THE DOCTOR FOR the Dublin footballers has declared his pleasure that a doping scandal has rocked Australian sport during the ongoing Aussie Rules recruitment drive.
Dr David Hickey, team doctor with and three-time All Ireland winner for Dublin, spoke about his dislike for the AFL scouting combines, fronted by former Kerry GAA star Tadhg Kennelly, that are taking place this week.
In an interview with Newstalk, Hickey expressed his pleasure that young Dublin dual player Ciaran Kilkenny had returned home early from his brief Aussie Rules stint Down Under.
He said, “I think it is very timely that this report on Australian sport has come out, at this time, when Kennelly is around here trying to inveigle our young athletes to go to Australia.” Hickey added:
It is very heartening to see a player like Kilkenny, who could easily have made it there, decide that that world wasn’t for him.
“I don’t know the details of that but the violence and the drugs in Australian sport is legendary and I’m very glad that [it happened before] a recruiting drive to drag our young children over to that country.”
Kennelly at the AFL Combines at D.C.U today. (©INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan)
A form of child abuse
Returning to the subject of young Irish sports enthusiasts taking performance enhancing supplements and drugs, Hickey commented that there was huge pressure on young athletes to succeed.
He noted that up to 20% of high school or college students were taking performance enhancing or body-building supplements. Hickey added that the practice was ‘a form of child abuse’.
He declared, “You look at the bodies of children playing Junior Cup Rugby today, they’ve necks on them like adults.
“What happens, I think, is that these kids are told ‘Look, you’ve a summer off, come back 10 kilos heavier’. There’s no great direction about how it’s done.”
Hickey, who played for the successful Dublin team of the mid 1970s, also hit out at the burden of games placed upon talented Gaelic players. He commented that fixture, such as the Siegerson Cup, “enslaved” many young players.
He warned that it could well lead to burn out in the future.
*You can listen to the full interview here >>
A utd thread and the first 5 comments are all ABU….. First season out of the top 4 in almost 20 years and were written off, I suppose when were back in the top 4 we will be accused of “resigning Howard Webb” :-)
I think it’s more the fact that United won last year and this year with the same players they have been shocking! It’s embarrassing to call themselves champions!!
Chin up kev
Every non Man Utd supporter hopes he will be given time.
Arsenal, Chelsea and City have made it interesting? Yes, but does it hurt him that much he can’t even admit Liverpool have been just as impressive? United under Moyes have no chance at winning anything! But I agree, give Moyes time! It’s working wonders for everyone else :)
Damn straight! Give him LOADS of time. Maybe next season they can push for the Europa???
Lets not get ahead of ourselves here. Let them get 6th next season before they even think about Europa. They can dream tho
He did something right though signed Juan Mata
If he fails to beat Olympiacos over the two legs, then it’s time to go. Either look for Jurgen Klopp or someone with true success
Andre Villas Boas is available.
Why would anyone want to go there? Klopp is managing a champions league side and a team that are far better!!
In one way Dave though, Klopp is being pillaged by Bayern Munich. Strategy there seems to be to just buy out the rivals best players!
True, but he has only one team picking off the better players! United have Chelsea, City and even Arsenal getting ahead as the players choices!! And the original statement is still true that United are not as good a team and Klopp would be taking a backward step!!
Two things Dave. 1st off tell me one player Arsenal have signed that United wanted in recent years? Secondly, why would anyone go to Manchester United? If you are seriously asking that question then you know very little about football.
Time to drive them into the ground #lovinit
Love the way Liverpool fans think it’s all lovely and roses in the Liverpool camp, with them doing so well and all, even though the only difference between them and united has been 11 points this season… Hey least united will be in action next Wednesday… I mean is there even a difference between the managers in terms of silverware??? but no, Liverpool to dominate for the next 20 years!!! United to hopefully not be relegated!!!
David Moyes wont last 6 years at Manchester United.
Ok, will settle for 5 :)
I love the way 16 people have red thumbed that comment. If you think United have too much class to sack Moyes you are deluded!
A true united fan clearly. …