THE IRFU HAS applied to take part in World Rugby’s trial of Raleri’s protective goggles in rugby, meaning Ian McKinley will be free to play in Ireland if that application is accepted.
The former Leinster out-half, who lost sight in one eye after a training-ground accident in 2010, has been campaigning for the IRFU to take part in World Rugby’s trial.
The IRFU’s previous reluctance to be part of the trial had meant that McKinley was unable to play on Irish soil due to the fact that he now wears Raleri’s protective goggles when playing rugby.
Ex-Ireland U20 international McKinley retired from professional rugby in 2011 on account of the loss of sight in his left eye, but returned to the sport in 2014 after a move to take up a coaching position in Italy.
With the Italian federation part of the goggles trial, McKinley excelled for third division for Leonorso, earning a move to Viadana in Italy’s top division. He made his Guinness Pro12 debut for Zebre earlier this season, after joining as a permit player, but was unable to feature in an away match against Connacht.
McKinley’s campaign to have the IRFU reverse their stance on the goggles trial picked up major support from the rugby community in Ireland in recent months, with more than 13,000 people signing a petition on the subject.
The IRFU has now confirmed its application to participate in the ongoing World Rugby Raleri goggles trial, following a recommendation by the IRFU medical committee, who performed a thorough review of World Rugby trial data and updated advice given by independent medical experts.
The current restriction on goggles will remain in place until the IRFU has been confirmed as a participant in the World Rugby trial, although they hope the process will be completed early in 2016.
“If the IRFU is accepted onto the trial those seeking to wear goggles on the field must then apply to World Rugby to participate in the trial and purchase the Raleri goggles directly from the Italian manufacturer – in accordance with the terms of the trial, no other eyewear will be permitted,” reads the IRFU statement.
“The IRFU encourages parents, players, coaches and volunteers to review information available from World Rugby in relation to the trial.”
Find out more about the goggles trial here.
Good to see Eamon Dunphy was spot on with his assessment of Brazil during his rant at the end of the champions league final…
Piques trips don’t lie….
And then Neymar does that!!!
outrageous. great goal.Barca will be happy. the Luiz clearance was a massive turning point
game was well over when luiz cleared
Brazil are still a class team. I think they will go on and win the World Cup for a sixth time.
Not a hope, they are only good in all those “nobody cares” cups or world tours.
Titles or cups meant nothing tonight. That was a simple case of passion and “who’s the best”. What a game! Fook the begrudgers”
Some clearance from Luiz that was more impressive than Neymars goal
Trappatoni has to go!
This is Spain’s Bishop Brennan’s kick up the arse. They’ll be back.
Def not joe, Brazil seem to really want it. But great clearance by David Luiz, coulda been a draw.
After the passionate singing of the national anthem there was always only going to be one winner. Brazil were awesome at times. Great curtain raiser for WC 2014.
I hope now people stop saying Neymar is the most overrated player ever.
first time since 1985 spain lose 3-0
Shakira played a great game.
Richie sadlier sounds like gift grubs Shane lunch :D
scrappy goal.arbeloa having a nightmare. have money on Spain. not looking good at the moment
Tippy tappy taps out!
After watching that masterpiece by Brazil tonight do you all, well almost all, still think as you did last year here on thejournal.ie, the Euro is of a much higher standard than The World Cup? :) :) :)
Brazil were class tonight! David Luiz was like a man possesed! Can’t wait to see Neymar playing with Barca! The only thing I’ll say is Spain played 120 minutes against Italy,had a days less rest & that pitch wasn’t fixed up since the last match.
Best game any of you will ever see!!
That would be France v Germany in the 1982 World Cup. I haven’t googled anything, so I may have something slightly wrong.
Did you watch it at the tennis club Paul?
I didn’t see the match, just saw the goals. I did see Brazil’s games against Italy and another team and was unimpressed with the standard of football. I know football and politics are two completely different things but at a time when there is so much trouble, pain and anger in the country, a lot of which is centred around the costs of holding a world cup and having terrible health care, high taxes, poor education etc, I would have felt sorry for brazil if they lost the game because the country needs a lift and something to cheer about and there were a lot of sacrifices made for it. I was surprised to see the score of 3-0 and I wonder if Spain weren’t giving it 100 per cent for these reasons above. As I said I didn’t see the game so I’m not saying they didn’t deserve to win, I just wonder if the result would have been different if it was the world cup final at stake.
Here’s where your analysis fell down – “I didn’t see the match”. Spain looked tired and Brazil broke them. They could have won by 5
Haha fair enough
Just figured out why good comments get red thumbs including trolls……..!!
I always knew that my team would get back on track ;) also I think that they needed some time to reconnect again with the new players