Pat Spillane reckons streaming phenomenons such as Clubber are having an impact on attendances at club games.
The Kerry legend cited the example of the clash of his home club Templenoe with Dingle two weekends ago in Fitzgerald Stadium, where he says there were no more than 500 people in attendance.
The Killarney grounds played host to a double-header of quarter finals with Dr Crokes vs Rathmore also taking place on the same day.
Both games were shown live on Clubber, and writing in his Sunday World column, Spillane used it as an example to highlight dipping attendances, even though weather warnings for that particular weekend may have been to blame.
Spillane described the turn-out for Templenoe vs Dingle as 'miserable.' Photo: Clubber.
Clubber has had a huge impact on club GAA in recent times, showing club games from a number of counties. They have deals across Leinster and Munster in counties such as Tipperary, Kerry, Meath, Laois, Longford, Kilkenny, Offaly, Louth and Waterford.
Other streaming sites such as Stream Sport show action from Galway, Limerick and Mayo while counties like Wexford, Westmeath and Tyrone stream the games themselves.
As an avenue that grew during Covid times when spectators couldn't attend games, the majority of club games are now available to stream.
Set up by Tipperary born tech entrepreneur Jimmy Doyle in 2020, Clubber charges between €10.99 and €15 for a single game, while subscribers can also avail of a season pass.
They use freelance videographers and commentators, bringing games to the masses.
“The streaming of club championships has brought the different club competitions to a whole new audience," Spillane wrote in the Irish Independent.
“The dilemma now facing the GAA, and it’s approaching very quickly, and the big question that has to be asked, is if saturation level has been reached?
"It is noticeable in Kerry where Clubber TV shows most of the club matches.
"And you have to think that given the weather conditions people are voting to stay at home, choosing to instead watch it on Clubber. I just don't think that's good; it may be becoming counter-productive," says Spillane.
Spillane was full of praise for Clubber's range of games, praising their Monday Night Live Gaelic football in Louth, while also stating that most of the club games have been 'far more enjoyable to watch than the majority of inter-county games.'
"In fairness to Clubber, and it is one initiative I like, they introduced Monday night live Gaelic football, and over the last number of weeks I watched several Louth senior football championship games being played. Isn't that some innovative, outside-the-box thinking from GAA fixture-makers?"
