This weekend was one of the most diverse in terms of broad sporting reach that we will have throughout the year.
In Ireland, it was the opening weekend of the Guinness six Nations and also saw a full slate of fixtures in the Allianz Football and Hurling Leagues, the Lidl Ladies Football National League and the opening weekend of the Littlewoods Camogie National League.
It was the weekend of the Dublin Racing Festival and on an international level, there was a full round of Premiership football, the finals of the Australian Open Tennis Championship and the Super Bowl.
What better time then to look at a benchmark of how the three main national newspaper titles treated each of the different sporting events in terms of coverage through their Saturday sports supplements.
Today we take a look at The Irish Times, tomorrow the Irish Independent and on Wednesday the Irish Examiner before a wrap-up and commentary on Thursday morning.
Guinness Men’s Six Nations
Eight stories in total spread over the front and first two inside pages. A mix of previews from Irish Times writers, analysis of the starting line ups at the Aviva Stadium, commentary from Matt Williams and two pieces on the other games both from the Guardian newspaper in England.
Total Paragraphs 203
Percentage of total coverage 33.4 per cent
English Premier League
Six stories including a page of previews and analysis from Michael Walker together with four stories in individual clubs and transfers taken from the Guardian.
Total Paragraphs 86
Percentage of total coverage 14.2 per cent
Allianz Football League
Major feature on Mayo Manager James Horan as well as previews of every game taking place across all four divisions.
Total Paragraphs 60
Percentage of total coverage 9.9 per cent
Horse Racing
Two articles previewing the Dublin Racing Festival and accompanied by full racecards on additional page and a half.
Total Paragraphs 56
Percentage of total coverage 9.2 per cent (not including racecards)
Super Bowl
Back page feature from Bill Pennington of the New York Times looking at the rise of Patrick Mahomes in Sunday night’s game.
Total Paragraphs 33
Percentage of total coverage 5.4 per cent
Allianz Hurling Leagues
Major feature on the rivalry between Davy Fitzgerald and Brian Lohan ahead of Wexford Vs Clare and previews of the matches taking place on Saturday and Sunday.
Total Paragraphs 27
Percentage of total coverage 4.4 per cent
Australian Open Tennis
Feature on the Men’s final featuring Novak Djokovic and smaller one on the Women’s final.
Total Paragraphs 23
Percentage of total coverage 3.8 per cent
Other Rugby
Three separate stories on Schools Rugby, International Club Rugby and English premiership.
Total Paragraphs 22
Percentage of total coverage 3.7 per cent
Athletics
Ian O’Riordan’s column featured an analysis of footwear equipment changes introduced by regulators.
Total Paragraphs 19
Percentage of total coverage 3.2 per cent
Basketball
Keith Duggan’s signature Column featured a reflection on the life and influence of Kobe Bryant
Total Paragraphs 19
Percentage of total coverage  3.2 per cent
Golf
A halfway report from Saudi Arabia focused on the ultimately successful performance of Graeme McDowell
Total Paragraphs 17
Percentage of total coverage  2.9 per cent
Guinness Women’s Six Nations
A preview of the game between Ireland and Scotland by an Irish times writer.
Total Paragraphs 12
Percentage of total coverage 1.9 per cent
Other Football
Feature on the La Liga clash between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid taken from the Guardian.
Total Paragraphs 12
Percentage of total coverage 1.9 per cent
U20 Six Nations
Report from Ireland’s win over Scotland in Cork on Friday night with no byeline
Total Paragraphs 8
Percentage of total coverage 1.3 per cent
Lidl Ladies Football National League
Short story highlighting the ‘intriguing weekend of action.’
Total Paragraphs 5
Percentage of total coverage 0.8 per cent
Formula One
Short report on the return of Aston Martin, taking over the naming of the former Jordan Formula One team
Total Paragraphs 203
Percentage of total coverage 0.8 per cent
Littlewoods Camogie National League Opening Weekend
No Coverage.
In an overall context, the big three sports of Rugby, Football and Gaelic Games accounted for 71.5 per cent of the coverage in Saturday’s Irish Times.
The coverage devoted to Women’s sport was 3.9 per cent as opposed to 83.7 per cent for Men’s and 12.4 per cent that could be deemed as neutral including coverage of the Dublin Racing Festival with a strong focus on Rachael Blackmore.
Later this week: A similar breakdown of coverage in the Irish Examiner and Irish Independent.
Image Credit: Sport for Business
