This afternoon's clash between Kerry and Tyrone is arguably the biggest game in the GAA calendar so far this season, although the match had a bit of an odd feel to it in the buildup.
While the action on the pitch was always going to deliver, it is likely that quite a few supporters will not get to see it due to the game not being on terrestrial television. This game, along with Saturday's other semi-final between Armagh and Monaghan, will be shown exclusively on GAAGO.
The streaming service has been a topic of controversy this year, with many feeling that it is unfair to put so many big games behind a paywall. Earlier in the week, Joe Brolly had this to say about the joint venture between RTÉ and the GAA:
These games are often for the community, that's what the GAA is supposed to be...
This is about elderly people all around Donegal, Sligo, Mayo. My own father in-law for example, doesn't know how to work GAAGO and hasn't got adequate streaming, he is in a wheelchair because he had a stroke. His great delight is the games and he's not going to be able to see one of the biggest games of the year this weekend.
It's not good enough, everyone knows it's not good enough.
The decision to put today's game behind a paywall was controversial, but it seems that many of those who did fork out to watch the match were unhappy with the quality of the product on offer.
GAA fans unhappy over quality of GAAGO stream
GAAGO has had some issues this season. While the punditry panel is strong, the quality of the production as a whole has underwhelmed many.
On this occasion, quite a few people had issues even getting their stream to work properly.
Brutal stop start freezes?
— peter (@royalcounty76) July 1, 2023
Jesus christ gaago is pure shite, I'd take paying the money if it actually worked but its been lagging for ages. €12 for this shite is brutal.
— Wilfred Bony Enthusiast (@JeffPesos7) July 1, 2023
Why is it buffering and skipping vital parts of the game by jumping back and forwards. This app is a complete joke
— Ciaran McArdle (@CiaranMcArdle9) July 1, 2023
Half the country experiencing a local issue so is it? Search GAAGo to see it's obviously yere end shafting us. Load of shite.
— CrypτaoShlug (@CryptoShlug) July 1, 2023
Watching the KerVTYR match highlights on twitter coz #GAAGO is a hape of 💩 and half the pub are watching a frozen screen at 17 mins @GAAGO
— Jen Breenie (@JenderJen) July 1, 2023
@GAAGO the quality of stream on this #kerVTyr game is shocking, and the per game charge is outrageous particularly
for such a poor product @officialgaa just the grab all society! Joke @TheSundayGame #KerryVTyrone— Michéal Mór (@micheal_mor) July 1, 2023
Not only do you have to pay €12 per game for the privilege of watching our national sport's quarter finals today, but for the first match all we're getting is a buffer for the past 6 minutes. Absolute joke @GAAGO @RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/PjuNqdYl4x
— Ash (@TrashleyPye) July 1, 2023
@GAAGO just paid twice to watch the Kerry game and nothings working
— Kieran Moriarty (@kieranmoriarty) July 1, 2023
@GAAGO hi the Kerry match keeps freezing and my WiFi is perfect.. can you please sort
— Liam Rochford (@rooch1) July 1, 2023
Would be nice if @GAAGO worked after paying €12 for it. Over 15 mins in and still not stream showing up??
— Luke Casey (@LukeCasey15) July 1, 2023
— peter (@royalcounty76) July 1, 2023
@GAAGO after 40 min trying my 12€ is accepted , I am now 10 minutes looking at a screen that says stand by for live coverage pic.twitter.com/nTEBE1MSbd
— Daithi regan (@daithi_regan) July 1, 2023
@GAAGO I've bought Kerry v Tyrone. Why is it pausing every 5 seconds? So frustrating. If you're going to charge for something, have your sh1t together! Joke
— Mícheál Ó Dubhghaill (@micils) July 1, 2023
I thought I was angry at frustrated at the *idea* of #GaaGo - just tried to buy the match through my TV - absolutely totally furious and frustrated - only able to manage it through my laptop so paying to watching it on a tiny screen now - Thanks a bunch GAA! 😡 #CiarraiAbu
— Grace O'Sullivan (@gosulli) July 1, 2023
Not good enough, especially when you pay €12 to watch a single game. In fact, the cheapest tickets for today's games at Croke Park (€30) were only €6 more expensive than the cost of buying both streams.
It is certainly something that the GAA need to look at moving forward.
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