Treacy defends drug tests

The Irish Sports Council yesterday rejected claims that their drug testing procedures were unsuitable for the GAA and confirmed that testing would continue throughout this summer's championship.

All procedures implemented are of the highest international standard and are tried and tested over the last 30 years, according to the Sports Council's chief executive John Treacy. "I reject completely the notion that current procedures are a shambles," he said.

Treacy was responding to comments made by county football managers including Galway's John O'Mahony and Dublin's Tommy Lyons. The Sports Council, he said, had worked extensively with the GAA over the past two years on the development and implementation of the programme.

"The Irish procedures are no different than those operating in any other country. And I am disappointed that some managers have failed to recognise the purpose of this programme is to protect the players against the dangers associated with the abuse of doping substances. Most of all the programme is about maintaining the integrity of the hurling and football championships. What we want to ensure is that All-Irelands will always be won through hard work and dedication, and not through performance-enhancing drugs," he said.

While Treacy accepted the commencement of testing within the GAA represented a cultural change for the organisation, he felt there was no justification for the comments made by the managers.

Under the Sports Council programme, 95 per cent of tests are conducted on amateur players and athletes, ranging from canoeists to surfers: "Each shares the same amateur ethos as the GAA. None of these sports has any difficulty with the testing programme and fully understand why it is in place."

Arrangements for testing facilities are a matter primarily for the GAA but the Sports Council will continue to advise on the matter. On the issue of confidentiality, the council follows internationally recognised procedures that ensure results remain confidential.

"The identification of a player or athletes selected for testing should not be a matter for concern. In many sports the selected players or athletes are clearly identified as a matter of course, due to their finishing position, and in some cases published. The issue of confidentiality only arises on receipt of test results and that remains strictly enforced by the Irish Sports Council.

"But the procedures are fine. There are some issues with the facilities being used and the GAA and the Sports Council will be working to ensure the issues are addressed. There was a matter with Cavan where the player was going against the crowd. But as for the game in Navan, everyone was gone after 40 minutes," said Treacy. "And the testing will continue. The information is out there, booklets have been issued to all county boards and we have our website with all the information as well. It's just a matter of managers taking some responsibility."

It was also revealed yesterday that attendance at seminars organised by the GAA and the Sports Council on the drug testing was extremely poor. For the last meeting, at Croke Park last month, 300 invitations were sent out and 30 people attended.