THE LADIES FOOTBALL Association have explained why Hawk-Eye was not in operation for today’s All-Ireland finals in Croke Park, insisting that the decision was taken earlier this year at a Central Council meeting.
Cork saw off Dublin by 1-7 to 1-6 in the senior decider but Dublin were furious over a first-half point from Carla Rowe not being awarded.
However it was decided at a Central Council meeting of the LGFA not to use the system because it was not available in every stadium around the country.
That means that any possible calls for a replay from Dublin are unlikely to succeed.
LGFA President Marie Hickey had explained before last year’s final that HawkEye wouldn’t be employed – partly due to associated costs.
“It went in front of Central Council, whether or not to use HawkEye, earlier on this year,” a spokeperson outlined to The42 in Croke Park after the game.
“The decision was taken that in order to have a level playing field for all teams playing on all fields throughout the country, throughout the championship, that we wouldn’t use Hawk-Eye.”
There are also logistical issues in using Hawk-Eye in ladies football. The system that is used for Gaelic football would not be applicable to ladies football, as a size 4 football is used in the ladies’ game compared to the size 5 football in the mens’ game.
“It’s a size 4 – it’s different to what the men use,” the spokesperson explained.
“We would have to reconfigure the whole system.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!