Five years to the day from his cardiac arrest, Cathal Joyce is back on Cusack Park pitch

by David Flynn

For the first time since experiencing cardiac arrest at Mullingar’s Cusack Park, Cathal Joyce returns there for the senior county semi-final against Tyrrellspass on Sunday next.

Cathal is back up goalkeeper on the senior panel who will line out at Westmeath GAA headquarters five years to the very day of his heart incident before an Athlone v Rosemount match on September 13, 2015.

“I can’t wait to be back on the pitch, although I’ll be on the bench, but it’s still going to be great to be there,” said Cathal, who also lines out for Athlone’s junior side.

Both junior and senior teams are in county football championship semi-finals this weekend.

“I was 30 in August, and was 25 when the cardiac arrest happened, and it’s been five years hard work without giving up, and I’ve been mostly doing my own personal training over the lockdown, like going swimming and heading down to Athlone GAA three days a week and I do a good bit of golf,” he explained.

“On Saturday, I’ll be playing (for Athlone) in the junior semi-final in Ballymore against St Loman’s and, on Sunday, the senior team will be playing Tyrellspass.”

Cathal is an advocate for constant heart check-ups and has been a motivational speaker to numerous public groups and schools over the past few years.

“Athlone is ticking on, and hopefully we’ll win the senior championship.

“We’ve only won one match, and yet we’re in the semi-final, so maybe that’s the way to do it,” he said laughing.

Last Sunday he trained in the morning, returned home for breakfast, went to Tullamore to watch a match and then walked the dog.

He has a positive attitude and said he’s not scared of being back playing full-time sports despite his huge health challenges.

“What can I be scared of?” he asked. “I have to be grateful for what I can do, like getting up in the morning and returning to football pitches. I want to go and enjoy next Sunday and I want the team to win. We’ve a great chance of winning the junior semi-final against St Loman’s as well.”

Cathal was previously a corner forward, but said he would have done anything to get back on a pitch, and has played in goal to make that transition.