Locals prepare to go Down Under as part of Irish World Transplant Games’ team

Transplant Team Ireland members pictured at a team gathering in preparation for The World Transplant Games held in Perth, Australia next month, including representatives from Mitchelstown, Doneraile and Mallow. (Picture: Conor McCabe Photography)

Two local men are amongst fourteen Irish transplant recipients preparing to travel to Perth, Australia next month to represent Ireland at the World Transplant Games.

Recipient of a living kidney donor transplant Michael Kiely from Mitchelstown and Hugh Nolan from Doneraile, recipient of a kidney transplant, will travel to the event along with Cork area team members, Pat O’Sullivan (kidney transplant recipient) from Mallow and Mairead O’Mahony (bone marrow transplant recipient) from Berrings.

Mitchelstown’s Michael Kiely, who received a living donor transplant in 2023 from his sister, Annette, is preparing to compete in the 50-59 age category across three events – the Golf Singles, Golf Team and Petanque Singles. Having participated in previous World Transplant Games in Spain back in 2017, he is looking forward to this year’s event to raise the profile of organ donation and transplantation.

“I’m really looking forward to the Transplant Games. It is a privilege and honour to be able to represent my country …” he said.

Full story in this week’s Print & Digital Edition