Former Meath captain Shane McAnarney has revealed the extent of the serious cardiac condition that has forced him out of Gaelic football for good.
McAnarney, who is recovering from a double bypass operation he underwent eight weeks ago, was told that his heart could have stopped at any time due to the exertions involved in being an elite sportsman.
Damage to the wall of one of his blocked arteries appeared to confirm that the 2012 Leinster final captain had even suffered a mild heart attack at some stage, which went undetected.
“The one (artery) that was blocked completely, there is damaged tissue around the wall, so I did have a slight heart attack at some stage that I didn’t realise or know about,” he said.
McAnarney underwent surgery after two blocked arteries were discovered last July, following routine cardiac screening of the Meath squad in April.
He admitted he was lucky that such a programme was in place for him to avail of and has implored other players to take up the opportunity.
He also paid tribute to the Gaelic Players Association, which has met the