Ireland’s Transplant Sport team of 25 athletes have returned from the European Transplant Sports Championships held in Lisbon, Portugal, from July 21 – 28, bringing home 65 medals, consisting of 28 Gold, 21 Silver and seven Bronze medals.

It was an amazing week for Team Ireland who competed in a number of disciplines including golf, swimming, cycling, tennis, darts, petanque, table tennis, badminton, tenpin bowling, and athletics.

Among them were Ronan Coughlan, originally from Limerick but living in Newport in north Tipperary, who is a kidney recipient, and Sheila Gregan from Nenagh, also a kidney recipient.

Team Ireland’s Darts players were in action on day one with both the singles and triples competitions taking place. Dialysis athlete Ronan Coughlan took Gold in the singles and Bronze in the triples, despite only having taken up Darts since March.

On day five, Team Ireland golfers faced their second day on the course and this time had a sweeping wind to contend with and what a day they had. Among them was Mr Coughlan who won Silver in the Category 3 Net.

On day three, the Irish were in the swimming pool. Sheila Gregan won Bronze in the 400m freestyle and Silver in the 50m Breaststroke. Sheila has clocked up many medals on swimming and was ready for more on the day. Sheila described the victory as “emotionally overwhelming.”

On Day 5, Sheila took Bronze in her 30k cycle, and her times in this, combined with her swim and 5k mini marathon event, ensured she took the Silver in the Virtual Triathlon.

Sheila spoke on her success and emphasised that while she is delighted with the medal success, she felt that she has “already won” when she got her transplant.

Sheila is the youngest of a family of five, has a daughter Aisling who currently resides in Sydney, Australia, and lives at home with a grey mare and a 14-year-old Jack Russell called Snoop.

Having undergone two kidney transplants, in 1986 and 2006, Sheila has been able to live what she calls a normal and privileged life.

“To have represented my country in my chosen sports, being part of the Irish team since 2010, it has been such a privilege and could only happen because I received the gift of life,” she said.

Speaking before the games, Sheila added, “This will be my fifth European Transplant and Dialysis games. I look forward to meeting old friends and making new friends.

“I love that we are like a big likeminded family who have been given the opportunity to compete in chosen sports and showcase the fact that organ donations works and we are all living proof.”

Sheila advises those waiting on a transplant to get involved with Transplant Sport Ireland as it can be a great support and positive experience. “I feel it is a great comfort to talk to someone who has gone through dialysis or maybe waiting for a transplant.”

Sheila is inspired by Team Ireland athlete Orla Hogan Ryan, whom Sheila describes as her inspirational role model. “She has gone through many medical challenges in her life and still has the same passion and determination to participate at Transplant games.”

This was Sheila’s fifth European Games and twelfth games in total, where she competed in the 5k Mini Marathon on Monday, Swimming 50m Breaststroke and 400m Freestyle, on Tuesday, followed by the 30k road race cycle on Thursday and finishing off a busy week with Tennis Doubles, paired with Finbarr O’Regan, on Friday.

Ronan Coughlan has had two previous kidney transplants and is currently on dialysis in Limerick. This year marks his sixteenth year combined of dialysis treatment and he is now on the waiting list for a third kidney transplant.

His Mum Deirdre was his donor is 2014 and Ronan said: “I got three years of life dialysis free which enabled me to start college. Without her incredible act, I wouldn’t have found my interest in radio first, and then gone to the University of Limerick to complete my Journalism degree. She’s my inspiration for these games.”

Speaking about his decision to compete at these championships, Ronan said, “to participate in these championships have been a goal of mine since aged 11, when I first attended the National Transplant and Dialysis games in 2006 as a junior in Dublin, when there was no junior programme, and took part again in 2007.

“Due to my health I never had the chance to go back and never competed aboard. After the pandemic I gave golf another go, and took up darts.

“Lisbon will be an emotional trip, it hasn’t sunk in yet what’s ahead. I am just focusing on making sure my dialysis and health is stable and I’m ready enough to compete and give it a good run over there.

“I want to make the most of it while I am still waiting for another kidney transplant. It’ll be a great honour for me to represent the tri-colour abroad.”

Ronan advises those on dialysis or awaiting a transplant to make the most of your good days when they come. This was Ronan’s first transplant games where he competed in the Darts, single and triples, on Monday, Golf team on Wednesday, paired with Tom O’Reilly, and finishing off his games with Golf singles on Thursday.