Former Leinster outhalf set for PRO12 return, four years after retiring due to sight loss

The IRFU does not currently allow protective eyewear to be worn but all that may be about to change.

Ian McKinley was forced to quit rugby in 2011, but is now back in the professional game. The Irishman was 21-years-old, and six matches into his Leinster Rugby career, when an unfortunate training ground accident cost him sight in his left eye. He caught the stud of a stray team-mate's boot in the eye and the damage eventually caused him to lose his vision. The outhalf was forced to retire from the game at a time when he was tipped to be a long-term rival for Johnny Sexton's No.10 jersey. https://twitter.com/Ian_madigan/status/649915042436116480 For the past couple of seasons, McKinley, who now wears protective eye goggles, has played club rugby in Italy with Viadana. Earlier this year, he lined out for the Barbarians. The 26-year-old has now been called up for Zebre as the Italian side was shorn of several internationals due to the World Cup. On Friday, October 2, he was named on Zebre's bench for Sunday's Guinness PRO12 game with Scarlets. Zebre's team manager Andrea de Rossi commented, "Ian is a player who has shown with his tenacity and determination to be able to make it back to the highest level again. I am sure he will take this opportunity in a Zebras shirt." While McKinley will hope to feature off the bench for Zebre on Sunday, the following match may yet prove problematic. Zebre are scheduled to play Connacht in Galway on November 16 and, as yet, players are not permitted by the IRFU to wear any type of protective eyewear. A PRO12 spokesperson has told SportsJOE that they can see no reason why McKinley cannot play in the upcoming matches, provided player and club comply with protocols. The spokesperson stated: 'Only players with chronic eyesight conditions may use the goggles while playing contact Rugby. This includes people who require corrective lenses, people with monocular vision and people with restricted vision in one or both eyes. 'The goggles must only be worn on recommendation from an ophthalmologist (or similar expert) and the wearer must provide the match referee with a letter from their ophthalmologist (or similar expert) detailing the need for the participant to wear the goggles. 'Only the person who has completed the application form for inclusion in the Global Law Trial (or the person for whom the applicant is a legal parent or guardian) may wear the Rugby Goggles while playing contact Rugby.'