The All-Ireland hurling final was broadcast across the BBC network for the first time this afternoon, and it's fair to say that it has made quite the impact on the British public.
The BBC have been a GAA broadcasting partner for some time, but they have expanded their coverage quite a bit in recent times. Game have long been shown on BBC NI, with some big fixtures having also been shown on iPlayer in recent seasons.
They would take another major step forward in 2023, broadcasting the All-Ireland football final on the BBC across the UK for the first time. Britons massively enjoyed that clash between Dublin and Kerry at the time.
The British broadcaster has now followed that up by showing the hurling equivalent across the country.
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British viewers blown away by All-Ireland hurling final on BBC
This afternoon's clash between Cork and Clare was a thrilling affair, with the sport of hurling gaining quite a few fans as a result.
Some people were already looking forward to the game early on in the day despite having not seen a full match before.
So today the BBC will show a hurling game (BBC2 1500)
I’ve only ever watched about 20 mins of a game. It’s frantic, fast, and bloody lethal.
I don’t know the rules, but I know I’ll love it.— Tim McCullagh🇦🇫 (@timonther6) July 21, 2024
Know zero about hurling. But I’ll be watching this, and proud it’s the first ever live final on bbc telly. All I ever see in hurlers is courage. May the bravest, strongest team win.#CorkvClare @BBCSPORTNI pic.twitter.com/QygGGVfp44
— 👓Mark Patterson👓 (@markyptweets) July 21, 2024
Once the action did get underway, it did not take long for new fans of the sport to become invested.
Quite a few BBC viewers were immediately hooked on hurling.
Hurling appears to be a mix of UFC, rugby, hockey, football, baseball, the egg and spoon race all whilst hitting a snooker ball as hard as you can as high into the sky as possible towards goal with what looks like the bones of a tomahawk steak. 10/10. Would recommend #hurling
— bathew mateman (@bathewmateman) July 21, 2024
Watching the #hurling. Haven't got a clue what's going on, but it's bloody brilliant 👏 🤣 #Allirelandhuringfinal
— Jane (@jane_2504) July 21, 2024
The All Ireland Hurling final is on BBC2 , I've never watched before , it's fantastically manical , I love it #hurling #CorkvClare
— Iwan 🏴🏴🏴 (@MynyddHiraethog) July 21, 2024
BBC 2 is showing hurling and I don’t think I’ve ever been so invested in a game I know nothing about
— Dan 🏴 (@itcould_beworse) July 21, 2024
I’m watching the All-Ireland Hurling final on the BBC at the moment. Never even heard of it. I have no idea what’s going on!!!
— Steve Beck (@stevejbeck) July 21, 2024
Watching the hurling on BBC. Know nothing about it. Fabulous stuff.
— Chris Stanley (@chrisstanley1) July 21, 2024
Goalkeepers in hurling have to be absolutely fucking tapped in the head
What an incredible spectacle this game is— Jim Burke (@Barcajim3) July 21, 2024
This Hurling final is captivating sport. Not always entirely sure what’s going on but outstanding crowd, and the distance they get off the hurls is outstanding
— Tom 🏴 (@LFCTom36) July 21, 2024
Watching the All-Ireland final and it's my first experience of hurling.
It looks absolutely insane, like how do people not die playing this?— Adam Allcroft 🇬🇧 (@Adam_Allcroft) July 21, 2024
Loving the fact that BBC is showing the All Ireland Final!
What a game! Why isn’t this on all the time?!?
As someone who plays hockey, whenever I watch Hurling I have nothing but the utmost respect for the skill, bravery and complete bonkers-ness of it all! 🫶#allireland #GAA— Jon C (@jonc46) July 21, 2024
Thoroughly enjoying the BBC viewers discovering Hurling #AllIrelandFinal
— Eoin (@eoinyeo) July 21, 2024
We're watching the hurling on BBC 2. Never seen it before & there seems to be no obvious rules 😂 There's a lot of contact & even the Ref has been injured but it's exciting to watch!
— Anne Coddington (@medievilbabe) July 21, 2024
There were certainly treated to quite the game.
While hurling is a very Irish sport, it is brilliant to see it showcased to a wider audience. The GAA has developed an ever-growing presence overseas over the last few decades, with the prominence our sports are now being given on the BBC only likely to accelerate that process.
Cork and Clare certainly put on quite the show for the viewers on this occasion. You get the sense that quite a few of them will tuning into another hurling game as soon as possible.
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