GAA:Kerry defender Aidan O'Mahony has received a reprimand but will not incur any suspension after the GAA Anti-Doping hearing released their judgement on his case this afternoon.
O’Mahony tested positive for salbutamol after Kerry’s All-Ireland defeat to Tyrone back in September. The drug is used in the treatment of asthma and the three-man committee were satisfied that the amount found in his sample “was consistent with the inhalation of the substance and that its use was not intended to enhance his sporting performance or mask the use of a performance enhancing substance”.
However, O’Mahony has received a sanction after the committee decided that the dose inhaled was in excess of what was is authorised on the player’s Therapeutic Use Exemption Form .
“The Hearing’s Committee considered that that the dose inhaled was in excess of that authorised on the Therapeutic Use Exemption Form submitted in relation to the player and hence have opted to reprimand the player in this context,” today’s statement read.
GAA President Nickey Brennan said he was glad the matter had now been finalised and thanked the members of the Anti-Doping Hearings Committee.
He expressed empathy with O’Mahony, saying it had been a very difficult time for the player, but emphasised to all inter-county players, county team doctors and those involved in any way with county teams, the importance of strict adherence to the provisions of the Anti-Doping Rules in relation to asthmatics in particular.
Brennan also reiterated the stance of the committee that the decision to issue a reprimand should not be interpreted as casting any aspersion on O’Mahony’s integrity and he said he looked forward to seeing the player in the Kerry colours for the forthcoming National League campaign.
The members of the GAA’s Anti- Doping Hearing’s Committee on this occasion were Adrian Colton QC (Chairman), Dr Pat O’Neill and former GAA President Sean McCague.