The Sunday Game host Jacqui Hurley gives her own view on controversial GAAGO
The RTE sports presenter says hosting the GAA highlights show has been a 'whirlwind'
The Sunday Game host Jacqui Hurley has said “GAA should be for all of us” as she reveals a lot of viewers air their frustrations over GAAGO to her.
Jacqui said she was warned by former host Des Cahill about the popularity of the programme when she took it over in 2023.
She said she couldn’t believe the amount of people who stop her, with many airing their grievances over GAAGO airing popular games from behind a paywall.
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Jacqui told us: “It has gone by in a whirlwind. It has been insane… I guess just the way everything happened… it just feels like I’ve been on a relentless treadmill since the start of 2022.
“But it has been such a fun journey. I don’t know what I expected it to be but it is probably more than I expected it to be.
“Even just walking around having chats with people, they stop and ask you about different matches.
“Des Cahill had told me ‘oh your life is going to change when you take over the Sunday Game’. Because you think with rugby everybody watches it, but they don’t necessarily stop you on the street to talk to you about it but with the Sunday Game, they definitely talk to you on the street about it.
“It is the one thing you get stopped and asked about in every corner of the country. I love that about our country.
“The most common thing that comes up are ‘I can’t believe you went for your man for Hurler of the Year or Footballer of the year’ or whatever it is or this guy didn’t get into the team.
“The obviously when something controversial happens, everyone has an opinion on it. GAAGO, for example. Everybody wants to come and talk to you about that. ‘Why can’t this get sorted, I’ve got an 85-year-old father who can’t get access to matches’. That kind of thing does tend to rile up people.”
But Jacqui said she welcomes those conversations, saying she feels the GAA “should be for all of us”.
She said: “I always enjoy those conversations. The way I feel about it is, the GAA should be for all of us. It is a community thing that we are all part of and we should all be entitled to have an opinion on it so trust me, when people stop me on the street, I am not running away from them. I am enjoying the conservation and the chats. It has been great fun.”
Jacqui was speaking as she helped launch this year’s Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal.
“It’s time to find that shoebox and get involved”, she said.
Since 2010, the Appeal has delivered 2.5 million shoeboxes to children in countries across Eastern Europe and Africa who are experiencing poverty.
The shoeboxes, filled with essential items as well as something fun, are lovingly created by people all across the country. They are often the only gift these children receive that year.
Jacqui added: “Let’s get together and bring hope and joy to as many children as possible. It’s so easy to get involved and each year this simple act of kindness, filling a shoebox with gifts to bring a smile to a child’s face, lets these children know that they are in the heart and minds of the people of Ireland.”
To get involved, simply think about who your gift is for – a boy or girl aged between 2-14, wrap a shoebox in colourful, bright wrapping paper and be sure to include at least one item from the 4 W’s – something to write with, wear, wash with and wow like a toy or game.
Pop a Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal label on the front, include €5, close the lid and secure with an elastic band. If finding a shoebox is tricky, you can buy flat pack boxes in Dealz stores nationwide or, build a box online at teamhope.ie/shoeboxappeal.
Speaking about the campaign, Theresa Wood, Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal Manager said: “Thanks so much for your continued support. The Appeal only happens due to the amazing kindness of people across the country, both those who create the boxes, but also the thousands of volunteers who look after the coordination.
“We are truly grateful. This year, the need is as great as ever and we want you to know, these shoeboxes and the kindness behind them, really does make a difference to the children who receive them.”
Shoeboxes should be dropped off at one of hundreds of drop off points nationwide, or at your local DEALZ store by the 10th November. Alternatively, you can build a box online at https://www.teamhope.ie/christmas-shoebox-appeal/take-part-online/.
For teachers who would like to get their class involved, there are lots of class lesson plans and teaching resources available online. For businesses who would like to get involved, a site visit can be arranged to discuss how you can support Team Hope not just at Christmas but year round.
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