Over 100 retired Irish footballers will undergo health screening this week, as a part of an initiative to protect and enhance the wellbeing of former players.
The free screening is being offered to the ex footballers – men and women – by the Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association, set up almost two years ago to tackle a wide range of challenges encountered by retired players.
Cork-based Advanced Medical Services will provide the medical personnel and medical expertise for the two days of screening in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel in Athlone, starting today.
The ‘Watch Your House – And Your Health’ initiative will see the former players undergo a 20-minute screening, which will cover all aspects of their health.
The check will cover all aspects of their health, including a resting ECG and a comprehensive blood panel including cholesterol, blood sugar, liver and renal profile, full blood count, thyroid function and prostate specific antigen.
The former players will also be asked to complete a lifestyle and mental health questionnaire along with blood pressure and BMI measurement.
“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,” said Medical Director of Advanced Medical Services Dr Alan Byrne.
Dr Byrne is also active in a voluntary capacity with the IPFBA.
“The screening results will, I hope, encourage the members to engage with their GPs. The primary aim of this programme is prevention,” he said.
The Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association was formed in February 2024 and has raised more than €70,000 since its launch.
“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,” said IPFBA Chairperson Harry McCue.
The association is hoping the programme will help players, who for one reason or another, may have been avoiding a medical check-up.
“How many people, especially men, postpone trips to their doctor and sadly potentially fail to diagnose medical issues that need to be addressed?” asked Secretary of the IPFBA Martin Lawlor.
“This initiative offers the players the perfect opportunity to get these vital medical tests,” he added.
The screening is open to all former League of Ireland players, ex-Ireland senior internationals, and ex-women footballers who played for senior clubs prior to the establishment of the Women’s League of Ireland.