Northern Ireland

All-Ireland winner pays tribute to Cormac Trust at Irish News awards after defibrillator saved his father's life

Tyrone All-Ireland winner Conor Gormley paid tribute to the charity set up in memory of late team mate Cormac McAnallen after a defibrillator saved his father's life
Tyrone All-Ireland winner Conor Gormley paid tribute to the charity set up in memory of late team mate Cormac McAnallen after a defibrillator saved his father's life Tyrone All-Ireland winner Conor Gormley paid tribute to the charity set up in memory of late team mate Cormac McAnallen after a defibrillator saved his father's life

TYRONE All-Ireland winner Conor Gormley has paid tribute to the charity set up in memory of late team mate Cormac McAnallen after his father's life was saved by a defibrillator.

Sean Gormley collapsed while watching his son play earlier this month, but was revived by people trained in the use of the heart device.

Carrickmore had been facing Ardboe in a Division 1 league game when the 62-year-old took ill.

Conor Gormley rushed from the field to be by his father's side as the match was stopped while efforts were made to resuscitate him.

Mr Gormley was taken by ambulance to Craigavon Area Hospital and is now well recovered.

Conor told volunteers gathered at the Irish News School, Club and Volunteer Awards yesterday that "it would have been a different story" without the defibrillator.

"What happened down in Ardboe one evening, all straight off the sad news that friend and teammate of mine Cormac McAnallen sadly passed away in 2004 - getting defibrillators out there with the Cormac Trust," he said.

"I have to thank the people down in Ardboe.

"When my father collapsed, when I arrived it wasn't so calming. The nurses there kept me calm and kept on.

"Only for them and work being done there would have been a different story for my father."

The Cormac Trust has worked to have heart defibrillators installed in all sports clubs.

Yesterday's event saw a special award go to Ardboe GFC in recognition of its efforts that night.

Mr Gormley received the award from Irish News editor Noel Doran to deliver it to members of the club.

The Carrickmore man, who won three All-Ireland medals with Tyrone and three All Star awards, paid tribute to the commitment of volunteers in the association.

"The special thing in GAA in this island, absolutely massive and very special, is schools, clubs and volunteers - those three things keep it going," he said.

"The defibrillator was ready and volunteers were trained how to use it."

Mr Gormley has stressed the importance of every sports club having a working defibrillator.