AN ENGLISH rugby player who collapsed after scoring a try during a friendly match in Galway died from a combination of the effects of the drug ecstasy, alcohol and physical exertion, an inquest has been told.
The traces of both substances found in the player's body did not amount to a toxic level but their combination with physical activity proved fatal for Mr Don Geering (28), who had travel led to the west of Ireland with his club, Northwich, to play a series of matches.
A back on the team, Mr Geering, of Marybury Road, Northwich, Cheshire, performed a cartwheel when he scored the try 10 minutes into the match at Galway Sportsground, played on April 28th.
He collapsed immediately and died on the pitch.
The inquest in Galway heard that small amounts of alcohol and amphetamines were found in his body during a post-mortem examination - 57 milligrams of alcohol, the equivalent of a pint and a half of lager, and 0.15 micrograms of amphetamine, levels which were not considered toxic, according to consultant pathologist, Dr Malcolm Little.
Their combination, however, with physical activity, led to the player getting a fatal heart attack. The amphetamine was found to be ecstasy, which he described as "the scourge of modern society". Ecstasy caused a person to sweat a lot, led to a heavy thirst and increased rhythm of the heart, which in this case led to the death.
Dr Little said his death had nothing to do with playing rugby. "He could have been playing tiddlywinks or just walking down the road. It was the combination of all three."
The president of Northwich RFC, Mr Ron McClafferty, in a deposition, said the team had played a match in Ballinrobe on April 26th and spent most of the following day drinking in a Galway pub. He had to bring one player to hospital but it appeared that he just had too much to drink.
Mr McClafferty said that he had returned to his accommodation while most of the players continued socialising. The next day the party had breakfast before travelling to play Our Lady's Boys Club.
The jury recorded a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.
