Meathman's Diary: Eriksen scare a reminder to enjoy every moment

JIMMY GEOGHEGAN

Those who saw the images of Christian Eriksen receiving urgent attention on the pitch after he collapsed during the Euro 2020 game between Denmark v Finland were no doubt shocked by what they saw.

After all here was a young man (he's 29) supremely fit, suddenly dropping and almost passing away due of a cardiac arrest. His life was saved but sadly others have not been so lucky.

Death in any sporting arena always carries with it a added level of shock - because it is so unexpected. Sadly, some young men have died from knocks sustained on playing fields of Meath over the years. Some of those tragedies are highlighted in Mick O'Brien's fine book on the early years of Meath GAA - 'Royal and Loyal.'

Back in 1888, Patrick Heeney, who was playing for the Ladyrath Parnells died as a result of an injury he picked in a game in Athlumney against Dublin Emmets. It appears Patrick died from a blow that ruptured his liver.

In August 1938 Martry and Kilbeggan played a challenge game at Rathmore. Included in the Martry line-up was Tommy Coogan, who worked as an assistant grocer in a shop in Navan. Tommy jumped for a high ball and fell to the ground.

He said, at first he would continue on but was unable to do so. He went home but he later attended a doctor in Kells before he was admitted to the hospital in Navan. He underwent an operation but unfortunately died. His funeral took place just five days after the game.

In August 1940 Castletown played Syddan in an intermediate championship football game at Tankardstown. During the second-half one of Syddan's players, Tom Keegan, went up for a ball with a number of others. He received a blow to the head and fell to the ground. All who witnessed the event said it was purely accidential.

He was taken to Richmond Hospital, Dublin where he passed away just two days after the match. He was 26. "No blame could be attached to anyone, it was tragic, the simple way it happened," the referee Mr W Smith (Martry) wrote in his match report. Tom Keegan was a farmer and a blacksmith.

In 1953 the Syddan club presented the cup to the Co Board bearing his name. The trophy is presented each year to the winners of the Meath senior football championship, something that ensures his memory lives on.

There have been others too who have taken fatal knocks on the playing fields of the county - including a few who, like Eriksen, were playing a game of soccer and took a blow that sadly led to their all too untimely death. Young men who passed all too soon.

What happened to Eriksen and the death of young men like Patrick Heeney, Tommy Coogan and Tom Keegan remind us of the fragility of life - and how we should seek to enjoy every moment.