RTÉ announces extensive season of GAA coverage

RTE TV SCHEDULE: Brace yourself for a busy summer of sport, as in June alone RTÉ will televise nine All-Ireland championship matches along with over 40 soccer games from the World Cup in Germany.

The station announced yesterday that up to 50 GAA matches will be broadcast live as the Sunday Game returns, starting with Down v Cavan at Casement Park on Sunday, May 7th.

The hurling cranks into gear seven days later with a quiet affair between Tipperary and Limerick in Thurles.

The first broadcast from Croke Park is the Leinster football semi-final on June 25th, potentially between Dublin and Laois.

There is a scheduling clash later that day as the Munster hurling final takes place at 4pm, the same time as a second round qualifier of the World Cup, which could be between England and Germany.

Both RTÉ 1 and RTÉ 2 will be required.

Michael Lyster enters his 22nd campaign as anchorman for the live broadcasts, while Pat Spillane will present the highlights programme.

All the regular pundits return to the station along with recently retired Kerry footballer Dara Ó Cinnéide.

RTÉ will be keen to top the record viewing attendances for last year's football (887,000 average) and hurling (726,000) finals.

MAY 7th

Ulster SFC: Down v Cavan, 3.30pm.

MAY 14th

Munster SHC: Tipperary v Limerick, 2pm.

Leinster SFC: Westmeath v Offaly, 4pm.

MAY 21st

Connacht SFC: Galway v Sligo, 2pm.

May 28th

Ulster SFC: Tyrone v Derry 2.15pm.

Munster SHC: Clare v Cork, 4pm.

JUNE 4th

Munster SHC: Waterford v Tipperary/Limerick, 2pm.

Ulster SFC: Donegal v Down/Cavan, 4pm.

JUNE 11th

Ulster SFC: Armagh/Monaghan v Fermanagh/Antrim, 2.15pm.

Munster SFC: Cork v Clare/Limerick, 4pm.

JUNE 17th

SFC Qualifiers: Round one.

JUNE 18th

Connacht SFC: New york/Roscommon v Galway/Sligo, 2pm.

Leinster SFC:

Kildare/Westmeath/Offaly v Wexford/Meath/Louth, 4pm.

JUNE 25th

Leinster SFC: Longford/Dublin v Laois/Wicklow/Carlow, 2pm.

Munster SHC: Final, 4pm.

JULY 1st

SFC Qualifiers: Round two.

JULY 2nd

Leinster SHC: Final, 3.30pm.

JULY 8th

SHC Qualifiers.

JULY 9th

Ulster SFC: Final, 2pm.

Munster SFC: Final, 4pm.

JULY 15th

SFC Qualifiers: Round three.

JULY 16th

Connacht SFC: Final 2pm.

Leinster SFC: Final 4pm.

JULY 22nd

All-Ireland SHC: Two quarter-finals.

JULY 23rd

All-Ireland SHC: Two quarter-finals.

JULY 29th

SFC Qualifiers: Two Round Four games.

JULY 30th

SFC Qualifiers: Two Round Four games.

AUGUST 5th

All-Ireland SFC: Two quarter-finals.

AUGUST 6th

All-Ireland SHC: Semi-final.

Christy Ring Cup: Final.

AUGUST 12th

All-Ireland SFC: Two quarter-finals.

AUGUST 13th

All-Ireland SHC: Semi-final.

Nicky Rackard Cup: Final.

AUGUST 20th

All-Ireland SFC: Semi-final.

Tommy Murphy Cup: Final. AUGUST 27th

All-Ireland SFC: Semi-final.

All-Ireland MFC: Final.

SEPTEMBER 3rd

All-Ireland MHC: Final.

All-Ireland SHC: Final.

SEPTEMBER 10th

All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship: Final.

SEPTEMBER 17th

All-Ireland MFC: Final.

All-Ireland SFC: Final.