Player's collapse prompts Barry to call for urgent review

A Meath u-17 player collapsed in Darver yesterday before the Damien Reid Perpetual Cup tournament game against Louth which prompted Coaching Officer Eamonn Barry (pictured) to call for a review of the under-age structures locally at tonight's Co Board meeting in Navan.

The player who collapsed yesterday was part of the panel for the main game and was involved in a warm-up session with the rest of the panel only minutes ahead of the scheduled throw-in time.

The player was brought to hospital by ambulance and was accompanied by new Meath minor manager Eoin Carroll who then missed the game.

The player was detained in the Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda and was still there this evening although it is understood that he is recovering from his ordeal.

Barry outlined the details of the incident to delegates tonight and expressed his concern over the amount of games that young players in the age groups from 13 -17 have to play on a weekly basis as he urged delegates to take more of an active role in addressing the 'burn out issue'.

“I'm calling for a review of the under-age structures in Meath, what's going on is alarming, it's disturbing, two games in a day for a young player shouldn't be happening, but it is,” he commented.

“We will be looking into this,” stated Co Board chairman Conor Tormey.  

Conall Collier