Underage soccer star Ben Dumigan forced to retire at 16

The 16-year-old Cork City defender Ben Dumigan has retired from football following a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

The City youngster - who had been due to join Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim - has unfortunately been forced to hang up his boots due to a diagnosis that causes abnormal thickening of a part of the heart muscle.

Dumigan joined City’s U14s from his schoolboy club Midleton ahead of the 2023 season, and progressed through the ranks with the academy, going on to be allocated a first team squad number ahead of the 2025 season.

In addition, Dumigan has been capped at international level, receiving call-ups at U15, U16 and U17 level.

A Cork City statement on the matter read: "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).

"The diagnosis has since been confirmed by a team of consultant cardiologists in Cork. HCM causes abnormal thickening of a part of the heart muscle.

"Whilst Ben has the same opportunity as everyone to live a long and healthy life, and can enjoy many types of moderate exercise safely, the stress that competitive football places on the heart puts Ben at a higher risk of developing a potentially fatal irregular heart rhythm, or arrhythmia."

SHOCK

In a message announcing his retirement, Dumigan thanked those closest to him, as well as Hoffenheim, City, boyhood club Midleton FC, and his school Midleton CBS for their support.

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

Commenting on the news, City’s head of academy, Liam Kearney, added: “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.”