THE IRISH team returned to a hero’s welcome yesterday after picking up 22 medals at the 17th World Transplant Games in Australia.
Family members and supporters greetted the squad in an emotional reunion at Dublin Airport .
Among the top performers at the games was Deirdre Faul from Dalkey, Co Dublin, who won four gold medals.
“I have really enjoyed the games, and to win four gold medals is just very special,” she said.
Net Division Golf proved to be Ireland’s forte, as three Dubliners, including Philip Martin from Swords and team captain Mick Dwyer from Cabinteely, won individual gold on Thursday.
All athletes in the squad, which now ranks 11th in the world, have received a transplant of either a liver or kidney more than a year ago
Games newcomer Martin (22), has received three kidney transplants, the first at age four. He received his third transplant last year when his sister Lorna donated one of her kidneys to him, and has enjoyed excellent health since.
“Words can’t describe how I feel right now. This is all in honour of the organ donors who made it possible for us to still be here today,” he added
The 19-strong team, ranging in age from 22 to 64, returned with 10 gold, seven silver and five bronze medals, with golf and badminton having yielded three gold medals each.
Vienna White, from Letterkenny, Co Donegal, also won two gold medals in her first world games, just a year after getting a kidney transplant.
There was another honour for the Irish contingent when team manager Colin White was elected to the council of the World Transplant Games Federation.
Mr White is also co-ordinating Ireland’s hosting of next year’s European Transplant Dialysis Games in Dublin.
Mr White said: “For the size of the team we had out there we did phenomenal.
“We showed the competitors that we can compete and have a great time doing so, and it was that spirit and enthusiasm that helped me get elected onto the council for the next games.
“I couldn’t be happier with my team right now. I just hope our performance will help gain funding and promoters for next years European Transplant Dialysis Games, as we still need to raise €300,000.”
Australia ranked first in the 2009 games, having won 84 gold medals followed by the UK with 79 gold. Both teams have more than 150 athletes. Ireland came 10th in the world in the last transplant games held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2007, when they brought home a record 39 medals.
The games, held on Australia’s Gold Coast, saw more than 2,000 athletes compete in a wide range of sports over the past week. The key message of the games, staged every second year, is the importance of organ donation.