Blood-testing inter-county players would be an “extreme measure” but Cork’s Anthony Nash feels that it would be worth it if it keeps Gaelic games clean.
The Irish Sports Council has stated its intention to begin blood testing next year and Gaelic Players Association chief executive Dessie Farrell has broadly welcomed the anti-doping initiative, while adding that a number of issues would need to be clarified.
Over the weekend it emerged that a Monaghan player had tested positive for a banned substance and the GPA are providing support for the player, who is not currently on the county panel.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Nash said: “Look, it’s an extreme measure but if [the GAA] feel it’s better for the game and it’s going to keep the game the way it is, whatever we have to do [we'll do], I suppose.
“As GAA players we are under very strenuous rules. You can’t take certain tablets if you have a cold or a flu. It’s very hard on amateur sportsmen to do that.
“Now, we abide by them as best we can. You have your doctors and your dieticians to tell you what you’ve to do so that’s all we can do.
"We’ll keep going and hope that the case is sorted for the positive [for] the players and the GAA as a whole.
“I suppose the GPA have a good old set-up where they come along and they educate you on all these issues. Until then I suppose we won’t know exactly what’s going on.
“All I would say is that I don’t think there’s a major issue of doping or drugs in the GAA and I think it’s been so clean over the last years. This issue that was raised will be addressed properly and dealt with.”
"I don’t think there’s a major issue of doping or drugs in the GAA"
Nash, speaking at the launch of the GAA / GPA collectable card series Cúl Heroes, was keen to play down the impact of Cork’s recent league final defeat to Waterford, with whom they will clash in a Munster Championship semi-final on 7 June.
“I suppose it’s a strange situation when you meet them in a league final and then five weeks later you have them in the championship again,” said the 30-year-old
“The thing about hurling and football...is that anything can happen on any day. It could completely change. You could be two goals up or two goals down after five minutes.
“It’s championship and it doesn’t matter who you are playing.”
