Cervical spine injuries in Gaelic hurling

Injury profiles and rules to prevent injury are consistently topical in contact sports. Hurling is known for its skill, speed and intensity. Cervical spine injury rates are sparsely reported in the sport.

Our aim is to accurately describe a five-case series of serious cervical spine injuries from hurling treated between July 2024 and September 2025.

A case series of cervical spine injuries sustained participating in hurling and treated at Ireland's tertiary referral center for spinal injuries between was identified between July 2024 and September 2025. Following ethics review committee approval (1/378/2509); retrospective clinical and radiological case review was followed by structured interviews.

Five serious cervical spine injuries were identified in young hurlers. Four sustained spinal cord injuries and four required surgical stabilization. Our analysis suggests a mechanism of injury where a helmeted player is struck from the blind side while rising the ball resulting in headfirst impact and cervical spine injury. No cervical spine injuries in camogie were observed in the study period.

We present the first dedicated work on cervical spine injuries and risk in hurling. This work identifies a concerning series of five cervical spine injuries in young hurlers, sharing a distinctive mechanism; a helmeted player, moving to rise or receive a low ball with eyes down, hips flexed, and hands occupied, is struck from the blind side resulting in headfirst impact. Whilst limited, this case series provides foundation for potential low-cost safety improving interventions and further research into this risky scenario.