GAELIC GAMES:THE GAA is almost ready for its next experiment in the men's game – this one being the countdown clock and hooter system of match timing, similar to that used in the women's football championship for the past number of years.

It will be implemented on an experimental basis during next season’s national football and hurling leagues and, if deemed favourable at next year’s congress, will be used for all intercounty championship games in both codes in 2012.

The Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) are checking with all county grounds to make sure the countdown clock and hooter system can be installed in time for the start of the leagues next February.

According to GAA president Christy Cooney, preparations have been going on since the motion to experiment with the system was passed at Congress last April.

“The CCCC are examining it at the moment,” said Cooney, “and working to ensure that they will be in place at all grounds where our national league matches happen, and all grounds are able to manage it properly. That is being investigated by CCCC and the examination of all county grounds is ongoing to make sure they are equipped once the national leagues begin in February.”

The motion, as passed at congress last April, reads: “That the clock/hooter system be introduced to signal the conclusion of a game following the notification by the fourth official, or other designated person, of the finishing time to include added time to be played.

“This procedure (to) be initially introduced in 2011 on a trial basis for all senior intercounty league games in all divisions in both hurling and football, and if successful, it also be implemented for all intercounty championship games in both codes in 2012.”

The issue of match timing, and whether it should be taken out of the hands of the referee, has become increasingly contentious in recent years, particularly as the demands on referees appear to be increasing, and also as the amount of time added on often varies considerably, largely depending on how referees interpret the apparent breaks in play.

The system as used in women’s football sees the countdown clock stopped at every significant break in play, once signalled by the referee.

Last Sunday’s women’s AllIreland final, for example, although a 60-minute game, actually lasted over 70 minutes – as, including stops, the first half lasted 36 minutes and 40 seconds, and the second half 34:40.

Cooney was speaking at the Vodafone-sponsored Players of the Month awards for August and September, which are tied in with sponsorship of the GAA All Stars.

It was announced last week that Vodafone, after three years, would not be renewing its sponsorship of the football championship in 2011, and the expectation is they will also withdraw their sponsorship of the All Star awards.

It now appears inevitable that the All Star awards will merge with the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) monthly awards, given the now formal agreement between the GAA and the players’ body.

However, Cooney said it was too early to confirm such an arrangement would come into play – but what was certain was the players awards scheme would continue in some format.

“We are still in the process of finalising an agreement with the GPA,” he said. “We will speak to the GPA and all will be clear on where that will lie in the future.

“The All Stars are very important in the GAA calendar, and are more important for our players than anyone else, in recognition for their performances throughout the year. The All Star tour is also an important part of that, and will continue too.”

Cooney was not only confident the GAA would find a replacement sponsor for the football championship, but that a new All Star sponsorship could also be secured, if necessary.

“Vodafone have been absolutely outstanding sponsors with the GAA for something like 15 years.

“We’ve known about it a while, that they wouldn’t be continuing with the football championship, and their agreement with regards the All Stars is up this year as well.

“When we have all of the sponsors on board for both hurling and football, we’ll have to see do any one of them wish to take it up. If they don’t, we’ll go outside the sponsors for a sponsor for the All Stars.”

Cooney was also confident the GAA would continue with the model of three headline sponsors in both football and hurling, despite the difficult market.

“People said the same thing to us earlier this year, and we brought SuperValu and Centra on board. I am comfortable enough to believe that we are in a position to be able to announce a new sponsor in the coming months.

“It’s not just a question of us going out to look for a sponsor. It’s a question of finding a sponsor who fits in with our ethos and our brand and we fit in with their brand or their ethos. It has to be right for our association.”