Under-19s withdraw from World Cup

MEDICAL examinations have confirmed that Irish U19 flanker John McCall died of cardiac failure during the weekend’s World Cup clash against New Zealand in Durban.

The devastated Irish squad were making plans to return home today after withdrawing from the tournament in the wake of the tragedy. As a mark of respect, a minute's silence will be observed before each of the games tomorrow, the day Ireland were due to play their second fixture against Japan.

It also emerged that the IRFU organised immediate counselling for McCall’s grief-stricken colleagues to help them come to terms with the loss of a team-mate.

An IRFU spokesman explained: “We have to remember the age profile of these players, most of whom would never have faced a situation like this in their lives. They are young enough to have grandparents and maybe even great grandparents.

“This would have come as a huge shock to them all and the squad received immediate back-up in terms of counselling to help them come to terms with this unbelievable tragedy.”

IRFU senior vice-president Barry Keogh has shelved plans to travel to South Africa following yesterday's decision by the management of the team to return home.

Union chiefs gave the U19 management team of Michael Cunningham (manager) and Pat Murray (coach) the opportunity to make the final decision after consultation with the players.

The IRB has joined forces with host nation South Africa to help with travel arrangements although there is, apparently, some difficulty in securing the number of seats required on the same flight.

The IRB said they fully support the decision to return home and will be assisting the Irish management and team in any way during the coming days.

McCall, 18, collapsed midway through the first half of the match against New Zealand.

There have been suggestions that kick-off times for further matches in the tournament should be moved to later in the evening to avoid a repeat of conditions described by many to have been unbearable.

An IRB spokesperson admitted: “Only once we have the results of the postmortem, can we start answering other questions.”

Temperatures on the day were in the mid to high twenties and humidity was close to 100%.