A popular young man in local footballing circles, Martin McGrath from Belcoo, is recovering in the Royal Victoria Hospital after sustaining a serious head injury in a freak accident outside his home on Thursday night.

Martin is the son of Jimmy and Bernie McGrath and a brother of Paul and James, the whole family is synonymous with sport in Fermanagh, especially with Lisbellaw United and Belcoo GAC.

Martin fell while playing outside, hitting his head and immediately started convulsing at which time his worried family called for an ambulance.

Paramedics treated Martin and he was transferred to the South West Acute Hospital where a CT Scan highlighted a bleed on the brain.

An emergency transfer at 1.00am in the morning brought Martin to the RVH where he was operated upon.

Thankfully, he is making a strong recovery and after three days in the Intensive Care Unit is now conscious and out on the ward.

His father Jimmy who has not left his son’s side since Thursday hopes that Martin has “turned the corner”.

“It was just a freak accident,” revealed Jimmy. “Martin was out playing and two of the boys went into watch the second half of the Brazil game. As they were going in the door, they heard the thump, Martin had fallen. It is only a five foot drop but he had already started convulsing. Whatever way he had fallen, he hit his head of the neighbour’s wall.” Thereafter the chain of events started that ended with Martin now recovering in the Royal.

Jimmy adds: “Thank God, I think he has turned the corner. There is a consultant coming around on Thursday (today) and if we could get him down to the SWAH, it would be a great help and Martin would be happier too. We are hoping he continues to make good progress, he has 34 to 36 staples in his head, so we know it will take time. We have been inundated with get well messages, visitors and the phone has never stopped. We are all very grateful for the support. It was just a freak accident but hopefully we are on the right road now.”