV figures boost for Interprovincial series

THE under-fire M Donnelly Interprovincial Championships received a boost yesterday withconfirmation that over 200,000 people watchedSaturday night’s double header on RTÉ Two.

Though only 10,127 paid through the turnstiles at Croke Park to watch Ulster and Munster take thefootball and hurling titles, GAA chiefs are certain to be thrilled with a television audience which peaked at 245,000.

The competition has struggled to ignite the public interest but such viewership will be a welcome shot in the arm for Croke Park bosses keen to keep the once great competition alive.

RTÉ Head of Sport Glen Killane said: “We arereally, really delighted with the figures. It just goes to show how we can contribute to the growth of the less high-profile GAA events.”

And he admitted that RTÉ would be interested in covering future events: “We would be supportive of any new initiatives the GAA would have regarding the Interprovincial concept.”