In recognition of the outstanding performance of 24 inspirational athletes at the 19th World Transplant Games in South Africa, the Irish Kidney Association's Transplant Team Ireland has been invited by the GAA to showcase the success of organ donation and transplantation at Croke Park this Sunday. The brave transplant athletes will honour their organ donors when they are introduced to up to 80,000 spectators as they line up in front of the Hogan Stand during half-time at the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-Final between Dublin and Cork.

Amongst the transplant athletes stepping out on the historical pitch will the youngest member of Transplant Team Ireland, kidney transplant recipient Oisin O'Gorman. Twelve year old Oisin was selected in June this year to take part in the Cumann na mBunscol Exhibition Game during half-time based on his performances in the Waterford County Championships. Oisin, an avid hurler and member of St. Carthage's GAA Club in Lismore, won two medals at the World Transplant Games in Durban last week including 1 Gold for Badminton and 1 Bronze in the Long Jump event. Notably, Oisin's kidney donor father, Kieran, is a selector on the Waterford minor hurling team who will battle it out against Kilkenny earlier on Sunday for a place in the All-Ireland Final.

The World Transplant Games saw almost 1000 transplant recipients from 50 countries coming together to celebrate the Gift of Life through sport. The Irish team did themselves proud coming home with 34 medals (12 gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze) that put them 14th on the medal table.

Speaking about the significant event at Croke Park, Transplant Team Ireland Team Manager, Colin White said, "I know I speak on behalf of all the team when I say that it is an absolute privilege to be given recognition by the GAA to showcase the success of organ donation at one of the largest sporting gatherings of the year in the historical grounds of Croke Park. What a wonderful way for our team to honour their organ donors and their families and to demonstrate the legacy of organ donation. I would like to convey our special thanks to GAA's Padraig Duffy and John Costello as well as Transplant Surgeon and former Dublin Footballer David Hickey and former Dublin hurler and Michael Mangan, a kidney transplant recipient, for securing for us this special opportunity which we hope will encourage all the public to make a commitment to organ donation and discuss their wishes with their family."

"Members of the public are invited to join the transplant team when they come together again to take part in a Fun Run called 'Run for a Life' in support of organ donation and transplantation on Sunday, September 15th. The Irish Kidney Association's 'Run for a Life' (www.runforalife.ie), which celebrates life after transplantation, is sponsored by Astellas and people of all ages are encouraged to register to walk, jog or run in the event".

For organ donor cards Freetext DONOR to 50050 or contact the Irish Kidney Association on locall 1890 543639 or log on to www.ika.ie . You can now store your donor card details on your smart phone by downloading the free Organ Donor Ecard app. Tweet

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