GAA player test positive in drugs test.

[AZOffaly]

Exactly, Sheehan is the hooker, not O'Mahoney. Not everything the BBC writes is rubbish

[full back]

Anyone know why it was put off until January
Fcuk sake, Im sure the player doesnt want this hanging over his head over the festive period.......


Aidan O'Mahony's battle against a doping ban looks set to run into the new year.

The Kerry footballer's hearing in front of the GAA's Anti-Doping Committee was adjourned in the early hours of this morning.

No conclusion was reached and the panel will reconvene again in January.

High levels of sabutamol were found in the defender's system following a random drugs test after this year's All-Ireland Football Final.

[orangeman]

Aidan O'Mahony will be reprimanded but won't serve any suspension after the anti-doping committee ruled that his use of the drug salbutamol was for medical purposes only and there was no effort on his part to enhance his performance.

In the first case of its kind for the GAA, the Kerry football captain failed a drugs test after the All Ireland final in September 2008 between Kerry and Tyrone.

He was found to have high levels of the drug salbutamol which is used by asthmatics.

[laoisgaa]

GAA Press Release

22nd January 2008

The GAA have confirmed that the Anti-Doping Hearing's Committee have delivered their decision in relation to an adverse analytical finding on a sample provided by Kerry player Aidan O Mahony in the aftermath of the 2008 All Ireland football final and that the Kerry player will not incur any suspension arising from the matter. The Hearing's Committee have imposed a sanction of a reprimand on Mr O'Mahony in line with the provisions of the 2009 Irish Anti-Doping Rules.

The Committee found that the levels of salbutamol in Mr O Mahony's sample were consistent with the inhalation of the substance and that its use was not intended to enhance his sporting performance or mask the use of a performance enhancing substance. The Hearing's Committee considered that that the dose inhaled was in excess of that authorised on the Therapeutic Use Exemption Form submitted in relation to the player and hence have opted to reprimand the player in this context. The full text of the decision is attached.

President of the GAA, Mr Nickey Brennan said he was glad the matter had now been finalised. He thanked the members of the Anti-Doping Hearings Committee, who he said had given of their time voluntarily. He said they had been extremely professional in their approach throughout and had shown enormous sensitivity and consideration in the context of the matter.

He went on to say that it had been a very difficult time for Aidan O Mahony and that the findings of the Committee should emphasise to all inter-county players, county team doctors and those involved in any way with County teams the importance of strict adherence to the provisions of the Anti-Doping Rules in relation to asthmatics in particular. He said it was important to note that the Committee had emphasised that their decision to issue a reprimand should not be interpreted as casting any aspersion on Aidan O Mahony's integrity and he said he looked forward to seeing Aidan in the Kerry colours for the forthcoming Allianz National Leagues.

The members of the GAA's Anti- Doping Hearing's Committee on this occasion were Adrian Colton QC (Chairman), Dr Pat O'Neill and former GAA President Sean Mc Cague. The Rules of the GAA with regard to Anti-Doping are stated in Rule 14 (Official Guide 2008) and in effect are the Irish Anti-Doping Rules as adopted by the Irish Sports Council. The rules can be downloaded at www.irishsportscouncil.ie

[Uladh]

I wish i could say i am comfortable with the outcome here, but i'm not.

How many other sports would have just waved their finger at the naughty boy in question and sent him on his merry way?

[carnaross]

If he has effectively been exonerated, why has he been reprimanded? According to the article on rte.ie, he informed the GAA and testing authorities that he was taking the drug - that being the case, why should he accept a reprimand? If he does, it smacks of wrongdoing and having gotten away with it. If he doesn't accept it, where does that leave the authorities?

Can of worms waiting to be opened here?

[Declan]

The Committee found that the levels of salbutamol in Mr O Mahony's sample were consistent with the inhalation of the substance and that its use was not intended to enhance his sporting performance or mask the use of a performance enhancing substance.

I'm confused - Are they saying yes he broke the rules but its a slap on the wrist and that this is allowed under the 2009 Irish anti-Doping Rules??? Does it set a precedence for other lads who inadvertently do the same or does it leave the door open for people to take advantage/cheat? 

[orangeman]

If he has effectively been exonerated, why has he been reprimanded? According to the article on rte.ie, he informed the GAA and testing authorities that he was taking the drug - that being the case, why should he accept a reprimand? If he does, it smacks of wrongdoing and having gotten away with it. If he doesn't accept it, where does that leave the authorities?

Can of worms waiting to be opened here?

Definitely something not right here - If I had not broken any rules, I sure as hell wouldn't be accepting a reprimand.

[the Deel Rover]

Seems to be a balls of a decision they say the Aom is not guilty but yet reprimand him. If i was Aom i wouldn't be too happy with the decision

[Doohicky]

It clearly states that he exceeded the limits that he was allowed.
It then goes on to say they believed it was an honest mistake so they will not impose full sanctions, but are going to carry out some sort of reprimand. What is so difficult to understand?

[Declan]

It then goes on to say they believed it was an honest mistake

I'm sure it was but does it not leave the door open for other less scrupulous individuals to use the same excuse or am I reading too much into it? The law of unintended consequences and all that

[Rois]

I know they've had a few meetings on this - my take on it is much like Doohicky - each case is judged differently.  I see it as a sort of suspended sentence?  So if someone else does it with the intention of doing it - impose "sentence".

[INDIANA]

Uladh, he's an amateur not a professional, thats the difference for me. I don't believe that any GAA player uses an asthma inhaler for doping purposes. its  far easier to use other substances that wouldn't be detected. On that basis its an honest mistake in my view. And the evidence that points to the substance in question as being performance enhancing is contradictatory depending on what study you read.

[tyssam5]

Seems a fair enough decision. I'd say himself and other who take the same medication will just be more careful in future as to dosage, not sure how easy that is to calibrate though, when other factors (like illness, dehydration etc. in this case) are taken into account.

Seem like he got a fair hearing (even if the chair was a Tyroneman, if I am not mistaken  )

[JMohan]

I wish i could say i am comfortable with the outcome here, but i'm not.

How many other sports would have just waved their finger at the naughty boy in question and sent him on his merry way?

I agree

It sets a dangerous precedent IMO