IPFBA secretary Martin Lawlor receives his “check” from Dr Alan Byrne (Medical Director of Advanced Medical Services) at the launch of the Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association-Advanced Medical Services’ ‘Watch Your House - And Your Health!’ screening programme for ex-players taking place in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone. From left, Mary Good (Managing Director of Advanced Medical Services), Jimmy Nodwell, Harry McCue (IPFBA chairperson), Pat Byrne, Ed Donovan (CEO Advanced Medical Services) and Fergus McDaid.

Former Irish footballers to receive health screening in Midlands hotel

Ronan Fagan

Published: Thu 8 Jan 2026, 3:03 PM

Last updated: Thu 8 Jan 2026, 4:17 PM

Over 100 retired footballers will undergo health screening in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone as part of a combined Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association (IPFBA) and leading healthcare company Advanced Medical Services (AMS) initiative.

Both organisations have teamed up in a ground-breaking initiative to protect and enhance the wellbeing of former football players.

The health screening takes place on four dates this month in the family run hotel, today (Thursday, January 8), Friday, January 9, Thursday, January 15 and Friday, January 16.

Cork-based AMS will provide the medical personnel and expertise for the four days of screening and the IPFBA is urging its ex-League of Ireland members to register for the 20 minute check that will cover all aspects of their health.

AMS has a strong presence in the Irish healthcare system, working across all sectors, private and public, including corporate; SME’s; hospitals; health insurance; schools and major sporting organisations.

Now, this new joint-venture will see retired Irish footballers of all ages undergo the tests with the IPFBA covering the entire budget of the four days.

“This is a historic move by the IPFBA and allows retired players to undergo the health screening that they may have been putting off for one reason or another,” stated IPFBA chairperson Harry McCue.

IPFBA secretary Martin Lawlor is delighted with this significant development by the organisation that has raised more than €70,000 since its launch in February, 2024 with these financial assets now funding ‘Watch Your House - And Your Health!’

“This screening programme carried out in conjunction with Advanced Medical Services is the very essence of why we established the IPFBA.

“How many people, especially men, postpone trips to their doctor and sadly potentially fail to diagnose medical issues that need to be addressed? This initiative offers the players the perfect opportunity to get these vital medical tests," explained Lawlor.

Advanced Medical Services’ medical director, Dr Alan Byrne, who is also active in a voluntary capacity with the IPFBA, stresses the huge benefits of the scheme’s roll-out.

“As part of this preventive health screening initiative we will ask the members to complete a lifestyle and mental health questionnaire along with blood pressure and BMI measurement.

“They will have a resting ECG (electrocardiogram) and a comprehensive blood panel including cholesterol, blood sugar, liver and renal profile, full blood count, thyroid function and prostate specific antigen.

“The screening results will be reviewed by a consultant cardiologist and the clinical director of AMS and reported confidentially to each member with specific recommendations when indicated.

“The screening results will, I hope, encourage the members to engage with their GPs. The primary aim of this programme is prevention," explained Dr Byrne.

Former League of Ireland players (male and female), ex-Ireland senior internationals (male and female) and ex-women footballers who played for senior clubs prior to the establishment of the Women’s League of Ireland are invited to apply for a screening slot at the Athlone hotel.

They can do so by emailing harry@ipfba to receive the QR code that facilitates access to the AMS booking system.