Hawk-Eye decision looms

THE GAA’s director of games development Pat Daly has said Hawk-Eye’s score detection technology in Gaelic games will be reviewed at next month’s management committee meeting.

The system, which was put on trial at the Dublin v Down Division 1 league game in a non-live capacity, is set to be discussed by Coiste Bainistí on August 19 or 20.

“It’s down for review by the management committee in mid-August,” said Duffy.

Following Ian Ryan’s disputed winning free for Limerick in Saturday’s fourth round SFC qualifier against Wexford, the argument for score detection technology has been strengthened.

However, doubts remain about whether the GAA could afford to implement the systems.

Director General Páraic Duffy has already said the technology would have to be available in all the grounds where championship games are played.

Last month, GAA President Christy Cooney stated it would be premature to say anything on the matter as discussions were still ongoing.

However, he outlined that they had to consider Hawk-Eye’s merits under three headings: principle, requirements and cost.

But speaking yesterday, Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney said score detection apparatus has to be embraced by the GAA.

McGeeney, whose team were the victim of a questionable decision in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final when Alan Smith was denied what seemed a valid point, also said Ryan’s score won’t be the last disputed one this season.

“There’s 10 to date, it’s a cert so it is,” he insisted. “An absolute cert it’s going to happen and it’s tough. You seen emotions run high with the Wexford goalkeeper [Anthony Masterson] and you can’t blame the lad. They’re putting it [the effort] in.

“I don’t blame the referee — it’s a tough call to make. It’s obvious that most of the situations you could do it [decide it] with a third referee/a tv referee.

“It doesn’t suit for all incidents but for some of the major decisions I definitely think we can come up with something better. We have seven people supposedly officiating at games, eight if you count the touchline thing and we’re still struggling.

“I know I’m probably doing myself no favours but if you can count the amount of times a water carrier crossed the line or the amount of time a maor foirne is on the pitch when he shouldn’t have been on it, or the amount of time a selector stands up when he shouldn’t stand up, then surely we can tell if a ball is kicked over the bar?”

Kerry’s Marc Ó Sé preferred to stay away from the debate but pointed out referees and umpires don’t go out with the intention of making mistakes.

He also indicated his indifference might change were the Munster champions to fall foul of a disputed scoring decision.

“I try and stay out of it, to be honest. Of course, the day might come that it might affect you and that would be a big worry.

“At the end of the day the players are there to play. I know it sounds like a cliché but that’s the reality of it.

“You try to do your job for your county or whatever and just hope that the decisions are got right. In saying that, were it to affect me in the next game I might have a different answer for you.

“You have to have confidence... I don’t think the fellas that went out there the last day went out on purpose to make a mistake.

“I think they are doing their best. So, look, we just try to get on with it and hope that they do their job.”

Wexford players have continued to use Twitter to condemn referee Derek Fahy’s officiating of Saturday’s game in Portlaoise.

Late on Sunday night, Redmond Barry tweeted: “Was hopin d sunday game wud show we left it behind but i dont tink it even touched how much Fahy r*** us.”