Considering how repetitive and samey this draw is each year, the state broadcaster strived hard to make a big production of it.
In the end, the thing dragged on longer than Ben Hur. But no worries it's all showbiz. We got treated to some dazzling Joe Brolly observations after each provincial football draw.
See the full draw for both hurling and football championships here.
Without question, the finest moment arrived at the end after the Leinster football championship - soon to be renamed the annual urban on rural arse-kicking contest - when Jonny Cooper said that Carlow or Wexford would present a "tough challenge" for Dublin in the Leinster quarter-final.
He does, admittedly, only "suppose" it will be a tough challenge. He wasn't prepared to go out on a limb and state for a fact that it would be a squeaker.
Dublin's Jonny Cooper says Carlow or Wexford will be 'a tough challenge' https://t.co/uYwfYaweDR
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) October 13, 2016
Regardless, Jonny acknowledged Dublin's good fortune in avoiding Wicklow, a fact to which Brian Allen drew attention
Dubs jammy luck continues by avoiding Wicklow until Leinster final #GAA2017
— Brian Allen (@PauloBraldini) October 13, 2016
Jonny Cooper "tough challenge against Carlow or Wexford" He's a bloody scream, should be on stage ...???
— Barry Fitzgerald (@bfitzgerald76) October 13, 2016
Jonny Cooper "Carlow or Wexford will be tough". Stop talking shite Jonny and say "We'll hammer them all Marty". #GAA #championshipdraw
— Diarmuid Nolan (@dermonolan91) October 13, 2016
Handy run in Leinster for Carlow ?? #GAA2017
— Susan Quigley (@susie_sq12) October 13, 2016
Note to self: don't take betting tips off Johnny Cooper #GAA2017
— Roisin (@roisinlizzy) October 13, 2016
Cooper himself was the biggest talking point of the whole evening. Joe Brolly is quite fond of telling the watching audience what goes on in the studio when the camera is looking elsewhere. In his Sindo articles, he repeatedly details Pat Spillane's work practices when it comes to his Sunday World columns.
He described how the other players, while forgoing alcohol, were munching on biscuits. But when Cooper arrived, well-dressed and taking swigs from a 2-litre bottle of water, the other players quickly discarded the biscuits.
Say what you will but Joe Brolly just livened this up big style #GAA
— Oisin Langan (@oisinlangan) October 13, 2016
Joe Brolly making this an interesting watch! #GAA
— Lauren Guilfoyle (@GuilfoyleLauren) October 13, 2016
People everywhere putting the biscuits down after Joanne rats out Seamus Callanan #GAA2017
— ciaran lennon (@ciaranlennon) October 13, 2016
Brolly laid a lot of the blame for Leinster's dreary championship at Meath's door.
The panel reckon Meath and Kildare need to step up in Leinster https://t.co/uyzKuvq8iz
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) October 13, 2016
Marty became quite breathless with excitement when the Tyrone-Derry pairing when came out. He appeared to forget how the game in Celtic Park finished last May.
Down, meanwhile, got a home draw for the first time in yonks. Haven't began a campaign in Pairc Esler since 1999.
We have the same old debate about Ulster counties getting the rough end of the current championship structures.
Are people actually excited about Tyrone and Derry? Calling it now that Tyrone will win by at least six points #GAA2017
— Peter Farrell (@PeterFarr_) October 13, 2016
Wohhooooo home draw to the auld rivals Armagh.... always a Tasty affair... bring on the championship #GAA2017 #gaa #downgaa
— marie-clare (@sweetirishf) October 13, 2016
To get to last 12, Fermanagh have to beat Monaghan, Cavan and Down/Armagh. Roscommon have to beat winners of Leitrim/London...fair? #GAA2017
— Seamus Leonard (@VelvetGorilla) October 13, 2016
In Connacht, people were slightly unhappy with the Rossies' allegedly tame route to the Connacht final.
Roscommon to beat Leitrim/London to get to Connacht final. Go home GAA you're drunk. #GAA2017 #GAA #ConnachtChampionship
— John Connellan (@johnC_BL) October 13, 2016
@ballsdotie The rossies dont havea real game until the 21st of July. Jammy pigs
— Shaun Dooley (@shaund55) October 13, 2016
In the Leinster championship, we did get an exciting first round match with Galway and Dublin colliding. Dublin are due the home match this time as their last meeting was the 2015 Leinster quarter-final replay held in... Tullamore.
Hopefully @gaaleinster will give @Galway_GAA an invite to meal and not just the afters. Imagine Galway v Dublin in Pearse stadium. #GAA
— Oisin Langan (@oisinlangan) October 13, 2016
Ultimately, however, most of the chatter online centred around how long the bloody thing was.
The #GAA2017 draw is the most dragged out thing I've seen on TV since Lost. When will the polar bears appear?? #GAA #MartyMorrisey
— David Smith (@Smith15D) October 13, 2016
90 min for a ten min draw, too early also! Why not do it night of All Stars in December @RTEgaa ?! #GAA2017 #GAA
— Brian Egan (@bokane82) October 13, 2016
This old draw is a bit dragged out! #Gaa2017 #GAADraw
— ciaran murphy (@murphysgloves) October 13, 2016
At this rate we'll find out our opponents in the championship the night before the match, this is exhausting @LeitrimGAA @rte #GAA2017
— Kian Murray (@kianmurr) October 13, 2016
Jaysus they're fairly dragging the arse outta this #GAA2017 draw. @RTEgaa
— Adam Bates (@AdamBates08) October 13, 2016
'Laborious' & 'dull' are definitely 2 words to describe this tv. It's like a stuffy party political broadcast #GAA2017
— Louise NíFhiannachta (@LouiseNiF) October 13, 2016
Read more: The Draw For The 2017 Hurling And Football Championships Have Been Made
