Limerick hurler Gearóid Hegarty has strongly criticized the potential introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system into Gaelic games, warning that technology has damaged association football.
According to reports from RTÉ, the five-time All-Ireland winner voiced his firm opposition to any plans to bring video review technology into hurling.
Hegarty’s Criticism of VAR in Soccer
Speaking to the media, Hegarty pointed to association football as a cautionary tale for traditional field sports.
“I heard talks about bringing in VAR and all this rubbish, I would hate that,” Hegarty said, as reported by the Irish Independent. He emphasized that hurling does not require drastic changes to its officiating structure and should avoid copying the technological path taken by professional soccer leagues.
Preserving the Speed of Hurling
The debate around referee assistance in the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) often centers on balancing fairness with the preservation of the game’s unique speed. According to the Irish Examiner, Hegarty fears that hurling will suffer significantly if a video referee is introduced to review scores and disciplinary incidents.