Surge in calls by GAA players to counselling line

The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) are encouraged by the news that the number of county players using their confidential counselling service has trebled this year.

Responding to the GAA’s official players body’s annual review of their mental health programme, head of communications Sean Potts acknowledged the rise is significant and serious.

However, he believes the figures — including 33 players presenting with depression issues and 22 gambling addiction, which represents half the cases in the service this year — indicate awareness of such issues has increased among the GPA membership.