Three athletes from North Cork/South Limerick are among fourteen Irish transplant recipients travelling this week to Perth, Australia, to represent Ireland at the World Transplant Games. Pat O’Sullivan from Mallow, Hugh Nolan from Doneraile, and Michael Kiely from Ballylanders, all of whom have received kidney transplants, will compete in the Games which begin this Saturday, 15th April, and run until next Friday. Each of the athletes is covering the cost of participation in the Games (including registration, flights, accommodation, and meals) through fundraising in the name of the Irish Kidney Association/Transplant Team Ireland, and using their own funds.
Pat O’Sullivan will be competing in golf singles/pairs, 100m track and petanque doubles, and has represented Ireland at two previous World Games as well as competing in the British and European tournaments. Michael Kiely is also no stranger to the Games, having competed in the 2017 edition, and will be playing alongside Pat in the golf singles/pairs and petanque doubles. Hugh Nolan, who is taking part in his first World Transplant Games, will be competing in the golf pairs and singles.
Best wishes to all three, and to Transplant Team Ireland. Hopefully they will return to Ireland with medals after the Games.