TV bosses’ controversial broadcast blackout of Donegal’s crunch All-Ireland match has been blasted by fans as an “absolute disgrace”.
GAA fans were excited when the county was drawn for a first inter-county match at MacCumhaill Park since the famous ground’s €500,000 renovation.
But fans’ fury was sparked when it was then controversially revealed that the match will not be televised.
Football fan Jack Murray, who is a County councillor from Inishowen, is one of many to blast the blackout.
He said: “It is absolutely disgraceful. There was a lot of excitement when the draw was made, everyone was looking forward to watching it.
“Fans would hope to see it in person, but those who can’t get a ticket would be looking forward to seeing it on TV.
“Now they are disappointed that it will not be televised. It defies logic. Donegal were last year’s Al-Ireland finalists and we’re national league champions.”
Councillor Jack Murray.
The well-known Donegal GAA supporter added: “Cork is a team on the up, it promises to be a fantastic game. For the people of Cork, they are the farthest county away from us.
“They have a huge population and will be looking forward to the game, but they have been completely excluded.
“We have Donegal people in the four corners of the world. They are bitterly disappointed.
“People have paid their GAA+ subscription for the year but now won’t see their county in this match.
“There are others, like carers in Donegal. They’re looking after children or elderly people and simply cannot get to the game. It is absolutely unacceptable.”
Fixtures for Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Donegal will host Cork in Ballybofey this coming Saturday, June 13, with a 3pm throw-in.
MacCumhaill Park has an 18,000-capacity and the match was seen as a homecoming by fans after the resurfacing works.
The winners will advance straight to the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
The games chosen by RTE for broadcast this Saturday on GAA+ instead of Donegal v Cork are Monaghan v Roscommon at 4.30pm and Derry v Meath at 7pm.
The clash on Saturday between Kildare v Kerry is also not being broadcast.
On Sunday, the matches picked for broadcast are Louth v Armagh on RTE at 1pm, followed by Galway v Westmeath on GAA+ at 2pm, and Tyrone v Mayo on RTE at 3.30pm.
The Cavan v Dublin match at 2pm on Sunday is not being televised.