THE GAELIC PLAYERS ASSOCIATION (GPA) has called on the GAA to introduce Hawk-eye technology at Croke Park, even if high costs prevent the system from being used nationwide.
It was reported yesterday that the Association’s management committee will meet next month to ratify the use of the technology, which was trialled at Headquarters during the national league season in April.
The cost of installing the system at some of the country’s smaller venues is thought to be the main barrier preventing its roll-out ahead of next year’s Championship.
But, in a statement issued yesterday, the GPA said that “there has been consistent, unanimous support for the introduction of technology” among its members, even if its use is to be restricted to Headquarters initially .
In terms of players’ commitment the stakes are higher than ever and, where possible, every effort should be made to assist match officials in making such precise judgement calls.
“While cost may prohibit the roll-out of the technology to other county grounds in the short term, the GPA believes this should not prohibit the use of Hawkeye at headquarters.”
Until such a time as Hawk-eye can be set up in provincial venues, the GPA feels that the use of heightened goal posts will go some way towards preventing scenes such as those seen in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise on Saturday evening.
Wexford’s fourth round football qualifier ended in controversy after referee Derek Fahy allowed Limerick’s winning injury-time score to stand, despite one of his umpires signalling that the ball had drifted wide.