GAA FANS are far from impressed after the Association used Artificial Intelligence to promote upcoming matches.
Twitter/X user Barry Masterson called attention to the promotion by sharing the AI art that has been used on the covers of some match programmes.
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Fans pointed out the many flaws with the AI art the GAA usedCredit: @barrymasterson
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The use of AI was labelled as ‘pure laziness and greed’Credit: @barrymasterson
So are @officialgaa using AI art now? There are a ton of Irish artists who specialise in GAA illustration you could commission and support.
Things are tough at the best of times but I might have to pack it in at this rate honestly if this is what we have to look forward to 😭 pic.twitter.com/v4eVAxk80k
— Barry Masterson🎨⚽ (@BarryMasterson) May 18, 2024
The programmes – which are publishing by an outside company – include that for Dublin vs Kilkenny, Antrim vs Galway, and Carlow vs Wexford in the Leinster SHC.
The others are for Kerry vs Tyrone in the All-Ireland U20 football final, and Clare vs Tipperary in the Munster minor hurling final.
Masterson wrote: “So are @officialgaa using AI art now? There are a ton of Irish artists who specialise in GAA illustration you could commission and support.
“Things are tough at the best of times but I might have to pack it in at this rate honestly if this is what we have to look forward to.”
Despite the obvious overlooking of hard-working artists, there were plenty of issues with the art itself anyway.
Hurls blending with skin and players having too many fingers were easy finds for those who inspected the art.
Masterston added: “I especially love the hurl that disappears into someone’s flesh ball, and the masks tearing through their faces, looks painful. I know hurlers are tough but this might be pushing the narrative.”
Fans were quick to share their frustration at the GAA for the ‘laziness and greed’ shown by using the artwork on the programmes.
One fan wrote: “Seeing it more and more from groups and organisations who should know better.
“If an actual artist submitted that, it would rightly be rejected as poorly done. Pure laziness and greed.”
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Another added: “These are absolutely woeful @officialgaa.
“In that first one (Dublin v Kilkenny) the lad looks like he is contemplating jacking in the hurling in for a spell as Luke Skywalker.”
A third sarcastically commented: “In fairness though, look at the fine detailing on the helmet. You don’t get that from human artists.
“What’s that say? Anyone know? Swordfish Y π A KII9? He was a fine senior county footballer before his injury, so I’m told”
Yet another said: “It’s soulless Barry, can’t stand it myself and why the hell is it done in a manga style??”
The GAA have been under fire for plenty of reasons lately – most notably the use of GAAGO.
Cork icon Diarmuid O’Sullivan was one of many who slammed the GAA over the coverage of the Rebels’ thrilling win against Limerick last weekend.
The match was not broadcast on national television and could only be watched through GAAGO.
Patrick Horgan’s penalty in additional time earned Cork a 3-28 to 3-26 victory over the All-Ireland champions.
It was a phenomenal comeback by the Rebels but it could not be enjoyed by the usual amount of viewers that the likes of RTE or TG4 would have gotten.
O’Sullivan took to social media to voice his disappointment over the GAA.
FAN FURY
He wrote: “Some embarrassment for the GAA waking up this morning in the knowledge that’s thousands of men, women and especially kids were denied the chance to see the titanic battle last between @OfficialCorkGAA and @LimerickCLG.
“Don’t worry, lads, they got to see other sports on TV.”
Fans met the Cork legend with plenty of agreement in his comment section.
One said: “Well said. Publicly funded but allowed make private profits – RTE. Then GAA forget all the people who helped build GAA over the years by creating paywall.”
Another added: “So true. The wealthiest sports body on this island, possibly in all of Europe, managing an amateur sport, places a preeminent match behind a paywall beggars belief.
“I’m not a die-hard GAA fan, Rugby would be my first love, but I love to watch Hurling at its best. Shame on you!”
A third commented: “In a few years they will be looking for grants to invest in promoting the game when all that is needed is to show it on free to air and it promotes itself. If RTÉ don’t want it let Tg4 show it.”
