Pat Spillane The Latest GAA Figure To Question RTÉ’s Euro 2024 Coverage | Balls.ie

The coverage received by the GAA seems to be a topic of conversation each summer.

Each season is greeted with some sort of controversy around the fixture list or the broadcasting of games. The use of GAAGO has been the main lightning rod in this regard over the last couple of years, with some feeling that too many high profile games are being shown on the streaming service.

The condensed inter-county calendar certainly makes it more difficult to fit games into the RTÉ broadcasting schedule, especially during summer’s when other major sporting events are taking place.

READ HERE: Louth’s Flying Wing Back Acclaimed After Another Barnstorming Display

GAA: Pat Spillane questions RTÉ’s Euro 2024 coverage

Kilkenny legend Eddie Brennan recently questioned the priority Euro 2024 was being given on the RTÉ broadcast schedule, wondering why GAA fixtures were being overlooked for a tournament that Ireland were not even featuring in.

Pat Spillane has now made a similar point.

Writing in the Sunday World, he said quick to complain the soccer and rugby coverage on RTÉ over the weekend.

The Saturday Game on RTÉ is a great idea. Last Saturday, it was shown from 10.50pm until midnight. Only the diehards would stay up that late to watch it.

Why? We had one hour of analysis after the inconsequential Italy v Albania Euro 2024 match. That’s why…

The two All-Ireland hurling quarter-finals were played early yesterday afternoon. This was originally down to the fact RTÉ was contracted to show the URC final.

In the event, the URC final featuring the Bulls and Glasgow was shown on the RTÉ News channel, but the hurling was still sidetracked because Euro 2024 got the prime-time evening slots.

Promotion of Gaelic games my arse.

Euro 2024 was always going to be given a prominent place on RTÉ schedule, with major soccer tournaments consistently among its biggest draw of viewership in years when such events take place.

While promoting the GAA is important, it must be accepted that there is also an appetite for other sports among the Irish public. That is an aspect of this conversation that is often overlooked by some.

SEE ALSO: Down Player ‘Spends Night In Hospital’ As New Angle Emerges Of ‘Definite’ Red Card