Cliftonville keeper Brush’s health scare

CLIFTONVILLE goalkeeper Richard Brush is recovering in hospital after a serious health incident.

While there has been no disclosure of exactly what happened, the club yesterday confirmed that the 33-year-old player was rushed to hospital after suddenly falling ill following Monday night’s home win over Newry City. The Reds had moved up to fourth in the Danske Bank Premiership after defeating the bottom side 3-1 at Solitude.

It was after the game on his way home from the north Belfast stadium that the father-ofone took ill in his car and had to pull over.

He remained in hospital yesterday, where he was still undergoing tests.

“It is understandably a very concerning time for Richard and his family, but we should respect their privacy,” Cliftonville manager Barry Gray said.

“I have been keeping in touch with Richard and was talking to him today.

“He seems to be a lot better and the hospital are due to run more tests this afternoon.

“It was a serious incident on Monday night and thankfully he got to hospital for treatment as quickly as he did.”

Fans took to social media following the news to wish the player a speedy recovery.

Birmingham-born Brush was part of current Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill’s Shamrock Rovers side that famously graced the group stages of the Europa League in 2011.

Earlier this year the popular former Ballinamallard United goalkeeper announced he was quitting football altogether after the Fermanagh club was relegated from the Danske Bank Premiership in April.

He later shocked Mallards fans when he put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Cliftonville, explaining that a job change was the reason he retired and then returned.

Just hours after signing his two-year deal in July, Brush was thrown straight into a friendly — against Ballinamallard.

He lives in Sligo with his wife Stacey and their little girl Amelie (9).

Hospitalised: Richard Brush