Almost 90% of Gaelic players binge drink during their off-season, while almost half of players take supplements that are not monitored by their club, a new study has found.

The study was carried out by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and is based on data from a survey of 2016 players. It found that GAA commitments can influence the education, career and welfare of players.

According to the findings, one in four players choose a career path after secondary school that facilitates them to play at senior inter-county level, and this percentage is higher among top-tier players.

However, over 80% of players report difficulties balancing the demands of studying and playing, with 80% missing lectures and 16% dropping out or having to repeat a year.

When it comes to alcohol, the study found that the proportion of senior inter-county players who consume alcohol is similar to the general male population of the same age.

However, these players tend to consume higher quantities of alcohol when they drink, particularly during the pre-season and off-season. In fact, almost 90% reported binge-drinking during the off-season.

When it comes to supplements, almost 90% of players said that they consume supplements and are recommended to do so by their teams.

However, the study noted that many players source their supplements from outside of the inter-county set-up, for example, from the internet. Furthermore, only over half of players indicated that supplement use is monitored within their team, leaving a significant number unmonitored.

Players said that the issues they would most like to change about their inter-county experience would be a reduction in the length of the playing season, fewer time commitments and the reintroduction of enjoyment into the games.

"As we strive for a modern form of sustainable amateurism where players understand the importance of their career outside of the game, and how to balance this with their inter-county commitments, this information is hugely beneficial.

"The report also underlines the need for a robust range of player development supports from the Gaelic Players Association (GPA). It shows us there is a growing need for more education and information for players about their roles and responsibilities as inter-county players, particularly around supplement usage and alcohol consumption," commented GPA chief executive, Paul Flynn.

Meanwhile, according to ESRI researcher and the study's lead author, Elish Kelly, "unless the underlying drivers that are giving rise to the current inter-county commitment levels are identified and addressed, the knock-on effects identified in this study are likely to be amplified among future generations of players".

"One of the main benefits of the current research is that players themselves have identified changes that could be made to assist with addressing some of these effects," she added.

This research was commissioned by the GAA and the GPA.