Doctors want rule relaxed

The Gaelic Games Doctors’ Association (GGDA) have arranged a meeting for tomorrow where their opposition to the sideline regulations will be high on the agenda.

The group have been in touch with Croke Park but remain frustrated with the decision taken to cut the number of medics allowed on the sideline to one. Although it had been suggested two medics could be facilitated at pitch-side providing a team’s number of personnel didn’t breach the quota of five, the GGDA have had it confirmed by Croke Park that only one, either a doctor or a physio, is permitted.

It is expected the GGDA will sign a document asking Croke Park to consider relaxing the regulations for medics. Kildare football team doctor Danny Mulvihill, chairman of the GGDA, has been a major critic of the regulations and has suggested some GPs may quit their posts if it isn’t amended.

He has also defied the measure and positioned himself on the sideline alongside the Kildare physio for their opening Division 1 games against Donegal and Cork.

The Kilkenny hurlers’ doctor, Dr Tadhg Crowley, has also hit out at the directive as has Tipperary’s physio John Casey.

Going into the opening weekend of the Allianz Hurling League, four managers — Brian Cody, Anthony Cunningham, Davy Fitzgerald and Anthony Daly — have all criticised the measure for other reasons.

Cody’s selector Martin Fogarty released a hard-hitting statement to this newspaper earlier this week.