Hawk-Eye receives GPA backing

The Gaelic Players Association has given its support to the GAA Research Committee's proposal for the introduction of Hawk-Eye technology into Gaelic games.

The score detection system, who works successfully in tennis and cricket, was trialled at April's Dublin v Down Allianz Football League match in a non-live capacity.

The GAA's director of games development, Pat Daly, said that the Hawk-Eye trial and its possible introduction will be discussed at next month's management committee meeting on August 19 or 20.

Giving the players' viewpoint, a Gaelic Players Association statement read: "The GPA unequivocally supports the introduction of Hawk-Eye technology to Gaelic games as proposed by the GAA's Research Committee and indeed has been a vocal advocate of its introduction for some time now.

"The players' body has conducted a number of surveys with its members over the past year and there has been consistent, unanimous support for the introduction of technology to help record scores accurately.

"In terms of players' commitment, the stakes are higher than ever and where possible every effort should be made to assist match officials in making such precise judgement calls."

The calls for the introduction of Hawk-Eye have intensified following a number of disputed scores in Championship match this summer, including Limerick's controversial match-winning point over Wexford last Saturday.

Television replays of Ian Ryan's shot at the posts were inconclusive. Referee Derek Fahy and his umpires were heavily criticised in the aftermath for how they dealt with the incident.

Hawk-Eye could seemingly put an end to such disputes but costs are likely to be the determining factor. GAA director general Páraic Duffy has said that the technology would have to be available at every ground where Championship games are played.

Hawk-Eye works off strategically-placed cameras behind the goalposts which determine, in a matter of milliseconds, if a score has registered and convey this information to match officials.

In practice, a referee could award a point or goal in a game based on information recorded and presented to him by Hawk-Eye.

The GPA statement continued: "While cost may prohibit the roll-out of the technology to other county grounds in the short term, the GPA believes this should not prohibit the use of Hawk-Eye at headquarters (Croke Park).

"The GPA also endorses the use of heightened goalposts at provincial venues in the interim as it will also assist in improving accuracy over disputed scores."