Abstract
Background
Sport-related concussion is a significant concern in contact sports, yet research in amateur Gaelic games is limited.
Aims
To examine the characteristics and mechanisms of suspected concussions in elite Gaelic football and hurling using video-based analysis.
Methods A retrospective video analysis was conducted on 96 suspected concussions (58 Gaelic football, 38 hurling) identified from broadcast footage during the 2018–2019 inter-county seasons. Events were coded for type of play, player role, object/body part striking the head, collision direction, legality, referee penalisation, and match quarter. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square Goodness-of-Fit test and standardised residuals assessed distributions.
Results
In Gaelic football, suspected concussions were evenly distributed across quarters, χ²=6.23, p = 0.101. In hurling, incidents were overrepresented in the fourth quarter, χ²=14.00, p = 0.003, residual = + 3.08. Tackles were significantly more frequent in football (residual = + 8.63, χ²=95.79, p < 0.001) and hurling (residual = + 4.14, χ²=28.58, p < 0.001), while off-the-ball collisions and goalpost impacts were less frequent. Ball carriers were overrepresented in football (residual = + 5.99, χ²=48.38, p < 0.001) and hurling (residual = + 3.41, χ²=16.32, p = 0.001). Arms were the main impact source in football (residual = + 8.08, χ²=79.93, p < 0.001) with shoulders/torsos in hurling (residual = + 4.24/+2.87, χ²=36.53, p < 0.001). Front-on collisions predominated in both codes. Illegal play was significant in football (residual = + 2.6, χ²=13.52, p < 0.001), with illegal incidents penalised (residual = + 3.34, χ²=22.35, p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The findings underscore the need for targeted rule enforcement, player education, and management to reduce concussion risk in Gaelic football and hurling.
Sport-related concussion is a significant concern in contact sports, yet research in amateur Gaelic games is limited.
Aims
To examine the characteristics and mechanisms of suspected concussions in elite Gaelic football and hurling using video-based analysis.
Methods A retrospective video analysis was conducted on 96 suspected concussions (58 Gaelic football, 38 hurling) identified from broadcast footage during the 2018–2019 inter-county seasons. Events were coded for type of play, player role, object/body part striking the head, collision direction, legality, referee penalisation, and match quarter. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square Goodness-of-Fit test and standardised residuals assessed distributions.
Results
In Gaelic football, suspected concussions were evenly distributed across quarters, χ²=6.23, p = 0.101. In hurling, incidents were overrepresented in the fourth quarter, χ²=14.00, p = 0.003, residual = + 3.08. Tackles were significantly more frequent in football (residual = + 8.63, χ²=95.79, p < 0.001) and hurling (residual = + 4.14, χ²=28.58, p < 0.001), while off-the-ball collisions and goalpost impacts were less frequent. Ball carriers were overrepresented in football (residual = + 5.99, χ²=48.38, p < 0.001) and hurling (residual = + 3.41, χ²=16.32, p = 0.001). Arms were the main impact source in football (residual = + 8.08, χ²=79.93, p < 0.001) with shoulders/torsos in hurling (residual = + 4.24/+2.87, χ²=36.53, p < 0.001). Front-on collisions predominated in both codes. Illegal play was significant in football (residual = + 2.6, χ²=13.52, p < 0.001), with illegal incidents penalised (residual = + 3.34, χ²=22.35, p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The findings underscore the need for targeted rule enforcement, player education, and management to reduce concussion risk in Gaelic football and hurling.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-7 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | IRISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE |
| Early online date | 7 Nov 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 7 Nov 2025 |
Bibliographical note
© 2025. The Author(s).Funding
Not applicable