Transplant athletes show their mettle

Three Cork athletes have made their country proud this week bagging five gold medals between them at the British Transplant Games.

Rosscarbery man Mike Keohane, a liver transplant recipient, dominated proceedings claiming gold medals in the 5km race walk, shot putt and discus events in the 40-49 years category.

“I'm very happy with it. I didn't quite expect to come home with three gold medals. I think I performed better than I could have hoped,” Mike told the Cork Independent.

“The shot putt went well for me. I had never won it before, so I was absolutely delighted to do it for the first time. And for the discus I had three very good throws. I threw over 31 metres which is the furthest I've ever thrown,” he added.

Charlie Ryan from Cobh, who is also a liver transplant recipient, took the top spot in the over 70s ten pin bowling event, while British Transplant Games first timer Pat O’Sullivan from Mallow, who underwent a kidney transplant in 2015, snagged the gold medal in the 50-59 years long jump event.

The three Cork men were part of an Irish team of seven adults and three children who swept a stunning 22 medals overall including ten gold, nine silver and three bronze.

This was Mike Keohane’s seventh outing at the British Transplant Games since receiving his transplant on Christmas Day in 2007 after being ill for some time.

“I was unwell for a number of years before I was put on the liver transplant list. The doctor told me I was very sick and I had roughly about eight weeks to live if I didn't get a liver. That was quite frightening at the time to know that in two months’ time, I could be dead,” said Mike

The seven adult members on the team will be among 38 athletes to represent Ireland at the World Transplant Games in Newcastle UK later this month.

The Irish Kidney Association is currently working with Children's Liver Disease Ireland and Heart Children Ireland to establish a transplant children's sports programme that will offer opportunities for all transplanted children and their families to engage in sports events such as the British Transplant Games.

Mike concluded: “We are most definitely embracing our second chance at life. We're living life to the full now and we are very grateful to our donors.”