What is believed to be the first medal-winning performance by an Irish person in the sport of pétanque was recorded here yesterday.
The gold medal at the World Transplant Games was won by a Sligo woman.
Seven years ago, Bridie Nicholson was chronically ill and had lived on daily insulin injections for almost 30 years. But a liver and pancreas transplant gave her a new lease of life and she has made the most of the opportunity.
Yesterday morning, amid emotional scenes at the 16th World Games, she captured the first gold medal ever picked up by Ireland in the sport.
Pétanque, best known as a popular French past-time in the summer months, is a sort of bowling game played on a fine gravel or sandy surface.
"I can't believe it. I trained very hard for these games on the purpose-built pétanque pitch at Mitchell Curley Park in Sligo. I hoped I might get a bronze medal, but to win the gold is just something else," said Bridie, an employee of Sligo County Library, who defeated opponents from Thailand, Finland and Australia en route to beating a player from the Philippines in the final.
"During my recent fund-raising efforts for the games I constantly promoted all aspects of organ donation, from encouraging people to discuss the possibility of donating organs with family members to carrying donor cards," she said.
"People were able to speak and see at first hand how a transplant changed my life and the difference it has made to the quality of my life."
Ireland has so far won a total of 19 medals at the games, which conclude tomorrow.
The track and field events start today.
The athletes' progress can be followed on www.transplantteamireland.com
To apply for an organ donor card you can freetext the word "DONOR" to 50050. To obtain more information you can log on to www.ika.ie