GAAGO creating 'invisible barrier' for elderly fans with no online access

Age Action, which advocates for older people in Ireland, has claimed that GAAGO is creating an “invisible barrier” for elderly hurling and football fans who have no online access or cannot afford the streaming service.

GAAGO was launched nine years ago aiming to allow people around the world to watch GAA matches online.

The service expanded in to full TV coverage in October of last year after Sky Sports' broadcasting deal with the GAA came to an end. Some matches on GAAGO are free on demand whilst others are behind a paywall.

In an interview with Newstalk Breakfast, Age Action Senior Public Affairs and Policy Specialist  Nat O’Connor, said that the reality is that many older people are not using the internet.

“It's an invisible barrier that people don't have the technology or the wherewithal to access these games online, and it's not a small issue.

"Our concern would be that it is really important that everybody can take part in GAA. It is part of the fabric of society. For many people they have been loyal followers of the GAA all their lives.

"It is not a small issue. Three in ten older people would not be using the internet at all and another three in ten who would be using the internet but would have basic skills. They would not be up to doing financial transactions online.

"They might not be comfortable in buying services. It adds up to a large number of people. So as a result they are missing out.

"There is a creeping increase in the numbers of things going online. There is a lot of major matches which would have been available that are no longer available but are on GAAGO."

Mr O’Connor said GAAGO has excluded a large portion of the population from watching GAA matches because of its online mechanism.

“We're talking