Hospital Pass: Hawkeye view in Croker, Kerry close the doors and DJ’s book nearly ready

A Hawkeye view in Croker, Kerry closing the door shut and Kilkenny legend putting the finishing touches to his book.

Hawkeye takes flight in Croker

The new Hawkeye technology will be employed at Croke Park for the first time on June 1 and it was launched today at GAA HQ. The new point-deduction technology will be used for hurling and football championship encounters and is set for a two-year trial period.

Using eight high speed cameras, Hawkeye will provide real-time imagery on the stadium’s big screen of a ball’s trajectory over the posts and should add to the general excitement of a game similar to rugby league and tennis.

Steve Carter, MD at Hawkeye Innovations, points to the skies

In the event of uncertainty over a score, the umpire makes a ‘box’ signal with his hands to indicate to the referee that a request for a Hawkeye review is being sought. The official then seeks Hawkeye review via communication system and makes ‘box’ signal with his hand before the replay is shown on the Big Screen.

It will not be used to detect goals or rule infringements such as square balls, so there should be still plenty for us fans to argue about over the summer.

DJ Carey’s autobiography to hit the shelves in September

One of the greatest hurlers to ever grace the game, DJ Carey has announced his autobiography is set to hit the shelves this September.

The classy forward was winner of five All-Ireland titles, 10 All-Stars and two Hurler of the Year awards and has penned his career story with Irish Independent GAA writer Martin Breheny.

“What I’m trying to do in the book is show how things looked from my side as opposed to how others might have seen them. What people think happened and what really happened can often be very different,” he said.

September is a fitting month for release for Carey, a month in which he has had his fair share of great days and as the Kilkenny People suggested today, if the autobiography is “half as exciting as his sporting and personal life has been up to this point, it will be a best seller.”

The doors to the Kingdom closed shut… sometimes

While Kerry fans were used to watching their footballers during open training sessions, that looks to be a thing of the past. Eamonn Fitzmaurice yesterday published an open letter on the county’s website announcing the change to a long standing tradition and County PRO John O'Leary says he does not envisage any negative backlash.

“The decision was taken in agreement with the county board and there were no problems,” he said in The Irish Examiner.

“The open training policy will continue, albeit on a restricted basis, and it is hoped that on these nights that there can be more interaction between players and supporters.”

Kerry fans will get fewer chances to see their players up close

Fitzmaurice said that while it was a long-standing ritual for many in the county, it is necessary for the betterment of the team because the players need their privacy.

“In recent years as the championship has become more and more competitive, the monitoring of training sessions has become very intense. It has, on occasions, become much more than harmless curiosity.”

Anyone wishing to attend for more than “harmless security” will have to wait until May 23rd for the next training session to be opened to the public.