O'MAHONY HEARING: THE GAA anti-doping committee initiate their first proceedings this evening when Kerry footballer Aidan O'Mahony is provided a forum to explain why he tested positive for the banned substance salbutamol after the All-Ireland final on September 21st.
It was established last month that O'Mahony is a registered asthmatic and uses salbutamol as a method of treatment through an inhaler. It will be up to the three-time All-Ireland medallist to demonstrate the presence of the drug was for medicinal or therapeutic reasons.
It bodes well for the Cork-based Garda that his suspension, while awaiting a hearing, was subsequently lifted by the GAA in a direct indication that the case would be dismissed without sanction.
However, there is definite evidence that salbutamol is anabolic. The beta-2 agonist related product is clenbuterol ("angel dust" for cattle) and was often used by athletes in the past. Salbutamol is considered to be anabolic at greater than 1,000 nanograms per millilitre in the urine.
The levels of salbutamol in O'Mahony's system have yet to be revealed.
There is a laboratory test that tells whether it has been taken systemically rather than orally.
The GAA did confirm the hearing is taking place at an undisclosed location in Dublin, but would not reveal the make-up of their anti-doping committee and classed the case as an "internal hearing".
There is precedent in Irish sport for the use of salbutamol. Irish and Munster hooker Frankie Sheahan was banned for two years in 2003 due to an abnormally high level of salbutamol, but this was overturned on appeal when it was accepted that severe dehydration increased his levels.
