Gaelic Games

Taoiseach supports call for Jarlath Burns to come before Seanad about GAAGo

Senator Tim Lombard said GAA president should hear concerns about hurling games

Cork against Limerick will be on GAAGo this weekend. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho
Cork against Limerick will be on GAAGo this weekend. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho
Olivia Kelleher
Fri May 10 2024 - 18:53

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said that he fully supports the call by Senator Tim Lombard that GAA president Jarlath Burns come before the Seanad to hear of concerns about the number of hurling games being shown on GAAGo.

The Munster SHC game between Cork and Limerick at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night is to be shown on the pay-per-view service.

This is the second weekend in a row where no Munster or Leinster hurling championship game will be shown on terrestrial television.

Speaking during a visit to Corrin Mart in Fermoy, Co Cork, Harris described the GAA as an “incredible organisation”. However, he warned that they need to listen to the “grassroots” when it comes to the issue of paywalls for big matches.

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“It has always been a grassroots organisation. And I think the grassroots are really angry, disappointed and frustrated that matches that the kids want to watch, and the family want to watch, are put behind a paywall.

“The GAA really need to listen to this. They need to listen to their grassroots. That has always been their strength from the bottom up and I think they have got this wrong and I think they need to reflect.

“My colleague, Senator Tim Lombard, who is here with me, has asked that the GAA would come in to the Oireachtas and I think that is entirely appropriate. And that they tease through and discuss this issue.”