Case for concussion subs strong, says Farrell

GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell believes a concussion substitute — similar to the current blood replacement — will become a serious consideration for the GAA.

His comments come as the GAA yesterday released an updated version of their 2007 position on the condition.

Their guidelines state any player suspected of having a concussion must be replaced immediately. If a team doctor is present, he must advise the team manager and the player must not be allowed to continue playing.

In this year’s All-Ireland senior football final, Rory O’Carroll continued on despite being concussed following a collision in the second-half.

Had he gone off, Dublin would have been reduced to 14 men but manager Jim Gavin said they had not been fully aware of the defender’s situation until after the game.

The current blood substitute rule allows a team to replace a player who is bleeding to be replaced either temporarily or permanently.

Farrell said of extending the measure to cover possible concussions: “It’s definitely something to look at. I know it’s not as evident obviously as a blood sub, where blood is drawn, and the argument will be could it be used to just replace a player whatever?

“I think what we need to do first of all is develop the culture within the organisation, that everyone understands what concussion is about.

“If you look at what happens in other sports, they’ve evolved their policies as they’ve become more familiar with the subject matter and more comfortable in dealing with it.”

Ger Ryan, chairman of the GAA’s medical, scientific and welfare committee, said they had looked into the idea of a concussion substitute as well as the possibility of a player assumed to have suffered concussion being stood down for a period of time for safety reasons.

However, he is satisfied based on medical advice that the guidelines are appropriate: “Having had a look at the level of concussion injury, having taken advice from experts, we believe the guidelines are sufficient.

Concussion comprises 1% of all injuries but Ryan pointed out there’s a strong possibility it has not always been diagnosed in cases.

Farrell pointed to the fact players are becoming stronger and the games more physical. He also admitted he would find it hard to believe any player with an inter-county career of 10 years would not have suffered concussion at some stage.

“I still think there is a bit of work to do because it is within our nature as players to want to get on with it and that sort of macho, you get a bang, you get up and dust yourself off and go again.

Understanding of concussion has come a long way from Farrell’s time playing. He recalls picking up a head injury in a club championship game for Na Fianna in O’Toole Park.

“I was coming around afterwards and trying to figure out why I wasn’t in Mobhi Road and wondering how come the clubhouse had been moved from the left side of the pitch to the right side.

“But again it’s part of the culture, you drive on and you play on. That would have been one towards the latter end of my career that I can remember but I’m sure there would have been others as well.”