Unheard-of type of cardiac arrest left former Limerick minor in peril on pitch

In 2023, former Limerick minor hurling goalkeeper Mark O’Kelly went down with a rare cardiac arrest while playing for his club. 

Mark O'Kelly on his discharge from hospital.

Lining out for your local club is a privilege for many, but for Mark O’Kelly, it was almost the final thing he did on this earth.

On September 24, 2023, with the clock ticking towards full-time, Croom’s O’Kelly hit the surface at Granagh Ballingarrry’s ground in West Limerick following a collision. It was round five of Limerick’s Intermediate Hurling Championship, with Feohanagh Castlemahon the opposition.