Over one million tuned in for RTÉ's hurling final coverage

The average audience was up 200,000 on the 2023 final. 

RTE’s Joanne Cantwell, who presented RTÉ's live coverage of the All-Ireland hurling final between Cork an Clare. Picture: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Over one million viewers tuned in to RTÉ's television coverage of Clare's victory over Cork in Sunday's epic All-Ireland hurling final.

The RTÉ broadcast had an average viewership of 1.037m while a further 9,000 were watching on RTÉ2+1.

The RTÉ2 audience represented a 77% share of those watching television at the time. As the game reached its dramatic extra-time climax, those watching peaked at 1.237m. 

2023's game between Limerick and Kilkenny had an average audience of 830,000 which at the time was the highest viewership for a hurling final since the 2019 decider between Tipperary and the Cats. 

The Sunday Game highlights show, which also served as a review of the hurling year, had an average audience of 255,000, a 28% share of those watching TV. 

"It is fitting given the epic nature of yesterday’s clash that it attracted such a huge audience to witness the skill and commitment on display from both sides," said RTÉ head of sport Declan McBennett.

"The game will live long in the memory of those who witnessed or listened to it, with Tony Kelly’s goal taking its place in the annals of memorable Croke Park moments."