ieExplains: Why the GAA is planning to regulate faceguards and hurleys

Due to the ash dieback crisis, which has nearly wiped out timber suitable for hurley-making, the GAA is going to strengthen its oversight of the hurley-making market as alternative materials are sought. 

The supply of ash suitable for hurley making could be exhausted within three years. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

The GAA plans to regulate faceguards and hurleys as they aim to heighten safety standards for hurling equipment.

Why is the GAA regulating faceguards?

A 2017 DCU study of 304 adult male and female players found almost a third of them (31%) admitted to modifying their helmet/faceguard, while 8% said it was already altered when purchased.

Modified helmets have caused serious injuries to those wearing them and their opponents. 

A study published in the Irish Medical Journal in 2019 stated: “These modifications are responsible for some of the most serious injuries sustained in hurling i.e. penetrating wounds. Although it is likely unintentional that these modifications are intended to be dangerous they can result in sharp metal bars protruding from players helmets.”

How will the GAA regulate faceguards?

A Croke Park committee is in the final stages of developing a standardised faceguard. This design will have to used by officially licensed manufacturers. 

“We have a prototype of a new faceguard and certainly within 12 months we hope to have it ready to go,” said Ned Quinn, chairman of the GAA’s sliotar, hurley and helmet workgroup.

The GAA intends to patent its faceguard design. 

Are there safety standards in place for faceguards at the moment?

Currently, companies producing helmets have to abide by the National Safety Association of Ireland’s IS:355 safety standard. However, several players continue to wear helmets that either predate those regulations, don’t conform to them or they have manipulated the guard so that the bars don’t obstruct their sight. Only those players wearing helmets that adhere to the standard can make a claim via the GAA’s player injury fund.

Why is the GAA regulating hurleys?

As the ash dieback crisis hits hard, the GAA is also going to strengthen their oversight of the hurley-making market as alternatives to ash are sought.

What is ash dieback?

It's a serious disease caused by a fungal pathogen. The mortality rate for ash trees affected is high. According to Ned Quinn, the supply of ash suitable for hurley making could be exhausted within three years.

Disease resistant ash trees have been planted but it could be 30 years before they mature into hurley making timber, and that is if they are in fact immune to the disease.

I still don't understand why this would lead to regulation for hurleys.

Ash is the ideal timber for hurleys. If the wrong material is used, it could lead to serious injuries on the pitch.

“If a hurley doesn’t have a break point or the spring as we would have called it, if it doesn’t have the tension equally distributed to it, there could be difficulties," explained Ned Quinn.

"You don’t want somebody’s fibula or tibia breaking as a result of a hurley made of the wrong material."

This is based on an original article by John Fogarty.