Guinness and hurling

Madam, - It is disappointing and sad that so few people have voiced concern about the proposed ongoing involvement of Guinness…

Madam, - It is disappointing and sad that so few people have voiced concern about the proposed ongoing involvement of Guinness with the sponsorship of hurling. The GAA has lost a wonderful opportunity to lead the way and become the first sporting body to break the link completely between sport and alcohol sponsorship.

The Gaelic Players' Association can now take the initiative to break this link by using its undoubted influence to ensure its members are no longer exploited in the promotion of the sale of Guinness products. In taking a leadership role on this issue, the GPA would show it was concerned about genuine player welfare and not just about issues of material benefit to its members.

The absurdity of a situation, where players are expected to abstain from drinking alcohol to be fit to play hurling, which at the same time is then used to promote the sale of alcohol, is surely self evident to everybody. - Yours, etc,

DONAL CURTIN, Mayorstone Drive, Limerick.