FORMER Tipperary star Shane McGrath has called for the introduction of video technology to support hurling referees. It comes on the back of last weekend’s action in Division 1A of the National League, which saw EIGHT red cards dished out across three games. The majority of the dismissals were for head-high challenges after administrators instructed referees to tighten up their application of the rules. While McGrath reckons ‘the correct calls were made’, the two-time All-Star is adamant that those tasked with officiating the modern game need assistance. The former Premier midfielder told RTÉ: “With our game being the fastest in the world played on grass, there are going to be mistakes, missed hits or incorrect cards handed out by our referees. How can they be helped? “Consultations with linesmen and umpires still might not be enough as they, like the ref, are all working off real-time information with the naked eye. “The answer here is simple. Technology, in the form of a TV ref sitting in a truck who has access to replays at every angle right there at their fingertips. “These are the people who can ensure the correct call can be made, who can contact the ref to say, ‘I think we need to have a look again at that yellow, it might need to be upgraded to red’. “They can help take that pressure off the ref and stop people like me giving out about an incorrect call that was made and ruined someone’s day, month or year. “The effort and time being put in by everyone is just massive so why not use this technology to make sure everyone is getting the fairest shot at this? “Some will say it will slow the whole thing down . . . not necessarily. “The TV refs would not be needed for every single call and should not be asked to intervene in every play — but stress that his main duty be to protect the players and assist the ref in that, without taking over from the ref. “More often than not, referees get the big calls right. “But with the game never being as quick or as strong, I think we need to offer officials every tool we can to help control these games.”