Kildare coaches train Transplant Ireland footballers to first win

Transplant Sport Ireland (TSI) footballers played their first official international friendly against Team Northern Ireland on March 8 in the AUL, Dublin.

Transplant Sport Ireland have a long-standing link with Kildare and Nolan's Butchers proprietor James Nolan. Those Kilcullen connections were specifically useful in the lead up to this game with the TSI team being trained by Kilcullen AFC members, Greg Curran and Nicky Kelly, as well using local facilities to prepare for their first outing. TSI have extended their gratitude to the Kildare club for their help to this point.

The game started with a 30-second silence to remember all organ donors. Captain Liam Patterson led the Irish team out in a fast frantic start to the game.

Despite pressure from Northern Ireland, a cracking goal from Oisin O’ Gorman gave TSI the lead. Tim Lion played some excellent football up front with Peter O'Reilly and Val Weblin up in support.

John Paul O'Neill and Mike Keohane defended outstandingly to keep Northern Ireland at bay. Their diligent work alongside some outstanding saves by goalkeeper Patrick O’ Driscoll frustrated the opposition.

Following a superb team display from, the Irish team dug in and another great O’ Gorman goal sealed the victory with the final score 2-1 to Transplant Sport Ireland. It was a superb win for their first competitive match, but the real winning message was the celebration of life through sport and that organ donation truly works.

Transplant Sport Ireland is now looking forward to the inaugural European Transplant Football Championships to be held in Oxford in early April. Registration is now open for the British Transplant Games taking place in Oxford from Thursday, July 31 – Sunday, August 3 with 26 sporting events on offer there, as well as competitions for U18 and Living Donors.

The Games seek to thank and celebrate donor families and aim to demonstrate the benefits of transplantation, encouraging transplant patients to regain fitness, whilst increasing public awareness of the need for more people to have the conversation about organ donation. 

The World Transplant Games will be held in Dresden on August 17 to 24, where athletes and teams from 60 countries will meet up for a week of competition and camaraderie. Athletes will compete in 17 different sports over the six days. The World Transplant Games raises public awareness of the importance and benefits of organ donation by demonstrating the health and fitness that can be achieved post-transplant.

All the athletes participating are ambassadors for the value of organ donation, striving towards full rehabilitation through exercise, camaraderie and healthy living, and giving hope to people on transplant waiting lists all around the world.

If you are interested in joining TSI and competing, contact transplantsportireland@gmaill.com for details.

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