TELEVISION HAS dictated two changes to the GAA championship schedule. The Munster Council has switched the football final from June 29th to July 6th to avoid a clash with the Leinster and Ulster football semi-finals, while the Leinster Council have brought forward the Kildare or Wicklow v Laois tie from June 1st to May 31st.
With TV3 screening 10 live matches, including two provincial finals, the provincial secretaries met last week to ensure no live games on RTÉ clash with the new shared rights holder.
The Munster football final is now on the same day as the Leinster hurling final, with a replay marked down for July 20th.
RTÉ retained coverage of the All-Ireland series in both football and hurling. The rival channels are already aware of the provincial finals they are to cover and an announcement on dates and throw-in times is expected next week.
The long overdue Sigerson Cup final will now take place on Tuesday, April 22nd at Carlow IT once the rescheduled semi-final between GMIT and Garda TC is played next Wednesday. The competition was held up after Carlow IT, then Cork IT objected to the eligibility of three Garda players - Graham Dillon, Aidan O'Mahony and Michael Cussen. However, the disputes resolution authority ruled against Carlow, while Cork IT subsequently dropped their appeal.
Finally, this Saturday's annual Congress will be streamed live on www.rte.ie from 10am t 4.30pm.
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