McNulty seeks clarity on broadcasting of GAA games

SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh Justin McNulty has called on the GAA, RTÉ and BBC Northern Ireland to clarify what games, including where Ulster Clubs and Counties are competing, are to be broadcast during 2019.

McNulty was speaking as RTÉ announced it would be expanding its coverage of games to include National League and Club Championship games in the coming season.

Speaking to Newry Times, McNulty said, “Today’s announcement by RTÉ is very welcome especially given I met with Tom Ryan, Director General of the GAA as well as RTÉ and BBC during 2018 on this very issue.

“This demonstrates the growing appetite for the GAA games coverage across this island and that demand includes the National League and Club Championship games.

“I am on record as having criticised the lack of live coverage of Gaelic Games including Ulster Counties, especially on BBC Northern Ireland.

He continued, “Whilst today’s announcement is very welcome and will see coverage during 2019 expand to nine months, it does not address the issue of coverage by BBC Northern Ireland.

“The primary relationship for coverage of games is between the GAA and RTÉ and any coverage by BBC is agreed between RTÉ and the BBC. With expanded coverage by RTE this should and must follow through to an expanded coverage of games by BBC Northern Ireland.

“I would love to see a full range of sport carried across our media channels, and BBC regularly cover Rugby and Irish League games on a Friday night both on television and radio.

The local MLA added, “Given the huge popularity of Gaelic games across the North it is only right that additional coverage extends to our Gaelic games as well.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Jan 18 2019. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry