The remarkable recovery of a bonafide GAA legend

The sound of a helicopter around Achill Island is often a cause for concern.

On rare occasions it might be just ferrying a wealthy visitor here – well-known businessman and politician Declan Ganley has been known to get a chopper to visit his mother’s homestead in Dooega.

But mostly it is a sign of bad news – that there is a medical emergency and an ambulance journey to Mayo University Hospital just would not be urgent enough.

Having been in the back of an ambulance from Achill to Castlebar with my son on two occasions, I can testify it’s not a pleasant journey either. You feel every bump in the road!

But comfort is not the priority for most helicopter call-outs. It is often a matter of life or death.

There are many people living in Achill today who would not be alive were it not for the availability of the Irish Coastguard or Army helicopter in emergencies. The rapid transport to life-saving facilities in Mayo University Hospital or University Hospital Galway as well as the swift decision to call for the helicopter by a medical professional – a doctor or a nurse generally – can be the difference between life and death.

Achill’s relative remoteness is often a blessing but not in a medical emergency.

It’s generally one hour from most parts of Achill to Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar in an ambulance. The helicopter can make that journey in a quarter of the time and something similar for trips to Galway, with the greater level of specialised care and professionals.

It can reach Achill in the same time as an ambulance coming from the base in Mulranny – and that’s if the ambulance is idle and available.

When locals spot a Coastguard or Army helicopter in the skies above Achill, the first wish is that it might just be a training operation. Often, unfortunately, it is not.

There are occasions then when a helicopter is needed simply because they can access the casualty with far greater ease than an ambulance. If someone is injured whilst hiking on one of the many hills of Achill or stranded on an fairly inaccessible part of Achill’s bountiful coastline, a helicopter can often get much closer than an ambulance and evacuate the casualty to hospital.

These situations might not be life or death but they are often serious and the availability of the helicopter reduces the propensity for greater pain and injury by traversing very uneven ground with, for instance, a broken leg.

When you see the entire operation up close – as this writer experienced earlier this year with a helicopter airlift close to my home – you get a sense for the great work so many people and groups do in emergencies. Doctors, nurses, Coastguard, RNLI and Order of Malta personnel, gardaí, ambulance and helicopter crews all dovetail so well, operating with great calm under pressure.

One only has to think of Dara Fitzpatrick, Mark Duffy, Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith, the four crew of the Irish Coastguard’s Rescue R116 who lost their lives when their helicopter crashed into Blackrock Island, north west of Achill Island, in March 2017.

This is not an ordinary job, it is a very selfless and high-risk job.

When your need is greatest, these are the people you want fighting for you and our gratitude for them should be ever present.

Packie McGinty owes his life to such people.

He’s one of the greatest gaels you could meet, a man who has invested so much of his life to Achill GAA – both the men’s and ladies clubs. He’s a former President of Mayo GAA and is chairperson of Achill LGFA since their formation in 1998.

He lives for football and when Mayo GAA folk think of Achill GAA, Packie McGinty is often who they first associate with the club.

He’s lucky to be alive after February 29 last.

He was totally oblivious to the fact he had four blocked arteries – he had no history of heart trouble and doesn’t drink or smoke.

He started to feel unwell at home in Springvale and was blessed that his son Martin just happened to be down at home and brought him to the doctors’ surgery in Achill Sound. Immediately, the seriousness of the situation was identified and an ambulance was with him to bring him to Mayo University Hospital. There, a helicopter was waiting to bring him to Galway.

He didn’t know he was on the brink of a massive heart attack.

It was touch and go.

Emergency surgery saw doctors put in temporary stints and as one day led to another, Packie started to slowly but surely improve.

When news emerged Packie was recovering, for so many in Achill it was like winning the lotto. Packie is as much a part of life in Achill as the beaches, the hills and the bridge at Achill Sound.

And in the mark of the man, he wanted to do something positive after his experience. He had received great support in his recovery from Croí, the west of Ireland heart and stroke charity.

And so he came up with the novel idea of a charity solo from Westport to Achill Sound, mostly along the Great Western Greenway. Members of the Achill Ladies junior and underage teams willingly stepped forward to take part and solo a football 42km earlier this month. They adore Packie for all he has given their club and for his warm personality and constant encouragement.

Ladies footballers and members from Westport, Kilmeena and Burrishoole also came out in force on the way to support and participate in the relay, which was a most wonderful occasion on Saturday, August 31 last.

Mayo Ladies football star Saoirse Lally shared her own experience before the start in Westport of how a heart scan revealed anomalies in her heart. All of the Mayo squad were tested thanks to the great work of the Dillon Quirke Foundation, set up in memory of the Tipperary hurler who died suddenly during a club game in 2022.

A routine procedure and Saoirse was back playing within a week. But for the scan, who knows?

Back in Achill’s home ground in Polranny, just before the bridge to Achill Sound, large crowds gathered to welcome back Packie and the solo team. Croí were there conducting tests for anyone who wished to avail of it.

Played into the ground by local pipers John McNamara and David McNamara, Packie McGinty was in floods of tears, surrounded by Achill ladies footballers in an emotional return to his second home. He knew he was lucky to be there at all and everyone there was blessed by his continued presence too.

We have much to thank our heroes in the emergency services for.

If you wish to make a donation to the Achill Heart and Solo fundraiser, visit https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/CROIPeilnamBanAcaill or see Achill LGFA Facebook page