Mitchell provides medical update as Kilcormac-Killoughey make provincial progress

Kilcormac-Killoughey and Offaly senior hurler Charlie Mitchell has opened up about his ongoing heart health issues.

Speaking to TG4 in advance of his club's Leinster senior hurling quarter-final extra-time win over Kildare champions, Naas, Mitchell said he would not be in a position to return to competitive action for "at least a year".

The Offaly senior hurling captain suffered a heart attack during the Faithful County's provincial round robin draw with Kilkenny in May of this year and when transferred to Tullamore Hospital he said his heart "went into cardiac arrest".

"I was lucky that the pitch (Glenisk O'Connor Park) was close to the hospital and I got there quickly to be treated," Mitchell said.

The ace forward was transferred to St James' Hospital where he then spent a week.

"Thankfully, I have a team of great doctors and a great cardiologist looking after me," Mitchell added.

When questioned on a potential return to playing action, Mitchell confirmed that he wouldn't be returning for "another year or so" given the heart medication he is currently taking.

"I will have more tests in a year to determine if I will be able to go back (to playing), but at the moment, it's simply not safe to do so," Mitchell added.

Mitchell stated that while it was "tough not being able to play" and "not having anything to focus on", he said his "main focus" was to "do what he is told" and "rest".

He also thanked his family members, the Kilcormac-Killoughey and Offaly hurling communities for all their support received during his quest to return to full health.

Mitchell saw his club colleagues advance to the Leinster club senior hurling championship semi-final with a pulsating last gasp extra-time win over their Kildare opponents.

The winner's goalkeeper Conor Slevin proved to be the scoring hero when he converted a free from his own 45 metre line to secure a dramatic victory for the Offaly champions.

With two minutes of stoppage time at the end of extra time having being played, Slevin stood up to convert his fifth point of the day and ensure a semi-final clash with Wexford champions Shelmaliers in Glenisk O'Connor Park Tullamore on Sunday, November 22, at 1.30pm.

Offaly corner forward Adam Screeney top scored for the victors with 1-13, and complemented by Slevin's five point contribution, Kilcormac-Killoughey took one step closer to a provincial final appearance on December 5.