In a statement released through the Gaelic Players' Association (GPA), a Carlow footballer has admitted he was the player at the centre of a reported positive doping test over the weekend. Ray Walker has admitted he inadvertently returned a positive test for a banned substance last February, and is accepting the resulting four-year ban. He has blamed an anti-inflammatory medication and a lack of anti-doping education. Sport Ireland's annual report has revealed that of 1,303 anti-doping tests carried out in 2019, the authority recorded seven rule violations and a further four "pending". Ian O'Riordan explains why Rugby and cycling have been the focus for Irish anti-doping testers.
This season's Champions Cup cannot now be completed in July or August after the French prime minister Édouard Philippe ruled out "big sporting affairs" taking place in the country before September. Nottingham rugby player Danny Qualter has had his contract rescinded after RFU cuts and the coronavirus outbreak forced the Championship club to go part-time. In an interview with Eamon Donoghue the former Pro12 winner with Connacht outlines how all this has exposed the uncertainty of life as a professional rugby player: "for all I know I could've played my last game of professional rugby."
Former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland player Michael Robinson sadly died of cancer in Madrid on Monday night. A player who made the very most of his talents before successfully establishing himself as an intelligent and engaging presenter on Spanish television. Mark Lawrenson recalls fond memories of his time playing with the talented striker. Following the French government's decision, Uefa could press ahead with plans to stage the final stages of the Champions League behind closed doors and at neutral venues. Representatives of Irish clubs, players and referees are to provide feedback to the FAI by the end of the week on a detailed document in which the association sets out how a return to training ahead of matches behind closed doors might be implemented in the event that restrictions relating to Covid-19 are eased significantly.
Meanwhile Ireland's racing authorities are still pinning their hopes on the first Classics of 2020 being run on schedule at the Curragh next month. The HRI has also conceded there will be job losses "across the board" at Tote Ireland on the back of a seven-year deal with the British Tote. The new deal between Tote Ireland and the UK Tote Group has been described as an alliance and Tote Ireland will remain a wholly owned subsidiary of the semi-state body.
