Drug testing threat is no way to treat players

I AM appalled by the manner at which the GPA and its members are essentially being blackmailed by the Irish Sports Council to sign up inter-county players to be drugs tested in their homes.

It is completely outside the spirit of why the government grant scheme was initially introduced – to recognise the social, cultural and economic contribution of our inter-county players to the state.

That recognition was based on the fact that players did not gain materially from playing the game, with studies showing many lost out on earnings and career progression as a result of their commitment.

The irony is that commitment which comes at such a cost to those on the frontline enriches everyone else, whether that be through the experience of those who watch, the gate, sponsorship, TV monies which the GAA earns directly or the hard cash which the hospitality sector swallow up on big game weekends.

I accept the need to be vigilant in keeping the poison out of our games, but we have long signed up to testing post-match and at training.

I underwent that process myself a few times, most miserably after the 2005 All-Ireland final loss to Tyrone when I had to to urinate into a plastic beaker while listening to the Tyrone players singing down the hall.

But you know; I would rather that than someone call to my home.

There is a place called stop.

The front door is that place.