GAA have ‘no reason’ to back up McGuinness’ player welfare concerns
The Donegal manager drew attention to the fact three of his players have been concussed this summer along with Mark McHugh who also suffered a perforated ear-drum and a tear in his quad muscle in the Ulster final.
“I am not happy that he spent two nights in hospital,” said McGuinness about McHugh. “I am not happy that he has missed a full week of work.
“For me, we are in a very dangerous position and I would fear that something is going to happen and my biggest fear is a spinal injury or a neck injury.”
However, GAA head of media relations Alan Milton said they have received nothing to substantiate McGuinness’ concerns.
“I have no reason to think there is any more danger to players this year than in any previous season and have received no correspondence from any other county,” stated Milton.
“Ger Ryan chairs our medical, scientific and welfare committee and he would monitor these things while the GPA have a set view on such matters.
“We haven’t received any correspondence of a factual nature about the points outlined by Jim.”
Milton has reviewed the incident that led to McHugh being helped off the field in Clones last Sunday week and has yet to notice any malice in the tackle by Stephen Gollogly, who was left with a badly swollen eye and also had to retire from the game early as a result of the collision.
“I have watched the Gollogly-McHugh challenge a number of times and I think that was the one he was referring to. I don’t believe there was any cynicism in the tackle.
“In a very physical game played by very fit men, the unfortunate by-product at times can be injury. When there are serious injuries, we always take notice.
“If people believe that things have moved in a negative way or to such an extent that the game has become more dangerous for players we have the right people in place to review it.”
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