Sexton’s head injuries still a real concern
WE’VE stopped worrying about Johnny Sexton. We actually stopped asking questions 12 months ago. Instead, we sang the praises of the world’s No1 rugby player and cheered him on as he led Leinster and Ireland to a Champions Cup and Grand Slam respectively.
It was Sexton who shut us up. From his point of view, too many journalists were checking on the state of his health and openly wondering if he was risking permanent brain injury by continually taking heavy knocks to the head.
Yesterday, as Ireland got their season back on track with a victory over Scotland, Sexton left the field after 23 minutes.
In the short time he was out there, he repeatedly had to pick himself up after late hits from a blitzing Scottish defence. The Irish medics were near full-time attendants to the out-half. Ultimately, this all led to him failing a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) during the game.
As in the past, Sexton will dismiss any notion that he is taking undue risks by continuing to play.
During the week, Donegal footballer Ryan McHugh made it clear that he is not going to stop playing because of the hits he’s taken.
McHugh is 24 years old, nine years younger than Sexton. The Kilcar man knows his career has a lot more damage in store for him over the next decade.
McHugh missed the latter rounds of last year’s League campaign with a serious concussion. He took another blow in a club challenge game in September which resulted in the two-time All-Star being diagnosed with a bleed on the brain.
He admitted this week that he has talked with his father about trying to remodel his style of play in order to avoid the sort of heavyweight punishment that is coming his way. The trouble is, as he explained, there’ll always be a ‘ball, you’ll have to go in for’.
On these pages this morning, a new study reveals that the risks of developing Motor Neurone Disease are eight times higher for those who receive repeated blows to the head and spine while playing sport at an elite level.
It is the most definitive investigation of its kind into cases of the fatal neurodegenerative disease.
It applies to our top sportsmen as naturally as it applies to those across the water. Rugby players and footballers are profiled as case studies.
This morning, we know that Johnny Sexton really ought to be a serious worry for those us who follow the Irish rugby team.
He likely won’t be an injury doubt for the rest of the championship, and will certainly be on the plane bound for the World Cup. Later in life, however, he could be one of those finding himself in far more serious trouble.