Drinking Bans In The G.A.A

As discussed in my latest blog, the season is long and grueling. Demands on players are higher than ever before. I train five nights a week with the Clare senior footballers. I am currently 19 and am yet to make the breakthrough to the team. I understand the commitments and sacrifices that are required to make it at this level. However is it really necessary to refrain from alcohol for such extended periods? Drinking bans are in place from the first session in November until the moment we exit the championship. By the time this comes around, the club season is beginning to heat up and demands are becoming higher at club level also. Many clubs are now putting in place drinking bans for champiosnhip, which in Clare can run into November . It almost eliminates the chance to enjoy a few drinks at any stage in the year. As a college student, it is hard to face training in January knowing my friends are going to be enjoying a few drinks at home. I don’t over indulge in alcohol and I don’t think players should be drinking close to important matches but the issue I have is …. Take rugby, we often see players enjoying a few beers after a match. And they still go out and perform to a professional standard the next week. If it is good enough for a professional sport like rugby, why is it not good enough for us?