Hurling decider proves a ratings winner for RTÉ

THOUGH Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling final may have been the most one-sided in recent history, the decider proved a ratings winner for RTÉ.

Donnybrook bosses reported anaverage audience of 709,000 for the clash of Kilkenny and Waterford with the figures peaking at 840,000 at aquarter to five, making it the most watched sports programme on Irish tv this year. “We are very pleased with that figure especially as the game was so one sided,” an RTE spokesperson said last night of the 3-30 to 1-13 rout.

“Maybe people left the game during the second half and came back in towards the end to see if there had been any major change in the score. All-Ireland finals are traditionally in the top 10 most years and we expect this to be the same.”