Hawk-Eye study gets go-ahead

THE GAA’s management committee has given the green light to a feasibility study into Hawk-Eye technology being used in the All-Ireland senior football and hurling championships.

However, it is unlikely that the results from the test will be obtained in time to present them at next April’s Annual Congress in Westmeath, meaning the technology might not be in operation until 2013.

It had been anticipated that the study’s findings could be revealed before next year’s Mullingar congress where a motion could be tabled in support of the sensor system. Were it to be passed, Hawk-Eye would be used in the 2012 championships.

However, any potential delay could push it back another season.

Meanwhile, Wexford club Faythe Harriers will have to wait until the new year to discover their fate after they were suspected of allowing non-GAA teams use their facilities.

Leinster Council secretary Michael Delaney has as yet been unable to convene a meeting to discuss the Wexford County Board’s report into activities at Harriers’ Páirc Carman premises.

“We have yet to meet to discuss the report,” said Delaney.

“After that, we will be in touch with Central Council.”

On Sunday, Leinster Council chairman Sheamus Howlin, described Harriers as “a credit to the association” and suggested that “maybe some mistake was made”.

Interestingly, disparities emerged over the weekend about Nemo Rangers’ explanation for letting the Ireland rugby team use their indoor facilities. The GAA handed down a reprimand to the Trabeg club after they told Croke Park they had taken the IRFU’s booking in error last February and didn’t realise the problem before it was too late. However, Nemo chairman Liam Twomey is quoted as saying they couldn’t say no to the national rugby team.

Meanwhile, the Leinster Council has rescheduled their senior club football and hurling finals for the end of January. Rhode and Kilmacud Crokes’ football showdown will be played on Sunday, January 23 at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise while the hurling clash between O’Loughlin Gaels and Oulart-the-Ballagh will be staged at Carlow’s Dr Cullen Park seven days later. Both games, twice postponed, will have 2pm throw-ins.