Hooter to ensure ball kept in play longer

The one advance in GAA we’re looking forward to seeing most in 2015? The public clock/hooter in the All-Ireland football and hurling championships.

Time-keeping has long been an issue in both games, although it wasn’t until the Football Review Committee put forward a motion in late 2012 that it was actually addressed. Prior to that, Croke Park officials were reluctant to move on what they saw as taking away from the authority of the referee. But this is one duty they can do without. Last year’s All-Ireland football final and this year’s All-Ireland quarter-final between Cork and Mayo are just two examples where referees’ time-keeping has been seriously questioned by players.

The public clock, when it, as expected, comes into force for next year’s championship, will make the issue a lot more transparent. Initially passed at last year’s Congress for Championship football (69%), the motion to extend it to the hurling competition was supported by 84% of delegates at this year’s annual convention in February.