Hurling & Camogie

‘A totally bonkers game’ - new hurling fans praise ‘blood, sweat and tears’ as All-Ireland final shown on BBC network for first time

Live coverage from Croke Park saw one of the most thrilling finals in recent years and was watched by ...

Mark Rodgers
Clare's Mark Rodgers during the all Ireland Senior hurling final at Croke Park, Dublin. Picture Mark Marlow
By Liam Grimley

First-time hurling fans have described the sport as “a totally bonkers game” after the All-Ireland Final was shown on the BBC’s network for the first time.

The ancient Irish sport could have won some new fans and spectators after Sunday’s All-Ireland final between Cork and Clare was shown outside Ireland.

One first-time viewer said X: “I’m hooked. Those lads were fantastic! Blood, sweat and tears. Never has a sport kept me on the edge of my seat like this.”

Clare came out on top by one point, scoring 3-29 to Cork’s 1-34, in what has already been hailed as one of the best finals the game has seen.

New Zealand actor Russell Crowe even caught some of the action, saying on social media, “I saw one spectacular goal. Solo effort. Your man was possessed!”

Robert Downey of Cork and Clare’s Tony Kelly scored the pick of the goals in the game that saw the Banner County lift its fifth All-Ireland title.

Other viewers in the UK shared their disbelief at the sport of hurling, with one calling it “the most exciting sports event I ever saw.”

A viewer in the UK said: “Turned on BBC this afternoon and have seen this mad sport called Hurling.

“You Irish guys are crazy! This All-Ireland Hurling Final is going to extra-time now - get it on!”

Another reacting on social media said: “Hurling appears to be a mix of UFC, rugby, hockey, football, baseball, the egg and spoon race all whilst hitting a snooker ball as hard as you can as high into the sky as possible towards goal with what looks like the bones of a tomahawk steak.

“10/10. Would recommend.”

Comedian Dara Ó Briain, who has been a permanent fixture on the hurling coverage this year for the BBC and last year’s football final coverage, was sharing the build-up to the game and helping to bridge the gap between new viewers and experienced fans.

Following yesterday’s final, he posted on X, saying: “So delighted that so many people enjoyed it. It’s a brilliant spectacle anyway, but that match was a stone-cold classic.

“Thanks to Clare and Cork for that feast.”

Next week, the All-Ireland Senior football championship final between Armagh and Galway will be shown on BBC NI and on the iPlayer due to the Olympics coverage taking priority on the BBC.