Top medic backs GAA concussion proposal

A leading GAA medic has echoed Aidan O’Shea’s call for the appointment of an independent doctor to rule on concussion cases and other serious injuries during games.

Dr Tom Foley, a member of the GAA’s Medical, Scientific and Welfare committee and Carlow team doctor for the past 25 years, revealed he was overruled by an inter-county manager on more than one occasion when requesting a concussed player be removed from the fray.

He pointed to Dublin’s Rory O’Carroll’s concussed state during the 2013 All-Ireland football final as proof positive of the requirement for an independent doctor. O’Carroll was forced to see out the fixture as Dublin had already exhausted their full compliment of substitutes.