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‘It's a joke' moan GAA fans as ‘stupid' RTE tradition around All-Ireland draw rears its head again
MONDAY morning saw the draw for the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals and Tailteann Cup semi-finals take place.
The four first-placed teams from the round-robin that
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The draw was held on Morning Ireland at 8.30am
Credit: @RTEgaa
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It wound up pitting Donegal against Louth, Down versus Galway, Dublin up against Cork while Kerry will take on Cavan.
In the Tailteann Cup semis meanwhile, it'll be Fermanagh against Kildare whilst Wicklow will lock horns with Limerick.
But the biggest talking point around this year's draw was the same one that cropped up in 2024, 2023, 2022 and beyond.
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It's an annual source of frustration among Gaelic football fans en masse that the all-important draw for both competitions is relegated to a radio slot on the Monday as opposed to the more glamorous backdrop of it being done on The Sunday Game.
A glance at social media replies from RTE's posts related to the draw shows that most people feel it's an own goal by the national broadcaster and the Association when it comes to self-promotion.
Eoin Diggins fumed: "I'm sure ye are well aware what a waste of time it is having the draw on the radio at 8.30 on a Monday morning.
"Draw should be done on the TV now after the game or even during tonight's Sunday Game show. Missing a trick again."
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In a similar vein, someone else commented: "Ridiculous that the draw is only taking place tomorrow morning. It should have taken place 30 mins after the conclusion of Donegal - Mayo.
"Gives teams & supporters more time to prepare & make arrangements. Finding out on Monday where and when you are playing five days later. Stupid."
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Patrick Hickey added: "It's a joke, do a live draw on Sunday night instead."
Lastly, Muireagáin MacSeáin complained: "Absolutely daft not to have it done tonight when everyone is watching."
Fergal McGill of the Central Competitions Control Committee confirmed afterwards that exact fixture dates and throw-in times will be confirmed by Monday evening.
More to follow...
