News
‘I thank my kidney donor for giving me this opportunity’
K
KILLARNEY native Con Brosnan returned this week after the experience of a lifetime and he was quick to pay tribute to the generosity of the organ donor who had made it possible. Con was one of the 27-member Transplant Team Ireland who touched down in Dublin Airport on Sunday.
All had notched top-class performances at the 21st World Transplant Games in Malaga both on and off the competitive field.
The Irish team won a total of 32 medals while at the same time demonstrating their zest for life, team spirit, sportsmanship and infectious goodwill while honouring their organ donors.
The Irish team’s impressive medals haul includes 14 gold, 7 silver and 11 bronze from various sporting events.
It was the first World Transplant Games for Con Brosnan from Killarney to take part in and although he didn't bring home a medal from his golf events he said: "I thoroughly enjoyed the Games experience and spending time with the team who welcomed me and have become my extended family.”
He added: “I thank my kidney donor for giving me this wonderful opportunity.”
Con was supported at the Games by Teresa and Pat Looney of the Kerry branch of the Irish Kidney Association: “I want to thank Teresa and Pat Looney who travelled with me to the Games from Kerry as they were a great support.”
Team member, Dubliner Deirdre Faul (a liver transplant recipient), managed to break two world records in the swimming pool on her way to winning 4 gold medals, including her 6th world title in Squash.
The oldest member of the team and retired university lecturer John McAleer (age 79) from Jordanstown in Antrim, won a bronze medal in the golf singles event.
The team includes 4 liver transplant recipients and 23 kidney transplant recipients
The 21st World Transplant Games involved 1000 competitors from 51 countries and every athlete who competed will have received a kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas or bone marrow transplant.
For organ donor cards Freetext DONOR to 50050 or visit website www.ika.ie/card You can now download the IKA’s new digital donor card by visiting www.donor.ie on your smartphone. Your wishes to be an organ donor can also be included on the new format driving licence which is represented by Code 115.
Above: Con Brosnan, right, with Pat and Teresa Looney.
Spa GAA has finalised a deal with Cork-based renewable firm ePower to install two electric vehicle (EV) charging points at its club grounds in Killarney.
The move makes the club one of the very first GAA organisations in County Kerry to provide dedicated, on-site charging infrastructure for drivers.
The dual-socket units will be situated directly within the club’s main car park, offering charging accessibility to members, visiting supporters, and patrons.
The new ePower facilities are designed to support local EV drivers and visitors traveling to the club’s various sporting events throughout the season.
Ukrainian Olympian joins parkrun for annual Chestnut Run
It is not every day an Olympian joins the Killarney parkrun, but participants had exactly that experience last Saturday, when two-time Ukrainian Olympic skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych joined the event at Killarney House and Gardens.
Heraskevych completed the 5km route alongside members of both the local and Ukrainian communities as part of the annual Ukrainian Chestnut Run. The charity tradition originated in Kyiv 33 years ago and has been organised locally by the Killarney Ukrainian community for the past four years.
The athlete previously captured global attention at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina with his “Helmet of Memory” tribute to fallen athletes.
His appearance in Killarney was part of a week-long tour of athletic and educational centres across south-west Ireland. He spent Friday night in Tralee ahead of the Saturday morning run. During his stay in the region, Heraskevych visited the MTU Tralee campus to meet with students, researchers, and local representatives to discuss sports diplomacy, sustainability, and inclusive sports.
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