Offaly star confirms he suffered heart attack during game against Kilkenny

9 November 2026

Offaly's Charlie Mitchell with Mikey Butler of Kilkenny ©INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon

Offaly captain Charlie Mitchell has spoken publicly for the first time about suffering a heart attack during his side’s thrilling Leinster SHC draw with Kilkenny in Glenisk O’Connor Park last May.

The Kilcormac/Killoughey clubman was taken to the nearby Midlands Regional Hospital before being transferred to St James’ Hospital in Dublin where he underwent a procedure. He had missed all of the Faithful County’s Allianz League campaign after being diagnosed with myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle, in January.

“During the Kilkenny game, I had a heart attack,” Mitchell told Spórt TG4 today after watching K/K’s epic Leinster club SHC quarter-final extra-time victory over Naas in Newbridge yesterday.

“I went into hospital and [went into] a cardiac arrest. Thank God, I was in great hands, and I was lucky that the pitch is so close to the hospital in Tullamore. I spent a week up in St James’, but thank God I’m on the mend now.”

The 22-year-old, who has remained part of the Kilcormac/Killoughey set-up, isn’t ruling out the possibility of returning to hurling at some stage in the future.

“I won’t be playing for another year with all the tablets I’m on, so it’s not safe for the moment. But hopefully down the line, when the year comes back around, I’ll get more tests. Hopefully, there’ll still be a chance of going back playing.

“I’m just going to focus on doing what I’m told for the moment," he added.

"Thank God I'm on the mend now"🗣️ Labhair captaen Uíbh Fhailí Charlie Mitchell linn níos luaithe atá ar an mbóthar chun téarnaimh tar éis dó stad cairdiac a fhulaingt i gcoinne Chill Chainnigh. @Offaly_GAA @GAA_BEO #GAABeo https://t.co/HijdXkMqga
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) November 8, 2026