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Young Donegal footballer seriously injured in Spain fall

Oisín Merritt from Donegal is fighting for his life.

A YOUNG FOOTBALLER from Donegal is fighting for his life in Spain following a fall earlier this week.

Oisín Merritt was on holidays with friends when he fell from a balcony in Santa Ponsa, a holiday resort on the island of Majorca.

The incident occurred at 6am on Monday.

It is understood the 19-year-old suffered a fractured skull, broken jaw, punctured lung and other serious injuries.

His family, girlfriend and some friends flew out to be with him earlier this week. 

A promising footballer with Finn Harps and an employee of the Vila Rose Hotel, the 19-year-old is well known in the Stranorlar area.

Speaking on Highland Radio, Finn Harps board member Aidan Campbell said it was “very distressing news”.

He added: “We had news yesterday that Oisín’s condition has slightly stabilised, which we were obviously glad to hear.

“He’s a lovely young lad. I’ve phoned the coaches and they’ve gone out of their way to say what a nice, pleasant lad he is.”

A statement on the club’s Facebook page read:

Everyone at Finn Harps is distressed to hear news of the serious injuries suffered by our young player Oisin Merrit following an accident in Spain . Our thoughts are with Oisin, his family & friends as we await further news on his condition. We are all thinking of you Oisin.

The local SuperValu has organised a fundraising cake and bake sale in aid of the family over the next two days.

According to local media, doctors will try and bring the teenager out of his induced coma shortly.

Read: Six-year-old boy knocked down and killed in Kilkenny housing estate

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32 Comments
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    Mute Tom Keating
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    Jun 12th 2014, 10:59 PM

    Very sad, hope he recovers from his injuries.

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    Mute D A R R E N
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    Jun 12th 2014, 11:42 PM

    Hope he pulls through

    79
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    Mute Aoife McMahon
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    Jun 12th 2014, 11:23 PM

    Stop jumping to conclusions and have some respect, hope he recovers soon

    76
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    Mute Joe Mulrean
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:03 AM

    Is it just me or have there been quite a few lads who have fallen from balconies specifically in Santa Ponsa?

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    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
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    Jun 13th 2014, 6:44 AM

    Was thinking same, it’s always somewhere in Spain

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    Mute Mannix Logan
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    Jun 13th 2014, 8:06 AM

    Its just you

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    Mute Ciabhán Ó Murchú
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:03 AM

    It’s tragic that this has happened to him, and I hope he fully recovers for his own sake and for his family and friends. But why does football have to be brought into it? Is that the only concern people have? Isn’t it disrespectful of people to only think of him for his football skills? Is that his only worth to people? Do they forget he’s a human being?

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    Mute Evelyn Hughes
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    Jun 13th 2014, 12:34 AM

    All the best for his recovery it could be anyone’s son r daughter

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    Mute Edmond J. Hickey
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    Jun 13th 2014, 12:00 AM

    Santa Ponsa is a kip. Nobody under the age of 60 should be allowed there.
    Good luck to this young guy, I do hope he completely recovers. We have all had escapades in our lives and are lucky to have survived.

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    Mute Cosmo Kramer
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    Jun 13th 2014, 12:55 AM

    Santa Ponsa isn’t actually that bad.. Lovely beach, gorgeous apartments and hotels and you can eat out in nice restaurants for little or nothing..

    47
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    Mute Aging Lothario
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    Jun 13th 2014, 2:06 AM

    Ah in all fairness Santa bleedin Ponsa is a bit of a kip, I spent two weeks there a good few years ago, and there was more life in Knock. Magaluf which is next door is also a bit of a kip, but at least it has a vastly superior night life. Anyway hope this young lad recovers, and goes on to bigger and better things.

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    Mute Paul Flynn
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    Jun 12th 2014, 11:01 PM

    Hope he recovers without lasting effects.
    Ps. Should it not be santa ponsa in the island of Majorca?

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    Mute leslie rock
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    Jun 12th 2014, 11:20 PM

    Of course, yes, yes it should. That was my very 1st thought when I opened and started reading the article!!!!!

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    Mute Paul Flynn
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    Jun 12th 2014, 11:22 PM

    Only giving the author a heads up.

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    Mute Paul Carey
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    Jun 12th 2014, 11:50 PM

    ‘Tis ‘on’, unless he was in a cave or a hole or something. I wish the youngfella the best.

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    Mute Critical Thoughts
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    Jun 12th 2014, 11:51 PM

    My issue isn’t that it’s not really the type of article to be correcting the author, nor is it that you ignored the fact that there’s a button to send a correction, my issue is that you’re wrong. Of course it’s meant to be “on” the island. The town isn’t underground.

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    Mute Evelyn Hughes
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    Jun 13th 2014, 12:33 AM

    On surely?

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    Mute Cosmo Kramer
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    Jun 13th 2014, 12:57 AM

    It’s actually “Mallorca” if your thar hung up about the wording in the article

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    Mute Alan Lawlor
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    Jun 13th 2014, 8:01 AM

    Mallorca is the Spanish name for Majorca. I should know -I am on holiday there right now

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    Mute Cosmo Kramer
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    Jun 13th 2014, 10:44 AM

    Alan it is Spanish you idiot..

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    Mute Emma Curtin
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    Jun 13th 2014, 5:22 PM

    Jesus, get a grip, who cares what it is or isnt called, thats not the topic of the article!

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    Mute Bobby Ewing
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    Jun 13th 2014, 8:27 AM

    Probally fell from the deya apt balcony. Full of young kids there. Stayed there for a week last yr and went swimming one morning in the pool only to find a fridge in there with me. Hope he gets well soon.

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    Mute Dermot Lonergan
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    Jun 13th 2014, 7:36 AM

    Paul Flynn, FYI, the preposition ‘on’ is used for Islands, and ‘in’ is used for towns, cities, countries etc. If you’re going to insist on commenting about grammar on an article about a poor chap in hospital, make sure you know what you’re talking about first.

    Hope the lad recovers well.

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    Mute Francis J. Underwood
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    Jun 13th 2014, 1:11 PM

    It’s shocking the numbers of injuries/deaths that occur in Magaluf,Santa Ponsa,etc. during the summer term because of people ‘balconing’! The Spanish authorities can only do so much. I hope the lad regains full health and will be back on the football pitch in no time.
    http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/aug/22/spanish-deaths-balconing-game

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