The team, returned to Dublin airport today and received a rapturous welcome from their families, friends and supporters who travelled from the four corners of Ireland to greet them festooned with flags, bunting and poster messages. Amongst the welcoming party was former Dublin footballer and respected Transplant Surgeon, David Hickey from Beaumont Hospital who turned up to commend the team for its achievements.

The Irish Team, ranging in age from 9 to 70+ years, will place well in both the Senior and Junior medals tables when they are issued, with 54 countries competing.

Putting in an incredible performance at his first ever World Transplant Games was 17 years old Robbie Lyons from The Swan, Co Laois who won a Gold and two Silver medals. At the Games, Robbie became the new world record holder in the 15-17 years old age category for the Long Jump event with a 5.30m jump which destroyed the previous distance record of 4.78m held by Conor Patton from the UK. Other existing World Record holders on the team are John Moran (52), a kidney transplant recipient from Glasnevin and Tony Gartland, a liver transplant recipient from Hacketstown. In Singapore in 1989, a younger John Moran broke the long standing record in the 5000m race in the 18-29 year age category in a time of 18.50.00 and ten years later, in Budapest, also in the 18-29 year age category, Moran became the world record holder in the 1500m race with a time of 04.26.55.

Moran took the biggest medal haul of the Irish team at this year’s Games winning 2 Gold and 3 Silver for cycling and track events. Tony Gartland, is the current record holder in 5000m race walk event, 40-49 age category, as two years ago when the 17th World Transplant Games were held in Gold Coast, Australia his record breaking time was 28.59.20. At the Games in Sweden, Tony won a Silver medal for the 5k race walk, a Silver in the 1500m race and a bronze for the 5k mini marathon.

The weather in Gothenburg was similar to the prevailing Irish climate with plenty of grey skies and scattered showers. But this didn’t deter the Irish athletes or the 21 supporters who travelled with them to Sweden from embracing the spirit of the Games which celebrate life. The competition standard was extremely high this year and the Irish team proved to be up there with the best.

The World Games also allow transplant athletes to honour organ donors and their families. Throughout the week long Games, many heart-warming stories emerged. In each of these stories there were certain points that were constant - support, pride, celebrating life and triumph over adversity !

The closing ceremony was marked with a Midsummer’s Eve Party where the Irish athletes and supporters were able to experience traditional Swedish folklore and sample national food specialties along with athletes from all over the globe.

Irish Team Manager, Colin White, described the Games, “It was fantastic to have four Juniors on our team for the first time in many years. I look back over the week with a great sense of pride. The spirit throughout the team was overwhelming. Fair play exudes this team. The Irish team members showed amazing support to one another but also to their competitors. Our team doctor, Yvonne Ryan, and team physio, Clare Hogan; both of whom volunteer their time to support the team, were outstanding, they really made a difference. Friendships have been born this week, and they will last a lifetime!”

Colin concluded that “the family that is, Transplant Team Ireland, has grown in size and in strength. There is a fantastic depth to the team. Our future is solid and

we welcome and look forward to expanding our team for the next World Transplant Games which will be held in Durban, South Africa in 2013.”

This was Ireland’s biggest ever team competing at the biennial World Transplant Games. The Irish team of 33 athletes ranged in age from 9 to 70+ and were among 1100 athletes from 54 countries who participated in the Games which were held in Gothenburg.

The Irish Team members have all received major organ transplants including heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas.

The Irish Kidney Association was responsible for managing Transplant Team Ireland’s participation at the Games.

You can read more about the Irish team on the Games website www.transplantteamireland.com and to view the Irish medal winners and their events, click on the 'Irish Medalists' tab at the top of the home page.

Members of Transplant Team Ireland are:

Hugo Boyce, Clonmany, Donegal

Liam Duffy, Kilkelly, Co Mayo

Michael Dwyer, Cabinteely, Co Dublin (Team Captain)

Seamus Eager, Kilcoole, Co Wicklow

Megan Fahy, Tonnaphubble, Co Sligo

Deirdre Faul, Dalkey, Co Dublin

Tony Gartland, Hacketstown, (Wicklow), Co Carlow

Sheila Gregan, Nenagh, Co Tipperary

Orla Hogan, Nenagh, Co Tipperary

Eoin Hurley, Waterford city, Co Waterford

Philip Kavanagh, Arklow, Co Wicklow

Michael Keohane, Clonakilty, Co Cork

Anne Lankester, Rossberry, Co Cork

John Loftus, Clarina, Co Limerick

Robbie Lyons, The Swan, via Athy, Co Laois

Elaine Maguire, Athy, Co Kildare

Eamonn Malone, Toneymore, Co Cavan

Noel McGeever, Letterkenny, Co Donegal

Sinead McGowan, Sydney, Australia (from Galway)

Dara McLaughlin, Lucan, Co Dublin

John Moran, Glasnevin, Dublin 11

Catherine Murphy, Aghabullogue, Cork

Bridie Nicholson, Sligo Town, Sligo

Liza Nikkinen, Naas, Co Kildare (from Sweden)

James Nolan, The Curragh, Co Kildare

Oisin O’Gorman, Lismore, Waterford

Paul Prendergast, Dublin 9

James Reynolds, Tallaght, Dublin 24

Lenny Ryan, Tallaght, Dublin 24

Charlie Ryan, Cobh, Cork

Angela Sherlock, Walkinstown, Dublin 12

Valerie Twomey, Crosshaven, Cork

Dean Walsh, Galway City, Galway

Clare Hogan, Fermoy, Co Cork (Team Physio)

Yvonne Ryan, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 (Team Doctor)

Colin White, Irish Kidney Association, from Balbriggan, Co Dublin (Team Manager)

At the previous World Transplant Games which were held in Gold Coast, Australia in 2009, the Irish team of 19 athletes scooped 10 gold, 7 silver and 5 bronze. The 22 medals haul placed Ireland eleventh out of the 50 competing countries on the medals table.

For organ donor cards freetext DONOR to 50050.

-Ends-

For further information contact: Gwen O’Donoghue mob. 086 8241447

Colin White, Team Manager, mob. 087 6843644

Laura Cassin, mob. 087 2231615

Michael Dwyer, Team Captain, mob. 086 8239517