It was “damaging” for the GAA that Cork’s victory over Limerick in the Munster Championship at the weekend was not broadcast on live television.

That’s according to former Cork hurler Diarmuid O’Sullivan who told The Hard Shoulder today that what he found “most disappointing” was that RTÉ opted to show a documentary on Hitler instead.

Taoiseach Simon Harris, who attended Saturday’s match in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, said the GAA “got it wrong” by having the match behind a paywall on GAAGO and not free to air on TV.

Mr O’Sullivan said “thousands were denied the opportunity to see a Titanic battle” between the two intercounty teams.

“It’s quite damaging that thousands of people were denied the opportunity to see the feat that was in front of us last Saturday – it was incredible,” he said.

Flexibility

The three-time All-Ireland winner said the GAAGO’s annual subscription fee of €79 is “incredible value."

Still, he appealed for the GAA to be more flexible when allocating matches for TV broadcasting.

“It’s the scheduling of the live games that are being shown is what’s damaging for me, I don’t think they’re flexible enough when scheduling,” he said.

“I get it’s not easy but the games of more importance with more at stake should be prioritised on any given weekend.

“You can’t do scheduling six weeks in advance and expect them to be the more important games of the week – and that goes for football too.”

Former Cork goalkeeper Donal Og Cusack (left) and Diarmuid O'Sullivan celebrate a victory over Clare in 2005. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr O’Sullivan said RTÉ made the wrong decision on Saturday.

“On Saturday night I think a documentary on Hitler wasn’t the exact way to go,” he said.

“What was most disappointing is that’s what was on show.”

'We need to iron this out'

Former GAA president Liam O’Neill said it is an issue that needs to be looked at.

“I did say last year we need to iron this out,” he said.

“We’re here a year later after finding ourselves in this sort of scheduling argument and, unfortunately, not a lot has been done in the 12 months to make sure this wouldn’t happen.”

Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Image: aphperspective / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr O’Neill said scheduling is difficult and that “nobody expected” Cork to beat the reigning All Ireland champions over the weekend.

“Looking at it in hindsight, 48 hours later, it would have been great for that to have been on television,” he said.

“I think we’ve got the balance right but on occasion, the odd one catches us out and this one caught the decision-makers out.

“We have to accept that, take it on the chin that we don’t make all calls correctly, but there is an ongoing issue that needs to be solved by cool heads and asking, ‘Can we be more flexible?’”

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Main image: Cork in action against Limerick in 2023. Image: David Ribeiro / Alamy Stock Photo