Top referee Brian Gavin has said that the GAA must introduce the five-second advantage into hurling ahead of next year's league and championship campaigns.

The advantage rule will be adapted for football competitions on a trial basis from January 1st, but Offaly native Gavin, who took charge of this year's drawn All-Ireland SHC final between Clare and Cork, believes the same directive is required for hurling.

"It simply has to come in," Gavin told the Sunday Independent. "It's the one rule that the hurling referees are talking about that we don't have; it's the one rule we need to have.

"We would be very happy with the direction that hurling is going; there were a few things we might have done differently in this year's championships but by and large it was a fantastic summer for the game.

"We need to drive it on, though. The advantage rule was something we were trying to apply anyway but we need to have it in and made official. It would be a huge help to referees, particularly because of the pace that hurling has gone to." Tweet

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