Three local athletes are gearing up to represent Ireland at the European Transplant Games in Arnhem, Holland later this month.
Among the twenty-five strong national squad is Tomás Ó hAileagáin from Carlow and Kilkenny men JP O’Neill, who is currently living in Kildare, and Pat Savage, who resides in Carlow.
The games kick off on June 20th.
Ahead of that all picked up their gear at the team kit day in Kilcullen. Representing the Irish Kidney Association there Liz O’Sullivan praised all for their inspiration, resilience, and ongoing promotion of the importance of organ donation while James Nolan from the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund (PKRF) who sponsored the Kit, thanked all who had shown support.
Added to that Acting Chair of TSI, Aoife O’ Gorman, presented Carlow athlete Tony Gartland with his Hall of Fame Award. Tony, who had the first liver transplant in Ireland in 1993, represented the country in both European and World transplant games starting with the World Games in 1995 held in Manchester. In total he’s featured at 12 World Games and several European Games spanning over 30 years of transplant sport. He had been awarded this latest accolade by the world transplant games federation in Dresden last year but was unable to attend, so was officially presented with his award and received a standing ovation from the audience. Tony is living proof of the incredible power of organ donation and embodies what it is to be a transplant sport Ireland athlete… resilient, determined, kind, courageous but above all … truly inspirational.
Through sport, the Irish transplant athletes showcase the power of second chances—demonstrating what can be achieved thanks to the generosity of donors. Every race run, every point scored, and every medal won is a testament to the gift of life and the courage of those who have received it. You can follow their progress on the team’s social medial platforms. For more information about joining TSI, membership details, and updates, visit TransplantSportIreland.ie or email [email protected]
