Tony Gartland, Hacketstown, was among the medal winners for Team Ireland at the World Transplant Games this weekend.
Gartland was the first person to undergo a liver transplant in Ireland and crossed the finish line in second position securing a Silver medal in the 5km Race Walk while Spain took Gold with Italy took Bronze in his age category (50-59 years).
“The 5km and 1500m races earlier in the week didn’t go as well as I would have hoped”, said Gartland following his second place finish.
“Following that disappointment, I spent the week focusing on encouraging the rest of the team and this race. I’m absolutely delighted to get a silver after the hard work I put in. I’ll have very happy memories of Spain. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me, and a big thank you to the physio I got from Noel Molloy and Star Geoghegan.”
The team will will return home to Dublin airport on Sunday evening, bringing with them a large haul of medals secured at the week-long games. They land at Dublin Airport around 5.30pm Sunday for an informal homecoming reception with family, friends and supporters at Terminal One’s arrivals hall.
The Irish team of 27 athletes have been competing among close to 1000 transplant recipients form over 50 countries. Every athlete at the World Transplant Games will have already received a kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas or bone marrow transplant.
