Farrell: Davy remarks taken out of context

GAA players' chief Dessie Farrell believes Davy Fitzgerald’s controversial comments about substance abuse in past Clare hurling teams have been taken out of context.

And the head of the Gaelic Players Association insists that when it comes to drug abuse generally, ‘in the modern game, it’s not an issue’.

The GPA has been proactive about offering counselling and addiction services to its members though Farrell insisted that alcohol abuse and gambling remain the primary concerns.

“I think he [Fitzgerald] was talking about a time when he played with the squad, over a decade ago or whatever it was,” said Farrell. “I read some of the comments and I think a lot of it has been taken out of context on all sides.

“The facts are relatively straightforward for us [GPA], we have a counselling service up and running in the last three years and I wouldn’t be aware that any have come for help with substance abuse other than perhaps some difficulties or challenges with alcohol.”

Farrell similarly dismissed the idea that current and past Clare players may feel their reputations have been tarnished by Fitzgerald’s claims, which weren’t specific.

“Ah I don’t think so,” continued Farrell. “To be honest, I think by just talking about it, it adds more fuel to it. I think the comments were probably taken out of context. I’m not sure if Davy made himself as clear as he’d have wanted to have made himself, surrounding what he was talking about.

“Sometimes that can snowball and one thing leads to another. I don’t see it as an issue for players in the modern day game.”