Irish transplant athletes all set for European Championships

Twenty five transplanted athletes and one dialysis athlete will represent Ireland at the European Transplant Sports Championships to be held in Lisbon Portugal later this month.

This sporting event, which takes place from Sunday July 21 to July 28 will be an invaluable opportunity to showcase the benefits of Organ Donation and it is a true celebration of the Gift of Life. 

The athletes traveling to Lisbon will be led by Team Manager Harry Ward from Baldoyle, along with a number of supporters.

Athletes will take part in a variety of Sports including Athletics, Badminton, 10 Pin Bowling, Cycling, Darts, Golf, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, and Petanque.

The Irish Transplant Team holds an excellent record in sporting success, competing at the World, European and British Sports Championships with many Irish athletes holding the World and European records in their sporting disciplines.

This helps to inspire others who are perhaps newly diagnosed with organ failure and are unsure of what their future holds. 

This year, the Launch Day for the European Sports Championships took place in Kilcullen Community Centre, Co. Kildare last Sunday, July 7.

The day was hosted by James Nolan who himself received the great gift of life with a kidney donated by his sister Catherine.

James is both an Irish athletes on the Team and the founder of the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund (PKRF) which has raised over 1.9 million to date for kidney related projects.

The motivational speaker was Brian Cody of Kilkenny Hurling fame who presented the Team Kit.

Brian expressed his admiration for all the Team Ireland transplant & dialysis athletes, he also stressed the need in sports for resilience and bounce back ability.

He shared with the group his words to players in the dressing room before an important match – Go play, don’t let pressure stop you from playing.

He named qualities that he saw in the Irish Transplant team: determination, drive, ambition, true grit and the need for positivity.

Brian also advised the athletes not to worry about things in the waiting few weeks but to enjoy it all – every moment of it as it was the time of your lives.

His words motivated all the athletes who will continue their preparations for Lisbon.

Present also were Carol Moore, CEO of the Irish Kidney Association, Colin White and Olive Cummins also from the IKA and Robert McCutcheon of the Heart & Lung Federation along with transplanted athletes, supporters and friends.

Kit was also distributed to the 19 athletes taking part in the British Transplant Games in Nottingham  (pictured above)

Team Manager Harry Ward also addressed the large crowd present, as did Trevor Lynch, Chairperson of Transplant Sport Ireland. 

Transplant Sport Ireland (TSI) is a volunteer-run organisation where transplant recipients, and dialysis patients, can connect and support one another in a common belief that sport plays a vital part in maintaining good health.

The organisation aims to encourage transplant recipients & dialysis patients to lead an active lifestyle, thereby celebrating the gift of life through sport.

Athletes pay homage to their new lease of life, whilst proving what can be achieved.

As the governing body for Transplant Sport in Ireland, TSI believes that sport and the camaraderie of Team Ireland promotes an active recovery for transplant recipients, and lends invaluable support to those on dialysis, who meet people on – or previously on – similar journeys.

Most importantly, Transplant Sport Ireland is also dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of Organ Donation and continuing to remember and appreciate organ donors and their families.

TSI encourages everyone to Have the Conversation, Say ‘Yes’ to Organ Donation.

Organ donors save lives.

At any one time in Ireland there are between 550 and 600 people active on waiting lists for organ transplants including heart, lung, liver, bone marrow, kidney, and pancreas.

Making friends and family aware of your wishes on organ donation are the key steps towards saving lives. 

If you would like more information, check out the TSI website transplantsportireland.ie and our social media platforms.

If you would like to get involved with the Team or can help with sponsorship, email [email protected]