John McCall: 'Big things were ahead' of Ireland U19 star, says Stephen Ferris on 20th anniversary of teenager's death

Stephen Ferris has remembered John McCall as a young man with "the world at his feet".

The Schools' Cup winning captain died on the pitch representing Ireland under-19s in South Africa 20 years ago.

Ferris was a team-mate of McCall's that day in Durban and believes his fellow back-rower possessed vast potential.

"Big things were ahead of him," said the former Ulster, Ireland and Lions flanker.

He added: "He had dreams and aspirations to go on and represent his country at the highest level but unfortunately that wasn't the case."

Only 18-years-old at the time, Ferris says he will never forget the scene at half-time of the game against New Zealand when it became apparent to the squad that something had gone terribly wrong.

"There was a line-out and a ball over the top, both jumpers missed it," Ferris remembered.

"I caught it, went into contact, and a few phases later looked back and saw John was lying on the ground.

"At that stage, nobody had an idea. It was the most bizarre half-time. Allen Clarke was the forwards coach and he said something that will stick with me forever.

"He said 'your colleague and team-mate is currently fighting for his life, go out and make him proud'.

"Straight away we were like 'what? Is he not just knocked out? What the hell is going on?' And then people started asking questions.

"We were told on the pitch that John had died. Literally the final whistle went, we got into a huddle, and we were told. I remember just falling to my knees and burying my head into the turf, balling my eyes out like a three-year-old.

"It's a time you look back on fondly because you got to know John well, you got to be a part of his life, you got to spend time with him, play rugby with him, but it's also a time that you look back and think, jeez, I never want that to happen to anyone else.

"It's mad to think it's 20 years. What could John have gone onto achieve? The world was at his feet, that's for sure. I'm just glad I was able to pick up a rugby ball and play with him."

Ferris was also an Ulster team-mate of Nevin Spence, who died tragically in a farming accident in 2012 and he played against and was coached by Anthony Foley - he passed away in Paris on the eve of taking charge of Munster against Racing 92 in 2016

The anniversary of McCall's passing, and memories of other team-mates or colleagues lost in tragic circumstances, offers Ferris a reminder.

"He (McCall) was so physical, very strong, ultra-fit, but just really unfortunate that he contracted this condition," he said.

"We'll never know what he could have gone on and achieved. A bit like young Nevin Spence, as well. So much ability but life deals you a hand you don't want.

"(He was) someone who was fine, fit and healthy. It just shows that you've got to enjoy your life while you have it. He's a perfect example that if you don't, you could have regrets.

"He certainly didn't have any regrets."

McCall's death came only weeks after he had lifted the Schools' Cup with Royal School Armagh, captaining the side to victory over Campbell College in the final at Ravenhill on St. Patrick's Day 2004.

His coach was former Ireland international Kenny Hooks who, like Ferris, remembers McCall as "a character".

"He was a mature young man," said Hooks. "I still remember standing here the day before he went off to South Africa and he shook my hand, which was unusual for a schoolboy. They wouldn't generally be that formal but he was mature.

"The summer before we went to South Africa and Namibia on tour. The locals hadn't seen anyone with red hair before so he was the centre of attention.

"They all wanted to touch his hair and he just revelled in that. He was quite a character that way."

McCall's death, which followed on so quickly from that of Tyrone GAA's All-Ireland winner Cormac McAnallen the same month, brought the issue of sudden cardiac death in the young and otherwise fit to far greater prominence.

If any good can come from such tragedies, Hooks believes others will have had similar issues detected through increased awareness.

"My own kids were playing rugby in the school at the time and we certainly had them tested to make sure all was well and some at the school sadly found that they had conditions which they had to deal with," he added.

"We have defibrillators up around school and we currently have two kids in school with heart conditions which possibly might not have been detected if not for the awareness that John and his family have created.

"It's nice for some good to come out of a very sad situation."