Throw-in on RTÉ sees Jacqui Hurley and Damian Lawlor take the helm of RTÉ’s weekend highlights GAA action

Jacqui Hurley will present The Sunday Game, with The Saturday Game highlights programme fronted by Damian Lawlor

RTÉ Sport announces new GAA pundits Joe Canning, Peter Canavan, Paul Flynn, Lee Keegan, & David Tubridy, Enda McGinley and the return of Tomas O’ Sé

RTÉ Sport have announced Jacqui Hurley will be taking the helm at The Sunday Game for the upcoming GAA Championship season, with Damian Lawlor bringing all of the action and analysis from The Saturday Game to viewers at home on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Joanne Cantwell continues to present The Saturday Game Live and The Sunday Game Live.

This season sees the addition of new, fresh off-the-pitch knowledgeable players to RTÉ Sport’s panel of experts in the form of GAA stalwarts including Galway’s Joe Canning, Tyrone’s Peter Canavan, Dublin’s Paul Flynn, and Mayo’s Lee Keegan, Clare’s David Tubridy, Tyrone’s Enda McGinley and the return of Kerry’s Tomás Ó’Sé.

The new pundits will be joining a line-up of ongoing panellists for RTÉ’s unparalleled offerings of highlights, analysis, and debate for the duration of the GAA Championship season.

Returning to provide analysis will be Dónal Óg Cusack, Liam Sheedy, Anthony Daly, Brendan Cummins, Ursula Jacob, Jackie Tyrell, Shane Dowling, John Mullane, Shane McGrath, Brian Carroll, Michael Duignan, Elaine Aylward, Colm Gooch Cooper, Sean Cavanagh, Cora Staunton, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Noelle Healy, Ciaran Whelan, Eamon O’Hara, Conleith Gilligan and John Casey.

RTÉ has expanded its media rights providing comprehensive GAA Championship coverage across RTÉ television, radio, and online services for the next five seasons, guaranteeing quality free-to-air coverage to audiences in Ireland across 12 months of the year from 2023 to 2027 inclusive.

RTÉ will continue to show 31 championship games across the island of Ireland on RTÉ television and RTÉ Player, as well as the Joe McDonagh Cup final, and both Tailteann Cup semi-finals and final for the next five years. RTÉ’s ongoing commitment to camogie will see at least nine live matches per year televised. Increased free-to-air Allianz National League games, which commences next Saturday, 28th January, as well as continued coverage of the AIB Club Championships will feature on Saturday nights, ensuring year-round live GAA coverage across all platforms on RTÉ.

The Sunday Game presenter, Jacqui Hurley said: “Working on The Sunday Game was a childhood dream of mine. It’s an absolute privilege to take on such an iconic role and follow in the footsteps of some incredible broadcasters. I look forward to the challenge and can’t wait to get started.”

The Saturday Game presenter, Damian Lawlor said: “The new GAA fixture calendar has meant more intercounty games than ever within a condensed period. This has given RTÉ Sport an opportunity to introduce The Saturday Game. Along with our production team, I will do everything I can to ensure the programme develops into an unmissable, flagship show that delivers the best insight and analysis for our viewers.”

Declan McBennett, RTÉ Group Head of Sport, said: “This season marks a reigniting of The Sunday Game with fresh off the pitch panellists alongside seasoned experts, in moves that are consistent with the evolution of The Sunday Game throughout the years. New presenters Jacqui, Damian and the new panellists are hugely experienced and perfectly placed to bring all of the excitement and analysis of the GAA Championship to our audience later this year.”

On air since 1979, The Sunday Game is shown every Sunday night during Championship season on RTÉ2.