Farrell says GPA coming to grips with members’ major gambling issues

GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell admits gambling is going to become a bigger problem among their members as the modern day inter-county player has never been more socially isolated.

Niall McNamee and Oisín McConville’s publicised accounts of their addictions have created awareness of the issue but are only the tip of the iceberg for the official players body.

The Irish Examiner knows of one inter-county manager who recently looked for counselling assistance for several of his players after becoming alarmed by their betting habits.