Tag Archives: Transplant Team Ireland

Kidney transplant recipient, Marie O’Connor is Lahinch’s golden girl. A member of Transplant Team Ireland at the World Transplant Games in Malaga, Spain. Marie mounted the podium to be presented with her gold medal after winning her golfing event at the beautiful Guadalhorce Golf Course. This was Marie’s second medal of the games as earlier in the week she won bronze in the Petanque. After her golfing victory an elated Marie told The Clare Champion, “I am just delighted. It was the one sport I would have hoped to get a medal in, so to win a medal in golf is brilliant. This gold medal and every medal I have won is thanks to my donor for giving me this chance. It’s great to keep the banner flag flying”. Transplant Team Ireland includes four liver and 23 kidney transplant recipients ranging in age from 30 to 79. They are competing against almost 1000 participants from more than 50 countries at what is the largest gathering of transplant recipients this year.   The Irish Kidney Association is responsible for coordinating and managing Transplant Team Ireland’s participation at European and World Transplant Games events. Prior to heading to the games, the Ambassador of Spain José María Rodríguez-Coso  held a reception for members of TransplAnt Team Ireland at his residence in Dublin.    

LAHINCH woman Marie O’Connor won three gold medals and two silver at the European Transplant and Dialysis Sports Championships in Finland recently. Marie, a kidney transplant recipient, won gold for her gross score in the ladies’ open category, her third gold at this year’s championships. She said, “I am honoured and thrilled. I wasn’t expecting the gold. I played against women from Germany, Italy and Denmark and all were lovely women. My donor is the person I compete for.” Marie won two gold medals in the petanque singles and doubles event. “It’s great to be here with people in the same boat. I’ve met some fabulous people this year. I hope we will all be taking part again next year. My number one gold is my donor and I am deeply grateful to them and to all my supporters at home,” she said. Marie was among a 28-strong Transplant Team Ireland, which enjoyed huge success at the championships. The team’s …