Kerry county councillors passed a GAA motion calling on the Government to make all championship games available on free-to-air TV next year. The move puts TV access for the All-Ireland football and hurling championships back in focus, with current coverage split between RTÉ and GAA+.
Fine Gael Cllr Aoife Kennelly tabled the motion. It calls on the GAA to ensure that all inter-county senior football and hurling games from 2027 onwards are available for all to view on free-to-air television and, where required, through accessible online streaming platforms.
Aoife Kennelly's motion
The motion used direct language on access. “Everyone should have the opportunity to watch their county team compete in the inter-county Championship,” it said.
That line was aimed at the split rights setup now in place, where RTÉ carries some matches and GAA+ carries others. GAA+ is the GAA’s own streaming service, and the current arrangement leaves some championship games outside free-to-air coverage.
RTÉ and the paywall split
This weekend shows the scale of that split. Only one All-Ireland SFC Round 3 tie, Dublin v Donegal, is being shown on RTÉ.
Three other All-Ireland SFC Round 3 ties are behind a paywall, including Kerry's game with Armagh in Killarney. For viewers who want every championship match on open TV, that is the practical gap the motion is trying to close.
2027 and beyond
The motion does not change this weekend's coverage, but it sets out the demand plainly: all inter-county senior football and hurling games from 2027 onwards should be available free-to-air, with online streaming where needed. The next step now sits with the Government and the GAA, and whether either side moves on the rights arrangement will decide if the Kerry vote becomes more than a local statement.
