Mooney leaves tour with stress-related illness

Ireland allrounder John Mooney is returning home from Ireland's tour of the West Indies to receive treatment for a stress-related illness. Cricket Ireland stated in a press release that Mooney had been managing the condition with treatment for an unspecified length of time, but his condition deteriorated in the last 24 hours to the point where the decision was made for him to return to Ireland.

"John Mooney is an incredibly passionate cricketer who has performed with distinction for Ireland over more than a decade," Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom said in the release. "However, cricketing matters come a poor second where health issues are concerned. The most important thing for John is to get the support and care he needs to aid his recovery. Cricket Ireland will endeavour to do all that it can to aid this process. John and his family has asked for privacy while he recovers and I would urge everyone to respect their wish at this difficult time."

The 31-year-old Dublin native has played 48 ODIs and 23 Twenty20 internationals for Ireland since making his senior team debut in 2000. In December, he was named Man of the Match after figures of 10 for 81 in Ireland's 122-run win in the first-class Intercontinental Cup final over Afghanistan. He also hit the winning boundary to finish with 33 not out in Ireland's famous three-wicket win over England in the 2011 World Cup. On Ireland's current tour of the West Indies, he played one match against Guyana, taking 0 for 21 off three overs before scoring 9 in Ireland's 114-run loss.

Mooney's departure leaves Ireland stretched thin with only 12 players available for their next match on February 7 against Windward Islands. Paul Stirling has missed both games in the Nagico Super50 with a hamstring injury, and Ed Joyce was not due to join the squad until the completion of the Nagico Super50 ahead of Ireland's first Twenty20 against West Indies in Jamaica on February 19. Cricket Ireland has said it will name a replacement for Mooney in due course.