Anthony Cunningham has lent his support to under pressure officials and has called for greater use of technology across the game.
HawkEye score detection is currently in use at Croke Park and Semple Stadium and goal-line technology could soon be introduced according to the Referees development committee.
Clare’s David Reidy was infamously sent off against Limerick after being caught up in an off-the-ball incident with Limerick’s Diarmuid Byrnes.
The red card was rescinded in the aftermath of the fixture but umpires and referees were heavily criticised for making a decision which they appeared not to have seen.
Clare's David Reidy is shown a red card. Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
And former Galway manager Cunningham believes Gaelic Games officials would benefit from greater technological support.
“One thing for me – again looking at other sports – would be the refereeing,” Cunningham said.
“I think the GAA needs to help the referees a little bit more. Technically, I think they have to get a bit stronger – I think they should be fitter.
“And if there is anyone who should be getting paid or getting time off, I think it should be the referees to try and bring them to another level.
“The technology that has been used in the World Cup [was a good example]. Today if HawkEye is being used – I don’t think it interrupts the matches.
“It doesn’t take too long. But if there is a decision to be made in the last 10 minutes of a match and the referee can check it to see if he got it wrong.
“Dickie Murphy, who runs HawkEye at Croke Park, he radios down to the referee – and I’m not too sure many people know that.
“If there’s something dodgy he’ll check that. Sometimes you’ll see him checking out something at the other end of the field and he goes down to his umpires. How did he know that?
“He doesn’t have eyes in the back of his head. A group of former players could be put together and try to help them because I do think they’re left out in the cold a bit.”
James Hopper
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