Ireland cricketer John Mooney leaves tour with stress-related illness

Ireland international cricketer John Mooney will return home on Tuesday after leaving the tour to the West Indies due to a stress-related illness.

A statement released from Cricket Ireland confirmed that the 31-year-old North County all-rounder was leaving Trinidad, where the senior men’s side are taking part in the regional 50-overs competition before moving on to Jamaica to play the West Indies in a series of one-day and Twenty20 matches.

The statement read: “John Mooney is leaving Ireland’s tour of the West Indies with immediate effect due to a stress-related illness.

“John has been receiving treatment for his condition for some time and has been able to manage it to a sufficient degree to continue playing international cricket.

“However, it became clear over the last 24 hours that John’s condition had deteriorated, and the decision was taken to get him home as quickly as possible to resume his treatment. He is returning to Dublin to be with his family this evening and will take no part in the remainder of the tour.”

Mooney was accompanied by Ireland strength and conditioning coach Brendan Connor on his journey home from Trinidad.

Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom said: “John Mooney is an incredibly passionate cricketer who has performed with distinction for Ireland over more than a decade, most recently in December with his man-of-the-match performance against Afghanistan in the Intercontinental Cup final.
“However, cricketing matters come a poor second where health issues are concerned. The most important thing for John is to get the support and care he needs to aid his recovery – Cricket Ireland will endeavour to do all that it can to aid this process.
“John and his family has asked for privacy while he recovers and I would urge everyone to respect their wish at this difficult time.”
Cricket Ireland are liaising with tournament organisers in the Caribbean with regards to naming a replacement for Mooney for the remainder of the tour.
Ireland lost their second game in the Nagico Super50 on Monday night, going down to a six-wicket defeat to Jamaica at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain after being bowled out for 161.

John Mooney factfile

•     Born 10 February, 1982
•     Made Ireland debut in 2004 against the Netherlands
•     Took three wickets in Ireland's first ever one-day international against England in June 2006
•     Helped Ireland beat Pakistan at 2007 World Cup
•     Impressed in Ireland's win over Bangladesh at 2009 World T20
•     Awarded full-time Ireland contract 2010 and named country's player of the year
•     Hit winning runs in 2011 World Cup win over England
•     Banned for one-day game against Pakistan following April 2013 tweets after death of Margaret Thatcher
•     Man of the match after 10-wicket haul in Ireland's Intercontinental Cup final win over Afghanistan December 2013