Yeah it wouldn't be fair on the under 8s if they didn't have the same rules across the board. There are so many disputed points at that level as the lads and lassies kick booming, swerving points 30 foot over goals that are different from what seniors use (contradictory?). Also we've all the seen the shemozzles and fracas' that are all to prevalent at the u-8 grade after controversial square ball decisions. Having different rules for seniors would only serve to shorten the fuse of disgruntled 7 year olds even further.

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12494 - 01/09/2010 09:17:10    762113

Just one type of transgression is enough to scupper this argument over video refs - steps.

If every score in this year's championship was looked at forensically, how many do you think would have involved a player taking more than four steps with the ball in the build-up? I reckon that 30-40% would be a conservative estimate. The video ref, if introduced, would surely have to treat all types of transgression equally, as taking five steps with the ball in your hand is just as illegal as a squareball or falling over the line with the ball in your hands. To be even-handed a video ref would have to look at all types of offence the same way, so you'd have to look at practically every score to be certain that no more than four steps were taken in the build-up.

It's so mind-bogglingly impractical that I can't believe anyone at all is calling for it, not to mind so many people and even prospective GAA presidential candidates.

hurling_lad (Cork) - Posts: 69 - 01/09/2010 11:12:00    762235

This must be introduced, if it can work so smoothly in rugby then it can work in Gaa. People are getting a little carried away saying it would have to be used for overcarrying and small things like that. A ref should know within reason when a player fouls the ball . They don't use it for checking forward passes in rugby which can be 50-50 at times and there is never any problems. We need to move with the times.

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 01/09/2010 12:14:46    762289

Use hawk-eye technology where necessary,i.e. disputed scores, to see beyond doubt whether the ball has been put between the sticks/over the goal line. All other decisions should be left in the hands of the officials.

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1558 - 01/09/2010 12:22:18    762295

When it comes to technical fouls, the GAA rulebook doesn't differentiate between 'big' infringements and 'small things' - why should a goal that involved too many steps being taken be allowed to stand with no reference to a video ref while a goal as a result of a squareball be cancelled as a result of video ref ruling?

hurling_lad (Cork) - Posts: 69 - 01/09/2010 12:40:27    762313

I agree with Suas Sios in that hawkeye technology should be used where necessary to adjudicate on disputed scores where the issue is in relation to whether or not the ball crossed the line in between the posts. This technology should be introduced at every county ground and used only for senior intercounty football and hurling games.The square ball rule should be either scrapped or a return to National league rules regards ball being kicked. Umpires should have increased responsibilities and should be properly trained in these roles. I accept that at senior intercounty level that all umpires should be referees from the county that his hosting the game (i.e. where the game is being played) All other decisions should remain with the referre as it stands. Comparisons to rugby and soccer are in my view not applicable as a) the rules are more clearly defined b) they are in general slower games. The only other way that we can make it easier for the ref is to simplify and properly define the rules.

omaghredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 3656 - 01/09/2010 13:00:55    762335

Hurling lad how do they differentiate in Rugby between a try scored with a pass that may have been forward and a try scored with a ball not properly grounded? Sorry to keep bringing up rugby but there were endless what ifs when they introduced it, yet there is very little fuss made now. They can introduce it for certain things, it needs to happen.

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 01/09/2010 13:10:13    762348

In rugby, the TMO decides on the technical question of whether or not the ball was grounded properly in the in-goal area by a player who was not in touch.
It doesn't try to rule on whether an infringement was committed in the build-up to a score e.g. to decide if the guy who scored the try received a forward pass or not.
This is a totally different application to what some people here are proposing for the GAA, where infringements like squareballs or overcarrying are to be referred to the video ref. The only situation that I can think of that is any way similar to rugby is the Joe Sheridan example of carrying the ball across the line, and this is really a very rare occurrence.

I'm not talking about 'Hawk-Eye' or some kind of aid in determining whether a ball goes between the posts or not, by the way, I'm talking about using a video ref to determine if a foul has occurred in the build-up to a score, such as happened for the Down and Kildare goals on Sunday. If 'Hawk-Eye' or something similar can be installed at a reasonable cost, that would be a great aid for determining scores and might even help free up the umpires to watch out for squareballs or other fouls rather than tracking the flight of the ball like they have to do at present

hurling_lad (Cork) - Posts: 69 - 01/09/2010 14:53:16    762500