Cardiac problems have increasingly been affecting fit and healthy athletes, sometimes with tragic consequences. In August Sevilla midfielder Antonio Puerta collapsed and died during a Spanish League game.

There have been a number of similar cases closer to home affecting a number of young Gaelic footballers, so Ballymena United’s assistant manager, Jim Grattan, who is the IFA’s Child and Player Welfare Manager has started this new initiative to help prevent any more casualties.

Now under UEFA and club licensing producedures, the Sky Blues were the first club to undergo echo and ECG tests at the University of Ulster Clinic, Jordanstown, under the watchful eye of the CRY organisation.

Jim Grattan stressed the importance of the tests; "It is now part of the UEFA licensing procedure for the new Irish Premier League that every first team player must go under these tests.

"Every club will have to do this, and it's good that Ballymena are leading the way in this, with the club meeting the bill.

"By the end of March 2008 all clubs will have to do this and at only £35 per player it is money well spent if it can save even one life."

Click here to see pictures of the United players getting tested at www.presseye.com