GAA bosses have refused to reconsider screening Donegal’s crucial All-Ireland match – despite appeals from fans, councillors, pubs, and cinemas.
Jim McGuinness’s players are to battle Cork in four days for automatic qualification to this year’s championship quarter-finals.
But the biggest Donegal match of the season so far will controversially not be televised on either RTE, which charges a €160 yearly license fee, or the annual €95 GAA+ subscription service.
Fans have sent pleas on the social media of the Donegal News and a Donegal County councillor branded the snub a “disgrace” while a west Donegal pub and a Letterkenny cinema want to screen the game themselves.
However, both RTE and the GAA revealed to the Donegal News that they are not for turning.
A spokesperson for RTE told us that fixtures are “decided by the GAA” and that “GAA+ gets the first and second choice” at selecting games and that the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) decides “what games are on what days”.
The Donegal News asked the GAA: “Why was the Donegal v Cork match not selected for broadcast?”
A GAA spokesperson responded: “GAA+ has the right and will broadcast two games on the Saturday. They selected Monaghan v Roscommon and Derry v Meath.”
A source added: “Donegal has received the most broadcast coverage of every county in the country so far in 2026. That is 10 out of their 10 league and championship games either televised or streamed.”
A social media post claimed that the Bridge Inn bar in Dungloe was offering free pints for a “match-day hero” who provides a live stream from MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey.
Social media post on the Facebook page of the Bridge Inn bar in Dungloe.
It stated: “Can you help us watch the match? The game is not being televised. So we’re hoping you can stream it for us so we can watch live in the bar.
“We need you to please video call us on Facetime and show the match on your phone so we can watch live in the bar.”
It added: “Incredible reward: free pints of Guinness for you and a friend all day Sunday.”
The bar told the Donegal News today (Tuesday) that it is still has not agreed with someone to screen the game.
It has received a match ticket from a local whiskey company in their bid to find a punter who will go to the game and screen it.
A post on the bar’s Facebook page stated: “The company has reached out and very kindly donated a ticket for the supporter who helps us stream the match live to the bar.
“We’ve had plenty of interest from people willing to help us out and now we have to decide who gets the ticket.
“We’ll be reviewing all the messages and will announce our chosen match-day hero soon.”
Similarly, Century Cinema in Letterkenny told the Donegal News that it is also looking to stream the match.
Century Cinema Letterkenny hopes to help fans.
A manager said: “We have streamed matches before. We have shown Ulster finals and All-Irelands before.
“We thought so many Donegal fans are disappointed, so it’d be great to show it – and it would be free; we won’t charge admission.
“We don’t know yet how we could broadcast it. Maybe the powers that be will change their mind. There might be regulations to look at.”
A post on the cinema’s Facebook page stated: “Can Donegal fans work a little magic?
“Donegal take on Cork in a massive Championship showdown. Like many supporters, we’re disappointed that the game isn’t being shown live on television.
“We’d love to bring the match to the cinema screen and create a free viewing event for local fans – but we need a little help to make it happen.
“If you’re travelling to the game and think you might be able to help us access a live feed from MacCumhaill Park, we’d love to hear from you.
“Imagine it: championship football on the big screen; cinema atmosphere; hundreds of Donegal supporters together; free admission. No promises just yet, but if we can make it happen, we will.
“If you know someone heading to the game, who might be able to help, tag them or send them our way. Let’s see what the Donegal community can do.”
Wellknown Donegal GAA fan Jack Murray, who is a County councillor from Inishowen, branded the TV blackout a “disgrace” and expressed disbelief about the responses from RTE and the GAA.
Well-known Donegal GAA supporter Jack Murray, who is a Donegal Co Cllr, with his wife Sabrina and daughter Bláithín.
Jack told the Donegal News: “I find that response very unconvincing.
“GAA+ has multiple channels and the capacity to show far more games than traditional television.
“There will also be cameras at the match on the day with footage being recorded for highlights afterwards.
“If the game is already being filmed, it is difficult to understand why that footage cannot be made available live to supporters who are unable to attend.
“At the very least, the GAA should give a clear and transparent explanation for why that is not happening.”
He added specifically of the GAA’s response: “It is dismissive and they should give a clear explanation.”
Donegal will host Cork in Ballybofey this Saturday with a 3pm throw-in.