National Forum

Countdown Timer For Football?

(Oldest Posts First)

Should the GAA introduce a match countdown timer / stoppage clock for Senior intercounty football games?

The mechanism is obviously in use in LGFA and would address two key problems in the game today:

1. Officials pulling added time numbers from the air and referees playing added time on added time (see Kerry vs Derry AI semi final)

2. Teams winding down the Sin Bin 10 minute timer with feigned head injuries (see Dublin vs Monaghan AI semi final, or indeed any game)

Is the 'not invented here' attitude really an impediment to adopting this? Has it ever come up for vote? Any downsides?

What are your thoughts?

TearsIn85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 208 - 18/07/2023 09:40:21    2495299

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Replying To TearsIn85:  "Should the GAA introduce a match countdown timer / stoppage clock for Senior intercounty football games?

The mechanism is obviously in use in LGFA and would address two key problems in the game today:

1. Officials pulling added time numbers from the air and referees playing added time on added time (see Kerry vs Derry AI semi final)

2. Teams winding down the Sin Bin 10 minute timer with feigned head injuries (see Dublin vs Monaghan AI semi final, or indeed any game)

Is the 'not invented here' attitude really an impediment to adopting this? Has it ever come up for vote? Any downsides?

What are your thoughts?"
The Sin Bin "Head Injury" is very frustrating alright, ref's seem to have copped onto it however.

The countdown timer would be an obvious change that would seemingly benefit everyone, yet that doesn't seem to fit into GAA's logic a lot of the time :D

TobeaRossie (Roscommon) - Posts: 163 - 18/07/2023 10:00:14    2495305

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Replying To TobeaRossie:  "The Sin Bin "Head Injury" is very frustrating alright, ref's seem to have copped onto it however.

The countdown timer would be an obvious change that would seemingly benefit everyone, yet that doesn't seem to fit into GAA's logic a lot of the time :D"
A clock and hooter was passed at Congress about 15 tears ago.
The GAA said they trialled it (Unis LeagueI think) and there were some practical problems so it was never implemented.
Cynical view was it would stop Refs engineering draws. That's not applicable any more with most knock out games being result on the day.
Time to revisit I think.

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 2265 - 18/07/2023 10:55:38    2495338

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They should introduce it but it will never happen imo, how often do you see refs giving a team say losing by a point or 3 points one last chance to attack and draw the game even though it can a few mins past when the game should have ended?

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3173 - 18/07/2023 11:47:54    2495360

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Last GAA man to stop a watch was Jimmy Cooney.

ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1325 - 18/07/2023 12:04:50    2495369

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