GAA girl recovers after fall in match

GAA girl recovers after fall in match

31 August 2016

A YOUNG Gaelic footballer is recovering after losing consciousness during a match at the weekend.

Caitlín McCartan, who plays for Bryansford, was rushed to hospital on Saturday after suffering seizures in a match near Castlewellan.

Caitlín, who is in her early 20s, was taken to the intensive care unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital after appearing to sustain a serious neck injury.

Yesterday a spokeswoman for the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said Caitlin had been moved out of intensive care and remained in hospital in a stable condition.

Caitlín was playing in a Down Senior Ladies Football Championship semi-final fixture between Bryansford and Castlewellan at St John’s GAC, Drumnaquoile, on Saturday evening when the incident occurred.

Spectators described how Caitlín tripped over another player and fell to the ground, injuring her neck.

While on the ground, she is understood to have suffered multiple seizures. A defibrillator was quickly made available as a precaution but did not need to be used. The match was abandoned with 12 minutes remaining.

Caitlín, a former pupil of St Malachy’s High School in Castlewellan, was taken by ambulance to the hospital in Belfast.

Bryansford club chairman Peter Brannigan, who was watching the match, said the injury to the popular young player had stunned teammates, opponents, officials and spectators.

“She tripped over another girl who was on the ground and landed on her neck,” Mr Brannigan said.

“Everybody rallied around and did what they could do to help, especially the Castlewellan girls, a couple who were nurses.

“She was taken to the Royal where she is improving, Her family was sent for in the middle of the night.

“She is not out of the woods yet, but the signs are encouraging. It has been quite a shock for everyone and I wish her a speedy recovery.”

A spokesman for the club added: “Everyone at Bryansford GAC would like to send their best wishes to our senior ladies’ player Caitlín McCartan, who sustained a serious injury playing against Castlewellan in the championship on Saturday night.

“Her and her family remain in our thoughts and prayers at this time.”

A spokesman for Castlewellan GAC said: “Caitlín’s well-being was everyone’s concern. Both clubs’ players and officials rallied around to care for Caitlin, waiting for the medical services to arrive.

“The thoughts and prayers of Castlewellan GAC are with Caitlín, her family and the Bryansford club as she makes her recovery.”

Friends on social media were offering their support and prayers to Caitlín.

Down Ladies County Board and Castlewellan GAC tweeted: “On behalf of the Down Ladies County Board and fellow gaels we would like to send best wishes to Caitlín McCartan.”