Transplant Games: Cork's Mairead among the stars as Ireland team claims 17 medals

A Cork woman has won five medals, including two golds, in the blistering heat at the World Transplant Games in Perth.

Mairead O’Mahony from Berrings helped the 14-strong Irish team end the Games with an impressive haul of 17 medals.

Mairead O’Mahony from Berrings, Cork … sing it from the rooftops, what an absolute legend. Hope she gets the recognition she so clearly deserves. What an amazing achievement!! pic.twitter.com/41jC4zDAaT

— Duncan Blair (@duncanblr) April 21, 2023

With temperatures in the searing sun in the early 30s, Mairead stormed through the 800m race at the WA Athletics Stadium to seize her second gold medal on Friday.

A few hours later she was on the medals podium again; winning a silver medal in the Javelin event for her throw of 19.74 meters. She had won earlier medals for the shot put and in 1500m and 5k races. 

This is Mairead’s first time representing Ireland in Transplant Sport. The 44-year-old mother of one received a bone marrow transplant from her donor brother when she was 18. She has now earned the reputation as ‘the one to beat’ in world transplant athletics.

Mairead will return to Dublin airport this Sunday afternoon laden down with two gold medals, two silvers and one bronze.

Earlier this Hugh Nolan from Doneraile, who plays off scratch, picked up a gold medal for his 33 points scoring 1 over (71 shots) in golf singles. It was his second gold medal win at the Games, having won the Golf pairs event on Monday with teammate Pat O’Sullivan from Mallow.

The taste of glory was most definitely shining down on members of Transplant Team Ireland - with a total medal count of seven golds, six silvers and four bronze medals. 

A report on the Irish team’s experience at the games and the finals medals tally will be posted on the team website www.transplantteamireland.ie.

Competition at the Games is by age category and Transplant Team Ireland had representatives in the following eleven sports: Cycling, Darts, Golf, Lawn Bowls, Pétanque, Road Race, Swimming, Table Tennis, Ten Pin Bowling, Tennis, and Triathlon.