Advertisement
Talking Points

5 reasons why Hawkeye will be good for the GAA

It’s not perfect but these controversial decisions from pervious All Ireland Football Championships prove it is badly needed.

How Hawkeye might work in Croke Park today.
Image: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan / Photoshop: Steven O’Rourke

HAWKEYE GOAL-LINE technology will be used for the first time in the GAA today when Kildare take on Offaly in their Leinster Football Championship clash in Croke Park.

While not everyone is in favour of its deployment, especially as it will not be used for goals, we delved into the GAA archives to find five instances when the technology would have proven beneficial during previous football championships.

1. Laois v Carlow, June 18, 1995


Image: INPHO/Andrew Paton

Mick Turley’s shot for Laois with 42 seconds remaining of their Leinster football quarter final with Carlow went wide. Well wide.

However, Noel Cooney awarded Laois the point which turned out to be the winning one.

Such was the outrage, Laois gave Carlow a replay and were rewarded for their honesty with a 1-16 to 16 win.

2. Westmeath v Offaly, May 23, 2004


Image: INPHO/Patrick Bolger

Westmeath weren’t as generous in 2004, even after television replays proved Brian Morley’s 22nd minute point was actually wide.

Offaly were outraged, especially after Páidí Ó Sé’s charges went on to win their first senior provincial title that summer.

3. Kildare v Down, August 29, 2010


Image: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

It was as if the Kildare squad had kicked a black cat while walking under a ladder on their way to Croke Park for their All-Ireland semi final clash with Down in 2010.

Alan Smith’s fifth minute point was signalled wide by the umpires despite everyone else in the stadium seeing it go over the bar.

To compound matters, Kildare lost by two points after Benny Coulter’s square ball goal was allowed to stand.

4. Limerick v Wexford, July 23, 2011


Image: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

So incensed was Wexford goalkeeper Anthony Masterson about the umpire’s decision to award a point to Ian Ryan after his shot appeared  to go wide that he was forced to write a letter of apology to the GAA for his actions.

The controversy was sparked when referee Derek Fahy allowed Ryan’s injury-time free kick to stand, despite his umpire signalling it wide.

The disputed score was all that stood between the two at the final whistle and it was the Shannonsiders who booked their place in the All Ireland quarter final.

5. Mayo v Sligo, July 15, 2012


Image: INPHO/James Crombie

Unlike most on this list, Colm Boyle’s strike did not prove decisive with Mayo running out two point winners at the end of their Connacht final clash with Sligo.

However, it proved the need for Hawkeye as the score was simultaneously deemed to be a point and a wide by people, depending on where they were seated in Dr. Hyde Park.

With their new technology, the GAA hope to remove this element of guess work from the decision making.

Tipp boss admits Corbett unlikely to start against Limerick

5 U21 players to start in Kildare senior side against Offaly

Your Voice
Readers Comments
30
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.