Airways crackle in radio showdown

TENSION crackled on and off the airways last weekend when Clare FM and Kilkee-based community radio station Raidió Corca Baiscinn both attempted to broadcast live commentary on the county football semi-final replay in Doonbeg.

In the end, Clare FM emerged victors as the game was aired in full on the countywide local station.
Originally, Clare FM had planned to have full coverage of Saturday’s senior hurling semi-final between Newmarket and Clonlara, which was originally scheduled for Cusack Park. The station had to change its plans at short notice when the game was moved to Sixmilebridge, where they didn’t have a phoneline.
Instead, commentator Syl O’Connor headed for Doonbeg to impart coverage of the Kilmurry Ibrickane and Kilrush replay.

Raidió Corca Baiscinn had planned to broadcast full coverage of the game with commentator Derrick Lynch and analyst Joe Garry, who instead provided expert analysis for Clare FM in what was a bulging press box in Shanahan McNamara Park.

In a statement to The Clare Champion, Raidió Corca Baiscinn station manager Conn Ó Muíneacháin maintained that the community radio station is entitled to broadcast games and seeks permission from the Clare County Board to do so.

“There is a background of claims being made that Clare FM has certain rights which exclude us. I haven’t seen any evidence as to what these rights are. I don’t know if that’s the case but our position is that when we want to broadcast a match, we seek permission from the secretary of the Clare County Board,” he explained.

“That is how we decide whether we are going to broadcast a match or not. We sought and received permission from the county secretary to broadcast the game last weekend but we were unable to do so for reasons beyond our control. I think it’s a pity that followers of the hurling and the football couldn’t have had a choice of live commentary of both games on Saturday,” the station manager added.

GAA communications manager Alan Milton said broadcasting rights issues are being examined. “As things stand, we’re trying to resolve the issue and clarify how far one’s rights extend in this regard,” he said.
At the time of going to press, Clare FM had not responded to Clare Champion queries on the matter.