GAA ponder naming option

THE GAA has not ruled out mimicking other codes like Premier League soccer by putting players’ names on the backs of their jerseys.

The issue of identification of players, particularly in hurling, has come strongly into focus because of the new rule regarding mandatory safety helmet use since January 1.

Director General Paraic Duffy has admitted that the GAA has always suffered from a lack of recognition of its top players as most wear helmets.

That situation will only get worse and could even impinge on certain players’ marketing opportunities as a result of the new helmet decree.

While Duffy said there were no plans at the moment to introduce names on jerseys yet, he said it was something the GAA may shortly consider.

“Going forward it’s something we might look at,” said Duffy. “At the moment our primary concern is to get everyone wearing a helmet, that’s our first goal. Marketing the games comes after that.

“But it is a valid point. It’s been an issue for quite a long time that hurlers are not as easily recognisable as footballers but at the minute we don’t have any plans to do that.”

Duffy was speaking at the launch of MARC Sports’ innovative new hurling helmet scrappage scheme.

Under the scheme players will be able to ‘scrap’ their old helmet between now and February 21 and receive €15 off a new MARC model. For each helmet that is scrapped a donation will be made to the children’s charity Make-A-Wish Ireland (details from marcsports.ie).

Galway forward Joe Canning was at the launch as a MARC ambassador and said he has no problem with a lack of identity recognition due to wearing a helmet. “It doesn’t bother me. I’d rather just come off the field and be the same as everyone else and for not many people to know you. You can walk around and not be pestered and live a normal life then,’’ he said.

Waterford’s Eoin Kelly has been the most high profile critic of the new helmet rule, insisting the GAA is treating its players like children.

Canning claims “it’s not too big of a deal” and believes that in time, hurlers will become used to wearing them.

He’s more concerned right now about his club Portumna’s preparations for next month’s AIB All-Ireland club semi-final against Dunloy on Valentine’s Day. Like every other club and county, three-in-a-row chasing Portumna’s attempts to train have been badly affected by the cold snap of weather which has left pitches frozen over.

“There’s only five weeks left after this week so the game is fast approaching,” said All Star Canning.

“We only have really four weeks to work because the last week isn’t much of a training week.

“Hopefully the weather clears up but they’re promising even worse over the next few days which isn’t good. It’s not looking good for us to have challenge matches or any of that so it’s a hard time to prepare for a big semi-final.”

Canning is nursing a long-term groin problem but says he’s managing it well and plans to play for LIT in the Fitzgibbon Cup ahead of the Dunloy game.

“I’ll play, I have to, I’m involved with them as well,” he said. “We’re in a tough group. Ourselves, Waterford IT, UCC and GMIT. We’ll need everyone we have.”

Meanwhile, both Duffy and GAA Head of Games, Pat Daly, have spelt out there will be no leniency for hurlers who opt not to wear their helmets in games.

Asked about the sanction for not wearing one’s helmet, Duffy said players simply won’t be allowed to play. “Ideally we’d want to see everyone wearing the approved helmet. We’re not going to get into the business of policing the helmets that people are wearing but we’d be strongly advocating that they only use IS355 helmets.”