No amnesty for hurlers who don't like helmets

NEW RULES:THE GAA confirmed yesterday that the lead-in process is over and come January 1st hurlers at all grades must wear a standardised helmet on the field of play.

There will be no amnesty for elder statesmen like John Mullane or particularly goalkeepers. Many see the helmet as a hindrance, with referees instructed to halt play if someone discards their head gear.

Dr Danny Mulvihill, who works with the Kildare footballers and is chairman of the player welfare taskforce, made a presentation yesterday in Croke Park, alongside Dr Cliff Beirne who is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, outlining the severity of injury claims due to players lack of adequate protection.

They also supplied proof the helmet protects players. In a survey of 310 serious eye injuries over an eight-year period, at all grades, 52 resulted in hospitalisation with six left permanently blinded. In 2005 it became mandatory attire at minor level resulting in two serious eye injuries during the intercounty season in contrast to 11 in 2004.

The consultants also supplied the media with some gruesome pictures of non-helmet wearing facial wounds including scalp lacerations, jaw fractures, cheekbone fractures, penetrating eye injuries, orbital fractures, damage to teeth in the upper and lower jaws. They are not suitable for publication.

“The use of face guards and helmets will significantly reduce these injuries,” said Mulvihill. “Hurlers of all ages, right down to the very youngest level, if they’re holding a hurley in their hands must wear a helmet and face guard at all times.

“From January 2010 match officials at all levels will be obliged to stop play if any player is on the field of play without the standard of equipment outlined. Likewise, any player who throws off the helmet during the game, the referee will stop it.”

What about goalkeepers and full backs who have traditionally avoided helmets as they impede their sight of rapid, incoming ball?

“It’s not beyond the realms of modern science that a helmet for goalies and full-backs could be produced,” Mulvihill answered. “But when you see the reduction of injuries since 2005 I don’t think there’s any argument that it should be done. I mean what’s the price of one injury or one blind eye? Where do you draw the line?”

GAA director general Padraic Duffy added: “We have signalled it from a long way back (Congress ratified this in 2008) and nobody can say they weren’t given adequate notice of it – you heard the evidence, this is a medical decision.

“When you have the medical committee in place and they make an issue with scientific evidence to back it up there is no argument with that. Hurling is safer with a helmet so there is no turning back on it. I was player welfare manager at the time when the medical committee came up with this first of all. When I say it was well debated, it was well researched. There was no argument about it. There was nobody on the medical committee that said ‘you shouldn’t do this.’ The only thing was how long before you can get it in.”

The mandatory wearing of helmets is expected to reduce the cost of insuring players. The introduction of mouth guards in football is also being considered.