Irish channel TG4 announces significant increase in racing coverage

There is a TV treat in store for Irish racing fans after terrestrial channel TG4 announced a significant increase to its racing output in March and April with seven successive weekends to be shown live.

TG4 has covered the annual Listowel festival for the past 16 years and broke new ground with a live broadcast from Punchestown last Sunday.

Beginning at Leopardstown on Sunday, March 7, TG4 will cover racing each weekend through to the middle of April, taking in fixtures from eight different racecourses, including the start of the Flat season from the Curragh on Sunday, March 21.

The programmes will be hosted by Seán Bán Breathnach and Mánus Ó Conghaile and they will be joined by reporter Daragh Ó Conchúir.

Speaking about the move, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha, head of sport at TG4, said: "Building on the back of the success of our coverage from Punchestown, we are delighted to roll out increased coverage of Irish horseracing in the coming weeks.

"The coverage will be extensive to say the least, we will show six races live from Leopardstown to begin with and on days with two race meetings, we have pencilled in live races from both fixtures.

"We are particularly excited about the start of the new Flat season at the Curragh on Sunday, March 21 and our coverage on Saturday, April 3 brings in the first day of the Easter Festivals from both Fairyhouse and Cork.

"The Derby and Guineas trials will be central to the programme from Leopardstown on Sunday, April 11."

TG4 live coverage in March and April

Leopardstown – March 7
Limerick & Naas – March 14
Curragh – March 21
Limerick, Naas – March 28
Fairyhouse, Cork – April 3
Leopardstown – April 11
Tramore, Dundalk – April 18

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