Fifty former footballers avail of the ‘Watch Your House – And Your Health!’ initiative in Athlone
The Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association (IPFBA) and leading healthcare company Advanced Medical Services (AMS) teamed up over two days this week in a ground-breaking initiative to protect and enhance the wellbeing of former football players.
From 10.30 on Thursday morning, when IPFBA chairperson Harry McCue underwent a series of tests, a total of 25 men and women availed of the programme during the day, with the same number scheduled to attend at Shamrock Lodge on Friday. The initiative was featured on RTÉ’s Six One news on January 8th (below).
Cork-based AMS is providing the medical personnel and expertise for the two days of screenings with the firm’s medical director, Dr Alan Byrne, overseeing matters, having played a key part in the establishment of the programme in his other role as a volunteer with the IPFBA.
“This is a historic move by the IPFBA and allows retired players to undergo the health screening that they may have been putting off for one reason or another.”
Harry McCue
“We are delighted with the response from our members in all parts of the country and the project’s success means that we will hold another screening programme in the future.”
Former player Mick Neville undergoing tests
The comprehensive screening programme targets all aspects of the participants’ health.
Dr Alan Byrne explained: “As part of this preventive health screening initiative we are asking the members to complete a lifestyle and mental health questionnaire along with blood pressure and BMI measurement.
“They will have a resting ECG (electrocardiogram) and a comprehensive blood panel including cholesterol, blood sugar, liver and renal profile, full blood count, thyroid function and prostate specific antigen.
“The screening results will be reviewed by a consultant cardiologist and the clinical director of AMS and reported confidentially to each member with specific recommendations when indicated.
“The screening results will, I hope, encourage the members to engage with their GPs. The primary aim of this programme is prevention.”
Former St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians’ goalkeeper Dave Henderson was one of the ex-players who availed of the screening programme, having already used the services of the IPFBA last year.
“When I faced a difficult situation in my life, the warm and genuine support of Harry McCue and Martin Lawlor in the IPFBA was really important in helping me address what had become a huge burden on me.”
Dave Henderson
He was joined in Athlone by fellow former League of Ireland stars Mick Neville, Gordon Brett, Alan Keane, Albert Finnin, Derek Swan, Donal Broughan and Brian Morrisroe.
IPFBA secretary Martin Lawlor is delighted with this significant development by the organisation that has raised €80,000 since its launch in February 2024, with these resources now funding ‘Watch Your House – And Your Health!’
“How many people, especially men, postpone trips to their doctor and sadly potentially fail to diagnose medical issues that need to be addressed?” said Martin. “This initiative offers the players the perfect opportunity to get these vital medical tests.”
CEO of AMS, Ed Donovan, is equally enthusiastic about the programme that will be extended in the future if demand dictates.
“Advanced Medical Services is honoured to forge this new relationship with the IPFBA and to extend our strong partnership with the Irish sporting world,” said Ed.
Advanced Medical Services has a strong presence in the Irish healthcare system, working across all sectors, private and public, including corporate, SMEs, hospitals, health insurance, schools and major sporting organisations.