Sky Sports deal means Limerick-Clare clash will not be free to air

Three years into their overage of the GAA AND Sky Sports have secured their biggest coup by a distance. Yesterday it was announced that they will exclusively broadcast the Munster Championship clash between Clare and Limerick live on June 4.

Although Sky Sports have shown their fair share of games over the past number of years, they had yet to show a Munster Championship hurling game which is considered the pinnacle of the GAA. Last year SS did show Clare against Limerick exclusively but this was in the Qualifiers.

Highlights of last year’s RTE coverage can be seen below as Clare cruised to a 4 point win.

The subject of Sky Sports accessing rights to show the GAA has garnered its fair share of critics over the year. Many argue that it takes away from the beauty of the GAA, taking it away from Irish broadcasters RTE and TG4. However, it must be admitted that it does provide people overseas the opportunity to witness the sport.

When it was announced that SS would gain exclusive rights to show this game there were mixed reactions. Twitter user Mike Rea called it farcical, saying “so my elderly mother denied access to watching limerick again”. This reaction was echoed across social media as this game would usually be shown on Free-to-Air television.

However, a Limerick hurling match in the Munster Championship is something that must be experienced first-hand to fully appreciate. Although not all can attend, those able should take the opportunity to cheer on the Limerick men in Thurles on the first Sunday of June!