Michael Darragh Macauley is calling on the GAA to introduce substitutes for concussion injuries.

The 'blood sub' rule has been in place for a number of years and the All-Ireland winning Dublin midfielder believes it's time for a similar rule to be introduced for concussion-related injuries.

Speaking at yesterday's Oireachtas Health Committee meeting on the issue of concussion treatment in sport, Macauley - who is an ambassador for Acquired Brain Injury Ireland - recalled how his team-mate Rory O'Carroll had been forced to stay on the pitch during last year's All-Ireland final after suffering concussion because Dublin had used up all of their substitutes.

"Rory was in no state to play. He could have been on a beach in Spain and he wouldn't have known the difference," the 2013 Footballer of the Year said.

"But there were no substitutes left, so he was left to wander around the pitch. He was no use to anyone.

"This might be an issue for the GAA to look at, like a blood sub, maybe there should be a brain-injury sub."

Macauley added: "I know at first-hand what it feels like. You are no good to anyone being on the field when you are like that.

"We think that because we can't see it [concussion], it will be grand and we will stay on the pitch even though we know inside that something is not right. This comes down to the warrior ethos within many sports, including the GAA. It should be more than acceptable and, in fact, admirable for a player to sit out after receiving a concussion.

"The coach or the management team must make the decision for the player to sit out. All any player wants to do is finish the game at the final whistle and preferably on the winning team."

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