Seamus Callanan injury could hasten gumshield rule

A debate about mandatory gumshields in hurling had been on the cards prior to Seamus Callanan’s teeth injury in Sunday’s Munster semi-final.

Ger Ryan, the chairman of the GAA’s medical, scientific and welfare committee, revealed the group will give consideration to the idea of extending the mouthguard rule they introduced in Gaelic football to the smaller ball game.

Ryan pointed out his own nine-year-old daughter, a fan of Callanan, had mentioned the need for gumshields in hurling having seen the injury the Tipperary forward, sustained in a challenge with Limerick goalkeeper Barry Hennessy.