THE TRANSPLANT SPORT Ireland team received a hero’s welcome when it returned to Dublin Airport yesterday evening, having won 28 medals at the World Transplant Games in Germany. 

The team had been in Dresden, where its athletes competed in a variety of sports over the last week. Participants from the team included people who had transplanted with liver, double lungs, and bone marrow. 

One living donor, Ivan Kinahan from Dublin who had donated his kidney to his son Sam, took party – he took home Gold in the Living Donor category.

They took home 11 gold, 12 silver, and 5 bronze medals. 

At the Opening Ceremony of the World Games, Irish athlete Tony Gartland from Carlow, the first person in Ireland to undergo a liver transplant in 1993, was honoured with a World Transplant Games Federation Hall of Fame having participated in 12 World games which take place every two years.

There was a mix of newcomers and veteran athletes on the 28-strong team. Over 2,000 people took part in the games overall.

Pat O'Sullivan from Mallow who won Silver in the 100m with Amanda O'Neill Coyne who won Silver in Golf.

Athletes were from Carlow, Clare, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Tipperary, and Westmeath. 

Team manager, Harry Ward from Baldoyle, said that the games are a celebration of the second chance at light by competitors who have received organ donations. 

“It was a great World Games for Transplant Sport Ireland. Each and every athete competing gave it their all. While it’s not all about the medals for us – its’ about showcasing he success of Organ Donation –  we are still delighted with our 28 medals and the breaking of a World record in the 800m.

“Transplant sport is a real celebration of life through sport.”

He said that Transplant Sport Ireland is “very proud” of its athletes who have shown that organ donation “works” and saves 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.”

The athletes spoke of the camaraderie and the importance of highlighting the success and need for organ donation.