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.
