There was great excitement when Roscommon man Shane Lafferty secured Gold andLaois man Niall McAuliffe won a Silver medal  at the 7th European Transplant & Dialysis Games in Croatia today. The two men competed in the same Bowling event, dialysis category 30-39 years.

Niall, from Abbeyleix, also won a Gold medal on Sunday in Darts. This is the first time for both men to represent Ireland at Transplant Games. Shane is from Beechlawn Drive, Monksland, Roscommon and his mother, Breda, accompanied him to the Games.

Both men receive haemodialysis treatment at the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore. Shane will also take part in Petanque on Thursday and a Ball Throw event on Friday before returning home to Ireland with his teammates on Saturday night.

Also today, Laois woman Alison Honner from Portlaoise won a Silver medal in Bowling after securing a bronze in Badminton yesterday. Alison, (age 26), is also a newcomer to Transplant Team Ireland ans she also undergoes a form of dialysis treatment, every night in her home.

The Irish Team consists of 26 members including 17 men and 9 women who range in age from 18 to 74. The Games involve over 300 athletes from 28 countries throughout Europe. The European Games celebrate life through sport and promote organ donation. The Irish Kidney Association is responsible for organising Transplant Team Ireland’s participation in the Transplant & Dialysis Games.

For more information and regular updates on the Irish Team visit the team blogwww.transplantteamireland.wordpress.com

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For further information contact: Gwen O’Donoghue, mob.             086 8241447