A complete profile of the national broadcaster’s sports output

RTÉ Radio 1 is the principal radio channel of Ireland’s public service broadcaster, Raidió Teilifís Éireann. It is the most listened-to radio station in the country. For sports fans, it is the first place to turn for live coverage, expert analysis, and breaking news.

This profile looks at the history of the station, its sports programs and presenters, its coverage of GAA, soccer, and rugby, and how it handles major events.

History and Reach of RTÉ Radio 1

RTÉ Radio 1 dates back to January 1st, 1926. On that day, the Dublin radio station 2RN began broadcasting on a regular basis . A relay station in Cork, known as 6CK, opened in 1927. A high-power transmitter at Athlone in County Westmeath opened in 1932 .

From that point, the three stations became known as Radio Athlone. The name changed to Radio Éireann in 1937. Like most European national stations at the time, Radio Éireann tried to serve all listeners on a single channel. It broadcast a mix of entertainment, Irish language programming, and talks .

Radio Éireann began FM transmission in 1966. It was renamed RTÉ Radio later that year. When RTÉ established a new rock and pop station called RTÉ Radio 2 in 1979, the original channel was renamed RTÉ Radio 1 .

Today, RTÉ Radio 1 is available across Ireland on FM, 567 kHz MW, and 252 kHz LW. It is also available on the web and through satellite services. Listeners outside Europe can hear a selection of programs on the WRN service .

The station reaches a huge audience. According to recent JNLR figures, RTÉ Radio 1 broadcasts 18 of the top 20 shows and all of the top 10 shows on Irish radio . Programs like Morning Ireland, Today with David McCullagh, and Liveline attract hundreds of thousands of listeners each day . This reach makes RTÉ Radio 1 the most powerful platform for sports broadcasting in Ireland.

Sports Programs and Presenters

RTÉ Radio 1 has built a strong lineup of sports programming. The station offers live coverage, analysis, and discussion across the week.

Inside Sport

Inside Sport is a new early-evening sports show that launched in November 2025 . It airs weekdays from 6pm. The show is presented by Jacqui Hurley and Marie Crowe .

Inside Sport brings the latest news, previews, and reactions. It features live updates and straight-talking insight from guests and pundits . Marie Crowe has interviewed guests like former Irish soccer international Niall Quinn and Sarah Keane, outgoing CEO of Swim Ireland .

Jacqui Hurley is a well-known sports presenter. She has worked across television and radio. Marie Crowe is an award-winning journalist who also presents Sunday Sport alongside Des Cahill .

Saturday Sport

Saturday Sport airs every Saturday from 2pm to 7pm. It is presented by Joanne Cantwell, Des Cahill, and other well-known RTÉ Sports presenters . The show attracts around 204,000 listeners .

Saturday Sport provides live coverage of GAA, Premier League, national and international rugby and soccer, URC, and athletics . It offers real-time updates on weekend fixtures. The focus is on high-profile matches in Irish sports, including the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship and international leagues .

Sunday Sport

Sunday Sport has been broadcasting since 1971. It was originally presented by Paddy O’Brien . Today, it airs from 2pm to 6pm on Sundays. It is presented by Des Cahill and Marie Crowe . The show attracts around 210,000 listeners .

Sunday Sport emphasizes reflective discussions on the week’s major stories. It features in-depth features and debates on topics ranging from performance analysis to broader issues in sport . The show covers rugby, Gaelic games, soccer, golf, and horse racing .

Together, Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport form the cornerstone of RTÉ’s weekend schedule. They attract a wide audience of sports enthusiasts in Ireland and the Irish diaspora .

RTÉ GAA Podcast

RTÉ also produces specialist podcasts. The RTÉ GAA Podcast features analysis and interviews with players and managers. Éamonn Fitzmaurice, a former Kerry manager, is a regular contributor.

Ger Gilroy’s Daily Sports Podcast

In June 2026, RTÉ announced that Ger Gilroy would join the RTÉ Podcasts team to present a daily sports podcast . The show will launch later this year. It will cover GAA, soccer, rugby, athletics, boxing, and other sports .

Ger Gilroy has worked as a sports presenter across radio, podcasting, TV, and digital video for over 25 years . He said he is thrilled to be joining RTÉ and looks forward to chatting with new audiences .

RTÉ’s Head of Podcasts, Hugh Ormond, said: “We are really excited to work with Ger because of his obvious on-air charisma and his standing in the sports community – but also his innate understanding that love of sport is rooted in stories, characters, opinions and humour” .

This new podcast is part of an ambitious strategy to grow the RTÉ podcast slate. It comes alongside the launch of the station’s new audio app .

GAA Coverage on RTÉ Radio 1

The GAA is the most popular sport in Ireland. RTÉ Radio 1 provides extensive coverage of Gaelic games.

Live Commentary

RTÉ Radio 1 provides live commentary and analysis every weekend through Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport . The coverage is led by voices including Des Cahill, Joanne Cantwell, and Marie Crowe.

The station covers both hurling and Gaelic football championships. Their live commentary is free to access. You can listen on FM radio, on the RTÉ website, or through the RTÉ Radio Player app.

Allianz League Coverage

RTÉ Sport broadcasts live Allianz League games. In 2025, they broadcast eight live games . These included:

• Hurling: Wexford v Kilkenny, Wexford Park
• Football: Kerry v Dublin, Tralee
• Hurling: Tipperary v Cork, Thurles
• Football: Armagh v Dublin, Athletic Grounds
• Football: Kerry v Armagh, Tralee
• Hurling: Cork v Galway or Limerick v Wexford or Tipperary v Clare 

RTÉ kicks off its live Championship action each year. It continues year-round free-to-air GAA coverage across video, audio, and online. This includes RTÉ One, RTÉ Player, RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ Raidió Na Gaeltachta, RTÉ Radio app, and the RTÉ GAA Podcast .

The Replay Archive

One important feature of RTÉ’s coverage is the Replay archive. This online library features 52 radio match commentaries from All-Ireland senior football and hurling finals from 1985 to 2010. The commentaries are by the late Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, one of the most beloved voices in GAA history. The archive is searchable by game, year, or county. It is a treasure for any GAA fan.

The archive was created with support from the Ó Muircheartaigh family, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, the GAA, and RTÉ archives. It is designed to be accessible for people living with dementia.

Soccer Coverage on RTÉ Radio 1

Soccer is a major part of RTÉ Radio 1’s sports output.

Premier League

Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport provide live coverage of Premier League matches . This includes updates and analysis of the biggest games.

League of Ireland

RTÉ covers the League of Ireland. This includes matches involving clubs like Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers, Galway United, and Derry City. The station provides updates and reports on the domestic league.

International Soccer

RTÉ also covers international soccer. This includes Republic of Ireland matches and major tournaments.

Rugby Coverage on RTÉ Radio 1

Rugby is another key sport for RTÉ Radio 1.

Six Nations

The station provides live coverage of the Six Nations Championship. This includes Ireland’s matches against France, Italy, England, Wales, and Scotland. Ireland plays its home matches at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

United Rugby Championship

Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport feature live coverage of the URC . This includes matches involving the Irish provinces: Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster.

European Champions Cup

Sunday Sport has provided coverage of the European Champions Cup . This is the top club competition in European rugby.

RTÉ Rugby Podcast

RTÉ produces a dedicated rugby podcast. It delivers the latest news from the world of rugby. The station’s coverage is known for its deep insight into Irish and international rugby.

Other Sports on RTÉ Radio 1

RTÉ Radio 1 covers a wide range of other sports.

Athletics

Saturday Sport features live coverage of athletics . This includes major events and Irish athletes competing at home and abroad.

Boxing

RTÉ has provided extensive coverage of boxing. In 2026, RTÉ signed a major media partnership with Lidl around Katie Taylor’s historic final fight at Croke Park . The multi-platform deal saw Lidl sponsor RTÉ’s coverage across RTÉ2, RTÉ Player, and RTÉ 2FM .

Oliver Callan on RTÉ Radio 1, 2FM Drive, and Inside Sport broadcast from Lidl locations on the Friday and Saturday of the fight weekend . RTÉ’s coverage was presented by Jacqui Hurley, with audio coverage on RTÉ 2FM .

Golf

Sunday Sport has provided coverage of golf events. This includes the Volvo World Matchplay .

Horse Racing

Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport provide updates on horse racing. This includes major fixtures in the Irish racing calendar.

How RTÉ Radio 1 Covers Major Events

RTÉ Radio 1 has a strong record of covering major sporting events.

All-Ireland Finals

The station provides live commentary on the All-Ireland senior football and hurling finals. This is the biggest day in the GAA calendar. The coverage includes build-up, live commentary, and post-match analysis.

Six Nations Matches

RTÉ provides live coverage of Ireland’s Six Nations matches. This includes commentary and analysis before, during, and after each game.

Katie Taylor Fight

The Katie Taylor fight at Croke Park in September 2026 was a major event. RTÉ’s coverage spanned television, radio, and online. Inside Sport broadcast from Lidl Bray and Lidl Ballybough during the fight weekend . This shows how RTÉ integrates its sports coverage across platforms.

Olympic Games

RTÉ provides coverage of the Olympic Games. This includes updates and reports on Irish athletes competing on the world stage.

The Future of RTÉ Radio 1 Sports

RTÉ Radio 1 continues to invest in sports content.

The launch of Inside Sport in 2025 was part of the station’s biggest shake-up since 1999 . The show gives sports fans a daily evening option for news and analysis.

The appointment of Ger Gilroy for a daily sports podcast shows RTÉ’s commitment to digital audio . The new podcast will cover GAA, soccer, rugby, athletics, boxing, and beyond .

RTÉ’s Director of Audio, Patricia Monahan, said: “This is a key step for us in the delivery of the New Direction strategy which promises to engage audiences across Ireland with high impact content on digital platforms in addition to our well-established linear services” .

The station is also launching a new audio app later this year . This will make it easier for listeners to access RTÉ’s sports content on mobile devices.

Summary: Why RTÉ Radio 1 Matters for Sports Fans

RTÉ Radio 1 is the home of sports broadcasting in Ireland. It offers:

• Live coverage of GAA, soccer, rugby, athletics, boxing, and more
• Daily programs like Inside Sport for news and analysis
• Weekend shows like Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport for live updates
• Podcasts for on-demand listening
• A rich archive of historical commentaries
• Trusted presenters like Des Cahill, Joanne Cantwell, Jacqui Hurley, and Marie Crowe

Whether you follow the GAA championships, the Premier League, the Six Nations, or Katie Taylor’s boxing career, RTÉ Radio 1 has something for you. It is the national broadcaster’s most important sports platform. It is also the most listened-to radio station in Ireland.