Transplant athletes set for Euro Games

Cork will once again be well represented at this year’s European Transplant Games with four athletes from the Rebel County set to compete for Team Ireland.

Taking place in Arnhem, Holland from 20-27 June, the games will host organ and stem cell transplant recipients and people undergoing dialysis from all over Europe.

Representing Cork are Mick O’Shea (heart transplant), Mairead O'Mahony (bone marrow transplant), Patrick O’Sullivan (kidney transplant), and Mike Keohane (liver transplant).

Mick O’Shea, Mallow

Mick's transplant journey began when he developed myocarditis, a virus that attacked his heart and left him critically ill.

“I was rushed to the Mater under garda escort,” he recalls.

He spent the next three months in ICU, High Dependency, and the Cardiac Care ward, even spending two weeks on life support.

Facing an uncertain future, Mick waited for the call that would change his life and thankfully, a donor heart became available.

His message to anyone waiting for a transplant is simple: “Never give up hope. Everyone on this team has been in your position.”

Mick will be competing in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 1500m, and high jump events.

Mairead O'Mahony, Berrings

Mairead received a bone marrow transplant in 1997 after being diagnosed with leukaemia as a teenager. She underwent seven months of chemotherapy in Cork before her oldest brother, Willie, was identified as a perfect match and became her bone marrow donor.

Today, Mairead is one of Ireland's most successful transplant athletes and holds the World Transplant Games record in the 800 metres.

“Joining Transplant Sport Ireland, I felt that I was reconnecting with something I loved so much, which was taken from me by my cancer diagnosis. I was so excited to potentially achieve some of the dreams which, as a 17 year old, I thought were gone forever,” says Mairead.

Mairead competes in the 800m, 1500m, and shot putt events.

Patrick O’Sullivan, Mallow

In 2003, Pat was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure. For the next eleven years, life was a constant battle until he finally received a kidney transplant in 2015.

“I still think of it as both a memorable and sad day. I spent the day thinking of my new life ahead and also of my potential donor family and the grief and sorrow they were going through,” he recalls.

Pat will be competing in golf and athletics at this year’s games.

Mike Keohane, Rosscarbery

Mike’s journey began in 1992 when he was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis. Following his diagnosis, he was told that he would eventually require a liver transplant. As his condition worsened in 2005, Mike spent the next two years in and out of hospital. By late 2007, his health had deteriorated significantly, and he was placed on the transplant waiting list.

“I was told I had about two months to live without a liver transplant,” he says.

Thankfully, Mike's wait was short. Just eleven days after being listed, he received the call that would save his life.

“My transplant completely changed my life. Since then, I've enjoyed the best health I'd had in many years, and it gave me the opportunity to get my life back again,” he says.

Mike competes in the 5K race walk, discus, shot put, and darts.