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Inter County Teams And Booze

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Question for posters from all counties, perhaps particularly aimed at successful counties, in either code. Do your players regularly drink/socialise throughout the course of the inter county season? I know that Cavan have had several much publicised sessions this season, notably in Westport the night of our away clash with Mayo in the league, also after the league defeat to Monaghan (a result that essentially relegated us) and again very publicly on the Monday after the Ulster final hiding we got. It's a source of much discussion in the county at present. Genuinely curious as to whether this is uncommon or not in modern GAA. Something tells me it simply would not be tolerated in Kerry or Kilkenny. And perhaps more damningly, that players there would have no interest in drinking after a bad defeat. GallantJohnJoe (Cavan) - Posts: 329 - 10/07/2019 20:47:48 2209243 Link
The problem these days is that drink gets blamed for everything, the reason why Cavan got relegated and lost championship matches to Donegal and Tyrone is because there not good enough, the laois hurlers went on a two day drinking session after winning the joe McDonough, didn't stop them beating dublin a week later. Royal.Legend (Meath) - Posts: 665 - 10/07/2019 21:35:43 2209259 Link
Replying To GallantJohnJoe: "Question for posters from all counties, perhaps particularly aimed at successful counties, in either code. Do your players regularly drink/socialise throughout the course of the inter county season? I know that Cavan have had several much publicised sessions this season, notably in Westport the night of our away clash with Mayo in the league, also after the league defeat to Monaghan (a result that essentially relegated us) and again very publicly on the Monday after the Ulster final hiding we got. It's a source of much discussion in the county at present. Genuinely curious as to whether this is uncommon or not in modern GAA. Something tells me it simply would not be tolerated in Kerry or Kilkenny. And perhaps more damningly, that players there would have no interest in drinking after a bad defeat." Eddie O' Brien had about 10 pints the night before he scored 3 goals for Cork against Wexford in the 1970 All hurling final. He said it relaxed him. Rockies (Cork) - Posts: 947 - 10/07/2019 21:46:15 2209265 Link
Replying To GallantJohnJoe: "Question for posters from all counties, perhaps particularly aimed at successful counties, in either code. Do your players regularly drink/socialise throughout the course of the inter county season? I know that Cavan have had several much publicised sessions this season, notably in Westport the night of our away clash with Mayo in the league, also after the league defeat to Monaghan (a result that essentially relegated us) and again very publicly on the Monday after the Ulster final hiding we got. It's a source of much discussion in the county at present. Genuinely curious as to whether this is uncommon or not in modern GAA. Something tells me it simply would not be tolerated in Kerry or Kilkenny. And perhaps more damningly, that players there would have no interest in drinking after a bad defeat." I think the culture has changed substantially in the last decade or so. Some of you may recall my own county's troubles in this area in the nineties. There are also some legendary stories about the Dublin `95 team on the session. I can't imagine that would be tolerated with the current Dublin crew. Last year I refereed a tournament in which Jarlath Óg Burns and his two cousins played. It was a fairly relaxed event and there was a social occasion after. All three of them were on the water and were just waiting around for their lift home. They are young lads who were students so fair play to them but maybe it has gone from one extreme to another. Better the current extreme though, no? Sindar (Roscommon) - Posts: 348 - 10/07/2019 21:49:55 2209267 Link
Replying To Rockies: "Eddie O' Brien had about 10 pints the night before he scored 3 goals for Cork against Wexford in the 1970 All hurling final. He said it relaxed him." My uncle smoked 20 a day for 60+ years and lived to his mid eighties but I wouldn't use that as an argument to take up smoking! Sindar (Roscommon) - Posts: 348 - 10/07/2019 21:52:57 2209268 Link
Players I know in Mayo team wouldn't be big drinkers...the culture and environment they are in means they look after themselves all year around... The issue I have is where club players are excepted to be monks and when they are in a pub you have aul bucks talking about them.... yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11227 - 10/07/2019 22:01:40 2209271 Link
Look at tyrone when they won 3 all Ireland. They drank after all big games. Football is too serious these days, no team bonding exercises is better than a group of players going on a session to blow off some steam. If professional rugby and soccer players can do it i think it's time these coaches relaxed the rules. kevin03 (Tyrone) - Posts: 276 - 10/07/2019 22:26:25 2209281 Link
It's the devil's buttermilk! Wally (Tyrone) - Posts: 912 - 11/07/2019 07:40:20 2209319 Link
The Wexford players who I know and know of would hardly have a drink. The problem is, a player having a pint, even if it was only 1, and he missed a ball the next game out it'd be said "Oh sure he missed that because he was drinking 10 pints last weekend". Blaming drink for everything ties in perfectly with the Irish "lets knock him and bring him down a peg or two" attitude. Look at Laois - a few days on the pss didn't exactly affect them against the Dubs! I know plenty of players who have a bottle or two the night before a game to relax them about it. StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1732 - 11/07/2019 08:57:01 2209340 Link
Funny thing is though,the only reason you would wonder about players having a drink is because it's such a problem in general in the country. Fellas can't have 2 or 3 pints and head home in most cases it's a case of tear the arse out of it . No one would have an issue with lads going out after a game and having say 3 pints and going home but that's not what happens n most cases. When you are out your out seems to be the rule. Don't get me wrong , these lads are amateurs and should be free to enjoy themselves without being hung out to dry but if your in you either in 100% or your not . You have plenty of time for pints . catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 11/07/2019 09:38:12 2209352 Link
Replying To kevin03: "Look at tyrone when they won 3 all Ireland. They drank after all big games. Football is too serious these days, no team bonding exercises is better than a group of players going on a session to blow off some steam. If professional rugby and soccer players can do it i think it's time these coaches relaxed the rules." kerry too would be on the last after a big win. It was the likes of Davy Fitz when he was is charge of Clare along with his stooges that took offense to players going out and not even drinking that drive this sillyness which club coaches will only copy. woops (Kerry) - Posts: 2073 - 11/07/2019 09:57:49 2209359 Link
Speaking of drink, I'm absolutely busted after the NFL and Championship following the county. Have to skip Roscommon this weekend as my liver and wallet are crying out for a break and for us to get knocked out of the super 8 group. OGarmaile (Tyrone) - Posts: 248 - 11/07/2019 09:57:57 2209360 Link
I think some managers aren't so much anti-drinking when they're training hard for competitions, it's just a further commitment from the squad for them all to stay off the alcohol in that time, a sign to show how serious they are about the training. Probably an old-fashioned way of testing a squad's commitment. As posters are saying once things are going in any way wrong then some supporters will have noticed a player with a beer in their hand after the previous win last Sunday which has nothing at all with them getting cleaned by a top quality defender a week later. Managers should have more faith in their players and their maturity and know the signs if excessive drinking is a problem. Drink aware or whatever responsible atitude to alcohol organisations out there should use some of the great ladies and men of the GAA to promote a more responsible atitude to drink in Ireland amongst our youth. GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7335 - 11/07/2019 10:00:47 2209362 Link
Replying To Royal.Legend: "The problem these days is that drink gets blamed for everything, the reason why Cavan got relegated and lost championship matches to Donegal and Tyrone is because there not good enough, the laois hurlers went on a two day drinking session after winning the joe McDonough, didn't stop them beating dublin a week later." Exactly , Cavan could be tee totallers and it wouldn't make a blind bit of difference. Simply Not good enough , pints or no pints Benjy1000 (Cavan) - Posts: 85 - 11/07/2019 10:11:02 2209367 Link
I've heard in Dublin's case that Jim Gavin very much leaves it up to the players to act accordingly off the pitch and has no issue with them having a few pints as and when they want but they best be in peak nick for training when they're called upon. In the Dubs case I've seen them on the rip numerous times in the last few years after Leinster Finals around town but you wouldn't see them again until September. The thing is nowadays a player is so fit and in great condition that even with a skelp of pints on a Sunday night he probably has the Monday off to go for a swim and sauna and come Monday evening is back feeling ok again. Chance would be a fine thing for the rest of us!! TrueBlue35 (Dublin) - Posts: 206 - 11/07/2019 10:11:54 2209368 Link
Replying To TrueBlue35: "I've heard in Dublin's case that Jim Gavin very much leaves it up to the players to act accordingly off the pitch and has no issue with them having a few pints as and when they want but they best be in peak nick for training when they're called upon. In the Dubs case I've seen them on the rip numerous times in the last few years after Leinster Finals around town but you wouldn't see them again until September. The thing is nowadays a player is so fit and in great condition that even with a skelp of pints on a Sunday night he probably has the Monday off to go for a swim and sauna and come Monday evening is back feeling ok again. Chance would be a fine thing for the rest of us!!" I have met the Dublin team in a local pub to me in Roscommon on their way back from a league game in Castlebar on a Saturday night. Bus pulled in and the lads went in and had a pint. No harm in it. Nice lads to Douglas_44 (Roscommon) - Posts: 225 - 11/07/2019 10:26:32 2209376 Link
these boys are quite entitled to have a few pints . they are amateur players . young men have to have a life and if the g a a want to go down the full professional route then pay the players mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1799 - 11/07/2019 10:35:17 2209381 Link
Replying To TrueBlue35: "I've heard in Dublin's case that Jim Gavin very much leaves it up to the players to act accordingly off the pitch and has no issue with them having a few pints as and when they want but they best be in peak nick for training when they're called upon. In the Dubs case I've seen them on the rip numerous times in the last few years after Leinster Finals around town but you wouldn't see them again until September. The thing is nowadays a player is so fit and in great condition that even with a skelp of pints on a Sunday night he probably has the Monday off to go for a swim and sauna and come Monday evening is back feeling ok again. Chance would be a fine thing for the rest of us!!" A while back now but I saw Shane Ryan and Jason Sherlock having a few quiet beers in Flannery's midweek and mid season, not a bother on them. Must have been a similar relaxed policy to players having a few beers in their own time back then, because if you're a county player wanting to keep a few drinks quiet Flannery's wouldn't be a great choice! GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7335 - 11/07/2019 10:44:26 2209384 Link
same as most things in life everything in moderation, players need to be able to unwind etc after a big game, have a few drinks after is not an issue. The fact that its allowed by the Dublin management proves its not a bad thing. But I also think that the drinking culture isn't as big a thing for youngsters these days with a lot more choosing not to drink. Rosineri1 (UK) - Posts: 2099 - 11/07/2019 10:54:16 2209391 Link
we are not capable of a sensible attitude to drink. people and players are sensible,i work in a bar and see players after matches the odd time,they might have 2 pints or bottles but inevitability the rumour mill becomes "he was locked last night". one wexford poster posted on the wexford page a while ago that someone told him that the bar runs out of jagerbombs when the hurling team were in,complete fabric and untrue and unfair rumour to spread. perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 11/07/2019 11:15:46 2209401 Link