James takes Gold in Finland

James Nolan has added yet another medal to his creaking awards sideboard, after willing Gold today in the European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships in Vantaa, Finland.

This complements nicely the Silver medal he won two years ago when the European Games were held in Krakow.

"I'm absolutely chuffed I played well," he said today. "The first person I called is my sister Catherine as I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her (Catherine donated a kidney to James)."

James had a hip replacement last year so he didn’t make it to the World Transplant Games in Argentina, so he is delighted to have made it to Finland. "This is a brilliant reminder of how lucky we are in life. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful course.”

Transplant Team Ireland’s golfers have enjoyed phenomenal success, taking 4 Gold and 4 Silver medals. Earlier today, an additional 3 Bronze medals were won by members of the 28 strong Irish team in the bowling singles event.

The Golf team is pictured here — John McAleer, Kieran Murray, James Nolan, Marie OConnor, Ron Grainger, Philip Kavanagh, Eddie McAuliffe, and Mick Dwyer.