Players' alcohol consumption now much lower: McCague

CONSUMPTION of alcohol among inter-county players in the GAA has decreased considerably, according to association president Sean McCague.

Mr McCague made the assertion at the weekend meeting of Central Council where the issue of the Guinness sponsorship of the hurling championship was questioned.

And, he went further by hinting that an investigation of all types of abuse drink and drug-related by a committee comprising mainly of medical doctors would be favourable towards the membership.

A comment by Cork delegate Bob Honohan that the association should take the moral high ground and disassociate itself from the Guinness sponsorship before the Government put a ban in place sparked the debate.

It led the president to make his comment about inter-county players after Laois delegate Michael Carroll referred to the paradoxical situation of the association possibly terminating its current agreement and players drinking 'loads of Guinness' after games.

Based on his experience, including All-stars trips overseas, modern players were drinking less alcohol because of a greater perception of levels of fitness and health.

"How county teams socialise after games is not a problem as far as I am concerned. I must commend all our players for the responsible manner in which they conduct themselves as ambassadors for our association wherever they go and I want to place that on record.

"I don't want to relate an after-match social drink with any abuse of alcoholic drinks. I want to state further than I would be confident that when the sub-committee submits its report you will probably endorse it."

McCague reminded delegates that, arising out of a motion from the last congress, a subcommittee was examining the situation of alcohol abuse.

"We all recognise our contractual agreements with Guinness and we recognise what is being said and what our subcommittee is looking at now," he said. Meath delegate Pat O'Neill said that while Guinness had served the GAA extremely well as marketing partners, there was a bigger issue involved.

"I wonder is the GAA wise to continue its agreement, if there are other options? The fact is that drink is becoming a big problem in Irish society."

Cavan delegate Phil Brady suggested it would be naive to think a withdrawal from the Guinness sponsorship would result in a decrease in the consumption of alcohol.

The former Leinster chairman Jim Berry said they should be careful not to turn against Guinness in the middle of the sponsorship deal.

Galway delegate Bernie O'Connor remarked that a ban on sponsorship by alcoholic drinks companies could have ramifications down along the line for the small pubs which provided clubs with a few hundred euro.

McCague acknowledged that there was a huge debate around the issue of alcohol in Irish society presently and it didn't merely pertain to the GAA.

"We will involve ourselves as it relates to the association and I have no doubt that we will take a responsible decision when it comes to it," he added