O’Donoghue: Lombard's actions will sap morale

Sports Minister John O’Donoghue has condemned the actions of Irish athlete Cathal Lombard, who has admitted taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Responding to the scandal today, Mr O’Donoghue said he was disappointed and disheartened that an Irish athlete would dishonour the Olympic ideal on the eve of the Athens Games.

He said Lombard’s actions were a clear form of cheating and would sap morale for the rest of the Irish team.

The minister insisted drug-taking in Irish sport is not common and said the fact that Cathal Lombard was caught was testimony to the effectiveness of Irish anti-doping efforts.