Latest news with #UpForTheMatch
Irish Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
RTE Up for the Match competition winner is county councillor and TD's daughter
The winner of a pair of All-Ireland hurling final tickets on RTE's Up for the Match was Tipperary county councillor Máirín McGrath, who is the daughter of independent TD Mattie McGrath. The independent councillor for the Cahir Electoral Area on Tipperary County Council won a competition on the programme for a pair of tickets for Sunday's final between Tipp and Cork at Croke Park. Máirín went up against Toronto-based Cork fan Lisa-Marie O Mahony, who flew home from Canada for the decider. The competition saw Máirín and Lisa-Marie have to say if a former hurling star had more or less All Stars than the player that was called out before them. Máirín won the tickets after correctly guessing that Anna Geary (four) had more All Stars than Seán Óg Ó hAilpín (three). Speaking on the programme ahead of the game starting, Máirín said: "Big stakes for me. I'm with one of my friends. I'm her bridesmaid, she's getting married in a couple of weeks, but she's an insufferable Cork fan and so she's looking for a ticket too. She said if I win the game I'll be upgraded to maid of honour." Máirín McGrath and Mattie McGrath TD (Image: Instagram/ Máirín McGrath) Her victory amused viewers online, with one person writing on X: "Does @rte know one of the guests competing for tickets on Up For The Match is a county councillor in Tipperary and Mattie McGrath's daughter?" However, many people didn't see an issue with the county councillor winning the tickets. One viewer said: "Don't see the problem here? Are county councillors forbidden to enter competitions? Erm no is the answer" Another commented: "Do these things disqualify her from taking part? Of course not. Jasus, the manufactured outrage is tedious." Someone else said: "Why is this relevant? Is there a law forbidding councillors to keep for prizes?" RTE have been contacted by the Irish Mirror for comment.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
RTE drops huge All Ireland surprise ahead of Cork and Tipperary final
Riverdance is set to perform ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland final, RTE has revealed. The global dance troupe will perform on Up For The Match on Saturday, which will be hosted by Des Cahill and Jacqui Hurley. More than 80,000 fans will be heading to Croke Park on Sunday for what is to be expected to be an exhilarating All-Ireland final between Cork and Tipperary. But on Saturday, fans have been promised fun, passion, "and a bit of Riverdance" as hosts Des and Jacqui count down to the game on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Saturday at 9:35pm. Des said: 'I've been presenting Up for the Match for over 20 years now, and it never gets old. It's something I look forward to every single time. 'The buzz, the craic, the last-minute nerves - it's become a bit of a cultural phenomenon. For GAA fans, it's the only place to be. It's like Christmas Eve mass, the night before the big event... but with more banter and a lot more jerseys!" Jacqui said: "I've been counting down the days to Up for the Match. It always feels extra special when your own county is involved, and there's a lot of emotion tied into Cork's story this year. 'A first-ever All-Ireland final between Cork and Tipp? That's something really special - and I've no doubt both sets of fans will bring the craic on Saturday night." Viewers are in for a real treat as the world-famous Riverdance takes to the stage to open the show with a spectacular performance sure to get feet tapping across the country. Live from Loughmore-Castleiney in Tipperary, Marty Morrissey meets the family, friends, and clubmates of the iconic McGrath brothers as they prepare for Sunday's showdown. Meanwhile, back in Cork, Anna Geary catches up with passionate supporters from Blarney GAA - the home club of stars Mark Coleman, Shane Barrett, and Pádraig Power. In studio, a stellar line-up of hurling greats including Seánie McGrath, Lar Corbett, and Brian Corcoran share their insights and memories ahead of what promises to be a historic final. "It wouldn't be Up for the Match without some familiar faces - 2FM's Carl Mullan, Roz Purcell, and Aisling Bonner, Kerry's own Billy Keane, and Paralympian Ellen Keane join Olympian Nadia Power to share their favourite All-Ireland memories. "There will be musical performances as well from Irish trad band Ceol and surprise musical moments representing both Cork and Tipp,' RTE said in a statement. Up for the Match airs Saturday 19 July at 9:35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Up for the Match (Football) airs Saturday 26 July at 9:35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Five times Up for the Match proved to be legendary
Ahead of Saturday night's Up for the Match, we've rounded up five top moments from the RTÉ One sports show from over the years. On Saturday night at 9.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, hosts Jacqui Hurley and Des Cahill will present an evening of chat and music ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final which will see Cork and Tipperary face off in Croke Park. Here are five times Up for the Match proved to be legendary. The Marty Party hits Armagh The 'Marty Party' was in full swing in Silverbridge, Co. Armagh last year. Marty's grand entrance and stylish dance moves are never far from our minds! The 2 Johnnies & The Boogie Men Who could forget this banger from none other than The 2 Johnnies! And who could forget the hairstyles?! Could this be Tipperary's year again? Only time will tell. Kilkenny is Up for The Match Up For The Match is all about celebrating county pride and who better to celebrate the love of the game more than The King ahead of Kilkenny's face-off against Tipperary. Lisa Canny's Aslan tribute Folk artist Lisa Canny created this beautiful traditional Irish arrangement of Crazy World in honour of the late Aslan singer, Christy Dignam, featuring his daughter Kiera Dignam on vocals. Beautiful. Dublin's Biggest Fan - Pauline Stanley Not even their own wedding would stop this couple going to the All-Ireland Final! Des made their dream come true on Up For The Match.
