Footballer retires at 16 after diagnosis with rare medical condition

Monday, March 10, 2025 - A 16-year-old footballer has been forced to retire due to a rare medical condition.

Cork City defender, Ben Dumigan had been undergoing medical tests in January ahead of a move to Hoffenheim when he received a diagnosis of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).

HCM causes abnormal thickening of a part of the heart muscle. 

The club stated that Dumigan will be able to live a long and healthy life and will be able to enjoy many types of moderate exercise safely.

However, the stress that competitive football places on the heart puts Dumigan at a higher risk of developing a potentially fatal irregular heart rhythm, or arrhythmia. 

A statement from Cork City read: 'It is with a heavy heart that we today confirm the retirement of young 16-year-old defender, Ben Dumigan. 

At the end of January, whilst undergoing medical tests in advance of signing for Bundesliga club Hoffenheim, Ben received a diagnosis of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).'

Dumigan joined Cork as an Under-14 player from his schoolboy club Midleton and was allocated a first-team squad number ahead of the 2025 season.

He had also represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-17 level.

Dumigan admitted his shock at the diagnosis and expressed his gratitude for the support that he has received.  

Dumigan said: 'Announcing my retirement from competitive football at such a young age is something I never imagined I would ever have to do.

'The diagnosis has been a shock and the past number of weeks have been very challenging. Even though I can never play football again the diagnosis may have saved my life, and I am very grateful for that. 

'I feel overwhelmed by the amount of support that I have received and I want to thank everyone at Hoffenheim, at CAA Base, everyone at my schoolboys club Midleton FC and my school Midleton CBS for their support. I also want to thank my friends and family for their love and support. In particular I want to thank everyone at Cork City, especially Liam Kearney who has been incredibly supportive during what has been a very difficult time'

City’s Head of Academy Liam Kearney said: 'Ben's talent as a footballer was clear for all to see in his time with us, and that was reflected in the international call-ups and the fact that he was on the verge of a move to a club of Hoffenheim's stature. 

'Ben has our absolute support as he leaves his playing career behind him, and we will continue to do anything we can to help him to adjust to this very significant change in his life.

'Our thoughts are with him at what has been a very difficult time, but I have been so impressed by the positivity and resilience Ben has shown in dealing with this news; qualities that I have no doubt will stand to him in the future.'