Kilkenny-born JP O’Neill will take on the role of Football Sports Captain as Team Transplant Sport Ireland (TSI) heads to the Transplant Football World Cup in Frankfurt.
JP who is originally from Kilkenny and now living near Athy in Kildare received a kidney transplant in 1998.
The tournament, hosted by the World Transplant Games Federation takes place from the 13-18 September 2026 and aims to celebrate life, resilience and the power of organ donation.
Before receiving his transplant, dialysis was part of JP’s every day life. He now enjoys a hugely different quality of life, having the opportunity to represent Ireland in a number of Transplant Games.
Now nearly thirty years since his transplant, JP remains grateful for his donor and the community he has found in Transplant Sports.
“Without the unselfishness of my donor and their family, I would not be here to tell my story”.
“There is a sport for everyone and always someone to chat with”.






