Duty of Care and The Tackle

evolvingtipperary101

Does the GAA need to introduce a duty of care type rule when it comes to the shoulder and possibility of contact with the head/neck. Concussion is happening more and more. With players getting bigger and bigger and stronger and stronger, where will all these big hits lead eventually?

In the video below, Shane O'Donnell talks about not being able to read a book, look at his phone/tv, or talk to his parents for any length of time after a concussion. This went on for 5 weeks. He had to sit doing nothing for 12 hours a day.

“I used to sit down for 12 hours… Even talking to my parents was diffi... | Shane | TikTok

Full video here - the concussion stuff is frightening and almost finished his career:

Inner Drive │ Episode 1 │ Shane O'Donnell (youtube.com)

rpurfield

Maybe its just me but this seems to be more prevalent in hurling than football? Would it be with lads wearing helmets that they think the opponent has protection. For me anyway its covered under two rules: to behave in a way that's dangerous to an opponent and then to inflict an injury recklessly on an opponent by means other than stated above.

I'm not disagreeing with your premise by the way, a lad should be able to come off the field and be relatively healthy and these type of hits should be stopped.

evolvingtipperary101

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121925295#Comment_121925295

This is exactly the type of situation below I'm talking about. How do you introduce a type of penalty that outlaws this type of tackle? Should there be a hefty ban?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_i6NtIrdWM

O'Shea needs to be monitored for a some time. Plenty of boxers finished fights - only for an injury that occurred in round two or three to come back to haunt them after the fight or a few days later.

threeball

It's not just head high tackles. I've witnessed games where larger more physical player has intentionally gone out to hurt a smaller opponent by ploughing through the player with no opportunity or intent to play the ball. Refs at most give a free when the reality is its a red card offence. Its very prevalent in underage games where size differences can be quite large especially in the 12 to 16yrs age range.

The refs main job on a pitch is duty of care to those playing and anyone who breeches those standards should see the line especially where there was no intent to play the ball.

rpurfield

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122106882#Comment_122106882

Based on the rule I quoted its a two game suspension, or a three if its a repeat offence. To answer your question it would need a new rule or a rule change when the playing rules are up again, they are only looked at every so many years.