RTÉ unlikely to renew deal

NEWS ROUND-UP:RTÉ'S SPONSORSHIP of the All-Ireland hurling championship is expected to come to an end after next Sunday's final. The deal, which caused some controversy when announced two years ago, will lapse at the end of this season together with the other sponsorship contracts.

Co-sponsors Guinness and Etihad are expected to indicate their interest in renewing their association with the hurling championship.

When the GAA decided at the end of 2007 to switch from the sole sponsor model that had seen Bank of Ireland and Guinness sponsor the football and hurling championships from the mid-1990s to a multi-sponsor model, based on the Uefa Champions League, it was decided to stagger the contracts.

This meant the hurling sponsorships would be up for renewal after two years whereas the football would be for a three-year period, in order that the GAA wouldn’t have to negotiate all six sponsors at the same time.

“We would be surprised if RTÉ decided to stay on board,” said one Croke Park source, “but Guinness and Etihad are expected to stay interested.”

The value of the hurling sponsorship is estimated to be a little over €1 million per annum, but in RTÉ’s case a lot of the value is understood to have come in terms of contra deals involving advertising and promotion.

Whereas the appropriateness of the national broadcaster investing public funds in a venture of this nature was questioned two years ago, the situation has become less tenable now in the light of the economic downturn.

Some RTÉ sources at the time indicated that they felt under pressure to take up the sponsorship, which was being finalised at the same time as the current broadcasting rights.

Meanwhile, Monaghan manager Séamus McEnaney will confirm his intentions in respect of the position later today.

Having been given an extra couple of weeks to consider his plans, McEnaney will talk to county officials this afternoon and indicate his decision after five years in charge.

Joe Kernan has expressed his interest in being considered for the vacant post of Galway football manager in succession to Liam Sammon. Kernan experienced considerable success with his club Crossmaglen Rangers, who he led to three All-Irelands, and Armagh, who he took to the county’s first All-Ireland.

No decision on the appointment is expected until after the county has considered applications later this week. Kernan confirmed to RTÉ that he would be interested.