The GAA has recently published

updated Concussion Management

Guidelines. The key message of

the guidelines remains– When

In Doubt, Sit It Out. If there are any signs

leading to the suspicion of concussion,

a player should be removed immediately

from the field of play pending a full

medical assessment and should not return

to play on the same day.

Summary principles of GAA Concussion

Management Guidelines

Concussion is a brain injury that needs to

be taken seriously to protect the short and

long-term health and welfare of all players.

If there are any signs leading to the

suspicion of concussion, a player should

be removed immediately from the field of

play pending a full medical assessment (the

impact itself may on occasion be considered

an indicator even in the absence of any

immediate symptoms). A player suspected

of sustaining/having sustained a concussion

should not return to play on the same day.

Subsequently a satisfactory, supervised

return to play protocol must be completed,

followed by medical approval, prior to return

to play. If In Doubt, Sit Them Out.

Where a Team Doctor is present, he must

advise the person in charge of the team

(i.e. Team Manager) in this regard and the

player must not be allowed to continue

Concussion diagnosis is a clinical judgement
– Use of the SCAT 5 can aid the doctor in his/
her diagnosis. If a full SCAT 5 assessment has
been deemed necessary the player should
not return to play on the day. Concussion is
an evolving injury. It is important to monitor
the player after the injury for 24-48 hours.
Adult players suspected of having a
concussion, must have adequate rest of at
least 24 - 48 hours and then must follow
a gradual return to play (GRTP) protocol.
Players must receive written medical
clearance (from a doctor) and present to
the person in charge of the team before
returning to full contact training. Adult
players should not return to full contact
training/matches for at least 1 week from
when the injury has first been diagnosed.
(The GRTP should take at least 7 days for
adult players)
Players under the age of 18 suspected
of having a concussion must rest for a
minimum of 48 hours and then must follow
a GRTP protocol. Players must receive
written medical clearance from a doctor)
and present to the person in charge of
the team before returning to full contact
training. Players under the age of 18 should
not return to full contact training/matches
for at least 2 weeks from when the injury has
first been diagnosed. (It is recommended
that the GRTP should take at least 14 days
for players under the age of 18.)
A graduated return to school/education

strategy is also necessary. Communication
between the doctor, parents and teachers is
essential so that a flexible individualised plan
allowing incremental progression from daily
activities, school activities, return to school
part time and return to school full time be
implemented. No player should return to
competitive sporting activity prior to being
cleared to return to school.
The vast majority of players can be managed
locally by a doctor with the necessary
skillsets, for example Team Doctor, GP, or
Sports Medicine Doctor.
A minority of players with prolonged
symptoms (greater than 4 weeks for under-
18s or greater than 10-14 days for adult
players, players with recurrent injuries or
experiencing educational difficulties) should
be referred to an appropriate specialist or
multidisciplinary clinic.
All coaches should be made aware by players
and/or parents if a player under their care
has received a concussion in another sport/
event.
In children and adolescents, there is a risk
of catastrophic injury from second impact
syndrome if players are returned to play
before they are recovered from concussion.
The full guidelines are available at
http://learning.gaa.ie/sites/default/files/
GAA%20Concussion%20Management%20
Guidelines%20February%202018.pdf