Stephen Keith: Former Down goalkeeper credits training partners for ‘saving my life’

The former county hurler said the experience highlighted just how vital CPR training and access to defibrillators can be.

“I’m proof that it is life-saving,” Keith told BBC Sport NI.

“If the lads weren’t in the gym with me that morning and there wasn’t a defib close by, I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you today. That’s 100% true.”

Doctors later discovered one of his main coronary arteries was blocked and inserted a stent. He has also had an implantable defibrillator fitted as a precaution.

While he has now been cleared to return to training and gym work, Keith, who was a goalkeeper for Down, believes his playing days are over.

“I’ve had a good career and a good run.

“I played county hurling up until last season and I was hoping to give another year to my club Ballycran. But personally, going forward, I don’t think I will play again. I don’t think it would be fair putting my wife and family through that.”

The father of two says the incident has given him a new outlook on life.

“I have a five-year-old and a three-year-old at home. I just think to myself how lucky I am to have another chance here. I could have been dead, gone, and still had a wife and two young kids there.”

Now, he hopes sharing his story will encourage others to learn CPR and support the provision of defibrillators.

“The main reason I’m telling this story is that CPR training saves lives.

“Communities, sports clubs and organisations need defibs and they need to make sure they’re working – it saved my life.”