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From Pitch to Recovery: Derek O'Connor's Extraordinary Journey and the Vital Call for Cardiovascular Vigilance in Sports
By Rory Merriman
Athletes across all levels are often seen as unexpected victims of heart conditions, highlighting the harsh reality that no-one is exempt from the threat of cardiac infarction.
Recently, 29-year-old Luton Town footballer Tom Lockyer experienced a sudden cardiac arrest during a Premier League encounter with Bournemouth. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the shocking collapse witnessed in June 2021 when 30-year-old footballer Christian Eriksen faced a similar fate.
Here in Ireland, Tipperary's Dillon Quirke sadly passed away from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) while playing for his club Clonoulty-Rossmore in August 2022.
Adding to this unsettling trend, last September saw a distressing event unfold during a Dublin GAA Club championship game in Fairview Park.
Originally from Clondalkin, Croí Ró Naofa's Derek O'Connor (33) collapsed on the field while competing in a football championship match against Sr Josephs OCB, succumbing to a sudden and life-threatening cardiac arrest.
An incident like this so close to home underscores the urgent need for heightened awareness and comprehensive measures to address the risks we face with cardiovascular health.
Paul Moore (left) and Derek O'Connor (right) at Croí Ró Naofa's awards ceremony last year. Paul was honoured at the awards ceremony for his heroic actions.
"That morning I woke up as normal. I was feeling a bit tired, only because I had a pregnant girlfriend and she was up with pain most of the night," Derek O'Connor told Dublin GAA.
That morning O'Connor attended a birthday for his young nephew, where his brother told him "You don't look OK".
"I just put it down to being tired," he said.
"As I was opening an energy drink, I said to him I'll collapse on the field after this'," Derek joked. But little did he know of the harrowing afternoon ahead of him.
Derek arrived at Fairview Park for the game as normal.
"I've been told conditions were grand. A nice sunny day. Unfortunately, I don't remember any of it still to this day..."
The game got underway as normal with an afternoon throw-in in Clontarf.
"I had just scored a nice goal which is rare for me. A couple of seconds later I was doubled up on the ground."
As luck would have it, Paul Moore- a trained fireman- was an opposing player for St Josephs OCB. With his first aid training, Paul took immediate action.
"He told me he knew I was going into cardiac arrest, so he started doing chest compressions straight away," O’Connor revealed.
Paul hurried Croí Ró Naofa players to look for a defibrillator in the local area, where players and spectators then ran looking through shops and pharmacies to try to find one.
"One of the lads (Jack) had ripped one off a wall in Tesco I believe and handed it off halfway over as he was too tired to run anymore.
"One of the lads got it off Jack and ran to Paul who did his thing ‘til the ambulance got there."
O’Connor was rushed to the Mater Hospital, where it was revealed that his heart had stopped three separate times throughout ordeal.
The Clondalkin native remained in ICU for the following five days, where he had a stent inserted; a tiny metal coil inserted in the artery to keep it from closing again.
Miraculously, after a week of vigilant monitoring and comprehensive testing, Derek was able to bid farewell to the Mater Hospital and return to his home in Tallaght, having undergone a remarkable full recovery.
“I'm after making a full recovery, all thanks to the firefighters of Fairview fire station- and especially Paul.
"My teammates from Croí Ró Naofa and the club itself have been a great help throughout the whole ordeal and also a big thanks to the Mater Hospital staff,” O’Connor said.
The 33- year-old, who recently became a father to his third child, spoke about his return to football in the new year, “I was on the sideline for the rest of the year but I’m planning on starting again at the start of this season.”
Derek's harrowing experience on the GAA pitch is a poignant reminder that heart health should be a universal priority.
By learning from the incidents involving Lockyer, Eriksen, Dillon Quirke and Derek, we must recognise that cardiovascular well-being is a shared concern, transcending the boundaries of age, fitness and professional status.
Additionally, the crucial role of defibrillators in sports clubs and public spaces cannot be overstated. Derek's incident is a testament to the effectiveness of timely defibrillation in saving lives.
Advocating for widespread availability of defibrillators in clubs, parks and other recreational areas can significantly enhance our collective preparedness for such unforeseen cardiac events.
As such, the GAA's advice is to ACT to Ensure Heart Safety at your Club.
Further information about Defibrillator awareness can be found here.
While the GAA's advice on Cardiac Health can be found here.
Meanwhile, the Dillon Quirke Foundation aims to fund widespread cardiac screening for young people (aged 12-18) involved in sport. Further information can be found here.
