As classic rivals, Dublin and Kerry prepare to meet in Croke Park for the first time since 2019 in the All-Ireland Football Final this weekend, and Up for the Match is back to celebrate the perfect Gaelic football storm!
Presenters Jacqui Hurley and Des Cahill will be joined by a panel of football legends as well as a live studio audience featuring some of the biggest football fans Dublin and Kerry has to offer.
The fast-paced 90 minutes of live GAA chat on RTÉ One will be jam-packed with conversation from an All-Star panel, as well a selection of performances throughout the evening. Viewers can warm up for the big game with Ireland’s premier cheerleading group, Twisters Elite Cheer Club, plus a performance from 7-time All-Ireland champion on harp and banjo, Lisa Canny.
There will be a special show finale in the form of an exclusive performance in honour of the late Aslan singer, Christy Dignam. A traditional Irish arrangement of Crazy World created by Lisa Canny will feature a joint initiative of Music Generation in Louth and the Oriel Centre in Dundalk – Nós Nua Orchestra, and special guest Kiera Dignam.
This week, Anna Geary and Marty Morrissey are back on the road to capture the excitement, live from venues in Dublin and Kerry as they bring the Up for the Match experience to fans celebrating in their home counties.
Jacqui Hurley said: “Dublin v Kerry is one of the greatest sporting rivalries on the pitch, but off it there’s a great rivalry in storytelling & having the craic too, so I’m really looking forward to Saturday night. It’ll be the perfect start to the All-Ireland weekend ahead of what might be one of the best ever matches between the counties!”
Des Cahill added: “An All-Ireland Football final between Dublin and Kerry is perhaps my favourite pairing. As a Dub who has spent time working in the Kingdom, I know the football scene in both counties well. After all the fun we had during last week’s Up for the Match, I’m looking forward to getting back into studio with Jacqui, our panellists and musicians, but most of all our live audience of die-hard GAA fans.”
As well as some surprises for the live studio audience, viewers at home will have a chance to win the final two tickets for Sunday’s All-Ireland Football Final in Croke Park. In addition to the two premium tickets, the lucky winner will be transported to and from the game, receive an overnight hotel stay in Dublin and get €2000 cash.
Up for the Match will broadcast live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 9:30pm on Saturday 29th July ahead of the All-Ireland Football Final.