Refs urged to ignore minor injuries

Referees have been instructed not to stop play for minor injuries, starting from the national football and hurling leagues.

National referees committee chairman Pat McEnaney confirmed he has told inter-county match officials to operate the rule regarding general injuries in its strictest form.

According to rule 1.5 (a) of the GAA Official Guide: “Play shall not be stopped for injury to a player, except in exceptional circumstances to enable a seriously injured player to be treated on the field or removed from the field of play. All other injuries shall be treated off the field of play.”