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Fermanagh youth team rescued from Donegal beach

Tullan Strand in Co Donegal
Tullan Strand in Co Donegal Tullan Strand in Co Donegal

A MAJOR rescue operation was launched at the weekend after a group of youth footballers were swept out to sea by a potentially deadly rip tide.

The Fermanagh Super Cup squad was caught up in the emergency at Tullan Strand, near Bundoran, in Co Donegal on Saturday.

Members of the youth squad, who had been training on the beech, entered the water to cool down when the session was over but got caught up in the strong rip tide which carried them onto nearby rocks.

A Sligo based rescue helicopter and inshore lifeboat rushed to the scene as surfers helped some of the young footballers to safety.

The lifeboat crew provided first aid to eight of the players before ambulances arrived at the scene.

It is understood some of the players suffered bruising and swallowed sea water and several were taken to Sligo University Hospital as a precaution.

Co Fermanagh Super Cup NI chairperson Dessie Kerr said its premier team had been on a "team building exercise".

"We are pleased to say that all the boys are alright," he said.

"Our attention at this minute is making sure that the boys are looked after and in time we will look at exactly what happened.

"We are glad and relieved that all involved have now returned home safely and we will be supporting all affected, in any way that we can, over the coming days."

Bundoran RNLI helm James Cassidy warned visitors to the area about the dangers of rip currents.

"We would remind locals and visitors alike that Tullan Strand and particularly the area along the cliffs is notorious for rip currents and under currents and is really not suitable for swimming,” he told the BBC.