The research changing how concussion is viewed - and treated 

Micky Collins PHD, the clinical and executive director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Sports Medicine Concussion Program, offers a scenario in which his patients in the UPMC Concussion Network, including its seven clinics in Ireland, are successfully being treated for their symptoms, and that the current protocols in use by the GAA and IRFU are fit for purpose and getting better

Ireland’s Mike McCarthy lies on the ground after a heavy knock in the Six Nations clash with France 2016. Picture: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE

To listen to clinical neuropsychologist Michael “Micky” Collins speak optimistically about outcomes for concussion patients feels counter-intuitive given the flurry of headlines on the issue in recent months.

Concussions in sport are, after all, enough to give any parent pause for thought on the weekly drive to their child’s training session or match. Still fresh in the mind may be the stories of former rugby professionals such as Steve Thompson, Alix Popham and six others, each of whom was under the age of 45 when they were diagnosed with early-onset dementia and are now part of a legal action for negligence against World Rugby and their respective national governing bodies in England and Wales.