GAA Helping HSE With Drinking Awareness Campaign

A campaign launched by the Gaelic Athletic Association and the U.K. Health & Safety Executive to "drink less and gain more -- on and off the pitch" -- highlighted the association’s move away from sponsorship by alcohol and gambling companies, according to Gavin Cummiskey of the IRISH TIMES. The Irish Congress passed a motion last February to ban all gambling sponsorship but Guinness "remain linked" to the GAA via the "Bound Together" campaign. GAA Community & Health Manager Colin Regan said, "Look outside there and you’ll see no alcohol sponsorship [in Croke Park]. We feel the 'drink less, gain more' message fits perfectly for our players in terms of their on-field performance." The GAA and HSE partnership will host an "alcohol-free" area in the Cusack Stand during the All-Ireland football semifinal on Aug. 11. HSE's clinical lead for obesity, Donal O'Shea, said, "It is kind of radical for the biggest sporting organization in the country to stand up this visibly and support this campaign" (IRISH TIMES, 8/1).