GAA losing war on cynicism

Dublin win not only because they are the best but because they are the boldest too, writes John Fogarty.

You may recall the reasons why Croke Park rejected Congress’ decision four years ago to back the introduction of the clock/hooter. On the basis of trial games, it was felt the initiative was liable to cause “potential damage to the reputation of the Association” and so, on the word of that report, it was shelved.

Five “concerns” were cited ranging from human error – “officials failing to operate the clock or hooter properly” (don’t referees face that task as it is?) to “systems failure” (Hawk-Eye, anyone?) to “over-analysis” of seconds lost to the clock by the amount of time taken by players to take frees, sidelines and kick/puck-outs (that type of human error has been largely permitted for years).