Transplant Team Ireland - John Paul goes on the medal trail again

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John Paul goes on the medal trail again

Written by Colin White

Friday, 31 July 2009

A Co. Kilkenny man is off to Australia next month (AUGUST) as a member of the Irish team in the World Transplant Games – where, between them, the Irish team have 13 new kidneys, five new livers and one new kidney-pancreas.

JP O'Neill pictured with Squash colleague Deirdre Faul

John Paul O’Neill, Clogh, Castlecomer, is looking forward to competing in the life-affirming games, eight years after he first competed at this level in Kobe, Japan.
John Paul received a new kidney in 1998, and has since lived a healthy and active life, and this will be his fourth time to represent his country.
“Life has been very good since my transplant, and participating in these Games is a way of saying thanks to all of our donors. They gave us the gift of life, and we appreciate that every single day,” he said.
“I took part in the previous European and World Games in France, Hungary, and Japan, and I am really looking forward to the trip to Australia.”
The squad will travel to Gold Coast on Tuesday, August 18th. John Paul will compete in badminton, squash, and a number of the sprint races. He has previously been successful at Europe and world levels, including a Gold medal in Squash at the 2003 World Games.
“It’s not really about winning, it’s all about taking part. We honour our donors by showing that organ transplantation works. That’s 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.
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 O’Neill (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 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 FREETEXT the word ‘DONOR’ to 50050.

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