ALL-IRELAND winner Conn Kilpatrick has revealed his battle with gambling addiction.
The Tyrone GAA star, who was part of the team that brought glory to their home county in last month’s decisive 2-14 to 0-15 win over Mayo, racked up thousands of pounds in debts through betting, he confirmed.
In an interview with RTE’s Claire Byrne Live, the footballer admitted his addiction had seen him rack up debts of up to £15,000 prior to his getting help for the condition.
The sportsman, who last made a bet on February 27, 2018, his 21st birthday, claims it was being “caught” that forced him to change his ways.
“I stopped because I was caught, I make no qualms about it,” he sid.
“I was caught at the end of the day, I didn’t come forward and own up to my addiction.”
He explained: “I just done too many things to too many people and borrowed that much money people got tired of it and got fed up, and I was caught.”
Kilpatrick embarked on counselling to help with his addiction.
The Edendork clubman said it was support from family and friends that has helped him keep gambling out of his life.
