A HOST OF inter-county stars have lent their support to a new GAA initiative which calls on members to give up alcohol for the month of January.
Armagh legend Oisin McConville joined Mayo footballers Aidan O’Shea and Alan Freeman in Croke Park this afternoon to launch the Association’s “Off the Booze and On the Ball” health project.
The challenge encourages GAA members around the country to kick off the new year by abstaining from alcohol for a month, collecting sponsorship money for their local club as they do so.
The scheme’s participants will also be given guidance on recommended weekly exercise levels as well as tips and activities to help them hit their targets.
Also present at today’s launch were GAA President Christy Cooney, Minster of State at the Department of Health Róisín Shortall, as well as players from Leitrim club Melvin Gaels whose entire senior panel will be taking up the challenge after Christmas.
“January is a month of the year when the commencement of good habits comes into sharp focus and twinning a reduction in alcohol intake with increased physical activity makes perfect sense after the possible excesses of the festive season,” said Cooney.
“This scheme also offers members the chance to generate funds for their local clubs through sponsorship so the benefits for those involved are plain for all to see.”
“Everything begins with small steps,” Shortall added, “and I am confident that this programme will find its way into every club, every community and every county in Ireland.
“Alcohol abuse presents one of the greatest challenges our country faces and I am delighted to see an organisation as renowned and respected as the GAA take a lead on this issue and I hope other sporting associations will adopt similar schemes.”
Cheating the first time is difficult but it’s get easier every time. If world athletics bodies are serious there should be a lifetime ban for every offender, no excuses.
@EK:
Exactly, This can be easily done by making it too risky to cheat with illegal performance enhancers, a lifetime ban is the only way for proven cheats.
It’s a pretty big jump to drag Justin into this story other than for clickbait….and if I was offered 250,000 dollars I’d get my hands on some performance enhancing drugs for you too.
@Markonline: ah do you not think the PEDs made that jump a bit easier ??
@Limón Madrugada: it’s his coaches, not Gatlin.
@Markonline: Fair play, its all about the way you were brought up i suppose….
@Minom Pnnomm: so he did win a gold on drugs.
Hgh is everywhere..athletics and most sports at the highest level are a game of not getting caught
“Why always me?”
What a dope
How does this implicate Gatlin? Surely this applies to the BBC sports personality Of The year.
@Darren Egan: good point on the double standards. Plenty of potentially dodge English athletes. Farah and Kelly Holmes at the top of the list
Sir Bradley Williams…sky cycling in general
Who honestly gives a crap. So he runs one hundred metres really fast. Who gives a crap. I still have to go to work in the morning
Gatlin should have never been allowed to compete after the first time. Cheats have destroyed genuine competitors lives and taken the accolades deserving to them, Sonia O’ Sullivan comes to mind.
Seb Coe – what a clown
@Shane Gleeson: disaster of a tenure in his job generally.
And still the British press ignore the stink surrounding Mo Farah.
Anyone on a TUE from Waa is a cheat in my book, I think they are ALL on drugs but that is my personal opinion?