Players lukewarm over gumshield rule

Inter-county footballers have given a mixed response to the motion calling for gumshields to be made mandatory by 2014.

The proposal, which comes via Central Council from the GAA’s medical, scientific and welfare committee, will be put before Congress in Portlaoise this weekend.

It states all minor footballers must wear the mouth protection from January 1 next year, with U21s and seniors following in 2014.

Asked on Twitter what he made of it, Wexford defender Aindreas Doyle said he has no issue wearing one but was worried around the logistical and financial aspects of it.

“No problem with wearing one but how often are they lost or forgotten? Not like a pair of gloves you can wear anyone’s... nightmare.

“Decent ones are expensive as well! The GAA would need to come up with some scheme to provide them at discount!”

Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea can see the logic in the proposal but doesn’t want to see it implemented as he finds gumshields uncomfortable to wear.

“Understandable but still hope it doesn’t get passed.”

Monaghan forward Ciaran Hanratty also aired concern about the possibility of not being able to recover one for a game.

“Big increase in number of players wearing them over the past few years. What happens if you forget it though — you can’t play?”

Monaghan and Ulster captain Darren Hughes queried whether it will have to be worn all of the time during games.

“Do you get to take it out for free kicks and penalties? Or just hide it in your sock.”

Louth forward Jim McEnaney tweeted: “I wear one at the minute, when I remember! But I’ve lost three or four of them. And it has to be a fitted one or else too chunky!”

Meanwhile, former Laois footballer Colm Parkinson has claimed on Twitter his club Portlaoise have denied him the chance to line out with their intermediates this year.

Parkinson says he has been informed by Portlaoise management committee that he had embarrassed the club when criticising the senior management of Mick Lillis and Mark Kavanagh on radio following their Leinster club SFC semi-final defeat to Dublin’s St Brigids.

“Got a very funny letter in the post this morning, seems I’m banned from playing intermediate football for Portlaoise,” he tweeted.

“The club is €7m in debt and a committee is worried about me apologising for what I said about senior management, said I embarrassed the club.

“I think the fact the club is €7m in debt because of the foolish actions of some of these people, has caused the club more embarrassment.

“Thought I’d help out the intermediates this year, the manager wants me to play, but this ‘committee’ has other ideas.”