Television coverage for Senior Championship confirmed

GAA reports by Francis Mooney

THE Ulster Senior Football Championship is set to begin on April 7 next year, with Tyrone the last team into action on the weekend of April 20/21.

The Red Hands will face the winners of the preliminary round tie between Monaghan and Cavan at O’Neills Healy Park.

And victory in that game will set up a mouth-watering semi-final against either Mickey Harte’s Derry or Donegal.

Tyrone fans have welcomed the news that none of the team’s Ulster Championship games will be televised behind a pay-wall.

But they are likely to have to pay to watch televised coverage of All-Ireland round robin ties.

GAAGO has announced that is to stream 38 exclusive GAA Championship matches in 2024.

The platform has revealed its exclusive 2024 GAA Championship broadcast schedule, along with a new midweek show.

Fans will access 38 live and on-demand matches in broadcast quality for a special pre-Christmas pass price of just €69 up until December 31, before it moves to €79.

Within the 38-game schedule, twenty-two Sam Maguire cup, nine Liam Mac Carthy Cup and seven Tailteann Cup (‘Game of the Week’) matches will be streamed.

The announcement comes after a successful inaugural season operating in the Irish market when a range of live matches that would not ordinarily have been shown to viewers were aired and analysed by a stellar line-up of former players.

The platform introduced a fresh player-led analysis to its content offering this season and its unique ‘access all areas’ presentation style will return in 2024.

Individual pay-per-game matches will be available for €12, a ‘three-for-two’ bundle deal will cost €24 and GAA members will receive 10 per cent off any full price (€79) subscription.

GAA clubs will be able to avail of a group pass for €150 and care-giving locations will again watch for free using complimentary login codes.

Live coverage from all six provincial championships as well as extensive All-Ireland series football championship action will be brought to viewers in Ireland and around the world for 19 match days across 13 weekends.

Exclusive coverage begins on April 6/7 in Ruislip and Gaelic Park as Galway and Mayo travel to play London and New York respectively

Defending hurling and football champions Limerick and Dublin will feature across the match schedule, as will four provincial football semi-finals including Kerry’s tie against either Cork or Limerick on April 20.

Cork’s Munster hurling championship round three clash against Limerick is also included in the line-up.

The platform will carry nine Munster and Leinster hurling round robin matches, all four All-Ireland series football preliminary quarterfinals and two All-Ireland series football quarterfinals.

Like 2023, GAAGO coverage will include full outside broadcast treatment for nearly 30 games with live presentation, panel analysis and multi-camera setup.

In addition to the full match production, in-game digital highlights will be distributed to fans across GAAGO’s social media channels for the first time and a new midweek show will also provide more insight and debate during the Championship (more details to follow).

Multiple access points will play a key role in the service’s 2024 distribution strategy with virtually all internet-enabled devices being supported by GAAGO.ie and iOS or Android apps enabling casting to a TV screen.

Fans may also enjoy accessing GAAGO directly on TVs via Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, ROKU or connected Samsung and LG smart TV’s.

Speaking at a GAAGO match schedule launch event, GAA president Larry McCarthy said: “We are delighted to confirm the 2024 schedule for GAAGO and some enhancements to the offering including the addition of Richie Hogan to an already stellar line up of analysts and the very welcome addition of a new midweek GAA programme to complement the weekend coverage.

“We have worked hard to strike the balance between those games which will be shown by our broadcast partners RTÉ and BBC and those which will be shown on GAAGO.

“It's worth re-stating, if these games were not broadcast by GAAGO, they would not be available to view anywhere.

“GAAGO strives to make access as easy as possible and will once again work with care facilities and our clubs through the offer of special packages.

2024 Ulster SFC dates

Sunday, April 7: Monaghan v Cavan

Saturday, April 13: Down v Antrim

Sunday, April 14: Fermanagh v Armagh

April 20/21: Derry v Donegal, Tyrone v Monaghan/Cavan

April 27/28: Semi-finals

May 12: Final