SEMPLE STADIUM HAS been targeted as the next main GAA ground where Hawkeye will be introduced.
The score detection system was introduced to Croke Park last year for the start of a two-year pilot phase.
The system will not be rolled out to other stadiums until the pilot phase is completed but GAA Director-General Paraic Duffy envisages that Semple Stadium will then be first in line.
“My own view is the next ground should be Thurles. We play a lot of big games in Thurles. We’ll finish the pilot phase first. I’d be surprised if we don’t keep it in Croke Park and then we’ll look at rolling it out to other grounds.”
Financing an expansion of the system will present issues for the GAA.
“The financial side is quite a worry”, admits Duffy. “It is expensive in terms of personnel, training up people and so on. I think we’d like to do it. Ideally, the use of Hawkeye would be extended to all grounds where key games are played.
“Cost will prove an inhibiting factor in this but the introduction of the system in a number of major grounds over the next few years should be explored as a matter of urgency.”
