New provision to be introduced
David Hassan, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Playing Rules, pictured at GAA Congress at Canal Court Hotel in Newry, Down. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
A motion, seeking to to introduce a provision whereby a player in a hurling match removes or has his helmet removed, was passed at the GAA's Annual Congress in Newry.
The rule, which will apply at Minor (U17) level and above, now means a player must leave the field of play to be assessed and/or have the helmet refitted.
The player will not return to the field of play until the next break in play, at the earliest, with the permission of the referee.
David Hassan, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Playing Rules, outlined the reasons why the motion was brought to Congress.
"This motion has its genesis with inter-county referees," Hassan explained. "There has been an increasing tendency of players removing their helmets as an established time wasting tactic. It is entirely possible some players have suffered a head injury. We want to cover up both those instances.
"We are concerned with the tendency to delay play. We propose in simple terms that a player leave the field of play, be assessed, and have the helmet refitted."
A total of 87 per cent of delegates voted to pass the motion.