A Co Down football club has praised their rival team for first aid intervention after their coach suffered a heart attack during a derby match on Saturday.
Donaghadee FC coach Gary Halliday took ill during their game against Portavogie Rangers FC and efforts from both teams to use the on site defibrillator have been hailed as 'life saving.'
Mr Halliday has been transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he is in a 'stable condition.'
Donaghadee FC manager, Jamie Bryson, told Belfast Live that despite team rivalry, "everyone pulled together" during today's circumstances.
He added: “Despite the intense rivalry between the clubs everyone pulled together today for Gary and on behalf of Donaghadee FC we want to very publicly extend our gratitude to all those at Portavogie . We will forever be indebted to those who came to Gary’s assistance today.
“I would especially like to pay tribute to the former Paramedic and two nurses who quite literally saved Gary Halliday’s life. I am not sure of their names but they are heroes and deserve public recognition for all they done today.
“Obviously he has suffered what is believed to be a massive heart attack and therefore the situation remains fluid but he is being cared for by the fantastic staff of the NHS .
“The thoughts of everyone is with his wife Irene, his children Josh, Adam and Erin and his father Eric ‘Doc’ Halliday who is well known in local football circles as one of the most successful managers ever to be involved in local football.
“The management and players send our message to Gary- ‘dig in old friend, you go we go’.”
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