Football

GAA on TV: What matches can be watched as both the football and hurling national leagues get underway this weekend

The highly-anticipated clash between reigning league champions Derry and Ulster rivals Tyrone are among the highlights this weekend

Derry celebrate after the Allianz Football league Division One final
Derry celebrate after the Allianz Football league Division One final last year at Croke Park, Dublin. Picture Mark Marlow (" ")
By Liam Grimley

This year’s National GAA leagues start off in style with a bumper weekend of gaelic football and hurling on offer for fans to enjoy at both club and county levels.

For those who may still be recovering from the effects of Storm Éowyn, there is plenty of GAA action to be caught across the channels throughout the weekend.

On Saturday, things get underway with the All-Ireland Junior Club Football Championship final between An Cheathrú Rua of Connemara, Galway and Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin of Muff, Co Donegal.

This game will take place in Croke Park as part of a triple-header of games in GAA HQ on Saturday.

Irish-language broadcaster TG4 will show the game live with coverage starting at 3.05pm.

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The inter-county action picks up where it left off with a re-hash of last year’s All-Ireland Senior Football final between Galway and Armagh in Salthill as Armagh begin life back in the big time after being promoted from Division Two last season.

Pearse Stadium in Salthill will be the venue for this clash of gaelic football heavyweights with RTÉ2 broadcasting the game, which throws in at 5.15pm.

Soon after, the first Ulster derby of the season takes place as Tyrone and Derry play each other with both sides under new management, with Malachy O’Rourke and Paddy Tally taking the reins.

The game, which takes place at Healy Park in Omagh, will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer, with throw-in scheduled for 6pm.

Dublin's kicking game used against Mayo won't be as effective against a packed Monaghan defence.
Dublin take on Mayo at Croke Park to cap off a triple-header at GAA HQ

To round off Saturday’s action, beaten Division One finalists last year Dublin, who will be without James McCarthy and Brian Fenton after the pair retired in the offseason, take on Mayo in Croke Park.

The two rivals will play each other, with the game being shown on TG4 at 7.30pm.

On Sunday, the action continues with four more games available for fans to watch.

The club season comes to a conclusion as Ballinderry take on Crossmolina Deel Rovers of Mayo at Croke Park in the delayed All-Ireland Intermediate Cub Football Final.

The last club final of the season, and the last football game to be played under the old rules, will be available to stream on TG4 Spórt’s YouTube channel, with throw-in set for 1.30pm.

Kerry's Paul Murphy and Donegal's Michael Murphy in action during the 2019 All-Ireland Senior Championship at Croke Park in Dublin on Sunday July 21 2019. Picture by Philip Walsh.
Donegal's Michael Murphy is set to return to the fold after two years of retirement. Picture by Philip Walsh.

On the Irish-language broadcaster’s TV channel, the National Football League continues with Kerry hosting Donegal, who welcomes Michael Murphy after two years of retirement. The game will start at 1.45pm.

In hurling, Galway take on Tipperary at Pearse Stadium at 3.45pm with TG4 showing the game. Kilkenny’s afternoon clash with All-Ireland winners Clare in Cusack Park in Ennis will also be shown on TG4, with deferred coverage starting at 5.35pm.