Players save their team mate’s life
COOLKENNO MAN DON COLLAPSED AT TRAINING ON FRIDAY
THE quick-thinking of team mates saved the life of Coolkenno GAA legend Don Jackman after he suffered Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) on Friday night in training.
Five fellow Cooolkenno Club members administered CPR and used an onsite defibrillator for 24 minutes in a desperate bid to revive the 39-year-old. They finally managed to get a heart rhythm just before a Cardiac Ambulance arrived to bring the patient to St James Hospital.
The defibrillator had to be used nine separate times in an effort to restore a normal heart rhythm.
Coolkenno GAA Chairman Ned Rossiter said everyone was left in complete shock as events unfolded.
‘Don was standing in the corner during training when he suddenly collapsed. Fortunately, we have club members who are trained in the use of defbrillators and they immediately sprung into action, It was an unreal situation and it gave everyone a real shock.
‘We were all very scared for him. We have to thank the quick-thinking of his team mates and the promptness of the emergency services. The incident just highlights how vitally important it is to have a defibrillator on site and to make sure it is always properly serviced,’ said Mr Rossiter.
Mr Jackman is currently being cared for at St James Hospital, where he is making progress and undergoing tests.
He has been an integral part of Coolkenno GAA since his childhood and won two Intermediate titles with the club, as well as a Senior Championship with St Mary’s. He has also represented his county at al levels.
Steven Cushe, Jim Cushe, Colin Murphy, Shaun Smyth and Cathal Rossiter were the main five people to come to his aid, along with other club mates.
‘All our thoughts and all our prayers are with Don and his family and we hope he makes a speedy recovery. I also have to thank Wicklow GAA and the many clubs who have been enquiring about Don’s well-fare over the last number of days,’ added Ned Rossiter.
On the Coolkenno GAA Facebook page, the Jackman family posted up a message sincerely thanking everyone for their efforts to revive Mr Goodman.
‘Denis , Geraldine, Ash and Ben want to thank the Coolkenno Hero’s from the bottom of our hearts.
Without your quick actions Don would have died and there’s no other way of saying it. The kindness, love and solidarity shown to us in the past 24 hours has lifted us through the darkest ever night.’