Move to make mouthguard use compulsory

AN effort is being made for mouthguards to be compulsory for all GAA players. The move is being proposed by the Burrishole club and will come before the Mayo county convention next week.

The club’s assistant treasurer, Margaret O’Malley, is a dental health educator and she has completed an extensive study in nine to 13-year old children. Over 500 were surveyed and she said that it is now hoped that the wearing mouthguards will become mandatory in the GAA similar to rugby.

“Hopefully, the motion will make the GAA look into creating a policy for the use of gumshields as dental damage can be a major problem for players,” said O’Malley who works for HSE West.