RTÉ unveils live GAA Championship coverage

RTÉ Television have announced a comprehensive package of up to 40 live games to be broadcast during this summer's GAA Championships.

The national broadcasters coverage will begin on Sunday, 17 May when 'The Sunday Game Live' will show the Ulster SFC clash between Fermanagh and Down.

RTÉ will also show all the quarter-final, semi-final and final action from both the All-Ireland football and hurling Championships.

The showpiece Munster SHC and Ulster SFC will also be covered, as well as the eagerly-awaited clash between old rivals Dublin and Meath in the Leinster SFC.

Along with the live action, 'The Sunday Game' highlights show will return. The show's former presenter Pat Spillane will return to his old football pundit position, with Des Cahill taking the helm from 17 May.

Ger Loughnane will also be on hand to offer his analysis on the hurling action, after his two-year stint as Galway manager.

The country's obsession with Gaelic games was evidenced by the audiences of 709,000 and 703,000 that tuned in to watch last year's All-Ireland SHC and SFC finals respectively.

RTÉ will announce details of its radio and online coverage of the Championships on Friday, 8 May.

RTÉ SPORT LIVE GAA CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL & HURLING FIXTURES 2009 ([H] for hurling)

17 May Fermanagh v Down, 3.30pm

24 May Derry v Monaghan, 2pm
Kildare v Offaly, 4pm

30 May Offaly v Wexford, 7pm [H]

31 May Tyrone v Armagh, 2pm
Tipperary v Cork, 4pm [H]

6 June Cavan v Fermanagh/Down, 7pm

7 June Meath v Dublin, 4pm

13 June Kildare/Offaly v Wexford, 7pm

14 June Longford/Wicklow v Westmeath, 2pm
Limerick v Waterford, 4pm [H]

20 June New York/Mayo v Leitrim/Roscommon, 5pm
Leinster SHC semi-final, 7pm

21 June Tyrone/Armagh v Derry/Monaghan, 2pm

27 June Donegal/Antrim v Cavan/Fermanagh/Down, 7pm

28 June Sligo v London/Galway, 2pm

4 July All-Ireland Qualifiers

11 July All-Ireland Qualifiers

12 July Munster SHC final, 4pm

18 July All-Ireland Qualifiers

19 July Ulster SFC final, 2pm

25/26 July All-Ireland Qualifiers
All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals

1/2/3 August All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals

9 Aug All-Ireland SHC & MHC semi-finals

16 AugAll-Ireland SHC & MHC semi-finals

23 Aug All-Ireland SFC & MFC semi-finals

30 Aug All-Ireland SFC & MFC semi-finals

6 Sept All-Ireland SHC & MHC finals

20 Sept All-Ireland SFC & MFC finals