THE GAA TOOK another major step towards the introduction of score detection technology today, announcing that Hawk-eye systems will be trialled at Croke Park before the end of the current league season.

A statement issued by Uachtarán Christy Cooney indicated that the technology will be tested during the league double-header on April 2 when Dublin’s footballers take on Down and the capital’s hurlers face off against Brian Cody’s Kilkenny.

However, officials will not be able to refer any contentious decisions to the technology which is only being operated as part of the feasibility study concerning its introduction. The GAA’s statement confirmed that these “suitability tests” are solely to allow the organisation to “determine the logistics of positioning and installation of equipment in Croke Park.”

Once the study has been completed, a presentation will have to be made to Coiste Bainistí and Ard Chomhairle who will then decide if the technology is suitable for use in gaelic games.

In his statement, Cooney indicated that the fact that both codes will be played in Croke Park on April 2 made it the ideal date for such a trial.

This is the next step in the feasibility study which will be presented to Ard Chomhairle which will ultimately determine whether or not the technology is deemed suitable for use with Gaelic Games.

Having football and hurling here on the same day means using this date makes perfect sense but despite the presence of the equipment it will have no direct role in the game or bearing on how scores are recorded.