Down referee saved by medics after heart attack on pitch

A DOWN referee, 46, is stable but still in a critical condition in hospital after he collapsed during a club championship game in Newry on Sunday night.

Thousands of people watched as a defibrillator was used to resuscitate Gabriel Tumelty in the tie between Burren and Longstone at Páirc Esler. He was then taken to Daisy Hill Hospital for treatment.

According to the BBC, medical staff from both football teams and three doctors who were watching the game came to the referee’s assistance when he collapsed with just minutes remaining.