Clonard disillusioned as hooter plan scrapped

The chairman of the Wexford club that successfully proposed the clock/hooter five years ago says the Congress decision to scrap the system will deter clubs from putting forward motions.

Despite being passed by Congress on two occasions, delegates in Cavan on Saturday elected to do away with the mechanism even though each county ground is in the process of having one installed.

Wexford were among a number of counties who believed the concerns about the clock/hooter in trials last year were convincing enough to scrap the plan to introduce it for this year’s senior inter-county championships.

However, Clonard’s Ger Cashman said the club is disenchanted by the chain of events.

“You get something through and then it’s turned on its head. Another committee (Football Review) brought it back in again and they had it passed too.

“It’s fine for ladies football but it was considered unworkable for the men’s game.

“What can we do? It would actually turn off clubs from putting resolutions forward.

“My experience with rules and regulations in the GAA had told me the powers-that-be can turn things around if they are not to their liking.

“That’s the politics of the GAA.”

Cashman wasn’t aware Wexford intended on voting against the clock/hooter although he was out of the country last week and received a text message to contact him about what he imagined was the county’s u-turn.

“The Dublin football manager (Jim Gavin) came out and supported it. If the referee plays a game too long, he’s in trouble.

“If he plays it too short, he’s in trouble as well. The clock has worked well in rugby.

“To be honest, you wonder what they are afraid of. They adopt yellow and red cards from other sports. Maybe it’s because we wouldn’t get as many draws,” he added flippantly.