GAA act with care on drug testing

Drug Testing is unlikely to be a feature of the football and hurling leagues this season as the GAA maintain a cautious route in the implementation of the new anti-doping code.

After an unanimous vote to accept the anti-doping code at the special congress in Dublin earlier this month, the GAA are now allowing for a period of extensive education programmes before the actual testing of players is introduced. That process is set to run into next year, and as a result, the testing is more likely to begin at the start of next summer's championship.

According to Pat Daly, the GAA's Games Development and Coaching Officer and the person in charge of co-ordinating the process with the Irish Sports Council's anti-doping programme, there was considerable emphasis placed on proper education and preparation at the recent congress.

"We certainly don't want to belly-flop into this," said Daly. "There is a need for a comprehensive education programme on this so that everyone knows exactly what is involved. There was a lot of confusion last year when the red and yellow card system was introduced, and we certainly don't want a repeat of that."

Under the new code, the testing of players by the Sports Council officers can be conducted after games or at training sessions. The GAA's Central Council will also establish a drugs disciplinary and appeal committee, while players found guilty under the regulations are liable to be suspended for up to two years.

This, says Daly, sets down the requirements for thorough education programmes to be conducted among the players, the management, and the county doctors. "That certainly won't happen overnight, and just because someone may be in a medical position, it doesn't mean they are clear on the matter. We have to meet with all those people and clarify whatever queries they might have. This whole process is meant to benefit the sport and not the opposite."

Part of the problem is the issue of dietary supplements and the effects they may or may not have on the existence of positive nandrolone cases. Legal issues are also a major factor.

The GAA have a provision that new rules can't be implemented until one month after being passed, but in this case, Daly expects the process to take a good deal longer. "It's not just a question of handing out the anti-doping code. We have to piece through it, and that's not because we want to procrastinate over it. We are keen to get it up and running but I think those who jumped into this area before have lived to regret it. "

Meanwhile, Vinny Murphy is the only Dublin forward who started in the Leinster final replay loss to Kildare that lines out in Sunday's National Football League first round clash with Tyrone at Parnell Park. With a host of players unavailable due to club commitments or injury, manager Tom Carr has been forced to drastically alter his attack.

Keith Galvin, usually a defender, lines out at wing foward. The young Wayne McCarthy, who made a late appearance in the Leinster final, starts in the corner alongside Murphy and Mick O'Keeffe. There is also a vacancy left at centre forward in the hope that Ian Roberston can recover from a minor injury.

DUBLIN (SF v Tyrone): D Byrne; I Clarke, P Christie, C Goggins; S Ryan, J Magee, P Andrews; D Homan, E Sheehy; N O'Donoghue, AN Other, K Galvin; W McCarthy, V Murphy, M O'Keeffe. Subs: C Boyle, M Cahill, A Holly, M Carey, K Darcy, A Brogan, P Croft, B O'Brien, R McDonald, I Roberston.

MEATH (SF v Clare): C O'Sullivan; P Skankey, R Rennick, C Murphy; P Reynolds, A Moyle, H Traynor; N Crawford, D Fay; N Nestor, C McCarthy, D Byrne; R Magee, J McDermott, S Bray.