Age no hinderance to Cavan's Eamonn Malone

Despite being the oldest member of the Irish World Transplant team a Cavan man has proved he has what it takes to compete on the international stage when he takes part in the World Transplant Games next month. Kidney transplant recipient Eamonn Malone from Toneymore will be taking part in his fifth World Transplant Games, which take place in Gothenburg, Sweden, from June 17 to 24. He will be competing in a number of events both individually and with other team members in the over 70s section. Speaking to The Anglo-Celt the sprightly Eamonn who received his kidney in 2002 said: "I will be taking part in the 5k race walk, Petanque and ten pin bowling singles, Petranque doubles with team mate Hugo Boyce from Donegal and ten pin bowling doubles with colleague Charlie Ryan from Cork." He has been on Irish teams at Games in Slovenia, Canada, Hungry, Germany, as well as Ireland. He was won nine medals in total for swimming, the 5k walk, Petranque and ten pin bowling. "I hope to add to my collection next month," he claimed. His training routine involves swimming six days a week and walking at least 5k every day. On this occasion Eamonn will be the only Cavan representative on the Irish team, although Rose Dalton from Mullahoran and Paul Donohoe from Ballyconnell have competed at previous games. He loves taking part in the games and looks forward to them. "The games are a great way to meet people from different countries," he adds. The Irish team of 33 athletes have all received major organ transplants including heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas. The team range in age from nine to over 70. Over 1100 athletes from over 50 countries will participate in the Gothenburg Games. The World Transplant Games, which are held every two years are about celebrating life and the strength and generosity of human spirit. At the previous World Transplant Games which were held in Gold Coast, Australia in 2009, the Irish team of 19 athletes scooped ten gold, seven silver and five bronze. The 22-medal haul placed Ireland eleventh out of the 50 competing countries on the medals table. Eamonn and his team members will be hoping to increase that tally in Gothenburg. Tyrone team manager, Mickey Harte, gave a motivational talk to a many of the Irish team members recently. He said: "It is a privilege to be asked to speak to such an inspirational group of people who have overcome great health hurdles and are now embracing life through sport. This is a fantastic legacy to your organ donors who you honour by representing your country on the world stage. The measure of your success at the World Transplant Games will not be on the amount of medals you bring home but that you are striving to achieve your personal best in your chosen events."