Timing of the Galway and Clare replay could spell disaster for the GAA

RTE have decided to show three games on Sunday with Galway v Clare, Dublin v Roscommon and Donegal v Tyrone all set to be televised on the national broadcaster.

The All-Ireland semi-final replay will be shown live on RTÉ 2 from 2pm, while the must-win All-Ireland quarter-final group stage match between Donegal and Tyrone (RTÉ 1) and the dead rubber between Dublin and Roscommon (RTÉ News Now) will both throw-in from 3:30pm. The relative proximity of all three games could create a scenario where viewers could have to choose between the three different matches and this possibility will be inevitable if the semi-final between Galway and Clare once again goes to extra-time as it did last weekend at Croke Park. However, the GAA's decision to move the All-Ireland U21 hurling semi-final between Galway and Tipperary from Saturday to Wednesday week creates a situation where the GAA could have completely avoided such a scenario. If the association brought the Cork and Wexford U21 semi-final forward to 2pm from 4pm on Saturday, it would have created an ideal slot for the Clare and Galway game at 4pm with the final round of the All-Ireland quarter-final group stage games then set to take place from 6pm. Alternatively, if the GAA moved the Sunday All-Ireland quarter-final group stage games back to a later time it would also eliminate the potential of games clashing. The current scenario leaves a possibility open that viewers would have to choose between the hurling and football on the Sunday. Fixtures Saturday 4 August All-Ireland U21HC semi-finals Galway v Tipperary, Cusack Park, Ennis, 2pm - TG4 (*moved to Wednesday week) Cork v Wexford, Nowlan Park, 4pm - TG4 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final round 3 Galway v Monaghan, Pearse Stadium, 6pm - Sky Sports Kerry v Kildare, Fitzgerald Stadium, 6pm - Sky Sports Sunday 5 August All-Ireland SHC semi-final replay Galway v Clare, Semple Stadium, 2pm - RTE 2 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final round 3 Donegal v Tyrone, Ballybofey, 3.30pm - RTE 1 Dublin v Roscommon, Croke Park, 3.30pm - RTE News Now