Helmet Safety Requirements

Ahead of the new season It is requested that county secretaries would forward the below e-mail and attached documents to all clubs within the county for circulation to their members and the members of the Senior Inter County Panels and Management Teams. 

National Panel Referees have been reminded of the rules in relation to Hurling Helmets and Mouthguards and are under instruction to caution players wearing tampered hurling helmets (i.e. where bars from the faceguard have been removed or altered)  or not wearing a mouthguard (Football). Refusal to comply with a referees instruction can lead to a player's dismissal.  This information will also be passed on to club referees through the county referee administrators over the coming days. 

Hurling Helmets 

The attached handout is an information sheet for distribution to players at all levels and is also available on: http://learning.gaa.ie/mouthguardshurlinghelmets

Mouthguards 

Since January 1st 2014, it has been mandatory for players in all grades to wear a mouthguard in all Gaelic football games and practice sessions.

The introduction of this rule has led to a drop of 37% in the number of dental injury claims made via the GAA Injury benefit fund, resulting from incidents in Gaelic football training sessions and matches in grades up to Minor in 2013. At adult level a similar drop of 39% has occurred, proving the benefits of wearing a mouthguard in reducing the risk of dental injuries. 

Key Points

~ All Gaelic footballers must wear a mouthguard in practice sessions and matches. 

~ It is the responsibility of each individual player to use a mouthguard

~ A properly fitted mouthguard is the best available protective device for reducing the incidence and severity of sports-related dental injuries

~ Players can be sent-off in a game for not wearing a mouthguard

~ Players will not be covered under the GAA player injury scheme if they don’t comply with the mouthguard rule

~ No Mouthguard? No Game!

Mouthguard Exemption

A player can apply for a mouthguard exempltion application from which can be requested by e-mailing playerwelfare@gaa.ie

The player in question must provide supporting medical evidence clearly stating why a mouthguard cannot be worn

Further information on the above is available at the following link:

http://learning.gaa.ie/mouthguardshurlinghelmets

If you have any queries in relation to the above please do not hesitate to contact Gearóid Devitt - GAA Player Welfare Officer @ gearoid.devitt@gaa.ie / 01-8658610

Gearóid Devitt

Player Welfare Officer / Rannóg na gCluichí