The GPA's head of communications Sean Potts has backed up Clare's explanation as to why their hurlers missed two drug tests in March of last year.

Six other teams - the hurlers of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Tipperary as well as the Donegal and Kildare footballers - were also marked absent when drug testers arrived at their training grounds during 2013.

Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald revealed a mix-up over training venues was the reason they missed the testers and Potts remarked to the Irish Examiner: "There have been logistical issues but it would be wrong to read anything more into it.

"It would be mischievous to suggest there is anything else other than that.

"A lot of counties don't have training centres and sometimes they have to move around because of availability and weather issues.

"Communications have been tightening up, though, and the issues seem to be rectified."

Potts reaffirmed the GPA's support of drug testing: "It's something we take very seriously.

"We're talking about amateur players but it's important that there is full compliance with something we see as a major welfare component." Tweet

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