A 16-year-old football player was forced to retire due to a rare medical condition.
Cork City defender Ben Dumigan has been moving to Hoffenheim when he received Hoffenheim’s diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in January.
HCM leads to abnormal thickening of some myocardium.
Dumigan will be able to live a long and healthy life and be able to safely enjoy many types of moderate exercise, the club said.
But the pressure of competing football putting on the heart puts Dumigan at a higher risk of developing potentially fatal irregular heart rhythms or arrhythmia.
A statement from the City of Cork reads: “We have a heavy heart today confirming the retirement of young 16-year-old guard Ben Dumigan.
Ben diagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) at the end of January when he underwent medical tests before signing Bundesliga club Hoffenheim.
Dumigan served as Cork from his elementary school club Midleton, becoming an under-14 player and was assigned to the first team before the 2025 season.
He also represents the Republic of Ireland under the age of 17.
Dumigan was shocked by the diagnosis and expressed his gratitude for the support he received.
Dumigan said: “I never thought about doing something I had to announce my retirement from competitive football at such a young age.
The diagnosis is shocking, and the number of the past few weeks has been very challenging. Even if I can’t play football again, the diagnosis may have saved my life and I’m grateful for it.
“I am overwhelmed by the amount of support I have received and I want to thank everyone in Hoffenheim, everyone in my elementary school 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. Especially I want to thank everyone in Cork City, especially Liam Kearney
The head of the academy for Liam Kearney of Manchester City College said: “Ben’s talent as a footballer is clear in meeting the times of our time, which is reflected in the international call, and he is on the verge of moving to a club with a body shape in Hoffenheim.
“Ben has the absolute support of us when he left his career behind him and we will continue to do everything we can to help him adapt to this significant change in his life.
“We had a very difficult time with him, but I was impressed by the positivity and resilience that Ben showed in dealing with this news. My quality will undoubtedly support him in the future. ”
