Action has returned, and teams are back training collectively. But with a focus on winning championships in a short space of time, some managers might ask players to partake in a drinks ban. We asked three men if they think they work.

Stephen Griffin (St Naul’s, Donegal)

Q: How often have you taken part in drinks bans with the teams you have played on?

A few in the past but none as good few years.

Q: Have they worked?

Can’t say they’ve worked wonders no…especially when they got broken.

Q: What are the positives of a drinks ban?

Positives apart from physically helping would be it creates a positive spirit and unity in the squad.

Q: What are the negatives of a drinks ban?

If a ban is there and if it is broken it creates a friction and negative atmosphere in a squad and it’s always hanging over a team if they lose as an excuse.

Q: Will there be more or less drinks bans in the future? And why?

From what I’ve seen in the last 10 years, they are getting less and less and I think it will continue that way. It’s a players choice how much commitment they’re willing to give. With society changing and other sports more available younger people will not commit to something they don’t get enjoyment out of so to put a military like order on them just won’t work. To be successful at any level you’ll need a player-driven focus and commitment without orders being handed down on players.

Conor Moynagh (Cavan)

Q: How often have you taken part in drinks bans with the teams you have played on?

I guess underage they would have been a thing alright, like with the minor or u21 squads, so a number of times back then. But not so much in the last few years.

Q: Have they worked?

Yes. But I wouldn’t say I agree with them anymore.

As above, I’ve only really taken part while underage, but they did work then.

I’m not sure it’s the effect alcohol would ever have on a match performance, but it means lads are never hungover at the gym or at training, they can think clearer, train harder and become better.

However, I believe this can work in the right setting, and predominantly underage. Adults usually have the cop on not to be on the tear during the peak of season.

Q: What are thepositives of a drinks ban?

It also portrays a “buy-in” from the entire squad. It almost builds a cult psychology. However, I believe this can work in the right setting, and predominantly underage. I also believe it must be player-led. Managers piping at players doesn’t work. Peer-to-peer responsibility will make it effective. As I said, adults usually have the cop on not to be on the tear during the peak of season.

Q: What are the negatives of a drinks ban?

A: Players can revolt. If a drinks ban is broken it can cause fractures in the camp.

With the increasing hours spent training or somehow engaged with GAA by players nowadays (traveling to training, cooking, preparing, video-work), taking away the opportunity to switch off and have a couple of beers is only adding to this load.

Implementing one also conveys a message of distrust of the squad.

Q: Will there be more or less drinks bans in the future? And why?

Less. Nowadays, the stakes and demands are so high, and the margins are so small, that players know what they need to do to be at the top of their game. They don’t need to be forced in to a drinks ban.

Nial Smyth (Armagh)

Q: How often have you taken part in drinks bans with the teams you have played on?

When I played drink bans ( usually for the weekend of the match) were being introduced. So most championship weekends were dry. But it was up to yourself not drink when league matches were played at the weekend.

Q: Have they worked?

GAA was founded to bring communities together. Part of that was socialising with members of your on team and members of other teams I feel that drink bans have affected this part of GAA. I also feel that coming up to a drink ban encourages young footballers to binge drink.

It also sets the frame of mind of these players to bring drink directly after their team is put out of the championship. On the other hand the players can train and play at a higher level of fitness. But unfortunately a drinks ban does not improve a player’s natural ability.

Q: What are the positives of a drinks ban?

As above. Players can train at a higher level and their bodies can recover quicker. There’s also a discipline in having a drinks ban.

It’s better that a drinks ban is imposed by the players rather than the manager because if one of the players breaks the ban it’s the players’ responsibility to discipline the person rather than the manager.

Q: What are the negatives of a drinks ban?

If a player breaks it then it can affect the whole team and puts a lot of emphasis on a management team to react…. especially if it’s one of the better players. It can also cause frustrations within a team if the ban is too long. It can lead to binge drinking before and after the ban. It can lead to individual players sneaking off to drink.

Q: Will there be more or less drinks bans in the future? And why?

Unfortunately some managers use the drink ban to impose their own discipline measures without knowing their players as individuals. It’s nearly a given now that managers impose a ban but unfortunately this does not teach young players to respect drink.

Yes I do think there’ll be more drink bans and unfortunately it’s happening now at underage levels but as I said it doesn’t teach the young people about the dangers of drink but in fact highlights the idea to drink more of season.