Sudden Adult Death Syndrome has claimed the life of another young GAA player.

Galway native Cathal Forde collapsed and died suddenly during a training session with the Kilburn Gaels club in London.

The 28-year-old from Gort had been working as an engineer in London for the last three years.

His brother Niall was on the pitch when Cathal collapsed suddenly in the North London suburb of Highgate.

He was transferred to the local Whittington Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.

“We were just tipping around, it was nothing too hectic or too hard,” Niall told the Irish Independent.

“But half-way through the session, Cathal collapsed. We looked around and he was on the ground and by that time it was nearly all over. It was something in the heart and he just fell over.

“He was fit as a fiddle before it happened.”
Paramedics believe Cathal died from SADS, the generally undiagnosed heart condition which includes Tyrone footballer Cormac McAnallen amongst its victims.

“Cathal was working away here and things were going very well. He was happy. We’re in complete shock,” added Niall.

Kilburn Gaels chairman Mick Burke told the Independent: “He was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet, a complete gentleman.”