Monksland's Shane is off to Transplant Games this week

Monksland's Shane Lafferty is heading to the Transplant Games in Croatia this week where he will represent Ireland. Shane, from Beechlawn Drive, will represent his country at bowling and is also signed up for lawn bowls and darts at the European Transplant & Dialysis Games in Zagreb, The Games run from August 18 to 25 and Shane is one of a 26-strong Irish team. While living in county Roscommon, Shane is a member of the Westmeath branch of the Irish Kidney Association and so will be flying the flag for both counties in Zagreb. Roscommon will also be represented by Monica Finn from Roscommon town, but there are no others from Westmeath. Shane said: "I'm very happy to represent my country. It's a dream come true." Shane, who has had two kidney transplants and attends the dialysis clinic at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore three times a week, said he really enjoys bowling and is looking forward to taking on the other teams in Croatia, where he will be taking part in singles and doubles competitions. In total over 300 athletes from 28 countries will participate in the Games at the end of the month. Shane is just one of six on the Irish team who hasn't been to the Games before.