Whelan calls for clock/hooter system at Championship games

Wed, 17 Jun, 2015 - 12:56

By Kevin Murphy

Former Dublin legend Ciaran Whelan has called for the GAA to introduce the clock/hooter system following a number of timing controversies in this year’s Championship.

The Sunday Game pundit feels that Croke Park need to act after a number of inter-county managers have already complained about time-keeping issues this summer.

Galway football boss Kevin Walsh complained about the amount of added time on Sunday, while Davy Fitzgerald was left

Commenting on the issue Whelan said: “That seems the logical solution. Referees have so much to do.”

“I would give credit to the referees on Sunday, I thought they both did okay. Padraig Hughes (in Galway v Mayo) blows his whistle a lot more than David Coldrick (Armagh v Donegal) does, but they both had reasonable games.”

Back in February Central Council proposed that the clock/hooter system be scrapped after outlining a number of problems that arose during a trial period in third level competitions.

The clock/hooter was due to be introduced for this year’s Championship, however Congress voted to retain the current system by an overwhelming majority.

The system has proved hugely successful in Ladies Football and was approved for implementation at separate Congresses in 2010 and 2013. On both occasions Central Council overruled the delegates.