RTE confirms All-Ireland hurling final ratings but BBC won't release viewing figures
The RTÉ2 audience represented a share of 77 per cent of those watching TV at the time
More than one million people watched the nail-biting All-Ireland hurling final on RTE – but BBC is refusing to release its ratings for the decider.
Clare's thrilling extra-time win over Cork in yesterday's All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final in Croke Park was watched by over a million viewers in Ireland.
According to RTE, an average of 1,037,000 were tuned into The Sunday Game Live on RTÉ2 with another 9,000 watching on RTÉ2+1.
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The RTÉ2 audience represented a share of 77 per cent of those watching TV at the time. Television coverage peaked at 1,231,000 as the game reached its climax.
Last year's decider between Limerick and Kilkenny averaged 830,000 on RTÉ2 - the highest audience for an All-Ireland Hurling Final since 2019.
On RTÉ.ie/Sport there were over one million page views (1.07m) of the live All-Ireland Hurling Final blog, versus 416,000 for the live blog of Limerick v Kilkenny last year.
RTÉ Group Head of Sport, Declan McBennett, said: "It is fitting given the epic nature of yesterday’s clash that it attracted such a huge audience to witness the skill and commitment on display from both sides.
"The game will live long in the memory of those who witnessed or listened to it, with Tony Kelly’s goal taking its place in the annals of memorable Croke Park moments."
The All-Ireland Hurling final was also aired simultaneously on BBC2 for the first time ever.
But a spokesman for the BBC said they were not releasing the ratings for how many people watched the match in the UK.
A spokesperson said: "We don’t routinely publish audience figures for individual programmes."
English viewers were left baffled by the sport, with many taking to social media to air their confusion.
One viewer quipped "Handball," while another was puzzled enough to ask, "Which sport is this?"
"Egg and spooning from another dimension," wrote another user, while another posted. "Egg and spoon race for adults. Not a real sport."
Yet, not everyone was perplexed; some English fans were thoroughly entertained and called for more GAA coverage on the BBC: "Football last year, Hurling today. BBC really need to find a way to show more GAA. Quality games and its been fun trying to explain the rules."
Curiosity piqued, one fan admitted, "I'm watching the All-Ireland Hurling final on the BBC at the moment. Never even heard of it. I have no idea what's going on! ! !" That same fan later expressed a newfound enthusiasm: "This needs to be on TV more I would watch the s*** out of this!"
Another impressed viewer praised the sport: "Hurling. BBC a proper man's game." And another simply said: "Watching the hurling on BBC. Know nothing about it. Fabulous stuff."
"Really glad the Hurling is on BBC. Don't get to watch it very often. Mental game."
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