Silver medal for Kilcullen man following successful European Transplant & Dialysis Championships in Sardinia over the weekend

By Kim O'Leary

It has been a triumphant week for Transplant Team Ireland at the 10th European Transplant & Dialysis Championships in Cagliari as they won a staggering 54 medals including 11 Gold, 20 silver, 23 Bronze-with Kilcullen native James Nolan winning a silver medal for his participation in Golf.

A large turnout of family friends and supporters turned out to meet the team when they come through the Arrivals’ Hall at Dublin airport’s Terminal One on Sunday 24th June.

Twenty-three members of Team Ireland, including 10 women and 13 men, who range in age from 31 to 80, competed in intense heat and against strong competition this week on the sun drenched picturesque Italian island of Sardinia. The positive spirit of the Irish shone through among the 25 competing nations and at the Games the athletes acknowledged their gratitude to their donors.

Kilcullen butcher and kidney transplant recipient James Nolan, lost out on a medal in the 400m race, however, the award-winning butcher from Kilcullen, won a Silver in Golf for his net score, he has attended 28 Games including British, German, American, World and European.

James said, “I went out and really enjoyed the race. My number one thought after an event is always my donor, my sister Catherine. I’m so delighted to be here with so many amazing people. The Irish team are incredible. The resistance, acceptance and determination that each and every one of them show against adversity is so inspirational and I’m honoured to be amongst it. My son Andrew graduated from pre-school this week and I was sad to miss it but I was so proud and I’m delighted to be here. Attending the Games is a great motivation to stay fit and healthy.”

TRANSPLANT TEAM IRELAND members, James Nolan, from Kilcullen Co. Kildare (left) with Chikoyo White, from Balbriggan, Co. Dublin and Berina Borissova, from Tallaght, Co. Dublin (right), pictured arriving home to a rapturous welcome by family, friends and supporters at Dublin Airport's Arrivals Hall as the team brought back with them a haul of 11 Gold, 20 Silver and 23 Bronze medals from the 10th European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships held in Cagliari, Sardinia. Pic. Robbie Reynolds[/caption]

Team Ireland put in strong performances at several sporting events including Mini Marathon, Swimming, Golf, Bowling, Pétanque, Darts, Track & Field and many more.

The Irish Golf Team of five swept the decks winning 3 Gold and 2 Silver medals. Eldest Team Ireland member and eldest competitor overall at this year's Championships, John Mc Aleer (from Newtownabbey, Antrim) was one of these successful Golfers, taking the Silver for his net score.

Team Ireland Swimmers, Deirdre Faul (Dalkey, Dublin), Shelia Gregan and Orla Hogan Ryan (both from Nenagh), and Peter Heffernan (Skerries, Dublin) saw huge success in the Pool on Wednesday with each Irish athlete securing medals. The total medals haul from the swimming event was 3 Gold, 4 Silver and 3 Bronze. Champion Swimmer Deirdre Faul (age 50), a liver transplant recipient from Dublin, kept up her stellar success record scooping three Gold and two Silver medals in her five races at the swimming event.

The youngest member of the team Rachel Eagleton (31), from (Bettystown, Co. Meath) won a Silver medal in her Tennis Singles event.

Team Captain Harry Ward, from Baldoyle, also commented on the team spirit that he witnessed amongst Team Ireland, he said, “I am very proud of how the team has gelled this year. Everyone has supported everyone else and the Team has been like one big family. It’s been a truly fantastic week.”

The Irish Kidney Association is looking forward to bringing the biennial European Games back to Ireland in 2020 after it successfully hosted the 6th European Transplant & Dialysis Games in Dublin in 2010 which attracted over 500 participants and supporters from 23 countries.

The Irish Kidney Association is looking forward to welcoming new members to Transplant Team Ireland for the Games which will be held in August 2020.