Cobh liver transplant man to represent Ireland at European Games in Finland

Charlie Ryan (left), Mike Keohane (Right) and GAA All Star Alan Brogan who shared his insights into the Dublin team’s winning ways with Transplant Team Ireland ahead of European Championships in Finland. Showcasing the importance of organ donation, 29 athletes will represent Ireland at the 9th European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships in, Vantaa, Finland in July (10th -17th July). Picture Conor McCabe Photography.

Proving that age is no barrier to embracing the gift of life, in his seventies, is liver transplant recipient Charlie Ryan from Cobh, Co Cork. He, as part of the 29 strong Transplant Team Ireland, will represent his country at the European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships in Vantaa, Finland this July.

One year after receiving his liver transplant at St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin in August 2007, he represented his country for the first time at the biennial European Games held in Wurzburg, Germany in 2008. Each year since then, up until 2014, he has taken part in both World Transplant Games and European Championships which take place on alternate years and has accumulated an impressive medals haul of 4 Gold and 2 Bronze is his preferred sport, Darts, as well as a Gold in Petanque. Transplant Sport has taken him to destinations all over the world including Australia, Thailand, South Africa with his most recent Games in Krakow, Poland in August 2014. Since taking a break from transplant sports events last year, Charlie has progressed to an older age category in the competition, 70+ years, and he will be hoping for continued success in his main sport, Darts, while also competing in 10-pin Bowling and Petanque.

Charlie is a retired ferryboat skipper and used to work with Marine Transport Services in Cobh and his work included transporting prisoners to and from Spike Island prior to its closure.

Charlie said, “I look forward to taking part in the Transplant Games every year and this year is no exception and it would be nice to bring home a Gold medal again. The Transplant Games keep me active and motivated. I enjoy being part of the extended family that is Transplant Team Ireland and I have made lots of friends with transplant recipients who I have met from around the world. I wouldn’t be here today were it not for my donor and their family and taking part in Transplant sport is my way of honouring and expressing my gratitude to them.”

Another Cork man taking part in the forthcoming European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships is Mike Keohane from Rosscarbery, also a liver transplant recipient.