Host of 2024 Munster SHC games to be broadcast on GAAGO despite calls for change 

MIC'D UP: GAAGO at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in 2023. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

A number of Munster senior hurling games will be broadcasted on GAAGO next year despite calls from politicians including Tanaiste Micheál Martin for them to be provided free-to-air.

As the provinces finalise their championship schedules for 2024, RTÉ are again expected to show all four provincial football finals meaning prominent hurling games on those weekends could be shown on GAAGO.

Currently, Waterford and Tipperary’s Round 3 match in Walsh Park is due to be played on May 4/5, which is the same weekend as the Connacht decider and possibly the conclusion of the Munster SFC.

If, like last year, the Leinster and Ulster SFC finals are played the following weekend in May, the Cork-Limerick game scheduled for Páirc Uí Chaoimh on May 11 or 12 may also be streamed on GAAGO.

The pinch point could be April 20/21 when Clare v Limerick and Waterford v Cork mark the start of the Munster SHC. That same weekend, a Mayo-Roscommon Connacht SFC semi-final is on the cards and possibly a Kerry-Cork last four SFC game in Munster. 

The pick of the Ulster quarter-finals – Derry v Donegal and Tyrone v Cavan or Monaghan – could also be organised for April 20/21, although BBC may broadcast one if not both of them.

In 2023, five of 11 Munster’s SHC fixtures were shown on GAAGO with the other six including the final televised by RTÉ. Leinster are expected to finalise their senior hurling championship fixtures next week.

The GAA’s commercial deal with RTÉ came in for strong criticism following the decision to stream the provincial championship’s Limerick-Clare Round 2 game on the subscription platform, which was a repeat of the previous year’s Munster SHC final.

GAAGO later explained that the game was due to be shown on RTÉ Sunday, April 30 before it was requested it be put back a day due to the staging of The Great Limerick Run. GAA director general Tom Ryan has explained that “if a game is on a Saturday, it will more than likely be on GAAGO. If it is on a Sunday, it is at RTÉ's discretion.” 

GAAGO are also expected to make little if any changes to the price points for the service in 2024. Speaking in front of the Oireachtas Committee on Sport, Ryan committed to reviewing the pricing, which for 2023 stood at €79 for a season pass (€59 early bird) and €12 per game.

However, production values and costs mean those subscription fees are likely to be retained. 

Last weekend, Monaghan charged €15 to watch their Scotstown-Inniskeen Grattans SFC final, while access to Tyrone TV’s stream of the Errigal Ciarán-Trillick SFC showdown this Sunday costs £16.

Meanwhile, Munster postponed a vote on rotating the venues for their SHC finals. The decision was supposed to be made at last Thursday’s competitions control committee meeting but was called off due to a Clare representative not being available.

Clare are opposed to the venue being shared by Cork, Limerick and Thurles. The proposal comes in the wake of Clare agreeing to face Limerick in TUS Gaelic Grounds in last June’s Munster SHC final just as it appeared the game was going to be fixed for Páirc Uí Chaoimh.