Football

McConville to give talk on gambling addiction

ARMAGH legend Oisin McConville will speak about his gambling addiction at a seminar in Owenbeg tomorrow night.

The former Allstar, who played a key role in his county's 2002 All-Ireland success, revealed in 2007 that he had a gambling addiction which left him with debts of more than £100,000.

The Crossmaglen man later detailed his struggle in his autobiography The Gambler, in which he described losing £10,000 in one day.

He has since become a trained counsellor and has had a hand in helping shape the GAA's new Health and Wellbeing initiative, which will see every club appoint a Health and Wellbeing officer.

Tomorrow night's event will mark the official launch of the Derry GAA Health and Wellbeing Officer. McConville be one of four speakers at the event, along with Emmett Haughian (GAA Community Health and Wellbeing manager), director of the White Oaks Rehabilitation centre, Stephen McLaughlin and Michael Lynch, managing director of Men's Action Network based in Derry.

Michael Crilly, chairman of the Derry Health and Wellbeing Committee who also works for Men's Action Network as a counsellor, says that by speaking out, high-profile figures such as McConville and Offaly's Niall McNamee are helping to erase the stigma associated with men asking for help.

"Oisin is high-profile and just like other players such as Niall McNamee, Alan O'Mara and Conor Cusack, who have come through difficulties and come out the other side, and are now willing to help others.

"To us, this is essential. It's critical to building up the community organisation side of the GAA, because that's what the GAA is. It's not just focussed on games."

For further information on the Owenbeg event, which is open to all, contact Michael Crilly on 0796 952 7058.