Cork athletes off to Germany to compete for Ireland in Transplant Football World Cup

A team of 10 Irish athletes who had “life-changing” organ transplants will compete at the Transplant Football World Cup this week.

The tournament takes place in Frankfurt between September 13 and 18 with teams from around the world competing.

Team captain JP O’Neill had a kidney transplant in 1998 and has not spent a day in hospital since then despite years of ill-heath before that.

“Without the unselfishness of the organ donor and their family I would not be here to tell my story,” he said.

He added: “I love being around people who have amazing life stories and know how lucky we are to be able to represent our donor families.” 

Mike Keohane from Rosscarbery was told he had just two months to live almost twenty years ago because his liver was not functioning fully.

However, 11 days later he got the call for a transplant in 2007. Travelling as the team manager, he said the event is “an opportunity to showcase the power of organ donation and to honour the sacrifice that our donors have made.” 

Referring to his organ donor and their family, he said: “you’ll never be forgotten.” 

His teammate Val Weblin from Drimoleague is over 20 years on from his double-lung transplant in 2000. He had spent two years in a wheelchair before that and was dependent on oxygen daily.

“The day that call came changed my life and I've never looked back,” he said.

Now married and a father, he had a kidney transplant as well in 2018 and then returned to playing football.

“It truly is the gift of life,” he said of the decision for others to donate organs.

Other members of the team are from Dublin, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Kildare and also another Corkman Patrick O’ Driscoll.

He is now ten years on from his transplant.

“I have enjoyed the last 10 years with my family and friends. Organ donation has given me a second chance in life,” he said.

He advises other organ recipients: “always be grateful for the second chance.” 

Follow the team on social media with Transplant Sport Ireland.