Clare bar-maid Marie O’Connor won two gold medals at the 16th World Transplant Games in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday (TUESDAY) – after a donation from a kind stranger sent her on her way.

“A man I had never met before promised me in the pub one day to give me €1,000 towards my sponsorship of the games. I thought he was only joking, but sure enough the cheque arrived in the post,” said the 39 year-old, who has had two kidney transplants.

The Lahinch woman won the medals for the best gross in golf and for the best overall. She works in the world-famous O'Connor's Bar, Doolin.

Dubliner Deirdre Faul, the captain of the Irish team, won a gold medal for best nett in golf.

“We are both thrilled. The Games are going extremely well and they illustrate the fact that people who have had transplants can go on to enjoy healthy and active lives,” said Deirdre.

Marie O’Connor said, “My gold medal is my kidney. I just want to give thanks for my transplant. It sure beats being tied up to a machine.”

Follow the progress of the Irish team on www.transplantteamireland.com. For an organ donor card free text the word ‘DONOR’ to 50050 or for more information log on to www.ika.ie.