Welfare manager warns of anti-doping code

GAA Player Welfare Manager Pauric Duffy has called upon players, team managers and county board officials to be vigiliant of the Irish Sports Council's Anti-Doping Code as the All-Ireland senior football championship begins in earnest next weekend, with matches in both Leinster and Ulster.

GAA Player Welfare Manager Pauric Duffy has called upon players, team managers and county board officials to be vigilant of the Irish Sports Council's Anti-Doping Code as the All-Ireland senior football championship begins in earnest next weekend, with matches in both Leinster and Ulster.

In an email sent to inter-county managers, players and officials on Friday, Duffy outlined that testing has already commenced and that the Anti-Doping Unit of the Irish Sports Council were onsite at the recent National Football and Hurling League Division One finals to conduct tests on players.

He warned managers: "We can expect many more tests at games and training now that the championship season is upon us."

As player welfare continues to be a major concern in Gaelic Games, Duffy stressed the importance of informing players correctly in relation to Anti-Doping procedures, with information attached to the email concerning the process.

"It is important that information on the doping control process is available to players and I hope that the attached document will be of help in explaining to you, and your players, what happens when a test takes place, Duffy said.

"I am forwarding this document directly to every player for whom we have an e-mail address and ask you to help by bringing it to the attention of players who do not have an email address. I am also sending a copy to County secretaries and team doctors."

Duffy also enclosed in his email, a copy of the ISC Anti-Doping Wallet card and The Athletes Handbook on Anti-Doping.