Former Dublin footballer Ciaran Whelan says that the clock/hooter system is the only logical solution to the numerous timing issues that have arisen during this year's Championship. Most recently, Davy Fitz was left annoyed at the weekend when Clare found themselves with three less minutes to find themselves a leveller.
The sideline official signalled that four additional minutes would be played. But referee Colm Lyons had indicated that just one minute would be added on, as announced over the public address system.
Whelan believes that there is a potential solution that has already been in discussion for some time. The hooter system has been raised for what seems like centuries now but it was abandoned by the Central Council in February of this year after it failed to get the required two-thirds of delegates to pass it. However, after it's successful implementation in Ladies Football, Whelan sees it as a necessity to eliminate these disputes.
That seems the logical solution. Referees have so much to do. I would give credit to the referees on Sunday, I thought they both did okay.
The women's game operates a countdown clock that is started and stopped by a match official on the signal of the referee and substitutions are defined as stoppages. This has been in operation for a few years without causing many complications.
[Examiner]
