Duffy: Sky deal benefits emigrants

GAA director general Páraic Duffy says the world has changed completely since 2010 when the organisation told the government selling their media rights to a “foreign channel” was out of the question.

At yesterday’s Oireachtas transport and communications committee debate on the GAA’s Sky Sports deal, Duffy addressed the GAA’s statement five years ago that they would not entertain such an idea as it would be “contrary to the culture and national ethos of the association”.

He explained that the GAA had to move with the times in light of the number of Irish people who have emigrated because of the downturn in the economy.

“In 2010 we said ‘yes, we would always keep all our games terrestrial’, but we could not deal with things this time around as we did in 2010 because Ireland is different.

“There are far more people abroad than ever before. The GAA family abroad is bigger than ever before. We could not ignore those people. This is why we chose to do it in the way that we did it.

“I think the key thing here is we’ve got a balance here between protecting the interests of our domestic audience at home and meeting the needs of the Irish abroad.

“I don’t think anything that’s been said today could seriously question that we’re not looking after both groups.

“[There will be] 100 live games at home, 45 in Australia, 20 big games on Sky Sports in Britain. Today in many ways has been about why are we in partnership with Sky Sports.

“In terms of the broadcasting of sport, Sky Sports production values are the highest of any organisation in the world. I believe they will bring a lot to our games, the presentation of our games. That’s good for everybody.

“I think Sky Sports will help brings our games to the world and to a standard that will reflect well on our association.”

Duffy revealed RTÉ had asked for 31 live championship games per annum for the next three years and had received that amount of games.

In his opening words to TDs and senators, Duffy wholly rejected the idea the GAA had courted Sky Sports for financial reasons and queried comments made about the agreement discommoding members.

“Over the years, there has been a constant increase in live TV coverage of our games. I do not believe, therefore, that the charge made against the GAA of disenfranchising its supporters is sustainable.

“There is not a single weekend from the third week in May to the start of October that live GAA championship games will not be available on free-to-air terrestrial TV.”

Meanwhile, a number of delegates at Monday’s Kerry County Board meeting believe the Sky Sports partnership is an affront to the grassroots of the association.

Kilcummin delegate Dermot Moynihan said: “I think the fact that Sky have got to screen 14 matches live and exclusive from the GAA is a disgrace.

“There was no prior discussion on it, it was decided on by Croke Park without consultation with its stakeholders — which to me are its clubs. When I hear people talking about all the good this Sky deal will bring to the GAA, in my opinion, it will bring little good.

“We are forgetting about the grassroots, the people who put out the flags, who line the pitches and keep the clubs going, without getting a single cent.

“We are now telling them that they will have to go to their local pub if they want to see some games. We spent years trying to rid the association of drinks sponsorship and what are we doing now? We are driving the young and old back into the pubs again to see our games. I think it was a poor decision and I am not happy with it.”

Ballinskelligs’ Willie Goggin voiced similar sentiments: “But back where I come from, the only sky we have is the sky over our heads.

“Old people will be badly affected and what happens if it’s Kerry and Dublin, in All-Ireland quarter-final and it’s only on Sky? Its then the fun will start.”

Central Council Delegate Eamonn O’Sullivan asked delegates to accept the decision.

“If the deal with Sky was brought up at Congress or a motion was passed and we said ‘no’, it is obvious who the real winners would be. You cannot negotiate a commercially sensitive deal in public.”