New code addresses concerns

Approach to drug testing: For the past three years the GAA's worst nightmare went something like this: top player fails doping test, claims simple mistake yet is branded a cheat, manager slams testing as ridiculous and suddenly all innocence is lost.

So, with the possible exception of opening Croke Park to other sports, the introduction of drug testing had become the most contentious issue within the GAA. Players cried foul when subjected to the same testing procedures as, say, Olympic sprinters and professional cyclists. And several stand-offs ensued between the GAA and the Irish Sports Council, who since 1999 have been responsible for combating doping in Irish sport.

Now almost all the fears about drug testing in the GAA have been removed. Out-of-competition testing, the last big issue for the Sports Council, is to be introduced to senior county panels. Agreement has been reached on disciplinary measures. And most significant of all is the introduction of the new World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, which addresses most of the fears regarding the list of banned drugs and the various testing methods and procedures.

Despite comprehensive advice being available from the Sports Council and various other outlets, most GAA players remained critical of the list of banned drugs, especially the way it included so many remedies for the common cold. The new WADA code, which came into effect on January 1st, has removed most of those products, which will make inadvertent positive tests due to their use practically impossible.

Other common drugs such as caffeine have also been removed from the list, while a new list of "specified substances" has also been created, which, although illegal, won't result in a normal violation if used unintentionally at a level which would not enhance performance.

Ciarán O'Neill, secretary of the GAA's anti-doping committee, admits the testing, when introduced three years ago, had been greeted with more than just reticence. Players and officials had genuine fears. Now, he says, the association is satisfied that the methods and procedures in place should have removed the last of those fears.

"We had to get things going on some sort of acceptable format," says O'Neill, "and we're happy now we've all progressed a great deal since then, and that we can go forward together under the new WADA code. We have negotiated certain elements of the code with the Sports Council, we are happy enough with that. And there were adaptations we have insisted on, mostly about the disciplinary measures.

"But we've completed three years of anti-doping now, and we've come through relatively unscathed. Of course some people are still apprehensive about the out-of-competition testing, but we're satisfied we have full agreement on certain conditions, and we certainly don't envisage any insurmountable problems in the future.

"And we had always said that once we could see the wood from the trees we would allow out-of-competition testing, but once again in an acceptable format. And we have that now. It's confined to senior intercounty league and championship panels, and confined to bona fide recognised training venues. But we weren't going to allow needless persecution of our players."

There are other areas of the testing, however, which O'Neill believes players should still be concerned about. Many common medications, such as those for asthma or hay-fever, contain banned substances, but can be used under the Therapeutic Use Exemption.

"Our main concern now is the medical notification and exemption forms and that players continue to realise the importance of those, and that if they are ill and on some prescribed medicine, then they make the declaration and get their doctor to complete the necessary forms."

Brendan Quinn, the Galway-based pharmacist who has advised various GAA teams on doping matters, says the WADA code is almost "all good news" for the GAA player.

"The only slight reservation I would have about the new code is with the topical steroids, which contain glucocorticosteroids" he says. "They are all now prohibited and that could be a pitfall. It's also in the steroid inhalers that you would use for sinus problems or hay-fever.

"Take the example of a player out training on a Thursday night and who gets a pile of insect bites - not uncommon in summer. So he rubs in a bit of cortisone cream on the Saturday, and the Sunday gets tested, and shows up for steroids. But that's also a case of justifiable exemption if there ever was one."

Quinn, who also runs the sports-drugs.com website, also points to other potential danger areas, primarily herbal and food supplements, and cannabinoids - even the passive inhalation of dope - which is now banned in all sports.

"There still are products which are sold in the North which have banned ingredients, but they are very few and far between. The only thing that players really need to be worried about in cold remedies is ephedrine, which is still banned, but is still available in products in the UK and Northern Ireland.

"But most of the products like Lemsip and Benylin and Sudafed are fine. But ephedrine can be found in a lot of herbal medicines, especially weight-loss supplements. And that's still a massive can of worms. And dangerous, too, in that 55 athletes died last year as a result of ephedrine supplementation."

It is known several counties avoided any testing at all last year. The introduction of out-of-competition testing should help fill those cracks, and the number of tests carried out on GAA players (56 in 2002) will increase dramatically.

With the chances of an inadvertent positive greatly diminished, it is more likely now if a GAA player should fail a test that the product could be something more sinister than a cough syrup. O'Neill believes that day is still a long way off.

"I think there is an under-appreciation of the fact that we are national, and not international. And amateur and not professional. But putting all that aside, it is better to be sure, rather than be living in hope. But most certainly we would be honestly amazed if a player tested positive for a performance-enhancing product as such. Amazed. But if there is a chance that somebody should, then the book will be thrown at him."