Tipperary trio for European Transplant Championships
Tipperary’s Ronan Coughlan, Sheila Gregan and Olivia Hogan are among the 25 transplanted athletes and one dialysis athlete will represent Ireland at the European Transplant Sports Championships in Lisbon, Portugal from Sunday 21st to 28th July.
This sporting event will be an invaluable opportunity to showcase the benefits of Organ Donation and it is a true celebration of the Gift of Life.
The athletes traveling to Lisbon will be led by Team Manager Harry Ward, along with a number of supporters. Athletes will take part in a variety of Sports including Athletics, Badminton, 10 Pin Bowling, Cycling, Darts, Golf, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, and Pétanque.
The Irish Transplant Team holds an excellent record in sporting success, competing at the World, European and British Sports Championships with many Irish athletes holding the World and European records in their sporting disciplines. This helps to inspire others who are newly diagnosed with organ failure and are unsure of what their future holds.
The Launch Day for the European Sports Championships took place in Kilcullen Community Centre, Co. Kildare on Sunday.
It was hosted by James Nolan who himself received the great gift of life with a kidney donated by his sister Catherine. James is both an athlete on the team and the founder of the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund (PKRF) which has raised over 1.9 million to date for kidney related projects.
The motivational speaker was Brian Cody of Kilkenny Hurling fame who presented the Team kit.
Transplant Sport Ireland (TSI) is a volunteer-run organisation where transplant recipients, and dialysis patients, can connect and support one another in a common belief that sport plays a vital part in maintaining good health.