Footballer, 16, forced to retire due to rare medical condition | Football
A promising footballer tipped as a future Ireland international has been forced to retire at the age of 16 due to a rare medical condition.
Ben Dumigan was set to join Bundesliga side Hoffenheim from boyhood club Cork City in January when medical tests revealed he had a rare heart problem.
A team of consultant cardiologists in Cork confirmed a diagnosis of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) after the issue was flagged by Hoffenheim’s medical team.
HCM, which affects about 1 in 500 of the UK population, causes abnormal thickening of a part of the heart muscle.
Those with HCM can live a long and healthy life – and enjoy many types of moderate exercise safely – but the stress that competitive football places on the heart puts sufferers at a higher risk of developing a potentially fatal irregular heart rhythm, or arrhythmia.
As a result promising teenage footballer Duligan has been forced to retire.
His talent was recognised at the start of the season by Cork City registering him as a first-team squad player. Duligan also represented Ireland at U15, U16 and U17 level.
‘Announcing my retirement from competitive football at such a young age is something I never imagined I would ever have to do,’ he told Cork City’s official website.
‘The diagnosis has been a shock and the past number of weeks have been very challenging.
‘Even though I can never play football again the diagnosis may have saved my life, and I am very grateful for that.
‘I feel overwhelmed by the amount of support that I have received and I want to thank everyone at Hoffenheim, at CAA Base, everyone at my schoolboys club Midleton FC and my school Midleton CBS for their support.
‘I also want to thank my friends and family for their love and support. In particular I want to thank everyone at Cork City, especially Liam Kearney who has been incredibly supportive during what has been a very difficult time.’
Liam Kearney, Head of Academy at Cork City, added: ‘Ben’s talent as a footballer was clear for all to see in his time with us, and that was reflected in the international call-ups and the fact that he was on the verge of a move to a club of Hoffenheim’s stature.
‘Ben has our absolute support as he leaves his playing career behind him, and we will continue to do anything we can to help him to adjust to this very significant change in his life.
‘Our thoughts are with him at what has been a very difficult time, but I have been so impressed by the positivity and resilience Ben has shown in dealing with this news; qualities that I have no doubt will stand to him in the future.’
Ireland Football posted a message of support to the youngster, writing: ‘Wishing Ben Dumigan the very best after his retirement from football at the age of 16 due to a diagnosis of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).
‘Ben is a former Ireland Boy’s Under-15, Under-16 & Men’s Under-17 international after progressing through the ranks of Cork City’s academy. We’re all with you, Ben.’
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Footballer, 16, forced to retire due to rare medical condition | Football
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