'There's no real warning': the when, how and why of GAA injuries

Analysis: here's what the data tells us about GAA injuries, from the most common to the risk of reoccurrence

For most GAA players, an injury will happen suddenly. "There's no real warning, it isn’t the little niggle that’s been at the player," says Dr Mark Roe, postdoctoral researcher with the GAA National Injury Surveillance Database at UCD.

When injuries happen, it can be tough for the player and for the team. Limerick captain Declan Hannon has been ruled out of the All Ireland semi-final clash against Galway this weekend thanks to a knee injury he sustained in last month's Munster final. Galway hurler David Burke will also miss the match as he was ruled out for the rest of the season when he suffered an ACL injury during training back in March.

Speaking at a county board meeting earlier this year, Offaly GAA chairperson Michael Duignan said injuries were "devastating" their panels and questioned: "Why are so many people getting injured, especially cruciates? It seems to be out of control with GAA players." He was commenting in the wake of several injuries on the county’s hurling and Gaelic football teams.

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From RTÉ Archives, a 1986 conference at Croke Park examines what can be done about injuries in the GAA

But what does the data tell us about GAA injuries in Ireland? The injury surveillance database has been collecting data on players for over 15 years now. Beginning with a pilot in 2007, it has tracked senior inter-county men's Gaelic football and hurling players