First gold medals for Irish transplant athletes

Ireland took three gold medals, one silver, and five bronze at the opening day of the European Transplant and Dialysis Games in Poland.

First gold medals for Irish transplant athletes

Veteran Charlie Ryan from Cobh came first in the 60-69 age category in the Petanque event.

A liver transplant recipient, Charlie said he was delighted to receive a gold medal in Krakow.

“It was outstanding. I beat the French at their own game. Up the Rebels!” he said.

In the ladies Petanque events dialysis category, Chikoyo White from Balbriggan, Dublin, secured her first-ever gold medal and her teammate, Linda Waters from Athenry, was placed second in the same event in the 40- to 59-year-old age category.

Double transplant recipient Bridie Nicholson from Sligo won a silver medal in the Petanque event, while the newcomer to the team, Eddie McAuliffe from Portarlington in Laois, was happy to secure a bronze medal in his age category, 40-49 years.

His younger teammate, Tallaght man James Reynolds, also secured a bronze, this time in the 18-39 age category.

Mr McAuliffe said he was over the moon to take a bronze at his first attempt competing in the event.

“I am really enjoying my first Games,” said Mr McAuliffe. “It’s competitive but great craic at the same time. It was a long but really enjoyable day. There was great sportsmanship. It’s my first time ever picking up a Petanque ball in competitive sport so I’m delighted with my bronze.”

In the 5km mini-marathon, Donegal’s Kieran Murray took gold, while Orla Hogan, 36, from Tipperary was rewarded with a bronze medal for her efforts in her age category. Her teammate and fellow Nenagh woman Sheila Gregan, 45, a triathlete, won a bronze medal in another age category.

At the previous European Championships, which were held in Zagreb in 2012, with a smaller team of 26, Ireland was placed in third position on the medals table, after France and Slovenia, out of 28 participating countries after securing an impressive medals haul of 14 gold, 15 silver, and 21 bronze medals.

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