Duffy are we showing too many matches live

Paul Fitzpatrick

GAA chief Paraic Duffy has suggested that a debate needs to take place over whether the association are showing too many games on live television.

Speaking at Congress in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan last night, Monaghan native Duffy defended the contentious Sky Sports move but stated that the debate needs to move on.

“In many ways we’re debating the wrong issue,” said the Director-General.

“The small number of games Sky has got in the overall picture isn’t that important. I think it has been good for the GAA, we have a very balanced programme between terrestrial and subscription TV.

“We will show 100 live games again in 2015 and maybe we need to ask ourselves, is that the way that we want to go? Do we want to show as many games on TV as we do?

“Our championship attendances are less than they were 10 years ago, significantly less… You have to ask the question, does the fact that we broadcast so many live championship games, and league games for that matter, impact on our attendances?

“What about the impact it has on our club games? The day of playing club games on a Sunday afternoon during summer is virtually gone. We show two live games every Sunday afternoon during the summer. Is that what’s best for the association? I’m just posing these questions.

“The experience is that as television gets better and better, as technology improves, the idea of sitting at home and watching a game gets more and more attractive. That’s part of what’s happened to us. The production has improved immensely.

“I think they are legitimate questions to ask, and other organisations are doing the same thing, looking at the impact of better and better coverage on their attendances.

“We want people to come more than anything else. Of course we must have TV coverage but we must look at the balance. Is the balance correct between the number of games shown on TV and attracting people to our games?

“We need TV, absolutely, but we need the right amount in the right space.”

Meanwhile, Drumgoon's Aogán Ó Fearghail is set to be inaugurated as GAA President at approximately 3.30pm today.