Clare’s concussion approach commended as ‘player comes first’

The Clare hurling management’s treatment of Paul Flanagan’s recent concussion has been commended by the GAA’s medical, scientific and welfare committee chairman Ger Ryan.

Last week, Davy Fitzgerald revealed one of his players, without naming him, had suffered concussion in the Division 1 semi-final win over Kilkenny and would be stood down for last Sunday’s final against Waterford.

Fitzgerald said at the time: “The most important thing with this set-up is the player comes first. I’m not going to risk anyone, if I thought it would cause problems down the road. We have one player who got concussed after the Kilkenny game. He’s mad to go but I don’t think we’re going to. He’ll be devastated. The player is number one, no matter what else happens. Winning hurling games is number two.”