Notre Dame official collapses on flight home

US college football team Notre Dame’s celebrations were cut short after one of their officials collapsed on the flight home from Ireland.

A medical emergency was declared on board the team’s Delta flight after Ernest Jones, the college’s director of player development and engagement, fainted two hours before landing.

Jones is part of the administration staff behind the team which beat Navy 50-10 in the Emerald Isle Classic at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, the opening game in the US college football season.

But he became unwell and fainted about two hours before the flight was due to land at Michiana Regional Airport, in Indiana, in the early hours yesterday.

An ambulance was waiting and he was rushed to the Memorial Hospital in South Bend, where the university is located, where he was listed as “stable” last night.

He is expected to remain in hospital for more tests and treatment for dehydration.

Notre Dame’s athletic director Jack Swarbrick told a US website that they believe he will make a full recovery.

“All indications are is he is doing well. He experienced lightheadedness and an elevated heart rate.

“Fortunately, we have a lot of doctors as part of our crew and they took great care of him.

“The flight attendants did a great job and, as I say, everything looks great.

“As he headed out, he was alert, conscious and talking to everybody and saying he felt okay.”

Jones serves as a liaison between the players and coaches. He is a person that players go to if they have a concern or need help. He also helps coordinate community service projects and study hall sessions.

Around 50,000 people were in the Aviva to watch Saturday’s game.

It is estimated that the game, and the fringe events around it, will be worth €100m to the Irish economy.

It was sponsored by The Gathering Ireland — the Government’s major 2013 tourism initiative.

The event was beamed by CBS to a potential 115m US households, and by ESPN to over 20m across Europe.