Newtown former defender and converted winger Kieran "Alf" Brophy has given a brutal and damning assessment of the extent of gambling in football.

The former North Tipp international reckons the problem is so rife some players might even resort to stealing money from their children's savings to recoup losses.

Alf told the Mayo Post: "I was watching one Premiership game not long ago and a player went off. It was said he was injured but he didn't look injured. I suspect he'd had a bad day at the races.

"And there are so many opportunities now for gambling. They can do it not just at a casino or at a race track, but also through the internet in the hotel the night before a game. It can be just as dangerous as any other addiction.

"They lose their self-respect and before they know where they are, they are nicking money out of their kids' savings to have a bet. It is something about which the clubs need to be aware. It is difficult to trace - but it can cause a lot of damage to the individual."

Alf’s comments come in the wake of Ardcroney player Cormac Ryan’s admission that he had lost 4,000 gambling in a casino.

Newtown mid-fielder Colm O' Brien also admitted that playing cards for money was a regular pastime on the team’s travels, although Barry Park authorities stressed that only token amounts were involved.