Large proportion of Gaelic Games Athletes returning to play following ACL Reconstruction shows DCU study

A comprehensive study from Dr Brian Devitt and collaborators of nearly 1,900 Gaelic games players has found exceptionally high rates of return to sport following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, with most athletes regaining their pre-injury performance levels.

The research, conducted between 2014 and 2018, tracked players from Gaelic football, hurling, and camogie—Ireland's traditional field sports played by over 587,000 participants across the country. These demanding sports involve intense pivoting, jumping, and cutting movements that put significant stress on the knee.

At two years post-surgery, 87.8% of Gaelic footballers and 89.5% of hurling and camogie players had successfully returned to competition. Notably, approximately three-quarters of these athletes performed at or above their previous level—a rate that exceeds similar studies of Australian Football League and rugby players.

The study revealed a striking difference in re-injury rates based on surgical technique. Patients who received bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) grafts experienced only a 3.3% re-injury rate, compared to 15.3% for those with hamstring tendon grafts. This finding has important implications for athletes planning to return to high-demand sports.

Elite intercounty players showed particularly impressive outcomes, with return-to-play rates of 97% for men and 94.5% for women. However, younger athletes, particularly those under 16, faced higher risks of re-injury to either knee.

The research suggests the strong community bonds and cultural significance of Gaelic games may contribute to athletes' motivation throughout the challenging rehabilitation process, which typically lasted around 11 months before players returned to competition.