GAA player fails drug test

rebel girl 15

Saw on twitter that the front page of the Sunday Times sports section is carrying a story about a Monaghan footballer who has failed a random Irish Sports Council drug test.

Player is not a current inter county player but is on the fringes of the squad, and has tested positive for a steroid. Its the first positive test since 2008, when Aidan O Mahony failed one.

GAA and ISC won't get involved until the Anti-Doping unit has completed their investigation. 89 tests were carried out last year, 44 in competition and 45 out of competition

Mr. Incognito

Probably some dodgy supplements

duffman13

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

Probably some dodgy supplements

Probably a recriational drug!

Could it be potentially a Frankie Sheahan situation though where he is on some permanent medication that he failed to disclose information of?

crusier

He should be stripped of his professional wages

MaroonAndGreen

Likely to be a recreational drug. And if it is then it's no fcuking business of the GAA as its amateur. The whole thing is a disgrace really.

hefferboi

Are recreational drugs banned in GAA, it being an amateur sport?

rebel girl 15

Given that he was on the fringes of the squad, and the substance tested positive for was a steroid, it could be as simple as him taking a prescription medication and not disclosing it or that he is on medication such as an inhaler, but not salbutamol for which a TUE is required, but being on the fringes of the squad it might not have been done

celt262

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

Given that he was on the fringes of the squad, and the substance tested positive for was a steroid, it could be as simple as him taking a prescription medication and not disclosing it or that he is on medication such as an inhaler, but not salbutamol for which a TUE is required, but being on the fringes of the squad it might not have been done

This player must be in the squad or else he wouldn't be tested.

DoYouEvenLift

'A steroid'.


Dreadfully vague. Are there details on what exactly it was he failed because of?

risteard7

I bet it's one of the corner backs.

ArmaniJeanss

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

Likely to be a recreational drug. And if it is then it's no fcuking business of the GAA as its amateur.

I'd be in agreement with you in a moral sense BUT.....
Ireland is a signatory of the International Convention against Doping in Sport, and as part of this agrees only to give government funds to those sports who put the correct protocols in place. Recreational drugs like cocaine and marijuana are on every prohibited or controlled list such as WADAs, either completely banned or with upper limits of consumption.

So the status of professional/amateur doesn't really matter, as long as an organisation looks to ever receive government funding then recreational drugs are something which needs to come under its control list.

HighKing33

crusier wrote: »

He should be stripped of his professional wages

I understand what you're saying and there's nothing uglier than incriminating someone from the barstool or the keyboard but cheating is absolutely despicable and if supplement abuse spread into the game it would sully so much that's good about our sports. We have to take a zero tolerance attitude, to be fair to everyone, especially the players.

zzfh

On a cold Friday afternoon, I had come home from school. I had been thinking of the gym all day. I was hungry, didn't have any lunch. In fact, I didn't eat because I spent the money. For the past month I was saving up for something. Something special which I bought at GNC. I was surprised they didn't ask for ID; I was pretty sure the cashier noticed how nervous I was. Anyways, my mom asked my how my day was when I got home, but I ignored her. I have more important things to do. I run to the bathroom and unpack my bag. In my school bag is a white plastic bag from GNC. I open the bag, first removing the receipt and flushing it down the toilet to get rid of the evidence. My heart was racing now. I unpack the creatine monster from the bag.

I wonder what people will be asking me when they see that I will be 50lbs heavier. Should I say I was just eating a lot? I remove the label from the tub and tear it into a thousand small pieces. I flush that down the toilet, too. It is time now. I run up to my room when my mom ask me what I am holding. I panic, sweat drips down my forehead and my teeth chatter. "Mom, it's just for a school project". "What project?" "I don't know mom I just started it!". A tear runs down my cheek. I run upstairs and open the creatine, scooping upservings into a clear water bottle. What have I gotten myself into? I fill it with water and drink it. There is no turning back now. The creatine monster is inside me now, it will control me. What should I do if I die? I cant let my family know about this.

I open the creatine tub and throw it all out the window; a white cloud of mysterious dust sparkles into the wind so graciously. I feel the substance taking control of me; I am now the monster. I walk downstairs, its time to work out; time to get big. Now I worry, I don't want to get too big; people will think I use steroids. I do use steroids. No I don't. Creatine. All I see is the weights now, I am almost downstairs when I hear "Do you want a cookie I just baked". I know I do not have time for this **** right now. "No mom I do not want a cookie" I walk in the basement and drop to my knees before the weights, tears running down my cheeks. I turn to the right and look at myself in the mirror. Oh god, what have I done?



Creatine..not even once.

DoYouEvenLift

zzfh wrote: »

On a cold Friday afternoon, I had come home from school. I had been thinking of the gym all day. I was hungry, didn't have any lunch. In fact, I didn't eat because I spent the money. For the past month I was saving up for something. Something special which I bought at GNC. I was surprised they didn't ask for ID; I was pretty sure the cashier noticed how nervous I was. Anyways, my mom asked my how my day was when I got home, but I ignored her. I have more important things to do. I run to the bathroom and unpack my bag. In my school bag is a white plastic bag from GNC. I open the bag, first removing the receipt and flushing it down the toilet to get rid of the evidence. My heart was racing now. I unpack the creatine monster from the bag.

I wonder what people will be asking me when they see that I will be 50lbs heavier. Should I say I was just eating a lot? I remove the label from the tub and tear it into a thousand small pieces. I flush that down the toilet, too. It is time now. I run up to my room when my mom ask me what I am holding. I panic, sweat drips down my forehead and my teeth chatter. "Mom, it's just for a school project". "What project?" "I don't know mom I just started it!". A tear runs down my cheek. I run upstairs and open the creatine, scooping upservings into a clear water bottle. What have I gotten myself into? I fill it with water and drink it. There is no turning back now. The creatine monster is inside me now, it will control me. What should I do if I die? I cant let my family know about this.

I open the creatine tub and throw it all out the window; a white cloud of mysterious dust sparkles into the wind so graciously. I feel the substance taking control of me; I am now the monster. I walk downstairs, its time to work out; time to get big. Now I worry, I don't want to get too big; people will think I use steroids. I do use steroids. No I don't. Creatine. All I see is the weights now, I am almost downstairs when I hear "Do you want a cookie I just baked". I know I do not have time for this **** right now. "No mom I do not want a cookie" I walk in the basement and drop to my knees before the weights, tears running down my cheeks. I turn to the right and look at myself in the mirror. Oh god, what have I done?



Creatine..not even once.

A tour de France would be much more beneficial.

lmchale50123

More Monaghan footballers embroiled in doping controversy
12 May 2015

As news broke over the weekend involving a Monaghan player failing a drugs test further investigation has found that most of the Monaghan team have been found to be using performance "enhancing" drugs. As Terry Hyland of the Irish Sports Council's Anti-Doping unit delved further into the Monaghan setup he noticed severe side effects in several more players that had been evidently linked with constant use of steroids.

Mr Hyland pointed out that a goalkeeper who lives somewhere was suffering side effects including forgetfulness to solo or hop a ball for long periods towards the end of games.

In the full back line a player suffers from mood swings which has led to an inability to appreciate south Monaghan Catholic humour.

A centre back who had originally come to the attention of the Monaghan selectors having successfully crossed the Mediterranean on a dingy a few years back suffered from vitamin D toxicity and remarkable invisibility. Symptoms noted among the other Monaghan defenders include confusion, topographical disorientation and narcolepsy.

In Midfield the side effects are particularly profound, dementia, parkinson's, arthritis, etc etc and hair loss.

Monaghans nutritional advisor Michelle Smith has said that the claims made by the Irish Sports Council are ridiculous and that it wouldn't be unusual for players who were useless a few years ago to suddenly become reasonably good and win a few medals.

Although steroids can give a player a great left foot unfortunately a side effect of steroids is chronic laziness which means the left foot would be of no addition to a veteran half forward. Further players embroiled in this controversy includes one of Monaghans formidable forwards who suffers from dodgy knees and dizziness particularly when on free kicks towards the end of games with other forwards in the Monaghan attack suffering from general idleness and ambiguity.

Monaghans head coach Cian OConnor claims Mr Hyland has an alternative agenda in targeting Monaghan players. The Monaghan manager who also suffers from poor vision and at times can become delusional has denied all accusations and will not be providing further comment until the Hearings Committee has concluded its deliberations.

Meanwhile the entire Monaghan County Board seem to be on a similar diet to the county team and suffer from such side effects as puffy face, serious water retention, worsening of diabetes and swelling.

The Irish Sports Council has informed Croke Park of its findings and the matter is now with the associations Anti-Doping Hearings Committee.

Article by K. Downes

Connorzee

With the blood tests coming in next year i wouldnt be surprised to see some familiar faces suddenly not be starting with their county anymore.

ultrapercy

crusier wrote: »

He should be stripped of his professional wages

Do you believe it's ok for an athlete to cheat using performance enhancing drugs if they are an amature?

Tom.D.BJJ

Are PEDs banned in Gaelic games?

Actually, i found this:

Riail 1.15 Treoir Oifigiúil Part 1 states:
‘The Association forbids the use of prohibited substances or methods, a practice generally known as doping in sport. The Rules of the Association regarding doping are the Irish Anti-Doping Rules as adopted by the Irish Sports Council and as amended from time to time. The Rules contained in the said Irish Anti-Doping Rules shall have effect and be construed as Rules of the Association. Central Council shall establish a committee known as the Anti-Doping Hearings Committee. Pursuant to an agreement made between Central Council and the Irish Sports Council, for the purposes of this Rule and the Irish Anti-Doping Rules, all references to the Irish Sport Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel in the Irish Anti-Doping Rules shall be construed as referring to the Anti-Doping Hearings Committee. International Units shall comply with the Anti-Doping legislation in their respective Countries of operation. Central Council shall establish a committee known as the Doping Control Committee and shall designate to it such functions of the Association in relation to the prevention of doping in the games of the Association as it deems suitable.’

Anyway, I've no problem with players using PEDs. There's no harm to it

rebel girl 15

It is banned under WADA to which ISC is a signatory and the GAA signed up to. I think this could be a case of a player taking something with a banned element in it, very easily done especially since they were a trial player and looking for an edge, or taking something they don't have full knowledge about. This is education for players, and given he is a trial player, very unlikely he told anybody he was taking it, or knew that there was a banned substance in it. edit: found a ten minute education piece done by the ISC to cover anti doping http://www.irishsportscouncil.ie/Anti-Doping/Education-Zone/Are_you_a_Real_Winner_/

Given that testing is only at inter county, would this mean a ban would cover both intercounty and club? Think it is a four year ban. Plus the rule is only for inter county players - technically he isn't on the inter county panel, so not an inter county player. This whole case will blow up some very relevant questions - what makes an inter county player an inter county player in terms of testing?

Sin1981

A friend of a friend is the team doctor with a county football team in the north east. A couple of months ago after training/match (not sure which), the doctor decided to take some blood samples. Once announced, one team player approached the manager and said "I won't pass this test...!". He was subsequently shipped off in an ambulance with a phantom head injury to avoid being tested. :eek:
This player in Monaghan wont be the only one caught imo!:(

zetecescort

goes on in every sport, naïve to think otherwise. big question imo is if its one player/athlete acting alone or if its team based

LiamNeeson

Fergal Doherty is in quare shape altogether, Derry men have no need for drugs or protein supplements, all they need is a spade and some turf just like how Seamus Heaney mentioned in his poem.

blue note

zetecescort wrote: »

goes on in every sport, naïve to think otherwise. big question imo is if its one player/athlete acting alone or if its team based

I'd be very surprised if there's any team doing it. But I'd be shocked if there aren't a good few doing it on their own.

downthemiddle

Sin1981 wrote: »

A friend of a friend is the team doctor with a county football team in the north east. A couple of months ago after training/match (not sure which), the doctor decided to take some blood samples. Once announced, one team player approached the manager and said "I won't pass this test...!". He was subsequently shipped off in an ambulance with a phantom head injury to avoid being tested. :eek:
This player in Monaghan wont be the only one caught imo!:(

Is it 2014 again?

rebel girl 15

Sin1981 wrote: »

A friend of a friend is the team doctor with a county football team in the north east. A couple of months ago after training/match (not sure which), the doctor decided to take some blood samples. Once announced, one team player approached the manager and said "I won't pass this test...!". He was subsequently shipped off in an ambulance with a phantom head injury to avoid being tested. :eek:
This player in Monaghan wont be the only one caught imo!:(

But sure blood testing isn't within the GAA remit yet, it is only being brought in this year

adrian522

I don't buy this line being trotted out now about "you would be worried because if you have taken stuff like Panadol" or talking about taking supplements innocently.

It's perfectly simple to figure out what you can and can't take. I think it's unrealistic to expect that players are not trying to gain an edge any way they can. Be that weight training, what they eat, hydration or running up sand dunes at 6 in the morning.

When it comes to trying to get an edge I find it extremely naive that players wouldn't attempt to gain an edge on the competition.

It is only right the the GAA should test for performance enhancing drugs and there is no valid reason for players to be against. Well maybe one reason.

If Brendan Maher is reading Panadol and lemsip are both fine.

http://www.eirpharm.com/sports/search

ProudDUB

adrian522 wrote: »

I don't buy this line being trotted out now about "you would be worried because if you have taken stuff like Panadol" or talking about taking supplements innocently.

It's perfectly simple to figure out what you can and can't take. I think it's unrealistic to expect that players are not trying to gain an edge any way they can. Be that weight training, what they eat, hydration or running up sand dunes at 6 in the morning.

Agree 100%. It's not like the players are on their own and they have to figure out what they can and can't take, all by themselves, with no input from medical experts, or sporting organisations. The Irish Sports Council have listings of all the over the counter drugs, medicines, supplements etc etc on their website. They clearly state what is in them all.

wpd

http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/double-paralympic-cycling-champ-rohan-is-certain-gaa-has-a-doping-problem/

zetecescort

2 year ban for Monaghan player

http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2015/0616/708595-thomas-connolly-handed-two-year-doping-ban/

downthemiddle

zetecescort wrote: »

2 year ban for Monaghan player

http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2015/0616/708595-thomas-connolly-handed-two-year-doping-ban/

Steroid abuse, not something you associate with accidental ingestion.

Boom__Boom

The report from the hearing

http://www.irishsportscouncil.ie/Anti-Doping/Resources1/Sanctions/GAA-ANTI-%C2%AD%E2%80%90DOPING-HEARING-COMMITTEE.pdf

Took some random supplements he was given by a work colleague for pain.

The bit about trying to argue that he wasn't an inter-county player is just mental stuff. The stuff about using the fact that he was never told about the existence of Anti-Doping Rules throughout his time training with the Monaghan team as part of his defence is just ludicrous stuff.

He was taking tablets that were labelled Anavar 10. I put Anavar 10 into Google and the 2nd result that comes us is the site www.steroidabuse.com

As it turned out, the tablets he took actually weren't Oxandrolone which is what Anavar 10 is supposed to contain but contained Stanozolol. The report does mention that Oxandrolone is a prohibited anabolic steroid anyway so I'm not sure that the fact the tablets he was taking weren't what they were labelled can be much of a defence when the stuff he was taking was prohibited anyway. (maybe the stuff he thought he was taking isn't as serious a substance an offence ?)

The very best case, assuming everything he said was true, as a player around an intercounty team he was seriously daft to be randomly taking tablets some co-worker gave him. That sort of behaviour would be categorised as recklessly stupid if someone not involved in sport did it, for someone you is involved in sport with drug-testing to do it it's just beggars belief.

On the Irish Sports Council site 2 other folk have previously gotten bans for taking the same stuff - Stanozol - a weight-lifter and an athlete - both of whom got 24 months as well.

corny

Can't believe they accepted his version of events. Sounds absolutely preposterous to me.

Someone doesn't hand you tablets you take 4 times a day without you asking what are they? He's lying if he says he didn't ask or didn't check what Anavar 10 is.

Donalinger

corny wrote: »

Can't believe they accepted his version of events. Sounds absolutely preposterous to me.

Someone doesn't hand you tablets you take 4 times a day without you asking what are they? He's lying if he says he didn't ask or didn't check what Anavar 10 is.

your dead right. ?the idea of someone taking tabs without asking what they are is just silly.

nice_guy80

It was bound to happen eventually
I hope it serves as a warning to other GAA players

Don't take anything the doctor hasn't prescribed

bryangiggsy

It's an abs farce that the ban was reduced to 2 yrs. he knew what he was taking. Should have been 4 yrs . Zero tolerance. GAA have messed up

DuffleBag

For blatantly admitting he actually wanted to take oxandrolone then he should be banned for the maximum. For those that dont know Anavar (Oxandrolone) produces lean gains with very little water retention, while it also increases strength. It's got a high benefit low risk ratio and regarded as one of the best "safe" steroids to use.. This fella knew what he was doing, and like others have said the not knowing what you're taking story doesnt wash with me.

downthemiddle

bryangiggsy wrote: »

It's an abs farce that the ban was reduced to 2 yrs. he knew what he was taking. Should have been 4 yrs . Zero tolerance. GAA have messed up

The GAA don't decide on the length of the suspension, the Irish Sports Council do.

Giruilla

I respect the GAA for actually catching someone and imposing a ban.. but that report is hilarious.
You take 10 seconds to type Anavar 10 into google and your under no illusions what it is.

Giruilla

Sorry realise thats the ISC not GAA.