Cork transplant recipients to represent Ireland
Eight Cork athletes are set to represent Team Ireland at the European Transplant Sports Championships this month.
Kicking off in Lisbon, Portugal on 21 July , the event runs until 28 July and will see transplant recipients from 25 countries take part in a week of multi-sport competition.
There are 27 Irish athletes competing in total, led by team manager Harry Ward from Baldoyle, along with a number of supporters.
The Cork athletes are Mick O Shea, Mallow; Hugh Nolan, Doneraile; Mairead O Mahony, Berrings; Mike Keohane, Rosscarbery; Amanda O Neill Coyne, Youghal; Pat O Sullivan Mallow; Rob Merrigan, Watergrasshill; and Mike Kiely, Mitchelstown.
Mick O Shea had a heart transplant in 2017 after a sudden onset of heart failure caused by myocarditis. He will take part in cycling and athletics.
Taking part in the golf competition is Hugh Nolan who had a kidney transplant in 2015 after spending over nine years on dialysis.
He said: “I am just so grateful that someone made the decision to register for organ donation, I think about that person all the time. I hope their loved ones take comfort from hearing the stories from organ transplant recipients. I hope our stories help people realise how the decision to be an organ donor changes lives and has changed mine so much.
Mairead O Mahony received a bone marrow transplant from her brother in 1997 after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. She will compete in athletics.
Mike Keohane had his liver transplant in 2007. He will compete in athletics and darts and will also take part in the British Transplant Gamers in Nottingham in August. He was also selected for the transplant football team who will play in the inaugural Transplant Football World Cup in Italy in September.
Lisbon will be Amanda O Neill Coyne’s second time representing Ireland at the games. She received a kidney from her sister Frances. Amanda will compete in golf and pétanque.
Pat O Sullivan was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure in 2002. After years of medication, he started dialysis in 2012 received his kidney transplant in 2015. Pat will take part in golf and athletics. “I have a new life, thanks to my donor and my donor’s family’s decision, it has allowed me to enjoy all my passions, travel, sport, and spending time with family,” he said.
Rob Merrigan was diagnosed with kidney failure by pure luck after his best friend’s mother spotted something worrying. He was diagnosed the next day and received a kidney transplant four years later. Rob will take part in the golf competition.
Mike Kiely received a kidney from his sister in 2012. “It is a privilege and honour to be able to represent my country and by participating I hope to play my small part in helping to increase awareness about the huge importance of organ donation,” said Mike.
He will be competing in golf.
As well as these games in Lisbon, Transplant Sport Ireland also have a team heading to represent Ireland at the British Games in Nottingham in early August. Cork athletes on this team are Mike Keohane and liver transplant recipient Patrick O Driscoll who will compete in 100m, 400m, relay, and long jump.