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"So the lads are coming to the pub, sitting at the bar counter with their 0.0 alcohol bottle perched in front of them off their face on cocaine.

"That's what they're doing because you can't be seen to be drinking in the GAA anymore".

he cocaine problem in the GAA is now 'in every corner of Ireland', a Clare referee has said.

Pat Byrne-O'Connell said players have turned to the drug after being told not to drink alcohol.

He told Lunchtime Live he believes the problem is in every club across the country, and that it is one of the GAA's own making



"Massive," he said. "Out of control - and it's in every club in every county in every corner of Ireland."

"Anyone that thinks it's not is totally lost and blind.

"It's out of control and it's the GAA's own fault; they've created this monster by introducing what's called the alcohol ban.

"All these coaches coming in who know little or nothing about the social life of young people banning alcohol.

"So the lads are coming to the pub, sitting at the bar counter with their 0.0 alcohol bottle perched in front of them off their face on cocaine.

"That's what they're doing because you can't be seen to be drinking in the GAA anymore".

'Either blind or stupid'
Mr Byrne-O'Connell said there is "no difference" between the problem at club and county level.

"It's the same players, you're talking [about] the same players," he said.

"They're young fellas, they're social fellas, they're out with their friends at the weekends and that's what they're doing.

"Anyone that says it's not happening is either blind or stupid, and I don't think there's many stupid people involved in the GAA.

"They've turned their back on it because it's the easy way out".

rural drug useA man divides lines of cocaine. Image: Riccardo Ceccherini / Alamy
Mr Byrne-O'Connell, who has been working in the pub industry for 20 years, said he has seen the changes.

"I have lads coming in from training and coming in from matches [saying], 'Pat give me €100 cashback'," he said.

"They go down straight to their 'friend', get their €100, hand it over, into the toilet and come up to the bar counter [for] a 0.0.

"That's what they're doing in every club in the county, and not one club can say that it's not happening because it is".

'Easier to get drugs than drink'
Mr Byrne-O'Connell said he believes the level of drug-taking is "easily" over 50% of players.

"I would say one-in-two players in every club is taking cocaine on a weekly basis.

"It's every pub, it's every house party, it's everywhere.

"If you went down and did a drug test at a GAA match every weekend, you would capture at least one fella with cocaine in his system.

"It's easier to get drugs than drink," he added.

Mr Byrne-O'Connell believes testing will not happen because it is an amateur sport.

John Devine is in as senior football goalkeeping coach.

I would guess the football manager would have wanted a commitment from the team to fully focus on football so that liatriom could best realise their potential in the higher league and senior championship but they also have a strong hurling team with a potential to win something.....

More or less, had a meeting with the hurling manager who apparently was quite accommodating but he wasn't happy with the outcome so he walked.

I heard that a few dual players were not committing to football.

 J O'Hare; P Fegan, R McEvoy, F McElroy; D Guinness, A Docherty, P Laverty ; O Murdock , J Flynn; G McKibben, L Kerr , J Guinness; R Mason, P Havern , O Savage

Are there any injuries for this week's game in Aughrim?

Areas that could be targeted are Newcastle and Downpatrick. Is there a hurling GPO?

The only way to improve hurling in Down is to get more clubs playing, we punch way above where we should and produce hurlers of real quality but just dont have the critical mass to be a top tier team. Some of the bigger football only clubs should start hurling.

Could it be that larger football teams would not be affiliated with a hurling club? Would the young men from Kilcoo not play for Liatroim? Kilcoo had a few talented players in the 80s.

Disappointing defeat to Kildare for the hurlers yesterday in the Kehoe Cup. No pre-season silverware this year.

Close enough game in the end. Ultimately you have to be happy enough with the pre-season. Beat Meath, and have the potential to beat Kildare. At the end of the day, when we play these teams later in the year, they will be, in all likelihood, must-win games to avoid relegation in the league and championship, let alone gain promotion. Hopefully we finish this preseason off well with a good performance over Wicklow in the next round.

Have to say, Kildare's Hurling Action Plan has been quite remarkable over the past few years, and would be great to see us implement something similar in Down.

How would you improve hurling in the county?

Has the public disclosure of Tom Ryan's independent review's findings occurred yet?

This has been brushed under the carpet.

Has the public disclosure of Tom Ryan's independent review's findings occurred yet?

We, the loyal members of the Down GAA, have tolerated mediocrity in football and hurling since the year 2000. In Ulster, we used to be respected, but now we have to be jealous of places like Derry, Tyrone, Donegal, etc. What is wrong with our wonderful county?

Has anyone the message?

That's wild, is Lurgan a big drug place now. was conway the leader of the firm ?

There are rumours that the old anti drug IRA lads are looking to take Lurgan back. This will make a great TV show in a few years.

The local community will be happy with that

That's wild, is Lurgan a big drug place now. was conway the leader of the firm ?