Heart failure the cause of O’Donnell’s death

MOTHERWELL captain Phil O’Donnell died of heart failure, a postmortem examination has confirmed.

O’Donnell, 35, collapsed during Saturday’s Premier League game against Dundee United. The club doctor said: “The postmortem revealed Phil had suffered left ventricular failure of the heart.” O’Donnell’s funeral service will take place in Hamilton on Friday.

Meanwhile, O’Donnell’s widow yesterday spoke publicly for the first time since his death on the field. Mrs O’Donnell said she has been left “devastated” by her husband’s death, adding he would want to be remembered as a family man. Mrs O’Donnell, mother of the couple’s four children, visited a tribute created by fans of scarves, strips and pictures at Motherwell’s Fir Park ground.