Monksland's Shane takes gold for Ireland in European Transplant Games

Monksland's Shane Lafferty picked up a gold medal last week at the European Transplant & Dialysis Games in Croatia after beating off stiff competition from representatives of 25 other countries in bowling. Shane, from Beechlawn Drive, was delighted on Wednesday of last week when he came out tops in singles bowling for dialysis patients aged 30 to 39 years old, in Zagreb. Shane had competed in the bowling competition and then returned to his hotel for dialysis only to find out later that he had picked up the gold medal. Shane, who arrived back in the country on Saturday night, was surprised with a celebration in Athlone Leisure World on Sunday evening where family and friends gathered to honour his achievement. He arrived at the centre to chants of Olé Olé Olé and a huge clap from the crowd. Shane told the Westmeath Independent that he was over the moon with his win and said the whole experience of the Games was absolutely brilliant. "It's a dream come true. I've never won a gold medal in my life. I'm like Katie Taylor now," he said. "It's a dream come true for me to win a gold medal for my country." He said it was great to see so many family and friends there to celebrate with him and said the reception the Irish team had received in Dublin Airport on Saturday night was great. Shane thanked Michelle Francis, Ollie Brien, PJ Shine and Athlone Leisure World for their help in the run up to the Games. His mother Breda said: "I'm so emotional about his victory. I am so proud of what he did. He played his heart out, he put everything into it. I'm truly so happy for him. The games are fantastic." The Irish team consisted of 26 members including 17 men and 9 women who range in age from 18 to 74. The games involved over 300 athletes from 28 countries throughout Europe. The European Games celebrate life through sport and promote organ donation. The Irish Kidney Association was responsible for organising Transplant Team Ireland's participation in the Transplant & Dialysis Games. The Transplant Team Ireland arrived home with 50 medals. Members of the 26-strong team were greeted with a rapturous welcome by family, friends and supporters celebrating their achievement in winning 14 gold, 15 silver and 21 bronze. This placed Ireland in third place on the medals table after France and Slovenia out of 28 participating countries. One of the highlights of the homecoming for the team was to see transplant surgeon David Hickey in the welcoming party and it was particularly heartening for a number of the athletes who had their kidney transplants conducted by the former 1970s Dublin football all-star. Mr Hickey described the athletes as 'true Corinthians and more'. Commenting about the Games experience, Team Manager Colin White said: "We received a warm welcome in Croatia with temperatures regularly reaching over 40 degrees throughout the week. Notwithstanding, the Irish team kept its cool to pull off some great performances. The team was family to us all with great support at every venue. The Games experience goes beyond simple sports competitions. The bond between competitors from all countries was palpable and the united desire to express appreciation to organ donors and their families was humbling. "Transplant and dialysis sports is growing consistently in Ireland and we look forward to many more people joining our team in time for the 2013 World Transplant Games in Durban, South Africa."