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Transplant Team Ireland

Countdown to World Transplant Games - Sweden 2011   2011-6-17 17:00:00 GMT+00:00

Home arrow Athletes arrow Charlie Ryan arrow Cobhs Charlie is Australia-Bound for World Transplant Games
Cobhs Charlie is Australia-Bound for World Transplant Games PDF Print E-mail
Written by Colin White   
Saturday, 25 July 2009
ImageA retired Co. Cork skipper, who stole the show at last years European Transplant & Dialysis Games, is off to Australia for the World Games next month but his beloved Darts will not be on the programme. Charlie Ryan, Cobh, was a stunning winner of a Gold medal for Darts in one of the highlight events at last years European Games in Wurzburg, Germany.

But he is not disappointed that Darts is not on the list for the 17th World Transplant Games in Gold Coast Australia, for which the team departs on Tuesday, August 18th.

For me, the great success is to take part, explained Charlie, an active 64 year-old. Just over two years ago I had a liver transplant, and to be even taking part in a World Games is more than enough reward.

I was sick for two or three years before I got my transplant but I am feeling fantastic now and I am really looking forward to the World Games.

I was very sporty when I was younger. I played basketball and had trials for Munster and Ireland, I played soccer and hurling for Cobh and did a bit of boxing. Pitch and putt and darts are my main sports now, he said.

In 1985 he won the Cobh Guinness Sports Star of the Year award for Pitch and Putt. In their own eyes, all 19 team members are winners already by just getting to the starting-line.
Between them, the Irish team have 13 new kidneys, five new livers and one new kidney-pancreas.

Its not really about winning, its all about taking part. We honour our donors by showing that organ transplantation works. Thats a vital message to promote as the need for a life-saving organ transplant can visit a family with devastating speed, and at any age, even babies and children, said team captain Mick Dwyer, who ten years ago had a kidney transplant.

Charlie will compete in lawn bowls, ten pin bowling, and the ball throw.

Team manager Colin White paid tribute to the determination of the athletes taking part. They have worked very hard to prepare for the Games, and they will help to show the world that you can enjoy a great life after receiving a transplant, he said.

The full Irish team is:
Paul Donohoe (Cavan); Michael Dwyer (captain, Dublin); Deirdre Faul (vice-captain, Dublin); Tony Gartland (Wicklow); James Hannon (Longford);  John Loftus (Limerick); Philip Martin (Dublin); Tom Metcalfe (Dublin); Linda Meyler (Galway); Catherine Murphy (Cork); James Nolan (Kildare); John Paul ONeill (Kilkenny); Paul Prendergast (Dublin); Orla Hogan-Ryan (Tipperary); Charlie Ryan (Cork); Leonard Ryan (Dublin); Angela Sherlock (Dublin); Harry Ward (Dublin); and Vienna White (Donegal.)
The team will be accompanied by manager Colin White; team doctor Emer Kilbride; physio Clare Hogan; and Mark Murphy, the CEO of the Irish Kidney Association, who is also a member of the World Transplant Games governing body. The team kit is sponsored by Shire Pharmaceuticals.

A special website has been built www.transplantteamireland.com where supporters can follow the teams progress and send on messages of support. The site profiles each athlete and will carry daily updates on how the athletes are getting on.

For an organ donor card FREETEXT the word DONOR to 50050.
 
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