Comhghairdeas
Congratulations to Peter Dooley on his engagment to Niamh last weekend. We wish them both every happiness.
Mouthguards and the GAA
Information for Clubs, Players and Parents
Following the GAA’s Annual Congress in April 2012 a new rule was enacted that made it mandatory to use a mouthguard in all Gaelic football matches and training sessions from January 1st 2013 (for all age grades up to and including minor) and at U21 and Adult level from January 1st 2014.
Research figures indicate that Ireland has one of the highest rates of sport-related oral injuries in the EU, with one third of all adult dental injuries being sports-related. In many sports such as rugby and hockey the wearing of gumshields is the norm with nearly all clubs adhering strictly to a ‘no gumshield – no game’ rule. A recent survey of Irish parents found the average cost of dental treatment for sport related dental injuries in children to be €213.14. Studies have also shown that the overall injury risk is close to twice as high when a mouthguard is not worn, relative to when mouthguards were used during athletic activity.
The GAA’s Medical, Scientific & Welfare Committee acknowledge that the use of a properly fitted mouthguard is the best available protective device for reducing the incidence and severity of sports-related dental injuries and was centrally involved in ensuring the introduction of compulsory mouthguards in Gaelic Football
This information sheet has been compiled to assist GAA Clubs and individual players in complying with the provisions of the new rule passed at Congress 2012.
If a player refuses to comply with a Referee’s instruction to wear a mouthguard, he will incur the penalty as outlined in (Rule 6.2, Rules of Foul Play, The Playing Rules of Football, Official Guide, Part II, 2012) ‘Caution the offender; order off if he persists’.
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Suicide Awareness
Please note that in February 2013, date and time still to be confirmed, a half day “Safe Talk” on Suicide Awareness and Prevention will take place in the Shirley Arms Hotel in Carrickmacross.
I would ask that each club would discuss this training with your Club Committee and identify someone from your Club to attend. This training is aimed at adults who have contact with young people ( men predominantly ) and is an excellent course at highlighting the signs associated with people who are considering suicide and the safe steps that you can take to support them.
Considering that suicide is such a significant problem in our society today, it would be important that GAA Clubs play their part in increasing awareness and preventing where possible.
If there is anybody interested in doing this very important course please give your name to any committee member.
By michael
Tue 11th Dec
