New-look structures and inadequate broadcasting deals have led to an unusually intense debate between 'hurling folk' and 'Gaelic football folk' in recent weeks, as the former continues to dominate television coverage.
While the issue in itself is the fact a broadcasting deal was agreed in 2017 until 2022 without accounting for an increase in games thanks to the new round-robin and quarter-final formats, the reality is that for May and June hurling takes centre stage. As a result, it has caused a certain divide online and in certain media outlets.
On this week's Balls.ie GAA podcast, the Three Man Weave, the lads discussed this recent case and why it is problematic.
Full discussion: 22.17
Mick: Look, I understand that RTE probably got it wrong picking so much hurling. But this idea that there is some crystal ball where anyone could tell all the hurling would be one-sided and football would go to extra-time is ridiculous. Hurling is topheavy, football will come back around in the summer. I really don't understand why everyone needs to be fighting all the time. Talking about one sport being better than the other, can we not just all get along?
There is a lot of things for sport to compete with without having to compete with each other, especially under the one umbrella.
Maurice: I never realised there was such a hurling people and football people divide, to the extent where you view it as a competitor and try to undermine it. That might be just because where I grew up, everyone watched both. There's enough competition without trying to force them against each other.
Mark: It's not really hurling's fault that Cavan and Armagh wasn't on TV, there was no GAA at all on Saturday. If it was properly organised everyone can be happy.
Ultimately, RTE have to show more than sport. But in a new technological age with increased games, streaming options and plenty of alternative broadcasters, it is problematic that a significant portion of either code isn't sufficiently covered. It's the association's responsibility to resolve that.
