Munster SHC semi-finals a turn-off for RTÉ

RTÉ released their championship schedule on Sunday and the most noticeable absentees from their coverage are the Munster senior hurling semi-finals.

In what is threatening to bethe most open staging of thecompetition, why would they do such a thing? After all, bar thesacrifice of the odd Munstersemi-final to TV3, it’s beenthe lifeblood of their earlychampionship coverage.

But this wouldn’t be the first bizarre GAA decision taken byMontrose officials. Last year, they chose the clash of Dublin and Laois over the more attractive Donegal-Kerry as their first quarter-final option.

It meant they didn’t have an August Sunday without a live TV game since at least the turn of the century.

Having first pick on mostprovincial games, the national broadcaster clearly recognises there is the potential for more exciting contests in the football provinces.

But televising just three provincial hurling games (two in Leinster, one in Munster) before the Munster and Leinster finals seems scant.