Today was our first day of competition and our team rose to the occasion.  Sean Marshall was first up in the 5km. Sean is a new member of our team but his performance encapsulated what we are about.  He took on a personal challenge and bossed it! He ran very well and achieved his goal. I will remember his achievement for a very long time.

Another newcomer,  Kieran Murray, showed that hard work and commitment pay off when he took gold in the 5km. Sheila Gregan and Orla Hogan followed up with a bronze each in the 5km.

We had the biggest team in petanque with both everyone acquitting themselves very well. I have to be a little self indulgent and say the day was made extra special when my wife Chikoyo won a gold medal.  Charlie Ryan also fought well to win a gold. Linda Waters and Bridie Nicholson’s silver medals as well as bronzes for James Reynolds and Edward McAuliffe and doubles bronze for Bridie and Marie O’Connor meant that the Irish flag was held high on the medal podium many times today!

A strong sense of fairness and a great sense of humour from our captain,  Harry Ward,  kept us all going all day. He is surely some man for one man! The support between fellow team members is strong – our ‘family’ is strong!

All organ donors, and their families,  are in our thoughts as we celebrate life through sports.  Have you made a commitment to make a difference?  Get your organ donor card today.  http://www.ika.ie/card