RTÉ's McBennett calls for reasonable conversation on topic of GAA coverage

Declan McBennett

RTÉ’s group head of sport Declan McBennett has called for reasonable conversation about the amount of live televised Gaelic games.

Highlighting a number of posts on X that insist there should be more live coverage of matches, McBennett took to the social media platform on Tuesday evening to highlight the impracticalities involved.

“Post Congress, it’s time for mature debate on what is wanted/needed with regard to GAA coverage,” he wrote. “Priority to attendance or tv? How many games given there are more than ever – what level of games and what level of coverage. Simply shouting for the game ‘I want to see’, isn’t enough.” 

At present, RTÉ’s National League rights comprise Saturday live games and the Sunday night highlights programme. 

This hurling-only weekend, they will be showing the Galway-Kilkenny Division 1A game on Saturday as TG4 televise the Limerick-Cork clash later in the evening. 

The following day, TG4 carry the meetings of Waterford v Tipperary and Clare v Wexford the following day.

Meanwhile, Jack O’Connor has been confirmed as Wexford captain for this season. O’Connor takes over from Lee Chin.

Damien Reck will continue to lead the county into the county’s final two Division 1B rounds against Clare and Kildare later this month. O’Connor is currently recovering from a knee injury but is expected to be fit for the start of next month’s Leinster SHC.

Elsewhere, Antrim veteran footballer Paddy McBride revealed a lack of enjoyment was the reason why he recently stepped away from the panel.

"I'm not saying that I'm finished, because there is a chance I'll go back," the 32-year-old told BBC Gaeilge’s sports show “Ón Taobhlíne”. 

“There's a chance I'll go back next season but just, the environment wasn't right for me to stay, and I wasn't enjoying it."