GAA stars launch scheme for booze-free January

[Eamonnca1]

GAA stars launch scheme for booze-free January

A HOST OF inter-county stars have lent their support to a new GAA initiative which calls on members to give up alcohol for the month of January.
Armagh legend Oisin McConville joined Mayo footballers Aidan O'Shea and Alan Freeman in Croke Park this afternoon to launch the Association's "Off the Booze and On the Ball" health project.

The challenge encourages GAA members around the country to kick off the new year by abstaining from alcohol for a month, collecting sponsorship money for their local club as they do so.

The scheme's participants will also be given guidance on recommended weekly exercise levels as well as tips and activities to help them hit their targets.
Also present at today's launch were GAA President Christy Cooney, Minster of State at the Department of Health Róisín Shortall, as well as players from Leitrim club Melvin Gaels whose entire senior panel will be taking up the challenge after Christmas.

"January is a month of the year when the commencement of good habits comes into sharp focus and twinning a reduction in alcohol intake with increased physical activity makes perfect sense after the possible excesses of the festive season," said Cooney.

"This scheme also offers members the chance to generate funds for their local clubs through sponsorship so the benefits for those involved are plain for all to see."

"Everything begins with small steps," Shortall added, "and I am confident that this programme will find its way into every club, every community and every county in Ireland.

"Alcohol abuse presents one of the greatest challenges our country faces and I am delighted to see an organisation as renowned and respected as the GAA take a lead on this issue and I hope other sporting associations will adopt similar schemes."

I was at a GAA meeting at the weekend and everyone went to a pub afterwards.  I was a bit jet lagged and couldn't stay awake so a nap turned into a 4-hour kip, and when I woke from that I went down the hotel bar around midnight and sat with a few people who had stayed at the bar.  I'd already had one drink earlier after the meeting so I was on soda water for the rest of the night.  Later the ones who had been to the pub came staggering in through the door barely able to stand up, the pub had closed and the hotel bar was closing.  They decided to go out again across the street because they heard that there was another pub that would stay open a bit longer.  I though to myself "Why? Are yiz not legless enough already?"

I used to do it myself when I was a teenager and in my early 20s, and I remember what the appeal of it was.  But at this stage?  People in their 30s and 40s still taking the all-or-nothing approach of staying sober or getting completely airlocked?  Have they not grown out of it?  Can you really not relax and enjoy the company of your friends without getting tanked up?

Boggles the mind.

[ludermor]

GAA stars launch scheme for booze-free January

A HOST OF inter-county stars have lent their support to a new GAA initiative which calls on members to give up alcohol for the month of January.
Armagh legend Oisin McConville joined Mayo footballers Aidan O'Shea and Alan Freeman in Croke Park this afternoon to launch the Association's "Off the Booze and On the Ball" health project.

The challenge encourages GAA members around the country to kick off the new year by abstaining from alcohol for a month, collecting sponsorship money for their local club as they do so.

The scheme's participants will also be given guidance on recommended weekly exercise levels as well as tips and activities to help them hit their targets.
Also present at today's launch were GAA President Christy Cooney, Minster of State at the Department of Health Róisín Shortall, as well as players from Leitrim club Melvin Gaels whose entire senior panel will be taking up the challenge after Christmas.

"January is a month of the year when the commencement of good habits comes into sharp focus and twinning a reduction in alcohol intake with increased physical activity makes perfect sense after the possible excesses of the festive season," said Cooney.

"This scheme also offers members the chance to generate funds for their local clubs through sponsorship so the benefits for those involved are plain for all to see."

"Everything begins with small steps," Shortall added, "and I am confident that this programme will find its way into every club, every community and every county in Ireland.

"Alcohol abuse presents one of the greatest challenges our country faces and I am delighted to see an organisation as renowned and respected as the GAA take a lead on this issue and I hope other sporting associations will adopt similar schemes."

I was at a GAA meeting at the weekend and everyone went to a pub afterwards.  I was a bit jet lagged and couldn't stay awake so a nap turned into a 4-hour kip, and when I woke from that I went down the hotel bar around midnight and sat with a few people who had stayed at the bar.  I'd already had one drink earlier after the meeting so I was on soda water for the rest of the night.  Later the ones who had been to the pub came staggering in through the door barely able to stand up, the pub had closed and the hotel bar was closing.  They decided to go out again across the street because they heard that there was another pub that would stay open a bit longer.  I though to myself "Why? Are yiz not legless enough already?"

I used to do it myself when I was a teenager and in my early 20s, and I remember what the appeal of it was.  But at this stage?  People in their 30s and 40s still taking the all-or-nothing approach of staying sober or getting completely airlocked?  Have they not grown out of it?  Can you really not relax and enjoy the company of your friends without getting tanked up?

Boggles the mind.

If the options was go out and get tanked or stay in with you i know which choice id make

[Eamonnca1]

If the options was go out and get tanked or stay in with you i know which choice id make

What makes you think you'd ever have the choice of staying in with me?

[ONeill]

I'll drink to that.

[Milltown Row2]

I'll drink to that.

My 40th is this January, (like a need an excuse ) so I'm out!!

[neilthemac]

 
Studies have shown that it is better to promote sensible consumption of alcohol, than abstinence.
education goes far further than scaremongering

if someone doesn't want to drink, fair play
however, I'm not in favour of ramming the 'no drink' message down anyone's throat.

[Don Johnson]

Its hardly a groundbreaking idea, I know plenty of people that abstain in January. Students have exams, people are skint after Christmas, people need to get in to shape after the festive eating/drinking etc.

[thejuice]

think i'll join in. Need to save the pennies anyway.

[From the Bunker]

Listen in January after this Governments Budget kicks in  there will be feck all heading for the pubs. Actually on second thoughts that just might be where we all might be heading!

[fearglasmor]

I think its time for a re run of "Boys from the Black Stuff."