Pictured at the reception in the Australian Embassy in Dublin last week were: Gwen O'Donoghue, Tullamore; Australian Ambassador to Ireland, Gary Gray; Colin White, Team Manager, Transplant Team Ireland; and Robyn Black, Tullamore. Photo: Gareth Chaney.

Tullamore duo among backroom staff of medal-winning Transplant Team Ireland

Adrian Cusack

Published: Tue 30 May 2023, 11:51 AM

Last updated: Tue 30 May 2023, 12:21 PM

After their success in winning 17 medals at the World Transplant Games last month in Perth, Transplant Team Ireland were honoured last week with a special reception in Dublin hosted by the Australian Ambassador to Ireland, Gary Gray.

The event at the Australian Embassy on St Stephen's Green, was organised to the mark the end of Organ Donor Awareness Week (May 20-27) .

Among the panel of Transplant Team Ireland were two backroom team members from Tullamore.

Showcasing the success of organ donation and raising organ donor awareness, Tullamore native Gwen O'Donoghue manages publicity for the Irish Kidney Association, including for Transplant Team Ireland's participation at international transplant sporting events.

Another Tullamore representative, Robyn Black, is a Scottish native who has been working with the Irish Kidney Association for five years, and manages all social media activity as well as the team's website.

Transplant team Ireland with family members and supporters, and the Australian Ambassador to Ireland, Gary Gray.

At last week's event, the Irish team presented a framed team jersey to Ambassador Gray, whose home city is Perth.

"Your experience in Perth was pretty special to us," said the Ambassador. "Thank you for being there to compete and to bring attention to the great importance of ensuring that donation rates are lifted right across the world for all kinds of organs that can bring new life and new energy where they are available.

"We like the fact that you did that. We like the fact that you competed. We really like that you went, that you enjoyed yourselves, and that you connected with the extremely important Irish community in Australia."

Colin White, Transplant Team Ireland Manger, while thanking the Ambassador for his warm hospitality on behalf of the team, said: "We had a fantastic time in Australia. The family connections that many of the team had over there was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with family members who we don’t get to see as often as we like. So we grew the Irish team’s supporters, and the Australians made us feel very welcome.

"The 14 transplant recipients on the team that took part in the games in Perth were proud to be among over 1,500 competitors from 46 countries to showcase the success of organ donation made possible by their organ donors.

"We were delighted to be part of the wonderful experience and also to enjoy success in the competition as we took home a haul of 17 medals, including 7 gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze.

"We now look forward to growing the team for the biennial European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships which will be held in Lisbon, Portugal next summer and then in 2025 taking part in the biennial World Games in Dresden, Germany.”

Joining the team at the reception at the Australian Embassy were family members as well as Eddie Flood, the National Honorary Chairman of the Irish Kidney Association, (a kidney transplant recipient), and Sean Hosford, the Chief Executive of Health Services Staff Credit Union (HSSCU), sponsors of Transplant Team Ireland’s Team kit, and consultant nephrologist Claire Kennedy, team doctor.

The Irish Kidney Association manages and coordinates Transplant Team Ireland’s participation at International Transplant Games events. See website: transplantteamireland.ie. For organ donor cards, visit: www.ika.ie.