It’s no surprise to see Mayo and Dublin leading the way.
The championship TV schedule has always caused much consternation amongst the viewing public. Why this game and not that game? Why always them? Who would you want to watch that?
It’s a tough gig for a broadcaster because you’re never going to keep everyone happy.
Granted, that gets a little harder to do when there are eight clinker games on Saturday and only two will be shown on television. Only one will be aired on RTÉ but, rather than show another, here’s the line-up instead on RTÉ 2 during those matches.
- Home and Away omnibus
- Gok Live: Stripping for Summer
- Friends (for about the nine millionth time)
- Dr Seuss’ The Lorax
It means that Meath and Donegal won’t be shown. It means Westmeath and Armagh don’t get a sniff, nor do Cavan and Tipp. Three knockout games that are almost impossible to call will be reduced to small highlights packages once more whilst the decision to show Mayo again – this time away to Clare – has caused complaints.
Mayo do join Dublin at the top of the list of counties featured on the championship TV schedule since 2015 but can you name the 10 senior teams that have not been broadcast in the last three football championship seasons?
23 different sides have been shown by either RTÉ or Sky Sports in the last three summers.
Mayo and Dublin have each been showcased 17 times but five of those Mayo games were exclusive to Sky Sports.
It’s hardly surprising that they’re ahead of everyone else seeing as every game from Round 4 onwards is televised and Mayo and the Dubs have both played in two separate replayed ties in the last three seasons against one another.
Some of the names that prop up high up the list are a little surprising though and it’s interesting to note that Kerry have never been shown exclusively on Sky Sports for championship yet.
The below stats are accurate as of the provincial finals in 2017 and Round 3A.
(Click on the image to enlarge if necessary)
