Laois manager Mike Quirke joined Off The Ball to discuss a bizarre maiden season at the helm of Laois football and why the recent doping case of Ray Walker was a 'wake-up call.'

Quirke was appointed manager of the O'Moore County in October 2019, but has taken charge of a season that was curtailed due to the coronavirus.

Last month, Carlow's Ray Walker did not contest a four-year ban from GAA competition, having tested positive for meldonium - and Quirke says that it provided food for thought.

"It was a wake-up call, to be honest," he said.

"I think it was the GPA who organised it, with their drugs talk or whatever. When you look at it, it is really one evening where they are getting a presentation and they are told, basically, not to take anything unless prescribed by a doctor or a nutritionist.

"That is probably the fundamental rule that everyone should adhere to - don't put anything into your system unless it has been run by one of the officials on the team."

Doping concerns

It was not in relation to Walker's case in particular, but Quirke does think that it raises questions about the wider context of supplements in the GAA.

"I do worry at times - they are so professional with how they train and how they prepare, but I do think there does need to be a more stringent education programme for guys in terms of what they can take.

"Everyone is always looking for an edge. There are obviously legal 'edges'; guys can try and take something that is fine to help their performance.

"Our thing is very simple: don't take anything at all unless you run it by our doctors. If you do that then you are going to be safe enough."

Quirke reiterated that he does feel one of the bodies needs to provide fuller information and guidance to current amateur players about what they can and cannot ingest.

"I do think that one presentation is not really enough for the sanctions that are there," said Quirke before moving back to the Walker case and saying that he would not want one of his players to fall afoul in a similar way.

"I would really think that we need to revisit it and say that you should not be taking anything unless it has been passed by the doctor."

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