Former All-Ireland footballer Ronan Clarke was left in a coma for five days this summer after he collided with a goalpost during a championship game with his club.
Unscathed by the immediate impact of concussion, Clarke elected to finish the game following the incident. Later that evening, he was rushed to hospital where it was discovered that his brain was swollen and surgery was required.
He spent five days in a coma surrounded by loved ones and today, Clarke revealed to the Irish Examiner, what his first thoughts were when he finally woke up.
'The first thing that came into my head was ‘How the f*** am I going to go back to play football here?’ That’s all I could think about.'
Ronan Clarke says he doesn’t want to be remembered as the boy who ran into a goalpost, and is keen to move on. pic.twitter.com/Dld2uLgekc
— The Gaelic Game (@gaelicgame1884) November 28, 2015
Clarke goes on to explain how 2015 was supposed to be the year of redemption for him. Following five years of relentless pain on account of an Achilles injury which prematurely ended his inter-county career, Clarke felt physically ready to return to the club scene and hopefully, restore some of his form.
The enforced time out had a significant effect on his mental state. Clarke says that the void left by an absence of football, provoked him to drink excessively and retreat to the couch..
Great interview by @KieranShannon7 with former Armagh All Star Ronan Clarke, who spent five days in a coma https://t.co/bbvlOVnS1u
— Eoghan O'Sullivan (@OSEoghan) November 28, 2015
'You’d been so used to being so active in your life. Training, training, training; loving life. Next thing, it’s taken away like that there. Suddenly, you can’t drive, you’re off work. You could fall into a rut very easily. You could be drinking a lot, trying to deal with it and cover it up. Because you can only lay up in the house in Plaster of Paris for so long and only watch so much TV.'
@Armagh_GAA All Star Ronan Clarke named @Armaghladiesga1 manager assisted by former Fermanagh manager Lisa Woods pic.twitter.com/Ea2mfY5rRG
— Ladies Football (@LadiesFootball) November 11, 2015
'I found myself out drinking on a Saturday and then a Sunday again. But then the penny dropped. My body’s not used to this. This isn’t for me. I said it to a friend, ‘I think I’m in despair here.’ And he said, ‘Right, let’s get you fit so. Even with that leg injury we can be working on your upper body.’
The initial phases of the 2015 season were progressive for Clarke. He was clocking up averages of between six and seven points per game and his confidence levels were soaring. The unexpected collision was ultimately, his last act in a football jersey. Seeing the sense of worry etched on the faces of loved ones, was all the motivation he needed to retire and be happy.
'You could tell by people’s expressions — your dad, your mum, your wife, all looking at you — ‘Please don’t be coming out with this word ‘football’ anymore. I know myself that time’s up. I have no regrets over the years playing football. I know I gave it my best shot. Whenever I was playing, whenever I was rehabbing, I gave it my best. I enjoyed my football. I loved playing for my club, my county, for Ireland. I count my blessings. When I think of what I have and what I’ve had, I can sleep easy.’
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