Laois hurlers to play with the GAA's new microchipped sliotar

Laois and other hurling teams will be required to use by the GAA to use a new standardised 'SMART Sliotar' commencing with the 2023 Allianz Leagues.

Announcing the move to a universal ball, the Association says it has researched and deployed innovative technology in an

effort to oversee the regulated production of the sliotar following what it says is the variance in performance of sliotars being used in the game previously.

The GAA says the SMART Sliotar was successfully trialled in last year’s O’Neills.com U20 hurling championships. It says the new chip technology will help ensure that sliotars perform consistently and in line with the GAA sliotar specifications which underpin the integrity of the game, both as a contest and as a spectacle.

The association adds that it will also help address sliotar counterfeiting and ensure that ethical production and supply chain practices are in place. It says all approved manufacturers must be signed up to the guidelines enforced by the World Federation of Sports Goods Industry.

Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy welcome the change.

“Not only will it provide the game with consistency through the performance of the sliotar but of no less importance we have sight of the ethical production of the sliotars.

“I would like to acknowledge the body of work undertaken by the working group over a prolonged period and I look forward to the positive impact that this project is going to have on the game,” he said.

The  GAA explains that the SMART Sliotar is backed up by robust science and standards and all testing is independently overseen by Dublin CityUniversity.

It says Green Fields and O'Neills have passed the prerequisite sliotar specification and impact tests - where the sliotar is propelled against a wall on 100 occasions- at 50 miles an hour- to ensure that it can withstand the rigours of the game.

The use of a sliotar chip/tag - for sliotar authentication purposes is a new and unique development- and may lead to further developments as technology evolves.

The Sliotar WorkGroup (SWG) is comprised of Ned Quinn (Chair), Lizzie Broderick, Brendan Cummins, Eoin McDonagh, Terry Reilly and Pat Daly. The group has met 47 times since its formation in June 2021 and held three extensive field-testing sessions.