Kernan renews call for videos to assist referees

ARMAGH boss Joe Kernan has renewed the call for the introduction of video technology to assist referees.

The All-Ireland winning manager believes such a strategy would end much of the controversy that has marred the championships in both football and hurling.

The legitimacy of goals and points in crucial games is his main concern.

“I think it’s hard enough to be a manager but the one job you wouldn’t want is to be a referee,” said the Crossmaglen man, who insisted he was not criticising match officials, but advocating a means of making their job easier. “The game has changed so much over the past few years and problems have come up. Down the road we’re going to have to have a look at it, to help the referee if he is in any doubt.

“The worst thing about it is if a decision costs you the match. A genuine unintentional mistake by a referee who didn’t see an incident could cost you an Ulster final or an All-Ireland final.”

Armagh felt they were on the wrong end of a crucial decision against Cavan that could have cost them their place in Sunday’s provincial final when Oisín McConville’s goal was disallowed for a perceived hand pass by Ronan Clarke. Last Saturday, Meath’s footballers were unhappy with at least three “points” decisions which they felt incorrectly went against them in their All-Ireland qualifier in Brewster Park. In hurling, Tipperary felt a point attempt by Eoin Kelly against Waterford in the Munster semi-final should have been rewarded with a white flag instead of being waved wide. In the last three instances, the winning margin was a single point.

GAA president Seán Kelly has said the association should examine the prospect of utilising modern technology to help decide whether balls dissect posts or go wide.

“With modern technology that should be possible, because at the end of the day it’s about justice. If there’s some way of clearing this up it should be done,” said Kelly in the wake of the Brian Morley incident this summer.