HoganStand GAA Football and Hurling

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Counterfeit Hurling And Camogie Helmets

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Just wondering what peoples opinions on this topic is. If any of ye have ever seen them ye will realise how flimsy and plastic they are, compared to older original cooper/gola helmets from a byegone era. Are we getting to a stage where all helmets will have to be standardised to just new modern ones? I have an oldstyle cooper myself with an original KK faceguard, are they still allowed in this day and age? I do agree with a complete clampdown on these fake ones as they offer little to no protection. bountyboy22 (USA) - Posts: 37 - 19/12/2023 09:02:46 2517366 Link
A pretty dodgy business now. How badly made are they? I couldn't get used to them at all and stopped - not before time! - when they became mandatory. Probably the only thing i had in common with the Rock! BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3118 - 19/12/2023 12:24:35 2517385 Link
Sure most fellas modify any of approved helmets with an aftermarket guard, technically you are not covered by insurance if you do this. Did the same myself. There's a huge market for old style cooper helmets out there. I'd say majority of people buying these couldn't care less if they were lighter or not, it's all about the look. Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2085 - 19/12/2023 13:48:09 2517393 Link
I think it's a good thing that the gaa is making an issue of this. They are really poorly made from what I've seen and nowhere comparable with the original old style helmets. It could prevent a potential tragedy. The new cooper helmets are good quality but the sk109 cooper doesn't seem to be too popular with adult players. Maybe if cooper could patent something more like the sk100 or sk120 in adult size with relevant safety approval it would become more popular and encourage players from buying these dodgy fakes. Unusedsub (Carlow) - Posts: 91 - 19/12/2023 14:12:55 2517396 Link
Replying To BarneyGrant: "A pretty dodgy business now. How badly made are they? I couldn't get used to them at all and stopped - not before time! - when they became mandatory. Probably the only thing i had in common with the Rock!" These fake ones offer as much support as a plastic tin of quality street. Are older helmets insured? bountyboy22 (USA) - Posts: 37 - 19/12/2023 15:05:18 2517400 Link
Replying To Unusedsub: "I think it's a good thing that the gaa is making an issue of this. They are really poorly made from what I've seen and nowhere comparable with the original old style helmets. It could prevent a potential tragedy. The new cooper helmets are good quality but the sk109 cooper doesn't seem to be too popular with adult players. Maybe if cooper could patent something more like the sk100 or sk120 in adult size with relevant safety approval it would become more popular and encourage players from buying these dodgy fakes." I think the top/front of the newer cooper adult size needs to be the same as the original and kids size, it's a bit strange looking Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2085 - 19/12/2023 17:28:13 2517413 Link
Replying To Bon: "I think the top/front of the newer cooper adult size needs to be the same as the original and kids size, it's a bit strange looking" Exactly Bon. The cooper helmets have always been very popular and imo a couple of small alterations bringing them more in line with the original would discourage people from buying dodgy imitations. Obviously these would have to meet safety standards. Unusedsub (Carlow) - Posts: 91 - 20/12/2023 16:44:30 2517493 Link
Replying To Unusedsub: "Exactly Bon. The cooper helmets have always been very popular and imo a couple of small alterations bringing them more in line with the original would discourage people from buying dodgy imitations. Obviously these would have to meet safety standards." If they did alter the design they'd make a fortune, that's what lads are looking for. Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2085 - 20/12/2023 22:01:23 2517507 Link
Seems to be a bit of misunderstanding or misinformation about this out there, with some people thinking that anything other than a 'proper' Cooper helmet might be dodgy. This week's warning relates specifically to a batch of helmets marked 'Gola' which are being sold through Facebook groups and the like. These ones are obviously dodgy as they are no real Gola-branded helmets any more. Gola now trade as gsports, and their helmets are branded as 'Atak' rather than 'Gola' - link The Atak helmets meet the required safety standards, as do a number of other brands as well as Cooper, such as Mycro and Azurri. There's a full list of all approved brands on the main GAA website. Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2621 - 21/12/2023 10:27:57 2517530 Link