Man’s life saved at GAA match

MEMBERS and volunteers of Mayo GAA were thanked for their quick thinking in saving a man’s life at an underage football match last August.
At last week’s Mayo GAA Board monthly meeting, correspondence was read out from The Neale GAA club which extended its thanks to those involved in saving the life of Neale supporter Jay Hughes.
Mr Hughes had been attending the Mayo Under-14 ‘B’ Championship final between The Neale and Mayo Gaels when he took ill with an irregular heartbeat.
The letter, written by club secretary Brian O’Malley and read out by Mayo GAA Board secretary Vincent Neary, said: “On behalf of The Neale GAA Club and the family of Jay Hughes, we would like to take this opportunity to thank certain members of Mayo GAA.”
The club noted that it was the ‘quick thinking of those around him and those present at MacHale Park that helped save his life’.
“We also ask that the County Board acknowledge the quick action of the ambulance service and the staff of Mayo General Hospital,” the letter continued.
The letter acknowledged just how lucky Mr Hughes was by stating that for every 2,000 people that the defibrillator is used for in an emergency situation, only 100 make it.
“We want to thank Karen King from Mayo Gaels GAA Club, who also had two sons playing in the game, and is the main reason Jay is alive today. Also from [our] own club, Paul Vahey, Michelle Costello, Rita Varley, David McGrath and Declan Hughes.”
Others who were thanked included Peter Geraghty, who was a steward on the night and to Con Moynihan, chairman of Bord na nÓg.
The letter finished, ‘To all a great debt is owed, and on behalf of Jay, we say a big thank you.’
Speaking at the meeting, The Neale’s County Board delegate James Waldron said he would like to add praise for the ‘swift action’ of caretaker Phil Heneghan.