Sport

Rupert Murdoch's News UK secures rights to highlights of GAA matches

THE GAA’S relationship with Rupert Murdoch’s media empire continues apace with the news that his News UK company has secured exclusive rights to show highlights of more than 170 games a year to its digital subscribers.

In Britain, the GAA highlights will be made available at no extra charge if you subscribe to News UK tiles, The Sun +, The Times or The Sunday Times.

In Ireland, The Irish Sun will make the highlights package available through an app which will cost €4.99 a month. Games can be viewed through a mobile phone, tablet or on the paper’s website.

“Gaelic games are unlike any other sports,” said Irish Sun editor, Paul Clarkson. “The GAA is the pride and passion of each community and the heartbeat of an Irish summer.

“It is very exciting to be able to use cutting edge technology to bring hurling and football to fans at home and the diaspora abroad.

“It will also help open up GAA to an entirely new audience around the globe.”

GAA Commercial and Stadium Director, Peter McKenna, said: "The GAA is pleased to confirm arrangements for our clip rights which will see us partner with a leading media organisation with a truly global reach.

"This arrangement will mean the best scores, saves and general action from our big matches will be available as the games unfold, keeping supporters everywhere right up to speed with the football and hurling championships.

"We look forward to seeing the reach of our games expand even further."

Customers can watch one minute of the first half and two minutes of action at full-time from matches in the All-Ireland Championships and National Leagues each season.

The Irish Sun’s pundits Graham Geraghty, Babs Keating, Michael Duignan and Collie Moran will also provide video analysis.

The digital deal follows RTÉ's announcement last month of a mobile app which will allow GAA fans in Britain stream this season’s championship games live on their computer and mobile devices at a cost of £49.