Transplant football EXHIBITION MATCH IN CORK

The Irish Transplant Football team will take part in an 11 a side exhibition match against Féilecáin  (a group of Bereaved Fathers, who  have come together to support each other after the loss of a  child)  in Cork City Grounds at Turners Cross, Cork on Saturday November 25^th with kick-off  at 1.30pm. All support welcomed and appreciated.

The Irish Transplant football team came together before Covid hit, with a dream of representing their country in a sport they love and enjoy, and in doing so, they could honour their donors, donor families and help raise awareness of organ donation. To date, they have competed in the first ever International Transplant football tournament in Solihull, UK last March where they took Silver. They then met Northern Ireland in both a home and away friendly international, winning one game on penalties and convincingly won the second game 6-3. It was then capped off by Team Ireland’s first ever football team competing at the British Transplant Games held in Coventry in July, where the Team captured Bronze!  The team now look forward to challenging for the first ever World Cup Transplant Soccer in Italy next year.

Ages of the Irish team ranged from early 20’s to 50’s and with well over 100 years combined of transplanted life between them.  Players consist of Transplant Recipients, including Heart recipients, Double Lung recipients, Liver recipients, Kidney recipients, Bone Marrow recipients and those on dialysis. Each has an extraordinary story of triumph over adversity and each athlete powerfully showcases the power of organ donation. Whilst their stories are unique, each share a common bond of facing the greatest challenge in life, and each athlete is deeply grateful to their donors and the donor’s families.

Transplant Football Ireland is not all about winning – it is a celebration of life through sport. It showcases the success of organ donation and transplantation whilst offering inspiration to those who are newly transplanted, those awaiting transplants or those newly diagnosed with organ failure.

So if you have received a life-saving donation, or are on dialysis, your journey starts here to meet like-minded people and get mentally and physically fitter. They welcome everyone to come try out for the team, all levels of skill, ability and fitness are welcome……. The most important thing is you have fun and show what an amazing impact organ donation has on people’s lives. The Team have one simple request to everyone – to please consider carrying an Organ Donor Card and Have the conversation – Say YES to Organ Donation.

If you would like to join the team or become involved in any way, check out their social media Facebook page –Transplant Football Ireland or their website www.soccertransplantteamireland.ie     

You can also email info@soccertransplantsteamireland.ie or transplantsportireland@gmail.com