Through a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the GAA and the Irish Sports Council announced that Thomas Connolly, a fringe member of the Monaghan senior football panel, had been handed a two-year ban for a doping violation.
Connolly, from the Latton O'Rahilly club, tested positive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid. As it was believed the player took the substance unintentionally, there was a reduction from the standard four-year ban.
One inter-county footballer who does not agree with the suspension is Aidan O'Shea.
The Mayo man tweeted on Tuesday evening that the disciplinary action taken was a 'joke'.
2 year ban from his hobby?? #joke
— Aidan O'Shea (@AIDOXI) June 16, 2015
In a series of tweets replying to others, O'Shea said that he had no problem with bans at inter-county level.
@ormondlad yes at intercounty level no problem at all!
— Aidan O'Shea (@AIDOXI) June 16, 2015
But felt as Connolly was pretty much a club player, he may not have been fully aware of doping regulations.
@ormondlad he is a club player and we are amateurs!! He has a life to live.
— Aidan O'Shea (@AIDOXI) June 16, 2015
@McGeownPaul nope....as a intercounty player we are aware of all the rules he was in the panel for a short period and was dropped
— Aidan O'Shea (@AIDOXI) June 16, 2015
@McGeownPaul no i wouldn't! He was totally wrong to be doping no doubt! Are club players aware of the sports council doping regulations?
— Aidan O'Shea (@AIDOXI) June 16, 2015
See also: Dublin Footballer Ger Brennan Has Made Another Very Divisive Decision
Picture credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILE
