Donegal boss Jim McGuinness has said he fears one of his players getting a fatal injury if they are not protected more by referees.
The Glenties man was speaking as All-Star Mark McHugh overcomes an injury which some experts have likened to being in a car crash.
The Kilcar player suffered a concussion, a bursted and may be out for the rest of the season after an encounter in the Ulster Final with Monaghan.
McGuinness said he now fears that players are not being protected enough.
He told RTE’s Sunday Sport “I’m not happy that we have a player with a burst ear drum. I’m not happy that he had a major concussion. I’m not happy that he has a five-centimetre – not millimetre – tear on his quad muscle as a result of the impact.
“ I’m not happy that he spent two nights in hospital. I’m not happy that he has missed a full week off work.
“We’re in a very dangerous position here. I fear that something is going to happen and my biggest fear is a spinal injury or a neck injury.
“Mark McHugh’s last week was our fourth concussion in three games.
“Four concussions in three games – I imagine Munster or Leinster Rugby wouldn’t have that many. I have never criticised a referee and I’m not criticising a referee now. What I am saying is that there is a duty of care to the players. I would be fearful that our players will end up on the receiving end of something very soon that will cost everybody a lot of pain.
“That’s not something I want to preside over. It’s not worth it if it goes to that point. “
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