Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1302727
26 | AUTUMN 2020 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie to reward players and to play games in places such as Singapore, New York, Toronto and other cities across the globe. Q : Unfortunately, we won't have as many spectators for our Championship games as was the case in previous years. When you look at last year's record Finals attendance of 56,114, how big an achievement was that for both LGFA and TG4? A: It was a huge achievement. I remember when TG4 started broadcasting and sponsoring Ladies Football and, in particular, the first Finals we broadcast back in in 2001. There were 21,000 spectators in Croke Park at that Final to see Laois beat Mayo in the Senior decider. The attendance was around 21,000 for some years and then it began to rise. Since 2013 the attendance has been rising steadily and as sponsors and broadcasters of Ladies Football it was an immensely proud moment when 56,114 spectators gathered in Croke Park last year for the TG4 All-Ireland Finals. This achievement didn't happen overnight. It was the culmination of hard work from so many people within the LGFA family - from grassroots all around the country, to everyone who has been and is still involved in Ladies Football. Q : This is obviously an incredibly challenging time for sport and sports coverage. How different do you think TG4's coverage of the 2020 Championships will be? A: It is a very challenging time but sport plays a prominent role in our lives. Unfortunately, we didn't have the Lidl League Finals earlier this year which was a pity for all the teams involved and we missed out on providing live coverage to a national audience. The TG4 coverage will be presented by Máire Ní Bhraonáin and she will be joined by a knowledgeable team of analysts such as Rena Buckley, Sorcha Furlong and Michelle Ryan. It will be strange not to have crowds at matches during the Championship and to see an empty Croke Park. But TG4's coverage will remain the same, with live coverage each weekend and highlights on our Monday evening highlights programme. We are working on some initiatives and some fan engagement ideas to ensure that people at home can enjoy the Championship safely and that they can support their teams and feel as if they are part of the action. Q : Máire Ní Bhraonáin has been confirmed as the new lead anchor of TG4's Peil na mBan coverage. What will Máire bring to the table – and how pleased are you with this appointment? A: We are delighted that Máire is our new Peil na mBan Beo presenter. She has been working on TG4's Ladies Football coverage since 2011. As a former player, she knows everything about the game and she will bring a wealth of experience to our coverage. I know Máire will get the best out of our team of analysts each week. Q : What piece of advice would you offer to an aspiring analyst/ broadcaster? A: Be willing to work very hard and have a growth mindset. Listen to others around you. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Research subjects as much as possible and build up knowledge about your areas of interests. Be positive. Q : And who's given you the best advice during your journey to date? A: I am always happy to take suggestions on board. I am lucky that I have worked with some great people down through the years. Helen O'Rourke and all the LGFA staff have always given us great advice and great support in everything that the RÓNÁN Ó COISDEALBHA HEAD OF SPORT IN TG4 Clockwise: Aishling Moloney of Tipperary, is presented with the player of the match award by Rónán Ó Coisdealbha, Head of Sport, TG4, during the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Intermediate Championship Final match between Meath and Tipperary at Croke Park in Dublin. Stars of the TG4 All Ireland Championships assembled at the famous Dún Aengus on Inis Mór in the Aran Islands to launch the 2017 TG4 All Ireland Championships.