Tomás Mulcahy expresses drug test concerns
Mulcahy described doping procedures as “a huge minefield” and believes that the testing of amateur GAA players has been taken “to another level completely.”
Mulcahy was at Semple Stadium eight days ago for the Allianz Hurling League final and saw “four or five” Irish Sports Council representatives present at the Thurles venue.
When Mulcahy enquired about their presence, he revealed: “The secretary of the Cork county board said, ‘They’re there for the drug-testing, to take samples.’
“I just thought, ‘This has gone to another level completely.’
“When you hear of somebody testing positive, that’s going to ring alarm bells all over every county panel.
“In the euphoria of a big game, whether it’s a Munster championship or a league final, suddenly you’re the player who is pulled away and you have to go in and give a urine sample.
“You could be there one hour or two hours.
“All the boys are out having the craic, enjoying the celebrations, and you’re still in there under the tunnel inside with a little bottle.
“For me, as part of the older type of brigade, it’s hard to take that on board. But it is what it is.”
And Mulcahy, a member of RTÉ’s panel of hurling analysts for the summer, warned: “Look at the publicity that a player will get if he tests positive.
“It will have a big impact, not alone from a team perspective but his own personal life, family life, job situation. There are huge complications down the road.
“Is it going to lead to players saying, ‘I’ve had enough of this?’”
