GAA warn counties over winter ban

The GAA have warned that any counties breaching the winter training ban will risk having payments from National League gates withheld.

GAA Operations Manager Feargal McGill insists the organisation are adopting a zero tolerance policy on clubs flouting the ban and will be investigating any reports of it being broken.

'If we hear definitely of any teams breaking the ban we'll certainly investigate it,' McGill told the Irish Times.

'We haven't received any concrete information on it so far. But we've clearly set down that we'll withhold elements of National League gate receipts if any county is blatantly disregarding it.

'But it's not about us chasing counties. It's about team managers using their cop-on. All the scientific and medial evidence suggests players are better off having a break at this time of year. It's good for them mentally and it's good for them physically.'

'We still believe that having a close season is a vital thing for the GAA,' added McGill. 'It happens in every other sport all around the world. Players have to rest. They have to recover.'