Former Kerry Star Embarks on 200km Run for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) Initiative, Raising Awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome
Former Kerry football star Aidan O’Mahony has taken on a remarkable challenge to raise awareness for the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) initiative. Alongside his friend Eoin O’Shea, O’Mahony will attempt to run an impressive 200km between November 1st and December 14th. The aim is to highlight the importance of addressing sudden adult death syndrome, a condition that affects hundreds of Irish families each year.
The passing of Cormac McAnallen in 2004 was a tipping point for Ireland in terms of understanding sudden adult death syndrome. However, many families continue to be impacted by cardiac deaths in young individuals. These tragic occurrences often strike without warning signs or prior indications of cardiac failure.
For O’Mahony, the significance of CRY’s work in supporting affected families hit home when he connected with the parents of Niamh Herlihy. Niamh, a healthy 20-year-old from Limerick, sadly succumbed to sudden cardiac arrest in April 2011. Later that year, 15-year-old Darra O’Donovan from the same area also passed away under similar circumstances.
As a parent, losing a child is the worst thing in the world, says O’Mahony, a father of two young daughters. When I spoke with Liam and Marie, Niamh’s parents, I realized how vital CRY’s work is for families who have experienced sudden cardiac deaths.
O’Mahony draws inspiration from the strength and bravery of those he encountered during his participation in two Camino treks. Listening to their stories and connecting with families affected by the loss of a child deeply moved him.
Every week, one young person in Ireland dies suddenly from inherited cardiac conditions, affecting approximately 10,000 individuals who carry gene mutations. CRY addresses this issue by providing free clinical assessment and management services to families dealing with inherited cardiac conditions or who have suffered a sudden cardiac death.
O’Mahony retired from intercounty football in January 2017 but continues to contribute to the sport. Last season, he was part of Rathmore’s triumphant journey to victory in the All-Ireland intermediate club championship. Following talks of retirement, O’Mahony surprised many by joining the Rathmore juniors this season as their full forward.
Reflecting on the Kerry football scene, O’Mahony attended the Kerry SFC final on Sunday, where East Kerry emerged as the winners against Mid Kerry. The divisional system has seen district teams claim four out of the last five championships, leading to growing discussions about potential structural changes. Some suggestions include increasing the number of senior-level teams from the current eight. O’Mahony, who was part of the celebrated 1997-99 East Kerry three-in-a-row jubilee team honored at the match, believes that the implementation of the split season has influenced the dynamics of the club football season in the county.
Looking ahead to Kerry’s prospects in 2024, O’Mahony believes that an injection of fresh talent could rejuvenate the team. However, he noted that Kerry will miss the contributions of the hard-working Jack Barry.
Despite the challenges posed by sudden adult death syndrome, initiatives like CRY and the endeavors of individuals like Aidan O’Mahony and Eoin O’Shea bring hope and awareness to the cause. Their 200km run serves as a reminder that addressing cardiac risk and supporting affected families is critical. Through their collective efforts, they embody the spirit of resilience and determination that can make a difference in preventing tragic losses due to sudden adult death syndrome.
