Former referee Rory Hickey says a Television Match Official (TMO) should be introduced in Gaelic games after the injury Mayo’s Eoghan McLaughlin suffered last Saturday evening.

McLaughlin had to undergo surgery on a broken jaw after shipping a heavy challenge from Dublin’s John Small during the second-half of the Connacht champions’ All-Ireland SFC semi-final victory at Croke Park after extra time.

Referee Conor Lane came under heavy criticism afterwards for not taking any action over the incident and, speaking on RTÉ's Game On, Hickey defended the Cork official, arguing that that technology needs to be brought in so as to assist referees. 

"I thought he did well bar the one obvious call," he stated.

"I really felt for him. It's split-second stuff. There's been a lot of talk about TMOs and fourth officials... if he had a chance to look at that one more time.

"What nearly looked like a perfect shoulder ended up with a double jaw break for the poor Mayo player and he'll miss the All-Ireland. Conor did well. He's an experienced referee with three All-Irelands under his belt - an experienced guy.

"But that was a tough game to referee. I was sitting watching it thinking, 'I'm kinda glad I'm retired!'”

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