Former GAA president Nickey Brennan believes it would benefit clubs if (and when) a deal is brokered with broadcasting giant Sky.

The Association seems to be on the verge of announcing a championship link-up with the subscription channel as part of its next three-year broadcasting rights deal and there are concerns that such a move might be to the detriment of ordinary fans of gaelic games.

But Brennan points out that any revenues generated from such a partnership would filter down to the clubs:

"It is something that has probably been in the pipeline for some time," the Kilkenny man said on RTE Radio. "I know that Sky has expressed interest the last couple of times that the television rights came up for negotiations. I was involved myself a few years ago when Setanta became involved and that was the first time the GAA dipped its toe in the water regarding a pay-per-view service.

"I think that if this goes ahead Sky will bring some innovation. They have innovative technology, the way they present matches will be exciting, and I think it's important that the majority of games will still be available free-to-air for spectators and supporters.

"I don't see the majority of the games, and particularly those at the latter end of the championship, ever moving off terrestrial television to be honest.

"I don't think the GAA is looking at that at all as far as I know. But I do think there is an opportunity for the GAA to expand its games into new audiences and see more innovation take over. People now have a lot more smart devices and games can be seen on different media.

"I think the GAA are doing what a lot of other sporting organisations are doing, while at the same time retaining the majority of games for terrestrial TV and the majority of people in the country." Tweet

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