The broadcasting of hurling on Sky Sports 3 sparked some excellent reaction from Sky's Irish audience as well as a totally new viewership across the UK, who watched incredulously as Kilkenny steamrolled a lacklustre Offaly side in Nowlan Park.
In case you missed the fun, here are some more great Tweets from our friends across the Irish Sea, as they watched hurling for the very first time.
@annabellee0 @BigPete33 @Paul_Jenkins1 Surely someone must have died playing this game?
— Adam Calverley (@adamcalverley) June 7, 2014
When's the next hurling match on Sky Sports? These lunatic passionate Irish lot tweeting me have actually converted me now. Well done.
— Rob Harvey (@robharvey5) June 8, 2014
“@samthedogtaylor: Watching this Irish Hurling on sky sports confirms my belief that the Irish are mental.”@paddypower — Robert Fullam (@mushyfullam) June 8, 2014
Without doubt the maddest goalkeeper in the world has to be a hurling team goalkeeper... Mad absolute madness #nuts
— Martin Kay (@flashingbat) June 7, 2014
Watching the hurling on sky sports 3. Far too many numbers on the scoreboard, what does it all mean @EmmaAWheatley?? — Chris (@Hollibobs82) June 7, 2014
Looks mad that hurling game
— Danny Pascoe (@DannyPascoe11) June 7, 2014
Watch Hurling on Sky3.dangerous game,notice 4 doctors on pitch,wearing white coats ,2 either end ,both sides of the goal. brave men. #GAA
— .................... (@johnaquinn) June 8, 2014
Think Hurling has to be one of the,if not the,most dangerous sport there is!! Nutty Irish men with sticks and a hard ball and no protection!
— Sharif Owadally (@sharifowadally) June 8, 2014
For more brilliant tweets from our neighbours across the water visit here and here.
The brilliant confused reactions proved extremely popular, the country revelled in the disbelief that the Sky Sports coverage inspired in their new viewership. 2FM's Paddy Mc Kenna talked about the Twitter reaction on his 'Weekenders' show, even interviewing one of the Tweeters. here is the clip.
The Sky coverage of hurling was worth it for the reactions alone; while the Brits observed with awe and wonderment, there was a more measured sense of satisfaction from the domestic audience. Here are a few of the Irish reactions to the appearance of Sky cameras at GAA games nationwide.
Well done SKY & @Rachelwyse_ Because after the inaugural broadcast even BBC acknowledging global reach of hurling pic.twitter.com/PQdnxKZbcS — Joe Flaherty (@joefla) June 8, 2014
loving the new audience sky has brought to hurling! to all the newbies > youtube #hurling #allirelandfinals 2012 & 13 http://t.co/M0vVVkVP73 — Susan O'Bri (@susobri) June 8, 2014
Jamesie O'Connor - hurling's answer to Gary Neville: Move over Gary Neville… Sky Sports have unearthed a ... http://t.co/cfS3aK00Qh #gaa
— HoganStand GAA (@hoganstandgaa) June 9, 2014
@CyrilMcA It is tough but Hurling needs to grow or it will die. Needs must I think. What was done to now is not an option anymore IMO. — HolidaysIreland (@HolidaysIreland) June 8, 2014
Only a matter of time before England falls in love with Gaelic and hurling thanks to sky sports???? — Eamónn Lavery (@E_lav1967) June 8, 2014
