Irish League star 'remains in hospital' after heart scare during Premiership match

Former Linfield defender Haughey was substituted just moments before half-time and transported to hospital after feeling heart palpitations.

Bangor boss Lee Feeney described the situation as “very, very concerning and worrying” and Haughey will stay in hospital for further medical tests before being discharged.

Haughey’s team-mate Iestyn Hughes was also taken to hospital with an eye injury sustained in the first half of Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to the Lurgan Blues, but the former Manchester United defender is back home and “feeling fine”.

Issuing an update on the pair, Bangor posted: “Mark Haughey and Iestyn Hughes were assessed in A&E yesterday.

“Iestyn Hughes has since been discharged and is feeling fine.

“Mark Haughey remains in hospital as a precaution and will undergo further investigations before discharge. We will continue to monitor his condition and provide an update in due course.

“We thank everyone for their concern and well wishes.”

Haughey joined Bangor from Glenavon last summer and has made 21 Premiership appearances for the Seasiders this term in their solid return to life in Northern Ireland’s top-flight.

He won four league titles during a trophy-laden spell at Linfield, who he also represented on the European stage, and has recovered from an ACL injury suffered at Glenavon to further extend his career in the Premiership.

Feeney hopes the experienced centre-back will make a full recovery, but admits it was a concerning situation.

"Hughesy took a finger and nail in his eye, he was getting headaches and dizziness from it for some reason,” said Feeney. “Mark just felt heart palpitations and then sort of weakened and lay himself on the ground, so we're going to have to check here now and see how he is.

"But it's very, very concerning and worrying.

"The positive was, I don't want to sound negative, but the positive was he walked into the ambulance. So please God, he's okay."