The importance of Cry Screening in the Gaelic community.

Everyone in the Gaelic world knows of the sudden death of Tyrone footballer Cormac Mc Anallen in 2004 from an undetected heart condition. This is all the more tragic as with some modern non invasive tests this might have been prevented. CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) is a London based organisation that provides screening, counselling and research into the cause of these cardiac conditions.

While the screening is detailed it is a relatively easy, non-invasive procedure which provides immediate results with a care pathway for ongoing procedures. The screening is for anyone aged between 14 and 35 to identify who might have a precondition that might need further investigation. The scary statistics are that 12 young people every day in the UK die from an undiagnosed cardiac condition. Of these most are fit, healthy and involved in regular sporting activities.

CASE STUDY

Ethan Higgins from County Antrim club Tír na nÓg was just 15 in April 2017 when he went to his club along with 240 others for testing. At the time Ethan was an integral part of the clubs Under 16 and Minor Football and hurling teams and was in the local press as the “History Maker” as the first person to score at the new Antrim Training Grounds when he scored the first point in his teams U16 County Championship victory.

The club had invited CRY Screening to the pitch with the Child Protection Officer Collette Fitzgerald driving the initiative forward. After a short 10 minute consultation Ethan and his parents were informed that Ethan had a condition that needed further investigation and he should stop playing all sport from that point on. This as we all know was very difficult to tell a young “fit” lad to stop playing and initially it was hard to take in especially as his teams where depending on him and they were being successful. Ethan felt 100% and had no other symptoms.

A referral was made to see a Cardiac consultant in July 2017 and he confirmed that Ethan needed a Heart procedure and until carried out he had to refrain from any sport. The condition highlighted was Wolff-Parkinson-Whyte Syndrome which causes the heart to beat abnormally fast for periods of time – the cause is an electrical connection in the heart. He expressed upon the family the risks were just too high to continue playing sport.

Fast forward September 2017 and Ethan was admitted for his operation. After approx. 45 minutes using Key hole surgery the operation was complete and the surgeon thankfully was able to confirm that the operation was a success and that with a bit of rest there was no reason for Ethan not to get back to playing sport.

Initially the recovery was difficult as naturally Ethan felt he had lost ground within the team and perhaps felt that he would not get back to the levels he had played before the diagnosis. By November 2017 (only 2 months after the operation) Ethan was back on the team although still clearly not himself as his confidence was low. Thankfully by February 2018 the signs were good and the “Old” Ethan was emerging and he got a call up to the Antrim U16 Development Squad. The season continued and by the end it was as if he had never been away.

Fast forward to May 2019 and Ethan has just finished up with the Antrim U17 team having played in every match and even Captaining them in a pre-season match against Meath and is an important member of the Tír na nÓg Minor Hurling and Football teams.

Without CRY this story might not have such a happy ending. No one wants to see another Cormac Mc Anallen situation and surely it is better to get screened and get the all clear than find out when it’s too late.  Ethan is proof that prevention is better than the alternative. Tír na nÓg will be holding another CRY event on October 26^th and 27^th 2019 and would encourage clubs to get involved.

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