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	Scientists have developed a new breathalyser that can detect head injuries at the side of a pitch.</p>
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	The medical breakthrough has the potential to save lives as it can quickly determine if a player has suffered concussion, the most common injury in sport, particularly rugby.</p>
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	Critically, it can determine if a player is safe to return to the field within minutes of getting a knock on the head.</p>
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	The breakthrough was made by scientists at Birmingham University and is a timely development in light of the number of tragedies and near misses when concussion is not spotted early.</p>
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	The breathalyser picks up chemicals released by the brain after an injury occurs that are often not obvious to the observer.</p>
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	But Dr Michael Grey of the university&#39;s School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences who developed the test with Prof Tony Belli warned it was &quot;a long way off&quot; before the test is available.</p>
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	&quot;We want parents, players and coaches to understand the issue of concussion and get the player off the pitch so the brain can recover. It&#39;s not OK to play on and take one for the team,&quot; Dr Grey said.</p>
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	The development has been welcomed by Brian Fitzgerald from Tralee, whose son Ronan (15) almost died following a bang to the head while playing rugby two years ago.</p>
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	Brian and his wife Sile were called to the local rugby club where they found their son lying in the dugout with an icepack on his head.</p>
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	The youngster, who is first cousin of Kerry star Kieran Donaghy, was rushed to Kerry General Hospital by his parents before being transferred to Cork where he was diagnosed with a large cerebral haemorrhage - the same bleed that claimed the life of actor Liam Neeson&#39;s wife, Natasha Richardson.</p>
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	Ronan&#39;s parents have had to deal with the heartbreaking news that the Ronan they knew is gone but they feel lucky their son is still alive.</p>
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	&quot;Ronan was suffering the symptoms of concussion and any test that would have expedited his treatment and prevented further damage would be a huge thing,&quot; his dad said.</p>
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	&quot;This simple concussion turned out to be a medical emergency and although Ronan is good and back in school, it&#39;s a hard road.</p>
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	Brain injury</p>
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	&quot;We&#39;re incredibly fortunate he&#39;s still with us and we&#39;d have been having a very different day at the All-Ireland next Sunday if he wasn&#39;t there,&quot; he added.</p>
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	Peter Robinson and Karen Walton weren&#39;t so lucky, following the death of their son Benjamin (14) who sustained multiple concussions during a rugby game in 2011.</p>
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	The couple recently launched an information campaign in Northern Ireland raising awareness about concussion in sport.</p>
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	His parents maintain if their son&#39;s first concussion had been spotted, he&#39;d still be alive.</p>
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	Acquired Brain Inquiry Ireland has welcomed the breakthrough but warned that in the meantime best practice should be adhered to.<br />
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	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/lifesaving-pitchside-breathalyser-can-detect-concussion-30581475.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/lifesaving-pitchside-breathalyser-can-detect-concussion-30581475.html</a></p>
