THE GAA WILL trial their clock-hooter system for the first time this weekend at the Sigerson Cup semi-finals and final at Queen’s University in Belfast.
The new system will be used in all senior football and hurling (Liam McCarthy level only) championship matches this summer.
But it is in the third-level arena that it will be trialled over the course of the next two weekends with the Fitzgibbon Cup semi-finals and finals penciled in for February 28th and March 1st.
The clock, which will count up from 0.00, will be operated by a timekeeper, who will only stop the clock when directed to do so by the referee. The clock will only be stopped for relevant on-field injuries or other incidental delays not otherwise provided for in the playing rules.
The making of substitutions, the issuing of yellow/black/red Cards and other disciplinary matters, including consultation between match officials, will not normally result in the clock being stopped. The only exception being where a referee adjudges there is a deliberate or abnormally significant time delay in such circumstances which merits it.
A hooter will be sounded by the timekeeper to bring each half to an end. However, a score may be awarded by the referee where a player has played the ball prior to the sounding of the hooter (as long as no other player from the attacking team has touched the ball in flight).
In addition, referees will allow free kicks awarded prior to the hooter being sounded (including sideline kicks/pucks, 45′s and 65′s) to be taken, and scores accruing will also be allowed providing no other player from the attacking team touches the ball.
The system will debut when NUI Maynooth face UCC tomorrow afternoon at the Dub at 3.30pm with the second semi-final taking place between UUJ and UCD at the same venue at 5.30pm.
