February 13, 2010
by Victor Morgan
From January 2010 it is mandatory for hurling players, at all levels to wear an approved helmet and face guard for all matches and training, and that only players that are wearing helmets that pass the IS355 safety standard will be covered for Insurance under the GAA Injury Scheme.
The new regulations now mean that match officials are obliged to stop play if a player appears on the field without the necessary equipment.
Is this a Good thing or Bad thing?
When it was initially announced that GAA Hurling helmets were to be made mandatory from 2010 there were mixed reactions from some of the country’s most senior hurlers. One of the more widely publicised of these was when Corks Diarmuid O'Sullivan announced his retirement from all hurling as a result of the new ruling. Although, at the launch of Mycro's new range of hurling helmets and Gloves in Croke Park last November, Mycro's own Ronan Curran confirmed to the media at that Diarmuid had indeed changed his mind and has already picked a new Mycro helmet.
There were other murmurs of opposition to the new rule. Initially Kilkenny’s Michael Kavanagh explained that he wasn't happy with the new rule but went on to say that understood why it was being implemented.
Despite these initial murmurs, there have been a large number of people supporting the new rule. Since 2006 it was a requirement for all U-21 players to wear a helmet, so a lot see this as just a natural progression from this level to senior. A lot of people also see the effort as something really positive, as it shows that the GAA are committed and making a great effort to reduce the risk of injury. Their efforts are justified. The GAA Insurance Workgroup 2009 uncovered some very interesting statistics regarding eye injuries:
- 310 SERIOUS EYE INJURIES
- 52 WERE HOSPITALISED
- 6 PERMANENTLY BLINDED
Obviously any effort that sees these numbers reduced in anyway can only be positive for players involved in the sport.
Teething Problems
As with any new rules, there are always going to be arguments for and arguments against but also alongside these there are always going to be teething problems. One such teething problem was highlighted in the recent Kehoe game between Roscommon and Wicklow where Wicklow midfielder Jonathon O’Neill removed his helmet when taking frees and 65s, scoring 3 points in the process. The referee allowed O’Neill to continue without a helmet.
The GAA Communications Manager Alan Milton afterwards admitted that the referee was incorrect in allowing the helmet to be removed, but acknowledged that in the early stages of implementing the new rule, there would be inevitable teething problems.
But in time when the dust settles the hard facts of the matter are that the ruling is here to stay.
So What has Mycro Done in light of the New Ruling?
Prior to the introduction of the new Ruling, Mycro hurling helmets were not only by far the lightest on the market to pass the IS355 safety standard, but also the first. Since 2006 the helmet has been updated several times so now is well in advance of the opposition.
Because helmets are now a necessity, Mycro are now creating and designing helmets that more acceptable to defenders and goalkeepers so that the helmet does not interfere with their normal course of play such as fielding high balls.
Mycro are committed to developing helmets that are light and utilise state of the art technology. We are constantly evolving our helmets to suit every hurler. New helmets have been designed for older players, with added comfort and less weight due to the softer and lighter interior. This is a patented technology so will not be available on any other brand helmets.
Please feel free to have your say by commenting below.
April 13, 2010
mike
i think its a joke grown men are bieng forced to wear a helmet,i havent worn a helmet in 13 years and now have to get used to one,players over 21 should be left make their own decision.they brought in the rule for u21's 4 years ago and should have left it filter through.helmets arent even mandatory for senior camogie in fairness,was at a match on sunday and 2 women wearin no helmets!!! 
March 20, 2010
hurler_87
looking for a helmet bigger than Xl, stuggling to find a comfortable fit for when this new rule will be fully implemented!!!!
February 27, 2010
Anthony Doyle
I was looking at the Mycro helmet (Medium) in my local sports store today. The helmet had a nice comfortable fit. However, I felt the faceguard had more bars than the Kilkenny guard that I currently use. Is there only one type of face guard constructed or is it possible to get a face guard with fewer bars?
February 27, 2010
Rondo929
I think it is a good thing that all players have to wear helmets, to prevent injury.But I think keepers should be exempt from this rule because it is so much harder to see a sliothar with a helmet on.
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