GAA should kick away the crutch of alcohol

With regard to dwindling attendances at GAA championship matches — especially the earlier rounds this year— is it not a distinct possibility that the new drink driving laws are more than partly to blame?

For decades there was a ritual practised by significant numbers of fans. This involved going for a few drinks before the match to be followed by many more afterwards, generally ceasing only when the publican blew the final whistle at closing time.

But now, in a climate that is hostile to drink driving, this type of ritualistic over-indulgence has perhaps been unintentionally outlawed by the State.