Northern Ireland's transplant football team is set to make history as they prepare to compete at the first transplant football World Cup held in Italy next week.
The seven tournaments, which will be held in Serbia, Italy from 8th to 14th September 2024, are modelled at the FIFA World Cup and convey a unique and powerful message.
The Northern Ireland team, consisting of 16 players who have undergone heart, liver, kidney and bone marrow transplants, competes with teams from all over the world, including Italy, Australia, Chile and Spain, in a highly competitive group stage of competition.
Former Irish FA Football Development Director and UEFA A Licensed Coach Michael Boyd has been coaching and has spent the last 12 months of training for this historic tournament. Boyd has been committed to shaping the team's tactical approach, fostering a strong team spirit, and ensuring that they are well prepared to compete on the international stage.
Northern Ireland's transplant football team receives significant financial support for historic trips from Northern Ireland's transplant sports, kidney care, RVH liver support groups, and in-kind support from the Irish FA, Rosalioffotball Club, and the Public Health Agency (PHA) Northern Ireland.
Orla Smyth, 45, from Belfast, is the team's co-manager and player and one of the key figures driving the team. She received a kidney transplant in 2007 and is currently chairing Transplant Sports Northern Ireland, a charity dedicated to encouraging transplant recipients to embrace sports.
“For me, going back to sports was a turning point after my implantation. It made me feel life back,” Smith said.
“This team is proof that organ donations offer a second chance, and we all share an extraordinary bond as we all have gone through life-threatening battles and have come out on the other side.
“The Ported Football World Cup isn't just about soccer. It's about celebrating life and we owe it all to donors,” Orla added.
Participating in the Northern Ireland transplant football team in the tournament is not only an astonishing achievement, but also an opportunity to highlight the importance of organ donation. By competing at the highest level, players want to encourage more people to consider donating organs and help save lives.
Newtownabbey's team captain David Gourley had a kidney transplant five years ago. He was playing football when symptoms of kidney failure began to appear, and his journey to recovery had a deep impact on his life.
“I didn't expect to play football again, let alone represent Northern Ireland on the international stage,” Gourley said.
“When I was diagnosed with kidney failure, it was a shock, but receiving the invitation that a donor was discovered changed everything for me and my family. This World Cup is more than just competition. It's an opportunity to show the world the importance of organ donation.”
“Every game we play is a tribute to those who have given us the gift of life. I want people to know how good we can do from organ donation, like my salvation,” added David.
Visit us for more information about Northern Ireland's transplant football teams and how to support organ donation. Transplant Sports Northern Ireland Facebook Page.
Northern Ireland's transplanted football team
Player:
Kevin Bell – Kidneys
Cecil Floyd – Liver
David Gourley – Kidney
Conor McHugh – Kidney
Mark Hughes – Kidney
Justin Ballmer – Kidneys
Connor Patton – Kidneys
Graham McCormick – Kidneys
David Scott – bone marrow
Graham Kenny – Heart
Dylan Caughey – Liver
Grant Devlin – Kidney
Gregory Walsh – Heart
Orla Smyth – Kidney
Stephen Maguire – Kidneys
Seamus Coyle – Kidneys
Coaching staff:
Michael Boyd – Head Coach & Joint Manager
Damien Fogarty – Team Doctor
Arlene Campbell – Judge & Living Donor
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