Couldn't agree more with Lee Keegan on this. Nothing wrong with a few pints. Too much is being asked of players nowadays. Thoughts?

ISupposeSoSheehan (Meath) - Posts: 86 - 17/04/2019 16:23:30    2179311

lilywhite1 (Kildare) - Posts: 2990 - 17/04/2019 16:34:45    2179315

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7344 - 17/04/2019 16:34:46    2179316

GeniusGerry (Kerry) - Posts: 2105 - 17/04/2019 16:43:00    2179317

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 17/04/2019 16:46:47    2179318

No harm in a few gins.

gaelicgab (USA) - Posts: 878 - 17/04/2019 17:40:53    2179332

One or two pints won't harm anyone

PyatPree (Cork) - Posts: 376 - 17/04/2019 17:44:38    2179334

Themall1916 (Kerry) - Posts: 98 - 17/04/2019 18:07:21    2179338

I know that in the Dublin camp there is not, and never has been a drinking ban under the current management.

They are trusted to go about their own devices and if they want to have a drink, all the power in the world to them, however, they know that if they over do it regularly (and i stress over do it, not to be confused with a few pints with the lads, And their performances and effort in training isn't of the level of other fellas, then they wont get on the panel. The choice comes down to the individual.

And listen, we can turn around and say that they should be able to have a few pints and they certainly are allowed, but at the end of the day whether we like it or not, the game have evolved and moved on from a time where you can have a few pints among yourself or with the opposition the night before a big game. That's dark ages stuff. Every team now has nutritionists, S&C coaches etc, Everything is tracked and ridiculous amounts of work is done behind the scenes with players to make sure they are as fit and healthy as possible and able to perform at the highest level possible to try get an edge not only in their own team, but against opposition.

That doesn't mean they aren't allowed a drink, They are just expected to be smart and use their heads, Don't over-do it, No harm in having a few drinks with your mates, If you want to drink a day or two before the game, belt away, but ultimately if it affects performance in training, you wont get picked. So I know in the Dublin panel its up to themselves what they do, its not enforced, Its not a case of if you have a night out a week before a game your shown the door, Im totally against that, That's dictatorship carry on.

I do know however that because of competition for places in the Dublin panel, There are a lot of players who CHOOSE themselves, not to have a drink from January - September even though they are actively allowed to go and let loose. That's how competitive these lads are and they willingly make that sacrifice themselves.

There was a Dublin player (not philly McMahon as I don't think he has ever had a drink) who was doing a talk in DCU about a year ago to a bunch of students, After the talk there was a load of pizza brought in, When the course leader of whatever asked this Dublin player is he wanted a slice of pizza, he point blank refused and said that he was back training with Dublin in a few weeks and that he just want to put that in his body cause he was had the mentality that if he was having a slice of pizza, someone else wasn't and theyd have an advantage over him, When asked if it was a rule or he said no its personal preference its his own decision.

At the end of the day, none of these lads who play IC football are under any kind of contract, ultimately they can eat and drink whatever they want, whenever they want. Noone is forcing them to commit to the lifestyle or have the discipline, if they want to, they will, if they don't, that's fine too, But if you are a manager and you are actively ENFORCING drinking bans on your team then that's disgraceful carry on, and youll never be successful because your players wont be happy. Bottom line.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 17/04/2019 19:32:18    2179348

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 17/04/2019 19:35:57    2179351

At club level it drives me mad when da aul lads at the bar start looking and commentating at players drinking..."why is he drinking?" yet the same lads then harp on about the good aul days when they drank and played and drank again....I had an awful row with a former club player about this recently...

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11230 - 17/04/2019 20:02:21    2179354

Not sure whether the thread refers only to county players or to both club and county players. Neither is there any indication as to whether it refers to adult players only.
As Waynol pointed out, Gaelic is a hobby or pastime and nobody is compelled to participate. It would be interesting to know what percentage of senior inter-county players are non alcoholic drinkers. I like a few pints myself now and then but I don't subscribe to the message that seems to be inferred in the posts above that you can't enjoy yourself unless you drink.

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 17/04/2019 20:32:24    2179361

I can see both sides to it.. If you're an elite player on a county panel, then like wayno says more often than not you're going to choose to live a healthy lifestyle in any case. If you're getting pissed once or twice a week then that isn't conducive to performing at optimal level. That said, I agree it should be left to the individual to decide. If he/she decides that they can enjoy a few drinks and still train and play at their best then good luck to them.

You have to remember human nature though. Some people just respond better to stick rather than the carrot. Some people will take a mile when given an inch. I suppose that's what good management is about. Recognising that people are all different and treating them as such.

But we have to remember at the same time that it's not the army here. At club level I've seen managers (especially outside managers) come in keen to lay down markers etc and treat their players like they were part of a platoon and not a supposedly amateur leisure time activity.

One of the worst cases I saw recently was at a 21st. While the young lads were drinking, it was all spirits. No beer because of its higher caloric content. It was weird to see a gang of young lads all drinking vodka tonics!

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9133 - 18/04/2019 11:24:42    2179423

was talking to a ex county manager about this topica few years while he did not agree with a drinks ban he imposed one, he said if his players were seen in a pub even having one pint he would be distroyed, on line, in the press and at co board level, that why he had a drinking ban, it said it was just to save his back

Stmunnsriver (Wexford) - Posts: 2842 - 18/04/2019 15:58:30    2179458

Great to see the launch of Feile for all those excited 14 year olds

Uimhir.a.3. (Galway) - Posts: 409 - 18/04/2019 17:56:37    2179478

Great to see a player talking sense,very true about the rugby lads too

Drums4Inter (Meath) - Posts: 9 - 18/04/2019 21:59:12    2179507

Just one thing we're all saying he's right and he is totally right in everything he says but if you seen lee or Jack mccaffrey or Clifford out drinking pints two weeks out from an all Ireland final or big champo game you wouldn't be happy if you're being totally honest you wouldn't, so were all agreeing but we're the same people he's giving out about.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 19/04/2019 10:23:48    2179546

pints are class

MalsBalls (Monaghan) - Posts: 180 - 19/04/2019 11:31:21    2179554

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3510 - 19/04/2019 12:19:08    2179558

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 19/04/2019 15:34:20    2179579