Irish Sports Council: Steroid use widespread across all sports

By Kevin Murphy

The use of steroids is widespread across all sports, according to the Irish Sports Council anti-doping director Dr Una May.

Following the two-year suspension of Monaghan footballer Thomas Connolly, debate has intensified on the use of illegal substances in Irish sport.

“The fact there has been a doping case does not imply a systematic problem with the GAA, but it does reiterate what I have always said- that no sport is completely immune from it”, she told the Irish Times.

“The world in which we live people cheat. They cheat on their taxes, they cheat on their exams. Sport is no different to the rest of society. Steroids, in particular, are very prevalent across our society today. “

“Clearly in the gyms there is a culture of doping and when players and athletes are training in these places they are likely to become more exposed to the world of steroids.”

The Connolly positive test and subsequent suspension came as a shock to the GAA community, but it will also help players to be more vigilant, according to May.

“I think there has been lessons learned no question about it, across the board from the GAA through to players. It will raise awareness but I think it is important to stress the substance found in this case was the same substance that Ben Johnson was using. It’s a serious offence.”

Financial constraints have restricted the testing of club players within the GAA while attempts by the Sports Council to test schoolboy rugby players have also failed to materialize.