Ulster's switch due to lack of coverage

Gaelic Games 2006 Championship draw: Ulster Council chairman Michael Greenan has pointed to insufficient coverage by RTÉ in the north as the reason behind switching the 2006 championship draw to the BBC, live this Thursday at 1.30pm from Armagh city. This breaks with tradition as the complete draw usually takes place at the same time.

"RTÉ do not cover our whole province of Ulster," said Greenan. "Why should Ulster people be denied seeing the draw for their own championships? Many people were already denied seeing Tyrone win the All-Ireland title as it is only available live on RTÉ. Are they not entitled to see an All-Ireland final that is won by an Ulster county?"

Greenan also refuted reports suggesting the GAA were unaware that the Ulster Council were considering switching the draw to BBC on grounds that it will be seen by a wider audience.

"We told Croke Park we were considering this. The papers last week said the GAA were caught at unawares but that is totally untrue."

The Ulster Council decision has resulted in RTÉ cancelling their live draw, initially scheduled for this Friday, and they have now scraped plans to televise the other three provinces' draws entirely.

"We had agreed to broadcast the draw but we have now been told none is going ahead, so any further issue should be taken up with the GAA," said Richie Ryan of the RTÉ press office.

The other three provincial councils are to meet this Thursday night to reschedule their arrangements. Munster secretary Simon Moroney said there is still a possibility of their hurling and football championship draws taking place this week. "We are currently finalising how to proceed with it," said Moroney. "We would be optimistic that it could go ahead before this weekend but will know more after Thursday's council meeting. The whole situation is regrettable."

Connacht and Leinster have postponed making their respective draws until after the weekend.

"It's everyone for themselves," said Leinster secretary Michael Delaney. "We were told it was to be held on Friday night but that is no longer the case due to Ulster deciding to go there own way."

"With Ulster out of the equation we have to reassess the situation," said Connacht secretary John Prenty, " but we were under the impression that we were part of a 32-county organisation, obviously that is not the case."

Greenan will be personally involved in the Ulster draw this Thursday and hopes to be joined by several intercounty captains.

TG4, meanwhile, have confirmed they will be televising this Sunday's Cork senior hurling final between Cloyne and Newtownshandrum live from Páirc Uí Chaoimh (throw-in at 3.45pm).