Fine Gael Senator Accuses the GAA of “Locking People Out” of Watching their Teams Play - 16/06/2026

A Fine Gael Senator has accused the GAA of “locking the people out” of watching key championship matches, amid ongoing concerns about television coverage of Gaelic games.Senator Mike Kennelly says too few matches are being made available on free-to-air television, arguing that the current broadcasting arrangements are restricting access for ordinary fans across the country. He claims that of eight championship games scheduled this weekend, five will be shown on RTÉ or GAA+, while three significant fixtures will not be broadcast on either platform.He says the growing popularity of Gaelic football and hurling should be matched by greater access for supporters who want to watch games from home, warning that current decisions risk taking Ireland’s national sports “out of the homes of the ordinary people”.Senator Kennelly joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss his concerns and what changes he believes are needed to improve coverage of Gaelic games. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.