10 November 2019 Sunday Independent ∼ | SPORT | 5

The Gael in exile has The current GAA media rights package will expire in never had it so good as May 2022 game reaches into all corners of the world

DERMOT CROWE

HAT would Bill Doonan have made of all this, one might wonder, were he around to see how accessible the GAA world has become? The Wformer Cavan footballer gets honourable mention in Breandán Ó hEithir’s classic account of GAA life, Over The Bar, for his heroic efforts in trying to tune into the 1943 All- SFC final between his native and Roscommon. Bill’s endeavours, for Ó hEithir, captured what the GAA was all about. While serving with the British Army in Italy during the Second World War as a radio operator, he went missing one day and was later found up a tree listening to commentary from the final having managed to connect to the wireless broadcast. Wind the clock forward 30 years to 1973. Limerick hurlers are in the All-Ireland final, seeking a first win since 1940. The world has become appreciably smaller, with the onset of live television, but if you are abroad the challenge of seeing an All-Ireland final remains formidable. On the west coast of America a group of Limerick people gather in a local Irish bar to view the game against Kilkenny. To their horror, the transmission fails. Necessity being the mother of in- Global reach continues to vention, one of them decides to phone a bar in Clontarf and asks to have the receiver placed near a television so they may listen to the commentary. Tim Kinsella, owner of the Pebble Beach Bar, was pulling a pint when the phone rang. “The phone was tuned into the final for the full 80 minutes and every time expand via live streaming Limerick scored I could hear screaming and cheering on the other side of the line,” explained Kinsella. The call cost over £90 — or around €1,100 in today’s valuation — but the Limerick followers While their county final was a set- “In five years the sports broadcast cording to Dowd, if the GAA is creative Donegal and you can’t compete with it. with the GAA’s national broadcasting stranded on the west coast of America back, there were contrasting emotions landscape is supposed to grow from 50 in pursuing possible streams. It has We would be in breach of the contract partners isn’t ideal. “Deferred coverage considered it a necessary investment. around the intermediate final won by billion to 60 billion,” says Quinn, “that the scope to grow an enthusiastic and by doing it. We have done it for some of is just not the same for people, it’s really Now the Gael in exile has never had Galbally which they also streamed on is being driven by OTT players.” committed audience where the distance our small games but for county finals the live thing that people want,” says Ó it so good. The latest welcome develop- a separate day. O’Connell was shown OTT (over the top) is a streaming factor is removed. you’d have to defer it.” Méalóid. ment is the growth in live streaming of a picture of four followers celebrating service offered directly to viewers over He cites last year’s Mayo senior Colm Ó Méalóid, a Meath county At the moment such clashes aren’t a club matches which has been pioneered the win in Sydney, watching the win- the internet which is usually accessed football final when Ballintubber’s Joe hurler who is part of a company called major difficulty but if streaming were by a number of counties. ning point being kicked on a big screen on computers, through apps on mobile Geraghty scored the winning point. Sportego, has been involved in the pro- to continue to grow, in line with all the Since 2014 the GAA has been provid- courtesy of Tyrone GAA TV. devices like smartphones or tablets, or Geraghty’s brother, based in in Australia, ject. “Not that it was a new idea or any- international trends, then the current ing a live match streaming subscription “It epitomised to me what it meant, televisions with integrated smart TV got up to watch the match on Mayo TV thing, it had been done before, the live broadcast partners televising local games service through its GAAGO platform four young lads out there who are trying platforms. “TV is still big,” adds Quinn, along with some of his friends. streaming, but what we proposed was to may kick up more of a fuss. The current which gives it wide global reach. to make a living, yet still their heart and “and where people mainly tune into in “He recounted it to the local press, do it through a mobile app. We launched GAA media rights package will expire in “We are into year six now and it’s soul was in their parish, in their com- Ireland. Streaming is growing but it is what it meant to him to be able to watch it about two years ago . . . towards the May 2022. It will be interesting to see if been the biggest year yet,” says Senior munity,” says McConnell proudly. “And still 10-15 per cent of the overall market.” his brother playing in that particular end of the championship, last year we compromises can be found to allow the Marketing and GAA Rights Manager, Dowd Media has been involved in match,” says Dowd. “The Irish diaspora different platforms share the field cordially. Noel Quinn (inset). “We do have stories providing a streaming service for Mayo is absolutely huge; that is just the first “In fairness to Noel (Quinn) he is of people watching a Munster The locations GAA for the last three years and has generation. The locations where they Fundamentals of quite understanding,” says Ó Méalóid. final from the foot of Mount Fuji.” earned a reputation for quality produc- watch from are incredible, Ethiopia for “Obviously he has to protect his con- But seeing more of the parish team, tions and being able to access less well example; you can see from the comments tracts which he has negotiated. TG4 and as opposed to the county, is a new where they equipped venues through its mobile unit. that crop up during matches.” longing haven’t eir Sport and RTÉ are clients of the GAA exciting step for GAA mankind. It has The company is based in Westport and The Bill Doonan of today might be and they give away more money than not all been sweetness and light. This owned by Brendan Dowd, whose father watching on from Vancouver, from the what streaming brings in. I understand year’s Tyrone county football final drew watch from is a Mayo man who emigrated to Bir- comfort of a sofa rather than up a tree. changed since the situation. But there is probably room subscribers from across five continents, mingham and became deeply involved Or he might be viewing from a boat for more games to be streamed.” 144 countries and 354 cities around the in the GAA there. The service in Mayo is on the Thames, or from West Virginia. Quinn says that county board execu- world. But on the day the technology are incredible sometimes free-to-air but mostly a small The live comments with each broadcast Doonan’s time tive officers are “smart enough” to appre- failed and the match wasn’t broadcast fee of €5 applies per match. helps create a more tight-knit feel and ciate that national television coverage much to the chagrin of many who had to see those four boys, the elation they Dowd says he wrote to all the counties a sense of home. The fundamentals of had a full year at it, we did games on a of local matches has numerous benefits paid £8 to see it. The money hit of course felt, as they jumped off their feet when offering their services. As a result Clare that longing haven’t changed since Bill per-game basis. So you would pay a fiver and is a valued source of financial sup- was less of a concern than not seeing the the ball went over the bar — watching came on board this year and streamed Doonan’s time, even if the technology and you could watch the game on your port. He suggests streaming platforms game but it offered a reminder that the it on a 54-inch screen and the winning all matches in the senior football and has moved into a different orbit. mobile through the app device. What we can be a support mechanism for other practice is still feeling its way. point scored in the 62nd minute.” hurling championships from the quar- Armagh were one of the front run- decided then, myself and Seamus Kenny grades, such as intermediate or junior. Undeterred, the county PRO, Eugene Noel Quinn, looking on these events ter-final stages for free, with followers ners, joined now by Tyrone, but stream- (Meath GAA operations manager), was “There was barely any streaming McConnell, says it has been a huge through a wider lens, says the GAA is able to watch the action on YouTube. ing of club matches by county boards is to move towards a yearly subscription. five years ago, ten years ago there was success, championing the arrival of generally enthusiastic about anything Dowd has also spoken to people in still a relatively new concept. Mayo lead So we launched a €39 subscription for nothing, so we are all still learning,” he Tyrone TV and live streaming. “When that promotes its games and helps ex- Tipperary, Roscommon and . the way in , although Sligo dab- the year and that gives you access to says. “Streaming is just a fact of life now. I became county PRO two years ago it pose the product to a wider audience. Longford asked if they could do their bled in it a couple of years ago. Dublin all games and all live streams and past “Sometimes games have been re- was my ambition to bring on live But it needs monitoring. county final but the notice was too short. has been providing free streams of its games.” scheduled but it is usually by mutual streaming,” says McConnell. “It “There is a presentation and pro- “We wanted to demonstrate it could matches that are extremely popular and At one point in the county hurling consent and RTÉ and TG4 go direct probably happened a little bit duction quality concern that I would be done and to say there is potential in well produced for a few years. Wexford final one of the players had a brother to counties and they have a brilliant quicker than I anticipated.” have, no doubt about that. I would this, you can connect to your audience is up and running, as is Meath. watching from Indonesia and a sister relationship, they build the rapport They started by showing five always be mindful of the GAA being around the world,” says Dowd. “Clubs are “We are not making money off it, viewing from Miami. “People would with the officers. They work with them. games last year and almost dou- presented in the best possible light. collecting money and knocking on the not that that was our overall goal,” says email in and tell me where they are Thankfully there’s a plethora of club bled the output this season. At- Some are better at that than others.” same doors. Why not look outside the Meath PRO Ciarán Flynn. “The only watching from and I would say hello to games, you are spoilt for choice. tendances aren’t affected when the Streaming is still a minor- parish, why not look outside the county, thing is that the licensing rights are af- them,” says Ó Méalóid, who also does “Overall it’s a positive for me. I majority of their subscribers ity player behind the why not look outside the country? And fecting us. We could be told if TG4 have match commentaries. “They love that, think there is the misnomer there that are abroad. “The die-hard traditional broadcast that is really what we are saying.” a club game on we can’t have one on at that personal touch I suppose.” streaming is causing chaos with national club supporters will still platforms but it is grow- The commercial potential is there the same time. You could have a hurling Having to delay a match due to broadcasting partners and it’s not really. go to the matches,” he says. ing. as well as the promotional benefits, ac- game in east Cork or a football match in pre-existing contract arrangements Not yet anyway . . . ring me next year!”

TODAY’S GAA CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEWS SEÁN McGOLDRICK

LEINSTER CLUB SFC QUARTER-FINALS Eire Óg (Carlow) v Sarsfields (Kildare) in the drawn Galway final, the defending row. Former Brighton soccer player Dessie sparkling form for the East Kerry divisional Beaten All-Ireland finalists in 2016 and Newtown Blues (Louth) v Ballyboden St Netwatch Cullen Park, 2.0 All-Ireland club champions made no mistake Hutchinson has been in sparkling form for side who won the last of their seven titles 2018 the Dublin side, won’t lack experience Enda’s (Dublin) Sarsfields overcame their arch Newbridge in the replay as they chalked up their seventh the Waterford side notching 1-2 from play in 1999. He scored 1-6 in the quarter-final against the first time winners of the , Drogheda, 1.30 rivals Moorefield at the second attempt to successive Galway title. Their record in the in their 12-point rout of Clare champions defeat of Dingle and hit seven points from Connacht title. However, they will be without Even though they weren’t particularly win the county title and will now be trying Connacht series is impressive as well — they Sixmilebridge last weekend. Patrickswell are play against St Brendan’s in the semi-final. Dublin star Sinéad Goldrick, who has signed impressive in the Dublin final last weekend, to emulate Moorefield’s achievement in are aiming for their sixth final appearance making their first appearance in the series Last year’s beaten All-Ireland club finalists Dr for Melbourne in the Women’s Australian Ballyboden St Enda’s will now have their winning the provincial title in 2017. But Eire in a row and they are on course for a fourth since 2003. Limerick’s 2018 All-Ireland Crokes have been the dominant force in Kerry Football League. Louise and Nicola Ward sights set on an extended run. No Louth club Og have all the tradition, having won five provincial title victory on the spin. Corofin heroes Cian Lynch, Diarmuid Byrnes and club football during the last decade. Today struck 3-3 between them as the Galway has ever won the provincial title and their provincial titles between 1992 and 1998. have also had the measure of Ballintubber Aaron Gillane are key figures for the visitors they are aiming for their eighth title since side hammered Roscommon’s Kilbride in county champions last appeared in a Leinster Still, the visitors will be expected to prevail, in previous clashes, beating them in both but it is a big ask for them to succeed at 2010 and their first ever four-in-a-row. But the provincial final by 21 points. Meanwhile, final in 2002 when Matlock Rangers lost to though the loss of Matty Byrne and Ben the 2018 and 2014 finals. The Mayo . they have struggled in this year’s campaign Foxrock/Cabinteely secured a fifth Leinster . McCormack, who have gone to Australia for champions accounted for Leitrim’s Glencar- Verdict: Ballygunner and needed a replay to see off South Kerry title when they scored four goals in an eight- Verdict: Ballyboden St Enda’s a year, evens up the odds. Manorhamilton last Sunday though they in the semi-final. Much will depend on how point win over Sarsfields from Laois. Verdict: Sarsfields were without their marquee forward Cillian Borris-Ileigh (Tipperary) v Glen Rovers they cope with the constant threat of Clifford. Verdict: Foxrock-Cabinteely St Patrick’s (Wicklow) v Portlaoise (Laois) O’Connor. Their fate in today’s showdown (Cork) Incidentally if the division side triumph Kerry Aughrim, 1.30 MUNSTER CLUB SFC QUARTER-FINALS could hinge on whether O’Connor is fit to play. , 1.30 will be represented by club champions Austin Mourneabbey (Cork) v Donaghmoyne Portlaoise have contested three provincial St Joseph’s Miltown-Malbay (Clare) v Verdict: Corofin Fresh from their win in the Tipperary county Stacks in the Munster championship. (Monaghan) finals since 2012 (losing all three to Dublin’s Rathgormack (Waterford) final last weekend Borris-Ileigh embark on a Verdict: East Kerry Clyda Rovers, 1.0 representatives) which suggests that despite Miltown-Malbay, 1.30 Tír Chonaill Gaels (London) v Pádraig provincial campaign for the first time since This could be a classic encounter. Between conceding home advantage they will have Though a Waterford club has never won a Pearses (Roscommon) 1983. Glen Rovers are aiming to pick up the GALWAY SHC FINAL them, the sides have won three of the last too much craft and experience for the provincial football title, The Nire, Stradbally, Ruislip, 2.0 pieces after a disappointing loss in the Cork Liam Mellows v St Thomas’s four All-Ireland titles with the Cork outfit Wicklow champions St Patrick’s. Kilcrossanty and Ballincourty have all This is a potential banana skin for the county final against divisional side Imokilly. , 2.30 Mourneabbey securing the Dolores Tyrrell Verdict: Portlaoise contested provincial deciders. Miltown- first-time Roscommon champions, though Verdict: Borris-Ileigh. Even though Galway was knocked out of Memorial Cup for the first time last year. Malbay needed a replay before securing the the manner of their victory last Sunday over the hurling championship on June 15, their They have been the dominant force in Cork Garrycastle (Westmeath) v Clare title but with home advantage will be Sligo champions Tourlestrane suggests that ULSTER CLUB SHC FINAL club series only reaches its end point this and Munster club football for more than half (Meath) favoured to advance to the last four. the celebrations have been put on hold and Dunloy (Antrim) v Slaughtneil (Derry) afternoon. Presumably everybody involved a decade. They made it six provincial titles in TEG , , 1.30 Verdict: St Joseph’s the team are focusing their energies on the , Armagh, 3.0 expected the county team to have a longer a row, scoring eight of the last nine points to Managed by ex-Dublin goalkeeper Davy provincial series. An overseas team has never With no distraction from football, Slaughtneil involvement in the Liam MacCarthy Cup. squeeze past Ballymacarbry from Waterford Byrne, Ratoath have already made history Nemo Rangers (Cork) v Newcastlewest reached the Connacht final and Pádraig will be aiming to return to the winners’ Today’s Pearse Stadium clash is a repeat of last time. Cork stars Doireann and Ciara by winning their first ever Meath title. (Limerick) Pearses ought to make their own bit of enclosure in Ulster having won back-to-back last year’s final won by St Thomas’s. Galway O’Sullivan scored 2-11 between them with the Much will depend on what appetite they Mallow, 1.30 history by securing a place in the provincial provincial titles in 2016-2017. This is Dunloy’s city side Liam Mellows were champions in latter hitting 2-6 from play while Dublin All- have for this new challenge, although the With 16 provincial titles to their credit final for the first time. first appearance in the final since winning 2017 and will want to avenge last year’s loss. Ireland medallist Noelle Healy also features. word is that they went straight back into — twice as many as their nearest rivals — Verdict: Pádraig Pearses the title in 2009. The Antrim champions are The Burke brothers and Conor Cooney are Though they face a long trip south, Monaghan training after their win over Summerhill. Nemo Rangers are the kingpins of the club 2/5 hot favourites but the Derry side could key figures for the defending champions. kingpins Donaghmore have proven their Garrycastle know what it takes to progress championship in Munster. MUNSTER CLUB SHC SEMI-FINALS pull off a surprise. Verdict: St Thomas’s pedigree in the series. They are third in the all- in this competition having reached the All- Verdict: Nemo Rangers Ballygunner (Waterford) v Patrickswell Verdict: Slaughtneil time honours list with five titles — they last Ireland final in 2012 (losing to Crossmaglen (Limerick) ALL-IRELAND LADIES SENIOR CLUB won in 2016. Cora Courtney is a key figure for Rangers in a replay) and they had a good CONNACHT CLUB SFC SEMI-FINALS Walsh Park, 1.45 KERRY SFC FINAL SEMI-FINALS the Monaghan side who claimed their 12th work-out against Longford champions Corofin (Galway) v Ballintubber (Mayo) Match of the day, with last year’s beaten East Kerry v Dr Crokes Kilkerrin-Clonberne (Galway) v Foxrock- Ulster title with a two-point win over Tyrone Emmet Óg. Tuam Stadium, 2.0 All-Ireland semi-finalists Ballygunner aiming Park, , 3.0 Cabinteely (Dublin) champions Killyclogher. Verdict: Garrycastle Having survived a scare against Tuam Stars to reach their third provincial final in a Kerry All Star David Clifford has been in Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, 2.0 Verdict: Mourneabbey