Listen to the full interview with Colin via the podcast.

The GAA's ‘Off the Booze & On the Ball’ was launched just before Christmas with the aim of promoting a healthier lifestyle and moderate consumption of alcohol.

Now in its third year, GAA clubs and nine third-level institutions will take part and participants will abstain from alcohol for four weeks.

To discuss the initiative, GAA Health and Community ambassador and former Leitrim footballer Colin Regan popped into studio.

"It's part of the calendar and that's what we wanted from it. The ASAP (Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention) Programme is the origin of it. It's up and running since 2006. But clubs wanted something other than a simple programme where they have to adopt a policy and essentially be perceived to be wagging a finger and telling lads 'down with that sort of thing' in relation to drugs and alcohol," said Regan.

Colin Regan ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

"So we came up with a fun way for people to engage in this and sell a positive lifestyle message in non-threatening ways. There are two elements to it. Abstain from alcohol for four weeks at the start of the New Year and get on the ball by taking up a new healthy activity that you can carry through for the rest of the year."

Learn more about the initiative by listening to the full interview via the podcast.

Main image: Launch of the 2014 "Off The Booze, On The Ball" 26/11/2013  with Mayo footballer Cillian O'Connor, Dublin hurler Peter Kelly and GAA President Liam O'Neill ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan