Kildare hurling boss Andy Comerford has given his backing to the mandatory wearing of helmets. Speaking after the Lilywhites' Kehoe Cup victory over Armagh on Saturday, the 2002 Kilkenny All-Ireland winning captain - who never wore a helmet - revealed that his cousin lost an eye while playing a club match. "A cousin of mine, John Coogan, lost his eye playing a club match in Kilkenny. Anything that brings safety to it in this day and age is definitely a plus," he said in the Irish Examiner. Goalkeeper Damien Byrne was the only Kildare player who had never worn a helmet before last weekend's season opener. "The goalkeepers are probably in the line of fire more so than anyone," he pointed out. "You're there at the coalface to get a clatter of a hurl, lose an eye for the sake of a helmet. I think it's well worth it (wearing a helmet). Even though I didn't wear a helmet myself and had a few lucky escapes, now they've brought it in, I definitely think it's a good thing." Tweet

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