Four tested for drugs

A new era began for the GAA following Sunday's All-Ireland final when players from both teams were randomly drugs tested.

Although it is thought that both squads were fairly surprised by the development, all counties had been made aware of the possibilities once the decision to drug test GAA athletes was agreed.

"We do have a copy of a document issued by the GAA to all medical officers involved with the teams," commented a spokesperson for the Irish Sports Council yesterday. The ISC was unable to confirm that the testing procedure was initiated after Sunday's final due to a confidentiality clause agreed with the sporting bodies, but the GAA disclosed as much. "Our preferred option would have been to delay this until the new season but it wasn't our decision to make," commented GAA press officer Danny Lynch.

He also stressed that all teams had been informed that they were liable for testing any time after the All-Ireland semi-finals.

"We did get a briefing in the run-up to the semi-final against Wexford, outlining which substances were prohibited and so on," said Tipperary PRO Liz Howard yesterday.

Corner forward Eugene O'Neill and substitute Noel Morris were the two Tipperary players selected while Greg Kennedy and substitute Declan O'Brien were asked to attend on behalf of Galway.

"There was a bit of surprise but really, there was no problem and I think it is fair to say that Tipperary are supportive of the new measures. Someone like Eugene would be fairly relaxed about the whole thing despite having just played in a final," said Howard.

Having initiated the procedure for the hurling showdown, it seems likely that the football final on Sunday week might also be targeted.

Both Galway and Meath expect to be in a position to name side's early next week. Seβn Boylan will select from a full panel, with all players having come through the demolition of Kerry with no serious after affects. However, the international rules futures of Trevor Giles and John McDermott appear to be less certain.

Meath's prolonged run in the All-Ireland has curtailed their availability for training and it is not clear if they will travel with the touring party in early October. Both players were vital to Ireland's away win in 1999 and McDermott's experience as a former captain would be vital to the team. His increasingly dominant contribution to Meath's All-Ireland challenge suggests that he would be a valuable asset to the Irish side.

However, he was only coaxed back to Meath's championship squad early in the summer and may be reluctant to commit himself to the compromise game. Trevor Giles is an enthusiast of the sport in principle - he travelled to Australia as physiotherapist to the under-17 side two years ago, but he has had back trouble following an injury he acquired on playing duty for Ireland and that factor may impinge on his desire to represent Ireland again.