- A 16 -year -old footballer has been forced to retire due to a rare medical condition
- The player had been experiencing tests before a transfer to Hoffenheim
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A 16 -year -old footballer has been forced to retire due to a rare medical condition.
The defender of the city of Cork, Ben Dumigan, had undergone medical tests in January before a transfer to Hoffenheim when he received a diagnosis of hypertrophic myocardiopathy (HCM).
HCM causes abnormal thickening of a part of the heart muscle.
The club declared that Dumigan will be able to live a long and healthy life and can enjoy many types of moderate exercises safely.
However, the stress that competitive football puts in the heart puts Dumigan at a greater risk of developing a potentially fatal irregular heart rate or arrhythmia.
TO Pork City statement Read: 'With a heavy heart that today we confirm the retirement of the young 16 -year -old defender, Ben Dumigan.
The 16 -year -old Cork City defender, Ben Dumigan, has been forced to retire due to a rare medical condition
Cork City issued a statement confirmed that Dumigan has been forced to withdraw
At the end of January, while undergoing medical tests before signing for the Bundesliga Club Hoffenheim, Ben received a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
Dumigan joined Cork as a player of children under 14 years old from his Midleton school club and was assigned a squad number of the first team before the 2025 season.
He had also represented the Republic of Ireland at the level of children under 17.
Dumigan admitted his shock for the diagnosis and expressed his gratitude for the support he has received.
Dumigan said: 'Advertising my retirement from competitive football at such an early age is something I never imagined I would have to do.
'The diagnosis has been a shock and the last number of weeks has been very challenging. Although I will never play football again, the diagnosis may have saved your life, and I am very grateful for that.
'I feel overwhelmed by the amount of support I have received and I want to thank everyone in Hoffenheim, at the CAA base, everyone in my Midleton FC school club and my Midleton CBS school for their support. I also want to thank my friends and family for their love and support. In particular, I want to thank everyone in Cork City, especially Liam Kearney, who has been incredibly solidary during what has been a very difficult time ''
The head of the City Academy, Liam Kearney, said: 'Ben's talent as a footballer was clear to see in his time with us, and that was reflected in international calls and the fact that he was on the verge of a transfer to a club of Hoffenheim stature.
'Ben has our absolute support when he leaves his career as a player behind him, and we will continue to do our best to help him adapt to this significant change in his life.
'Our thoughts are with him in what has been a very difficult time, but I have been very impressed the positivity and resistance that Ben has demonstrated when dealing with this news; The qualities that have no doubts will support you in the future.