What a mess.
Ever since Kildare claimed yesterday afternoon they would not play their Round 3 Qualifier tie with Mayo in Croke Park, this situation have gone from bad to worse. The GAA, in several statements, have made it clear they are not for moving, and have so far done so without the smallest thread of regret or apology to Kildare, who had their home advantage stripped from them.
As of now, no game will take place, and we must assume Mayo will be given a walkover.
One of the more confusing trends since the situation dissolved into its current farce has been the murmurings in the background that this is somehow all the fault of Sky Sports.
Sky Sports, which has exclusive rights to two of this weekend's four qualifier games, naturally chose Mayo vs. Kildare as one of their two live games this week. However, this was done before any venue was announced, and claim they never have any say in where a game is played.
In a statement, they say:
Sky has introduced red button functionality to cater for all eventualities including extra time for when we have double headers on our GAA coverage.
Sky has absolutely no influence on the selection of venues for live televised matches.
In any event, Sky will have crews ready and in place to film this weekend’s games regardless of where they take place.
The red button option covers the broadcaster in the event of extra time being played. This follows on from their coverage of the Meath-Tyrone game which meant viewers missed out on the start of Kilkenny vs Wexford due to extra time
It certainly defies the logic that Sky Sports wanted to keep their games in the same venue to avoid a repeat of that problem. It should also be said that Sky Sports will naturally want to have their exclusive fixture played, and stand to gain nothing by the GAA's stubbornness.
A person close to the situation has informed Balls that Sky Sports don't care where the game is and are no way involved in this controversy, no matter how much certain people attempt to bring them into it at all times.
Interestingly, a number of personalities who are paid by RTE, have come out to blame Sky for this situation, seemingly without any foundation.
Joe Brolly has retweeted several tweets blaming Sky Sports for the situation, while Colm O'Rourke alleged on Morning Ireland that "There does some seem to be Sky in the background here".
Kildare abú! I love the GAA’s new term for Sky money: “health and safety concerns” #CrokerFarce #GAA #heatwave
— Oliver Callan (@olivercallan) June 26, 2018
It remains to be seen if Sky Sports will have a game to show at 7pm this Saturday following Cavan vs. Tyrone.
