Following on from Eoin Kelly’s recent comments where he accused the GAA of treating its players like children – and possibly being more motivated by insurance claims – former president Nickey Brennan has come out against what the Passage clubman’s criticisms concerning the mandatory wearing of helmets and faceguards from January 1st.
 
The Deise star, who made his remarks during the All Stars trip to Buenos Aires last month, said the association was making it “wicked hard on Dan Shanahan, Ken McGrath and fellas like that – they have not worn a helmet in 20 years. I have not worn one since I was 11 or 12,” Kelly added.
Responding, Nickey Brennan, a former Kilkenny player and manager, maintained: “I was the person that purposed that motion at congress that they be compulsory for everybody. I have listened and spoken to a number of people from in particular Waterford Regional Hospital who are experts in the area of treating eye injuries, and they have for many years been saying that it is irresponsible of any association to allow people to play games without a faceguard on their helmet and wearing a helmet. An accident can happen so easily. I am not even talking of foul stroking. It can happen so easily. I totally disagree with Eoin; I think he is taking a totally irresponsible attitude”.