Doctor welcomes defibrillator move

Dr Michael Healy of Riverfront Medical, found the Portstewart teenager’s heart had stopped after he collapsed less than ten minutes into a clash in the tournament a few months ago.

But following his quick intervention alongside local St John’s Ambulance staff Chris’ life was saved.

Four months later Chris has proudly launched the supply of the life-saving machines at all Milk Cup grounds next year.

In the aftermath of the life-or-death incident during the summer Dr Healy had called for defibrillators at every sports facility where high level sports are played.

He had also encouraged young people involved in sports to avail of cardiac screening where available.

He said the £6k investment was fantastic news but stressed it was equally important to have the right people in place at high level sporting events.

“It’s fantastic they are going to have defibrillators at the Milk Cup but we also need to have people in place with the confidence and the skills to use them.

“The other thing that really strikes me - and Chest Heart and Stroke (CHS) have a programme where they train first responders like PE teachers - it’s almost as important, if not more important, that not only do you have the equipment in place but that you have first responders who are confident enough and have the skills to keep the patient in a good condition until the equipment arrives,” he said.

Notwithstanding valid concerns about having the correct equipment, staff and procedures in place at sporting events Dr Healy said it was also important not to put people off engaging in physical activity.

“Anywhere you are going to expose people to extreme exercise you should have them in place,” he said. “On the other hand it is important too that we don’t make people afraid of exercises.”

Speaking at the launch of the defibrillator scheme the beneficiary of Dr Healy’s intervention said that, following the accident, it is unlikely he will be able to play football again.

“With advances in modern medicine and technology I suppose it’s probably not entirely out of the question but for the forseeable future I would say football is not on the horizon in terms of playing but that does not rule out coaching or any other side of the game,” said Chris.

He also revealed that he has no memory of his dramatic revival. “I had a short-term memory loss, which lasted for around two weeks. I wasn’t aware of what was happening at all. I was still in a daze in hospital.

“I have met up with the doctor who saved me - Dr Michael Healy - several times. I am just glad to be back on my feet and to see these defibrillators for the Milk Cup. You never think something like that will happen to you, until it does.”

The £6,000 cost for the defibrillators has been met by the Bertie Peacock Foundation which was established following the death in 2004 of Coleraine’s former Celtic and Northern Ireland footballer, a founding member of the international youth football tournament.

Foundation director Roger Dallas said: “I was at the game when Chris took unwell. It was a very worrying time obviously for the family and the player himself.

“But I believe that Bertie Peacock, who was such a driving force in youth football, would be proud that a foundation perpetuating his memory is taking a lead role in this issue and helping to preserve the lives of young footballers and indeed others.”

Milk Cup spokesman Jim Sandford admitted they had “never factored in the possibility of a young player suffering heart problems” and described Chris’ sudden collapse on the pitch as a “steep learning curve for those of us involved in organising the event”.

“It was a very difficult time for so many people,” he said. “But we have learned from it and now, because of the generosity of the Bertie Peacock Foundation, every Milk Cup activity at county level in the run-up to the competition and during the week will be covered by defibs.”