Drug testing “going according to plan”, says Treacy

IRISH Sports Council chief John Treacy insisted yesterday he was satisfied with the drug testing programme in the GAA.

On the first anniversary of its introduction, Mr Treacy said that the initial concerns expressed after last year’s All-Ireland SHC final were natural and understandable, but added that the post-match testing was no longer “mysterious” or an “inconvenience” for players and mentors.

“I am very happy with the way that things are going,” Treacy said.

“The programme is now fully operational and is going according to plan. I think anytime that you start something of this magnitude, there is always going to be apprehension about the test,” he said.

“But that is changing. People are not that inconvenienced, the process is not that mysterious. In three or four years time, this will be all part and parcel of the intercounty scene.”

He said that he was not surprised by the level of criticism and worry which was raised when the sports council introduced the scheme.

“The testing is tough for everyone in every sport. It is tough for the marathon runner to produce a sample after 26 miles in 80 degrees. It is tough for footballers and hurlers. But the players get on with it.”

He added that the players were becoming more aware of the importance of such procedures in the bid to ensure that hurling and football remained clean of substance misuse.

He said that the sports council had been inundated with calls from medical personnel and from players over the past number of months, seeking advice on the use of certain products.

“There has been an education process over the past number of months. The media hype is making everyone aware of what they can and cannot take, and team doctors are making more of a push and an effort.

“Last July we launched a programme, the MIMS (Multi Index of Medical Specialties), which basically is a booklet that contains up-to-date information on prescribed drugs. Every GP nationwide now has that information at their fingertips and this has been a huge help.”

The booklet contains information on more than 3000 products. More than 80% of the products can be used safely, 10% are banned outright and 10% can be used with restrictions.

“Counties are becoming more and more proactive in their approach. They are ensuring that they have all the available information.

“They are talking to players on a regular basis about what they can and cannot take. Now the message is filtering down through the ranks.”