Gaelic Football is officially Ireland’s favourite sport, according to a new Newstalk poll.
The survey, carried out by Amárach Research, finds that 40% of Irish people put Gaelic Football as their favourite sport - followed by Hurling (24%), Rugby (15%) and Soccer (14%).
The survey finds that GAA matches are the sports events people are most likely to attend – although nearly half (47%) of people haven't attended any in the last year.
A similar poll published yesterday found that a majority of Irish people believe it's too expensive to go to sports events as a family.
Some 77% believe sports events are now financially out of reach for families, with those aged 35 to 44 most likely to view sports events as too expensive.
Newstalk Breakfast presenter Ciara Kelly said the latest findings don't surprise her.
"The GAA is something that is, sort of, part of the fabric of Irish society," she said.
"I think Football is favoured a little bit over Hurling and it does seem to me that our national sport is very, very dear to us.
"Obviously the All-Ireland Final is on this Sunday and it's one of those events in the Irish calendar.
"I favour rugby so therefore my goggles are looking in that direction but I like our national sport and I like how much we like our national sport".
'Surprised it's ahead of soccer'
Presenter Shane Coleman said he believes more people actually participate in soccer.
"I'm not surprised Gaelic Football is ahead of Hurling because if you go outside Cork, Kilkenny, Tipp, Clare, Limerick, Wexford, Waterford, east Galway and Offaly Gaelic Football is way ahead in all the other counties," he said.
"I am surprised it's ahead of soccer, there's 220,000 registered soccer players [in Ireland].
On a participation basis, soccer is the biggest sport, there's absolutely no question about that.
"I live Gaelic Football, I grew up playing Gaelic Football, I'm hopefully going to the All-Ireland Final on Sunday".
Shane added that he is "kind of happy about but a little surprised" about the findings.
