GAA considers setting up television channel

GAA President Christy Cooney admits his association are considering the creation of its own television channel.

“It is something we have looked at and will continue to look at,” said Cooney

But he added: “There are so many issues around it, about where we will go with it and what we will do.

“And the whole economic scene is in a different place to where it was three of four years ago.

“But that is not to say we would discount it.”

On the thorny issue of pay per view, Cooney was adamant that he wants: “as many of our games going out to our public free to air as possible”.

“I have never been keen to expand pay per view within the Association. I am very conscious of that.”

He added: “I would never want to deprive any family of being in a position to watch All-Ireland finals or Munster hurling finals or any finals.

Our game is uniquely Irish. It is built on our parish, our community, on our club. I never want to put us in a position where our young kids don’t have opportunities to watch our games,” he told the Irish Mail on Sunday.

“Our position is very clear. 99% of our games are on free to air television. That has been very positive for us.”