Cork County Board chairman Bob Ryan doesn't believe that alcohol abuse is a major problem in the GAA.

The Rebel County chief was responding to comments by Waterford team doctor Mark Rowe who stepped down last night as medic to the Deise.

Rowe said: "In a way the young hurlers are like a reflection of the community. Even though many of them would be disciplined and focused, that self-destruct button of binge drinking can bring everybody down."

"The thing with drink is this: 'if I am not drinking anymore than the other fellas, I haven't a problem and sure if I am off the drink for three weeks and then go on the lash, what's the problem'.

"There is a mountain of work to be done by the GAA on this issue, which is really empowering young people to improve their self esteem and confidence."

Ryan told the Evening Echo that he has not witnessed evidence of Dr Rowe's claims in Cork.

"I can only speak from a Cork viewpoint and I have certainly seen no evidence of what was reported in the newspapers today.

"The Cork players of today, at all levels, put in huge preparation and their training is immense for so many months of the year. You just have to witness them in training and
the levels of preparatory work they do, I don't think drink is an issue with any of them."

He added: "Yes, the club scene has changed a lot too, clubs put in a huge effort now in training and if the players were drinking heavily they just could not cope.

"To be honest, I don't think drink is a major problem, it certainly is not in Cork anyway. And what's more people just cannot afford that kind of thing anyway." Tweet

Most Read Stories