Leitrim club calls for TV match officials rollout

TELEVISION match officials (TMOs) could be in use in championship hurling and football games next summer if a proposal from a club in Leitrim is successful.

The Sean O’Heslins club in Ballinamore tabled a motion for Sunday’s Leitrim convention calling for the Central Council of the GAA to implement “on-the-spot video evidence” to be used, where possible, in championship games in 2012.

Club executive member and PRO Sean Ó Suilleabháin said their proposal was aimed at getting rid of controversial scores and should be used in conjunction with Hawk-Eye.

“Hawk-Eye would not have been enough to adjudicate properly on the controversial goal that won the Leinster title for Meath against Louth. It’s the same with Benny Coulter’s goal for Down against Kildare which shouldn’t have been allowed, and Graham Geraghty’s against Kildare which should have. The use of on-the-spot video evidence would get rid of these controversies.”

Meanwhile the chairman of Galway hurling board said they are going to have to address the amount of money given to them by the Leinster Council after it emerged just 1.5% of the Tribesmen’s revenue came from their involvement in the province.

Joe Byrne told delegates at last night’s annual convention that just €12,255 was received from the Leinster Council during 2011.

Galway’s involvement in the Leinster championship will be up for review in 2013.

“The Leinster Council contribution to Galway hurling is €12,255, which is just 1.5% of our total income. Needless to say, we need to be having a chat with some people about this,” said Byrne.

He said that since 2009 they had reduced expenditure by 20% and increased income by 5%, which represented a turnaround of €214,000.