The team boasts18 new kidneys, three new livers and two new hearts, and the athletes are ready to show their prowess the 16th World Games in Bangkok, from Saturday, August 25th until Sunday, September 2nd.

The athletes, who depart from Dublin Airport at 9pm, come from all over Ireland and range in age from 20 to 70. For nine of them this will be their first time competing at this level.

“It’s not about winning, it’s about taking part. It’s about honouring our donors and it’s about demonstrating that organ transplantation works. That’s a vital message to get out there 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 Deirdre Faul.

Families, friends and supporters of the Irish squad and representatives from the Irish Kidney Association, the organisation responsible for co-ordinating Ireland’s involvement at the Games gathered for a reception at Dublin Airport today to say bon voyage of the athletes.

Shire Pharmaceuticals have sponsored the Irish team and local sponsors have helped the athletes defray the cost of competing.

Team manager Colin White paid tribute to the determination of the athletes taking part. “In Thailand, they will celebrate their healthy lifestyles and also join with fellow transplant recipients all over the world who are leading full lives after organ failure and transplantation,” he said.

The Irish team will be captained by Dubliner Deirdre Faul, and the other team members are Hugo Boyce (Donegal), Garret Campbell (Wicklow), John Cormican (Roscommon), Paul Donohoe (Cavan), Rachel Eagleton (Meath), Monica Finn (Roscommon), Vera Frisby (Waterford), Tony Gartland (Carlow), Tony Gavigan (Meath), James Hannon (Longford), John Loftus (Limerick), Terry Mangan (Dublin), Daniel McCarthy (Cork), Peter Morgan (Dublin), Catherine Murphy (Cork), Bridie Nicholson (Sligo), James Nolan (Kildare), Marie O’Connor (Clare), Paul Prendergast (Dublin), Angela Sherlock (Dublin), Jennifer Tuohy (Clare) and Emma Walsh (Kilkenny.)

They will compete in golf, tennis, track and field, table tennis, ten-pin bowling, petanque, badminton, squash, and swimming.

Seamus Brennan, TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism sent a message of goodwill to the Irish team. “The athletes’ hard work in preparing for the games and determination to fulfill their maximum potential is an inspiration to us all. I have no doubt that they will all compete to their optimum during the course of the Championships,” he said.

A special website has been built – www.transplantteamireland.com – where supporters can follow the team’s 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 free text the word ‘DONOR’ to 50050. 


BACKGROUND INFO

Reporter Attending 
Freelance Reporter Liam Horan will be attending the Games along with the Irish team, and filing stories from Bangkok. There will be no charge on these stories.

Photos   
Liam will also be co-ordinating the supply of photos. Photos of all the athletes taking part are already available from Liam. There is no charge on photos.

Contact  Liam Horan
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , +353 87 9185867

Media Contact in Ireland during Games
Emer Gallagher
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   087 984 8463

Team Manager Colin White (available for interview) 
+353 1 6205306, +353 87 6843644

Team Captain Deirdre Faul (available for interview)
+353 1 2853863, + 353 87 6313485


* Please note the team will arrive into Dublin Airport at 7.25pm on Tuesday, September 4th. Details of the homecoming reception will be provided in the week beforehand.