Larry McCarthy: Smart sliotar will maintain 'integrity' of hurling

The new balls contain an embedded tag for traceability which will allow a matchday referee to perform a simple scanning procedure on a phone app to ensure that the ball meets all official specifications.

In attendance at the launch are, from left, former Galway hurler Eoin McDonagh Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Larry McCarthy and Chairman of the Smart Sliotar Work Group Ned Quinn at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

GAA President Larry McCarthy believes the development of hurling's new smart sliotar - believed to be a world first in terms of adding a microchip to a sports ball - is a giant step towards 'maintaining the integrity of the game'.

McCarthy and Sliotar Work Group chairman Ned Quinn this morning presided over the launch of the new ball which will be formally put into play for next month's U-20 hurling championships.