JOE KERNAN says the GAA should look into designing safer goalposts after Ronan Clarke – full-forward in his Armagh 2002 side – sustained a serious head injury after colliding with an upright during a match for his club Pearse Óg last Saturday evening.
“I spoke to his father yesterday and Ronan was sitting up talking, which is great,” said Kernan on Thursday.
“It could happen to anybody. Ronan, being the lad that he is, played on and that’s just the way he is. Thank God, they got him to hospital and got him saved.
“Safety of players is the most important thing and I’m sure it is something that will be looked at. Maybe we can get a post with less padding on it? A lot of posts are steel, maybe that can be changed? I’m sure the people who should be looking after it will be.
“Unfortunately, Ronan just got about five years out of his career. The first two or three were unbelievable, he was a class act, but when the injuries get into you and you can’t shake them, it does have an effect. Sometimes you come back too soon and it does wear you down.
"It was great that he had it in him and come back to play for his club and hopefully he gets over this.
"Safety is number one and hopefully he gets the all-clear. Whether he plays any more is up to him and his family.”
