No one really knew what to expect from Sky's flirtation with the GAA this year. With their first term coming to an end, it's fair to say that apart from a few hiccups, they've gone about their business without upsetting too many people. Not only that, they've also given us one of the more interesting sidebars from this year's Championship action.
Given that Gaelic games are now being broadcast on an international level, Sky's coverage has spawned quite a few converts to Gaelic games from across the water. Thanks to the majesty of social media, we also get a chance to see how our national games are being perceived elsewhere and quite often that reaction is highly entertaining.
Yesterday's enthralling All Ireland Hurling final was a case in point. Quite a few puzzled (and enthralled) first time spectators got the chance to see the game at its finest and although the viewing figures haven't exactly reached Champions League level yet, hurling and football are nonetheless making a mark on some newly interested spectators.
One of those converts was Cllr Bob Copland of the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council In Warwickshire, whose excitement at what was going on on Sky Sports yesterday was picked up on by quite a few people.
Whose idea was it to put HURLING on Sky? You are a genious, it's fantastic !!!!
— Cllr Bob Copland (@CllrBobCopland) September 7, 2014
On Monday morning, Copland was invited on to the John Murray Show on RTÉ Radio 1, where he was asked to give a voice to all the new hurling fans from Britain who are absolutely loving what they're seeing this summer.
Yesterday was the first time Copland had laid eyes on hurling and already he "can't wait for the 27th" to see Tipp and Kilkenny do it all over again.
Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
