Former Tyrone footballer had undiagnosed artery disease
THE heartbroken partner of former Tyrone goalkeeper Jonny Curran, who died at the weekend, said his loved ones have learned he was suffering from artery disease.
Clodagh Daly (28) said she had been “broken into pieces” by the loss of Jonny, with whom she has two boys, Neasan (8) and Darsai (4).
Jonny (33), who lived in Donaghmore, died after suddenly falling ill early on Sunday. His funeral takes place in Coalisland today.
The popular father-of-two was part of the Tyrone GAA team that won the 2004 All-Ireland minor championship, and part of the 2008 senior squad that beat Kerry to lift the Sam Maguire.
In an emotional interview, Clodagh said Jonny’s family and loved ones were “distraught” at his passing, with their sons just “broken” at the loss of their father.
“He did everything for everybody, no matter who they were. He would never have said no to anybody. The smile on his face all the time – he was the happiest person in the world,” she said.
“He just adored us three. He told us every day how much he loved us, how happy he was.
“The oldest boy, Neasan, is just very upset. He’s coming to me, ‘I miss Daddy too, but I’m going to be strong for you, Mummy’.”
Clodagh recalled the devastating moment Jonny became unwell at their home.
He had just checked on their sons before returning to their bedroom.
“He just came into bed and he put his foot over and rubbed my foot and then his breathing was very, very bad and I jumped out of bed to get him around, and rang the ambulance within seconds of it happening,” she said. “Then that was just it, there was no coming back from it.”
She explained it has since emerged that Jonny had artery disease, a condition that had gone undiagnosed.
“We don’t know how long he had it but it’s just been an underlying issue which has never been brought to our attention. It was never suspected at all,” she said.
She said he was always in the gym, even though he had been waiting over a year for a operation for an injured knee.
“But he still got on with things, even though his knee was killing him. He would never complain at all.”
Jonny (33) died after suddenly falling ill on Sunday