Photo: Slides.com
I know there’s only one match on everyone’s minds at the moment but it’s worth mentioning an interesting new development relating to online access to club games played within the county.
Mayo GAA TV – a streaming service provided in conjunction with Local Streaming – launches today with online coverage of this evening’s two Junior football championship quarter-finals. This double-header at MacHale Park features Kilmaine against Killala and Achill against Balla.
Coverage of these two games on Mayo GAA TV gets underway this evening at 6.10pm. Full details are here.
As you’ll see, access to matches is being provided on a pay-per-view basis, with this evening’s double-header being offered for €4. It’s an interesting model, not least in the modern era, where so many seem to expect everything to be available online free of charge.
When you think about it, though, if you rocked up to MacHale Park this evening you’d have no problem with putting your hand in your pocket to see the action. There’s no reason the same principle shouldn’t apply to watching games over the internet.
And, of course, making live action like this available online means that it’s accessible by interested viewers wherever they are. In that regard it’s an initiative that’s likely to be warmly welcomed by those living outside the county, both in other parts of the country as well as overseas.
Best of luck to everyone involved in this development. I doubt I’ll be tuning in for this evening’s double-header but, for sure, it’s a service I’d say I’ll be using frequently once the senior club championship gets going again in earnest.
Is the Lahardane/ Ballina qf being shown tomorrow WJ. This will be a great service for those of us outside the county.
Tuning in. Think there’s a decent team coming in Balla. Maybe two future seniors.
Good to hear JP …nice to hear there is the talent there … Just on that ,there is always a few who never play underage for the county and are certainly worth a look as might not hit their prime till their mid 20s
I will be trying this meself WJ. I was one of the early adopter s of the Gaa live stream a few years back. When I think of how far service like this has advanced, from when I first got here in the 90’s…amazing!
Great idea and the second game was very exciting I thought. Balla will be kicking themselves having missed a dozen or more chances. Achill a bit more physical and I thought the ref was a bit lenient on some of their tackling, but fair play they were more clinical in taking their chances and the draw was a fair result. Thought Val Rougheen and Matthew Flanagan both played very well. 2 lads to keep an eye on. Didn’t see Eddie Doran show for much, but perhaps that’s a sign he had a good game.
4 euros well spent and I’ll spend it again too.
Fair play to Achill in the second game.
Balla are a young team and they need more games and seasons even.
Young Kilkenny for Balla was very good. Extremely pacey and a very good kickpasser.
Barry Duffy had some moments but should back himself more to run hard at the defence.
An excellent initiative and no doubt one that will catch on and see other counties follow our lead in time. Credit to the county board and organisers for taking this another step forward this year. Looking forward to using this service in the coming weeks once the small matter of the All Ireland has been done and dusted.
I thought the pricing was great at 4 euro. If it gets popular it is rewarding for club and county.
Yet at the same time not too much that you couldn’t simply buy it for every game.
Does this spell the end of heretofore free Local Streaming? I note that its the same Liam Horan who is/was involved in both ventures?
Probably. No harm as what you get for free you usually don’t respect. Human nature.
Nephin-the North derby would’ve been a good match had it been shown…great scores & quality considering the conditions.
The camera(s) would probobly have been blown away!…the scoreboard was malfunctioning anyway with Ballina at 1-70 at one stage & still lost! #MarqueeForwards eat your heart out