GAA player test positive in drugs test.

[Reillers]

Pints you still haven't told me the problem.

No one in their right mind can think that this was taken to enhance the preformance.

[Reillers]

You're acting like it's steroids they're taking. What advantages are there?

[pintsofguinness]

You're acting like it's steroids they're taking. What advantages are there?

These are set out in the articles already posted on this thread. 

[Bogball XV]

speaking for myself pints, i have been giving out about this since the gaa signed up for it, but was told that it was a requirement in order to receive funding, my point was that, especially with regards to the irish govt, the gaa could easily have told them they weren't accepting the sports councils orders and that the govt could easily circumvent the sports council if there was a will to do so - however, if the players have signed up to this too as part of the grants scheme, then they do have a responsibility to adhere to it.  My problem is with amateur players being expected to adhere to this sort of crap.

[pintsofguinness]

Do you feel it is right that Amateur players should have to adhere to the same guidelines as professional athletes?or do you think that if O Mahoney is found innocent that the GAA should look at changing the guidelines on Drug testing?

I welcome drug testing in the GAA. 
Why would the GAA look at changing the guidelines?

[boojangles]

Do you feel it is right that Amateur players should have to adhere to the same guidelines as professional athletes?or do you think that if O Mahoney is found innocent that the GAA should look at changing the guidelines on Drug testing?

I welcome drug testing in the GAA. 
Why would the GAA look at changing the guidelines?

If one in every five people suffer from Asthma,thats about 6 for every County panel.Are we gonna deny them their right to play Gaelic or Hurling and use an Inhaler(or Paracetemol or lemsip) at the ame time?? something has to change.The reason why nobody was giving out until now is because its only now that people realise that the processes are flawed for an Amateur organsiation.

[pintsofguinness]

Do you feel it is right that Amateur players should have to adhere to the same guidelines as professional athletes?or do you think that if O Mahoney is found innocent that the GAA should look at changing the guidelines on Drug testing?

I welcome drug testing in the GAA. 
Why would the GAA look at changing the guidelines?

If one in every five people suffer from Asthma,thats about 6 for every County panel.Are we gonna deny them their right to play Gaelic or Hurling and use an Inhaler(or Paracetemol or lemsip) at the ame time?? something has to change.The reason why nobody was giving out until now is because its only now that people realise that the processes are flawed for an Amateur organsiation.

Nobody is denying anyone a use of an inhaler, if needed.

[Puckoon]

The levels of professionalism that exist within intercounty GAA are (quite rightly) superb. There is no way that it is too difficult for a player to inform the team Dr during the course of the season what medication he/she is taking.

Are you suggesting that that is too much to adhere to?

Surely if there are no problems with players taking illegal substances for the purposes of performance enhancing - then this is no big deal?

County teams have 2-3 meetings a week for close to 8 months in most cases. Surely half an hour can be set aside to clear up any medication paperwork?

[rosnarun]

i think the main problem with the inhaler is that it can be used to cover up traces of more potent drugs . think our belle michelle and the whiskey no one ws sugessting urine 70% whiskey helped her performance

[Reillers]

The levels of professionalism that exist within intercounty GAA are (quite rightly) superb. There is no way that it is too difficult for a player to inform the team Dr during the course of the season what medication he/she is taking.

Are you suggesting that that is too much to adhere to?

Surely if there are no problems with players taking illegal substances for the purposes of performance enhancing - then this is no big deal?

County teams have 2-3 meetings a week for close to 8 months in most cases. Surely half an hour can be set aside to clear up any medication paperwork?

But the GAA was informed of what he was taking. It's not illegal, but more then I think 3 puffs means you're over the limit of it. Which, is fine, but if you're sick, if you've the flue, more then 3 can be needed.

[Bogball XV]

i think the main problem with the inhaler is that it can be used to cover up traces of more potent drugs . think our belle michelle and the whiskey no one ws sugessting urine 70% whiskey helped her performance

just what the hell are you saying now rosnarun
Remember where michelle is now - hint, check out this link and input the appropriate surname:

http://www.lawlibrary.ie/members/

[Reillers]

Do you feel it is right that Amateur players should have to adhere to the same guidelines as professional athletes?or do you think that if O Mahoney is found innocent that the GAA should look at changing the guidelines on Drug testing?

I welcome drug testing in the GAA. 
Why would the GAA look at changing the guidelines?

If one in every five people suffer from Asthma,thats about 6 for every County panel.Are we gonna deny them their right to play Gaelic or Hurling and use an Inhaler(or Paracetemol or lemsip) at the ame time?? something has to change.The reason why nobody was giving out until now is because its only now that people realise that the processes are flawed for an Amateur organsiation.

Nobody is denying anyone a use of an inhaler, if needed.

GAA has become so profesional in everything but name, that we forget that these lads have lives outside of the GAA, pretty busy working lives, between families, work, study, training..etc. Hectic lives.
We're making it harder and harder for lads with asthma to compete in and rules and regulations are getting more strict.
It's professional in all but name, but it's still amateur. Now drug testing is good, it keeps out the cheaters. Things like steroids and such real drugs that actually enhance preformances should be kept the same.
But not the likes of what we're arguing about now. We're arguing about how many puffs he had of an inhaller. It's ridiculous.

[Puckoon]

I dont think anyone is arguing that Reillers -

At the end of the day, if we are going to have an anti doping system in place, it cant be filled with loopholes like the association's rule book.

Rules need to be set out and adhered to.

O'Mahoney will be able to prove his innocence and he will be fine. If another asthmatic, or county team set up cant get their players registered with the association and the sports council of ireland, and somewhere down the line this season or next season one of them incurs a ban - well it was just stupidity or a laxadasical attitude that got them there.


If teams can bond in la manga for a week, and organise passports and fllghts and so on, they can get together for 30 minutes and register a players medications.

[ludermor]

Does anyone know what % of atheltes (track & field, boxing cycling swimming etc) are professional in ireland? Id say a very tiny % but they all abide by international drug testing. Why should GAA players be any different? I dont buy the dramatic replies bout the right to breath! If they register the inhalers they can use them, what is the big deal?

[Uladh]

At what level does, say a long jumper, become subject to international drug testing?

i've run "competitive" races for my local running club in the past - races in which lads who had run in european championships and major european events were runnin - and noone ever mentioned drug testing to me?