The GAA has decided against introducing mandatory screening of inter-county players, despite the fact that some may be at risk to sudden cardiac death. Instead, the special committee set up to decide on the matter will recommend to the Management Committee that testing 600 players - a cross-section of county senior and minor hurlers and footballers - is a better starting point. Screening is mandatory in both the FAI and IRFU and several county boards have privately screened their county teams. The decision has been met with disappointment by those who have campaigning heavily for blanket screening of all inter-county squads since the tragic death of Tyrone captain Cormac McAnallen in March 2004. McAnallen's family has lobbied passionately since his death for regularized screening and has suggested that a mobile screening unit could help solve any logistical problems. The national Sudden Cardiac Death Taskforce has recommended that all senior inter-county players should be screened for Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). Tweet

Most Read Stories