A Clare Senator is dismissing suggestions of electioneering from the GAA President following his response to criticism of the GAA-GO streaming service from the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
It comes as for the second year in a row, some of the most high profile fixtues in the Gaelic Games calendar have been broadcast behind a paywall.
An early contender for game of the year was missed viewing for thousands of gaelic games fans across the country over the weekend.
Its after Cork and Limerick played out their titanic Munster Championship tustle behind the paywall of streaming service GAAGO on Saturday evening.
It wasn’t the only seismic result missed by enthusiasts as arguably the greatest day in Carlow’s hurling history in drawing with Kilkenny in Leinster was again not available on terrestrial television.
A Clare based Former Senior Intercounty Referee claims the GAA is failing to fullfill its obligation to promote the national game.
Eire Óg Clubman Rory Hickey says particularly due to broadband issues in rural areas, the current system is preventing generations young and old from seeing the game.
This season GAA-GO has exclusive broadcasting rights to 38 championship games.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Taoiseach Simon Harris have been among the high-profile politicians criticising the GAA for its sheduling of fixtures this year, with the latter stating last week “The GAA have got it wrong with GAAGO”.
GAA President Jarlath Burns has defended the service though stating some games would not have a televised platform at all if not for it, before making reference to the leader’s comments coming in an election year.
It comes as GAA officials are being called on to appear before the Oireachtas to discuss the issues around the streaming service.
Clare member of the Oireachtas Communications Committee Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley believes that while the GAA President’s comments are disingenous to club volunteers, a roundtable discussion is needed to find a middle-ground for viewers.
You can listen to the full interview here:
