language coverage of soccer and rugby

RTÉ has announced it will expand its Irish-language commentary on major international rugby and soccer fixtures.

Beginning with the Men's Six Nations Championship game on Saturday between England and Ireland, Irish commentary will be available live on RTÉ Player and the RTÉ News channel.

Irish language commentary will also be available during Ireland v Wales on 6 March and France v England on 14 March.

RTÉ began broadcasting the All-Ireland hurling and football finals live in Irish in 2015 and has continued its commitment to significantly expand the service year after year.

Irish-language commentary will be available on approximately 35 sports fixtures throughout 2026 including football, hurling, camogie, rugby and soccer live on the RTÉ Player and on the RTÉ News channel.

Niamh Ní Churnáin, Group Head of Irish Language, RTÉ, said: "Sport brings audiences together, and delivering those unforgettable moments 'as Gaeilge’ is central to our public service mission. This year, in partnership with RTÉ Sport, we’re expanding the number of events with Irish language commentary.

"We begin with England v Ireland in the Six Nations, with Garry Mac Donncha and Colm de Buitléar - the first of many major sporting moments RTÉ will deliver in both languages."

Ireland’s games in the Women’s Six Nations Championship will also be broadcast in Irish on RTÉ, including England v Ireland on 11 April and Ireland v Wales on 9 May.

Live Irish-language commentary will also be available for the crucial World Cup play-off semi-final for the Republic of Ireland soccer team against Czechia at the Fortuna Arena in Prague on 26 March, along with commentary and analysis of the Boys in Green's home matches in the UEFA Nations League in the autumn.

Women’s soccer international matches will also be covered, beginning with the World Cup qualifier against France on 3 March.

Garry Mac Donncha will lead the commentary team with co-commentary and analysis from Colm de Buitléar and Deirbhile Nic a Bháird (rugby) and Charlie McGeever (soccer) and many others.

Irish-language commentary on the All-Ireland football, hurling and camogie championships will begin in May, with matches broadcast every weekend until August. Alongside commentators Garry Mac Donncha and Cuán Ó Flatharta, co-commentary and analysis will be provided by Dara Ó Cinnéide, Pat Fleury and a host of other former players.

On RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, live commentary, analysis and reporting can be heard from all corners of the country every weekend on Spórt an tSathairn, Spórt an Tráthnóna and Spórt an Lae, with the 2026 All-Ireland football and hurling leagues now underway, as well as the latest news, fixtures and results from the biggest sporting events over the weekend.

List of games

Six Nations (Men)

21 February - England v Ireland

6 March - Ireland v Wales

14 March - France v England

Six Nations (Women)

11 April - England v Ireland

9 May - Ireland v Wales

Soccer (Men)

26 March - World Cup play-off semi-final - Czechia v Republic of Ireland

31 March - World Cup play-off final or friendly - Republic of Ireland v TBC

1 October - UEFA Nations League - Republic of Ireland v Austria

4 October - UEFA Nations League - Republic of Ireland v Israel

8 November - FAI Cup final

17 November - UEFA Nations League - Republic of Ireland v Kosovo

Click here to read article