Mullingar man among the medals at European Transplant Championships

Mullingar's Finian Farrell and his Ireland teammates received a warm welcome from family and friends when they returned home from the European Transplant and Dialysis Championships on Sunday, July 17.

Finian and his table tennis doubles partner Mayo's Matthew McNeive secured a bronze medal at the championships, which were held in Vantaa, Finland.

Speaking after the championships, kidney transplant recipient Finian, who narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the table tennis singles event in his age category, said that he really enjoyed representing his country.

He also expressed his "deep appreciation" to his donor and his donor's family for giving him the gift of life.

Overall, Transplant Team Ireland, which also included Athlone swimmer Noel Marsden, enjoyed huge success at the championships. The team's final medal tally was a staggering 21 gold, 19 silver and 29 bronze. This placed Ireland’s 28 strong team in fifth position on the medals table with host country Finland.

Transplant Team Ireland this year comprised 22 men and six women, including 22 transplant recipients (four liver, 17 kidney and one combined kidney/pancreas) and six athletes who are receiving dialysis treatment.

The Irish Kidney Association is responsible for the co-ordination and organisation of Transplant Team Ireland’s participation in the European Transplant and Dialysis Championships.

Many of the team will be joining others including Ireland’s growing children’s transplant team to compete at the British Transplant Games in Liverpool from July 28-30.

For an organ donor card Freetext the word DONOR to 50050 or visit website www.ika.ie. It is also possible to download an organ donor card on smartphones by searching for Donor ECard at the iphone store or android market place. Your wishes to be an organ donor can also be included on the new format driving licence which is represented by Code 115.