Kerry chief calls for new approach to drug testing

KERRY chairman Jerome Conway has called for a reappraisal of the drug-testing procedures the GAA are obliged to comply with, saying that Aidan O’Mahony’s unfortunate experience in being subjected to media scrutiny in advance of his hearing highlighted the need for a “privacy rule” to be introduced.

He also wants a review of testing procedures in terms of the implications for amateur players. Addressing delegates at last night’s annual convention in Tralee, when he also expressed his frustration over the lack of progress in the proposed move from Austin Stack Park, he recalled that two members of the senior football squad had to remain on in Dublin after having been tested following the NFL final.

Pointing out that the county board was supportive of the Irish Sports Council’s anti-doping programme, he commented: “It is not unreasonable to expect that a privacy rule should be implemented in full so that where a player tests positive or — as in this case — an adverse finding has been found, nothing is revealed publicly until after the hearing. This would protect players and their families from unnecessary exposure in the media.”