KILLARNEY ADVERTISER WK04 2025

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Newly elected Cahill prioritises two Killarney projects

Newly elected Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill has set his sights on two major infrastructure projects in Killarney.

The first-time TD from Rossbeigh is calling on the incoming government to prioritise the redevelopment of Fitzgerald Stadium into a world-class, multipurpose venue and to fulfil a long-standing promise to establish a hospitality training college at the former Pretty Polly site.

FITZGERALD STADIUM

Deputy Cahill said that Fitzgerald Stadium is a venue capable of hosting major international acts and events. He believes the redevelopment would boost Kerry’s cultural and economic profile significantly.

“This project would be a game-changer

for Kerry,” Deputy Cahill said. “We need a venue that can accommodate not just sports, but also concerts and other large-scale events. It’s a development that would benefit the entire region, and I am determined to get it over the line in the coming years.”

HOSPITALITY COLLEGE AT PRETTY POLLY

The TD also emphasised the importance

of converting the vacant Pretty Polly site on Upper Park Road into a training college dedicated to the hospitality sector.

“The importance of the hospitality industry to Kerry is undisputed,” Cahill said. “The logic of having a training centre in Killarney, the capital of Irish tourism, is so clear that it’s baffling it hasn’t been addressed sooner. I will be putting my weight behind securing all necessary funding and resources to make this a reality.”

Deputy Cahill has already flagged these projects as priority requirements with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.

“I will continue to press for the delivery of both projects with the highest levels of government,” he said.

Inner Relief Road moves to Compulsory Purchase Order stage

The long-awaited inner relief road project at Boithirín na Gabhann in Killarney has taken a significant step forward, moving to the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) stage.

At a recent Killarney Municipal District meeting, Councillor Niall Kelleher inquired about the latest developments on the project.

In response, a council official confirmed that Kerry County Council is now proceeding with the next phase of the CPO process, which involves publishing a Confirmation Notice. This notice is expected to be published before the end of January 2025.

The proposed inner relief road aims to alleviate traffic congestion in the town centre by linking New Street and High Street via Boithirín na Gabhann. This new route

would enable traffic on New Street to access the top of High Street via Monsignor O'Flaherty Road, bypassing the congested town centre.

The project, which was first unveiled in January 2022 by the Killarney Advertiser, is subject to land acquisition by Kerry County Council and the necessary planning permissions.

At the time a Council official said: "The proposed Inner Relief Road linking Boithirín na Gabhann would significantly reduce peak hour traffic flows on High Street and New Road. This is recommended, subject to satisfactory junction designs, including at High Street and St. Anne's Road."

Under the proposed plan, it could be possible to get from New Street to the New Road/Rock Road junction seamlessly.

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Crokes nominate White for 2025 Kerry captaincy

All-action wing back Gavin White has been confirmed as the captain of the Kerry senior men’s football team for the 2025 season.

White (27) was selected by his club Dr Crokes, who had the honour of nominating this year’s skipper after winning last year’s Kerry Senior Football Championship. “We wish Gavin and all of the Kerry team the best of luck for the season ahead,” the club said in a statement.

The Killarney man succeeds outgoing captain Paudie Clifford, who led the squad throughout the 2024 campaign. He will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of his Black and Amber clubmates Kieran O’Leary and Fionn Fitzgerald,

who lifted Sam Maguire as captains back in 2014.

White previously captained Kerry in 2019 when they reached the All-Ireland final where they lost to Dublin after a replay.

The Kingdom get their season underway on Sunday with a home game against Jim McGuinness’ Donegal at Killarney’s Fitzgerald Stadium. The match throws in at 1.45pm. Check out this week’s Killarney Advertiser sports section for a full preview of the big match.

Listry Bridge upgrade stalled Fossa Community Sustainability Fair returns

At a recent meeting of Kerry County Council, Councillor Brendan Cronin raised concerns about the lack of progress on safety upgrades at Listry Bridge.

Cronin questioned why only €21,025 of the €495,000 allocated by the Department of Transport since 2019 had been spent.

In response, a council engineer explained that a tender for engineering and environmental consultancy services to pro-

gress the project had received no bids “[unfortunately] due to the economic climate and activity in the engineering and construction sector.”

The engineer outlined the project's timeline, including a 2023 attempt to secure tenders for the necessary services.

The Council is now exploring interim solutions, such as a pilot traffic light system, to improve traffic flow on the bridge. They are also engaging with consultants to further develop the project plan and identify viable solutions.

The Fossa Community Sustainability Fair returns this year and will take place over the Bank Holiday weekend, on Sunday February 2.

The first event of the year celebrates a time when seeds are sown for the brighter days ahead.

Fossa Community Hall will host the event from 3pm to 5pm. Entry is by voluntary donation, and all are welcome. All proceeds will go towards the hosting of this event and other events throughout the year

“What we hope is that the 18 or so exhibitors might inspire, educate and empower attendees on the day. We are facilitating the sharing of ideas on how to consume

in a way that doesn't cost the earth,” says PRO of Fossa Climate Action Group., Diarmaid Griffin.

When established over a year ago, Fossa Climate Action Group, committed to hosting a public event every quarter. These events coincide with the feast days of the Celtic year: Imbolc, Bealtaine, Lughnasa, and Samhain.

“We thought it would be fitting to start the new year off with an event that showcases the positive work that is ongoing in the locality. It was of great benefit to attendees and exhibitors last year, so we hope for an even bigger event this time around,” added Paul O'Raw, Chair of Fossa Climate Action Group.

Killarney for Palestine to continue monthly vigils

Killarney for Palestine has announced that it will continue its monthly vigils in support of Palestinian rights.

Following a year of consistent weekly demonstrations, the group will now hold vigils on the last Sunday of each month at midday outside the Courthouse.

"We have met consistently for 11 months since February 25, last year, every Sunday at midday, at the Court House, Killarney," said Susan Larkin, a spokesperson for Killarney for Palestine.

"We have been involved in many important extraneous community events since that time such as education evenings, including that of Surgeon Professor Nick Maynard's lecture [in conjunction with Kerry Healthcare Workers for Palestine and Kerry IPSC] in the Brehon hotel last summer, the evening as arranged by Sally MacMonagle hosting Palestinian Human Rights Lawyer Lubnah Shomali in the Great Southern last May, a very successful table quiz last October, a children's memorial walk through the town last April, and a beautiful dawn solidarity hike up Torc Mountain also back in October,

Surgeon Professor Nick Maynard's lecture in conjunction with Kerry Healthcare Workers for Palestine and Kerry IPSC in the Brehon hotel last summer.

to name a few."

Larkin added: "We have welcomed all to our vigils, and have had many wonderful interactions with tourists and visitors to our town who also share support for Palestine. Only last week at our vigil, we were joined by music icon Liam O Maonlai, who spoke words of support and sang an impromptu song."

Killarney for Palestine has welcomed the recent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

"We are very hopeful that this ceasefire will hold and become permanent, but are aware of the precarious nature of same," said Larkin.

Fossa Climate Action Group launched the fair this week

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T OWN TALK

Final push for Ballydribbeen playground project

The Ballydribbeen Residents Association is making a final push to raise funds for their long-awaited Playground Project.

While they've made substantial strides through successful fundraising events, the association is currently facing a €2,000 shortfall. To bridge this gap and reach their €10,000 goal, they're making a final push by reigniting their GoFundMe campaign.

They also released, for the first time, an artist’s impression of the finished project. “We are still running fundraisers, but we have made significant progress in the project. We officially voted on the project, so finally the playground has become visual,” said committee member Iza Dian.

“We would like to spread that to the community and promote the GoFundMe page one more time. Our goal as a team is

to reach to €10k, and we have over €8k so far.”

The new playground will be located on the grounds of the Dereen Sports Centre, which is currently under construction beside Killarney Celtic FC and Legion GAA Club.

“We are so excited and thrilled with all the support we receiving from Killarney Municipal District, local councillors and businesses. The fact that the playground will be inclusive is quite important especially as the sport centre will be a home for Kerry Stars too. It will be multipurpose, local kids will have a proper outdoor gym,” added Iza.

If you wish to donate, scan QR code above.

The Strutters are back for 2025

Walking group The Strutters are gearing up for another year of activity in 2025.

The group is inviting walkers to dust off their boots and join them for weekly walks each Thursday.

The Strutters meet each Thursday at 11am at the Kings Bridge, opposite St. Mary's Cathedral.

"You don't have to have a heart condition

to walk with our group!" says a spokesperson. "We welcome everyone who would like to enjoy a walk in good company and have a bit of craic along the way."

The Strutters offer two options: a brisk walk for those who are fit and a slower-paced walk for those recovering from illness, injury, or returning to exercise. Contact Mairead at 087 942 1050 for more information.

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS • GOT A STORY? Call 064 6632215 or email: newsdesk@killarneyadvertiser.ie

Pedestrian access for train station ruled out

A proposal for direct pedestrian access between Killarney Train Station and the Outlet Centre has been deemed unfeasible by Kerry County Council.

At a recent Killarney Municipal District meeting, Councillor John O'Donoghue tabled a motion calling on the Council to explore the possibility of creating a pedestrian pathway between the Outlet Centre side of the station. This would involve engaging with both Iarnród Éireann and the Outlet Centre management. In response, a council official ruled out the possibility of direct access. The of-

ficial stated that the current pedestrian route between the train and bus stations is maintained by Kerry County Council on lands under their charge.

The official said: “The Killarney Train and Bus Stations are under the charge of the national service providers tasked with the relevant service delivery, while the Killarney Outlet Centre is a private business operator. Kerry County Council has and remains available to all parties to assist in any proposed resolution to this matter, however as the Council has no direct authority over lands which may provide an alternative route, the Council are not in a position to progress this matter.”

ice

marathon

event

ex-

double Guinness

and an adventurer on a wider

Donie O’Sullivan and Johnny McGuire (Co-President Killarney Chamber) pictured at Network Ireland Kerry’s January event ‘The Beauty of the Extremes - Swimming Past your Limits’ at The Rose Hotel, last week. Over 100 people attended the Network Ireland January event, with guest speaker Nuala Moore. As an author of “Limitless” Nuala’s incredible accolades include being an

treme

swimmer,

swimmer,

organiser,

World Record holder, scuba diving professional,

scale. The event was opened by the Network Ireland Kerry 2025 President, Emily Reen. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography

Photo: P L Chadwick

WED 5TH – SUN 9TH FEB 2025

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Killarney chosen for pilot scheme to improve rural transport

Killarney has been selected as one of three locations nationwide to trial a new pre-booking service for Local Link buses.

The pilot scheme aims to improve accessibility to public transport in rural areas by allowing residents to pre-book bus services in a similar fashion to popular ride-hailing apps like Uber and FreeNow.

The scheme will be rolled out in three areas.

As well as Killarney town, the Mill Road/ Rhebogue areas of Limerick City and Achill/Mallaranny in County Mayo are included in the scheme.

Residents in these areas will be able to use a dedicated app or contact their local TFI Local Link office to book a bus for their desired journey.

The pilot program is expected to be implemented in the coming months and will run for approximately one year.

During this period, the National Transport Authority and TFI Local Link will procure vehicles and drivers for the scheme and begin contacting potential providers.

“I’ve always been a keen advocate of using the best and most innovative tech available to enhance public services for our population,” said outgoing Minister of State for Transport, James Lawless, “This latest pilot is something I support as a Minister for Transport because it can make a real difference in ordinary people’s lives, especially the elderly or those living in rural areas, who may feel they have been neglected in the past. I wish the scheme every success and hope it is embraced.”

Tourism products showcased at major promotional events

This week marks a busy period for Kerry tourism as the industry ramps up its promotional efforts at two major events.

The Kerry Tourism Industry Federation will be showcasing County Kerry as a must-visit destination for leisure travellers at the World Holiday Show in Dublin, taking place from January 24 to 26. This will be the first opportunity for the public to see the new Discover Kerry stand, developed with the support of Kerry County Council.

Local author publishes book to support Pieta House

Peter Doyle from Ross Road has published his fourth book, with proceeds going to Pieta House, the suicide and self-harm crisis center.

The book, which contains a mix of poetry and prose, explores themes of mental health and solitude, particularly in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"This is my 4th book of poetry and prose. There is less poetry in this book and more prose. There are also pages of what can only be called thoughts more than poetry. The poetry begins during covid, and the themes of the collection are mental health and solitude,” he said.

“The prose is social commentary and a little philosophy. A friend of mine, Norita Devane, also has poems in the book. I am donating proceeds to Pieta House. A friend of mine took her own life years ago during the lockdown which didn't help. She was young. She is the second friend of mine to do so.

“At this stage everybody knows somebody, if it's not a family member, it's a relative, a friend, a neighbour or a work colleague.

“The rate in the UK is one person every hour and a half. Allowing for the difference in population it's not far off translating here. I don't think it's an individual's problem. I think it's a societal problem. I think we all need to be mindful of our behaviour as our behaviour can affect other people."

Doyle's book is available for purchase at Eason and other local outlets for €8.

The World Holiday Show is a well-established event, and with over 25,000 visitors attending in 2024 the show offers a prime opportunity for Kerry tourism businesses to connect with potential holidaymakers. Earlier this week, a selection of Kerry's craft and design businesses participated in the Local Enterprise Showcase International Trade Fair in the RDS. Running from January 19 to 21, this event provided a platform for over 400 Irish businesses to connect with global buyers.

NEWS BRIEFS...

Dance classes at Spa GAA

New dance classes are coming to Spa GAA. A four-week dance course is set to begin on Tuesday, February 4.

The classes, held at the Spa GAA Clubhouse from 7:45 pm to 9:00 pm, offer

a fun and social way to learn a variety of dance styles. The cost for the four-week course is €50, payable on the first night. To book your place, call or text 087 7541631.

Teresa O'Sullivan, centre in green, Lyreatough, Kilcummin, pictured at the International Hotel, Killarney, celebrating her 80th birthday with her family. Picture Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan.

Strictly Goes Country is back!

The South Kerry Branch of the Irish Cancer Society is gearing up for a return to the dancefloor with 'Strictly Goes Country'.

Eleven couples are currently in training for the eagerly anticipated show on Saturday, March 8 at the INEC.

"We'd like to thank the people of Killarney for their generosity. We've had 364 palliative care nights for 66 patients in Kerry this year. We also do the volunteer driving scheme and have had 336 drives for 41 patients this year. The Daffodil Centres provide face to face advice and we do Breast Check and Bowel Screening as well as advocacy work in relation to parking for cancer patients and have

this year provided 500 hours counselling to those wrongly diagnosed by Cervical Check. A big part of the fundraising money will go to cancer research which is ongoing," said organiser Kathrina Breen.

The couples will showcase their talents with both solo and group dances, featuring classic ballroom styles like the Cha Cha Cha, the Rumba, and the Quickstep.

Following the performances, a wine and cheese reception will be held.

"We are keeping the judges a secret for

the moment," Breen added. The audience will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite couple, and the evening will conclude with live music and dancing.

All proceeds from the event will support vital services provided by the Irish Cancer Society in the Killarney/South Kerry area, including Night Nursing, the Home Care Team, Drive to Care, Freephone Information, Breast Check, and bowel screening.

Tickets are available from the INEC Box Office (064 6671555), Who’s for Shoes and Variety Sounds.

• Dancers

Nicole Coffey and Padraig O'Callaghan

Katie O'Leary and Fred O'Connor

Teresa Mangan and Frank Doran

Seanagh Cronin and Kianan Doherty

Joanna Hughes and Adrian Kelleher

Anna Maria O’Donoghue and PJ Reidy

Claudia Buckley and John O'Brien

Norette Riordan and Dale McCarthy

Michelle Hickey and Conor Coffey

Ester Brosnan and Connie Daly

Chelsey Conway and Brian McCarthy

HeartBeat focuses on breathing techniques at first 2025 meeting

Killarney HeartBeat's first meeting of 2025 will focus on the importance of healthy breathing techniques.

The meeting will take place on January 2 at 8:00pm in the Parish Centre, Park Road.

Noreen Tobin, a Qualified Functional Breathing Instructor, will lead the session.

She will discuss the benefits of conscious and focused breathing, including stress management, pain relief, improved heart rate variability, and increased energy levels.

Attendees will learn new breathing techniques and how to use this powerful tool for emotional healing, relaxation, and spiritual growth.

A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.

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Legion to honour two stalwarts at awards night

Legion GAA Club will celebrate the contributions of two long-serving members at their annual awards night on January 31 at the Heights Hotel.

John Foran will be named Club Person of the Year and presented with the Cooper Cup in recognition of his ten years of service as Club Treasurer.

During his tenure, Foran modernised the club's finances, introducing online payments and streamlining fundraising efforts. He will continue to contribute to the club as Lotto Coordinator.

Mike Murphy will be inducted into the Legion GAA Club Hall of Fame. A talented footballer in his youth, Murphy played for the Legion senior team and represented Kerry at minor level. He has been a dedicated coach at various levels and served on the club executive for a decade.

NEWS BRIEFS...

The Darkness to rock the INEC

Ahead of their upcoming album release, ‘Dreams on Toast’, The Darkness have announced two Irish shows. The band will play King John's Castle, Limerick on June 20, followed by a

Kerry Airport’s summer schedule offers increased frequency on popular routes

Kerry Airport has announced its summer schedule, featuring increased frequency on popular routes to Spain and Portugal with Ryanair, and expanded service to France with Chalair.

From April onwards, passengers can enjoy enhanced connectivity with three weekly flights to Alicante in Spain, increasing to five weekly flights during the peak summer months of June, July, and August.

This route will operate until October, providing ample opportunity for sun-seekers to escape to the Costa Blanca. Ryanair will also resume its twice-weekly service to Faro in Portugal on April 3, running until the end of October, offering convenient access to the Algarve region. Chalair will return with its popular weekly

summer routes to France from June to September. In addition to serving Brest in Brittany, Caen in Normandy, and Pau near the Pyrenees, Chalair will introduce a new route to Brive in the stunning Dordogne Valley.

John Mulhern, CEO of Kerry Airport said: "We are delighted to welcome the return of our summer sun destinations for 2025 and we thank Ryanair and Chalair for laying on these popular routes once again. The increase in frequency to Alicante and the addition of a fourth destination in France will coincide with the expected completion of the new Arrivals Hall and Departures Lounge in the summer. This development has been undertaken due to growing demand and to ensure that everyone who travels through Kerry Airport has a comfortable and positive experience."

St. Joseph's Day Care Centre in Rathmore faces funding shortfall

Kerry County Council has raised concerns with the HSE regarding a significant funding deficit facing St. Joseph's Day Care Centre in Rathmore.

performance at the INEC Killarney the following night. Tickets for both shows go on sale this Friday at 10am at the INEC booking office and online, and are priced at €59.90 including booking fees.To book your place, call or text 087 7541631.

The voluntary-run organisation provides vital services to older people in the community, including day care, meals on wheels, and laundry services. While the HSE acknowledges the centre’s valuable work and has provided some funding increases, the organisation is struggling to keep pace with rising costs, particularly staff wages and inflation.

The centre has requested additional

funding to address these challenges. However, the HSE has indicated that these requests may not be fully met due to funding constraints.

The HSE has highlighted recent funding increases for the centre, including a 6.5% increase in 2023 and an 8.2% increase in 2024.

However, these increases may not be sufficient to cover the rising operational costs.

Both the HSE and Kerry County Council will continue to engage on this issue, with the centre advocating for increased funding and the HSE awaiting national-level guidance on certain funding requests.

John Foran has been named Club Person of the Year 2024.

The Vincent Doyle Cup will be awarded to Mike Murphy, pictured with his wife Mary and son David.

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New book charts the history of Kerry Co-op from 1974 to 2025

The success and growth of Kerry Co-op is one of the most phenomenal business stories Ireland has witnessed over the past five decades.

From humble beginnings in a mud splattered field in Listowel, it has become, through Kerry PLC, a world food ingredients brand name stretching to 38 different countries across the globe.

A new book, ‘Kerry Co-op, The Heart of Who we Are’, was launched in Tralee on Saturday night by former Kerry Co-op founder and former CEO Denis Brosnan as part of Kerry Co-op’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

The book, written by Currow native and published author Con Dennehy, looks deep into the heart and soul of many current and former Kerry Co-op directors, farmers, employees and management.

At the Tralee launch, Denis Brosnan described the book as “A wonderful history of Kerry Co-op”.

“In this book, I am inviting the reader to savour a front seat view of the Kerry Co-op journey from the early 1970s to the present day as I paint a fabric that becomes the tapestry of Kerry Co-op. Their journey is one that was demanding, physical, emotional and in many ways spiritual as they overcame obstacles and challenges in their quest to make the life of farm families more en-

riched, economically viable and a future that was bright and sustainable,” said Con Dennehy.

“I am privileged that Kerry Co-op have given me this wonderful opportunity to draft their story, “The Heart of Who we Are”. It gave me the opportunity to study this wonderful business, paint a portrait of the people who contributed to its success and highlight the timelines throughout the decades through Annual Reports from 1975 to 2024, newspaper and media reports and a synopsis of each year dating back to the early 1970s.”

The new publication captures the spirit of the people who pioneered its success. Running to almost 500 pages and featuring 259 photographs the book features 45 interviews of various founders, directors, Board personnel, farmers and employees of Kerry Co-op in Kerry, Limerick, Clare, South Galway and North Cork.

The first section of the book is dedicated to the original founders of Kerry Co-op giving the readers a wonderful insight into the pioneering spirit and vision of these charismatic leaders.

Ross Castle welcomed 116,000 visitors in 2023

Ross Castle in Killarney saw a significant increase in visitors in 2023, welcoming over 116,000 people. This represents a 35% jump compared to 2022.

Figures released by the Office of Public Works (OPW) on Monday show that Kerry's tourism sector experienced a

strong year in 2023. Over 599,000 people visited OPW sites across the county, a 24% increase.

While Derrynane House remains a top draw, Ross Castle's visitor numbers highlight its growing appeal. The Blasket Islands also saw a significant increase in visitors

Town parking needs solution pending multi-storey

At the recent Killarney Municipal District meeting Independent Councillor Martin Grady raised the need for parking in the town centre while the proposed high-rise parking development is still under consideration.

He suggested that the council should identify alternative suitable vacant land to provide additional parking in the interim.

“While we’ve seen plenty drawings and plans of high rise parking but being realistic we are facing into another summer with the same parking issues, without one extra space,” he said.

In response, Kerry County Council outlined their approach to assessing future parking needs.

They explained that parking

needs are determined

Con Dennehy author of 'Kerry Co-op, The Heart of Who We Are' which was launched in Tralee this week.

Brehon Hotel and Spa raises €1,200 for Brú Columbanus

The Brehon Hotel and Spa recently hosted a successful fundraising event in aid of Brú Columbanus, a charity that provides accommodation and support to families of patients in Cork hospitals and hospices.

The ‘Brehon for Brú’ event featured a cooking demonstration by Michelin-starred Chef Rob Krawczyk and The Brehon's Executive Chef Chad Byrne, along with wine tasting hosted by K.D. Evans of The Wine Buff Killarney. The event was beautifully orchestrated with Karen Coakley of Kenmare Foodies as the MC.

The event raised over €1,200 through a raffle and a portion of wine sales. A team from The Brehon subsequently visited Brú Columbanus to present the funds raised. During the visit, they toured the facility and learned more about the vital services provided by the charity.

Eamon O'Donoghue of The Brehon said: "We are so grateful to everyone who

supported this event, from the incredible chefs and talented organisers like Karen Coakley and K.D, to the guests who attended and contributed so generously. Seeing the work of Ann-Maria, Steve, and the entire team at Brú Columbanus firsthand was inspiring, and we are proud to have played a part in supporting their mission." The Brehon extends heartfelt thanks to all who participated and made Brehon for Brú a resounding success.

Pictureed from left to right: Stephen and Ann-Maria of Brú Colombanus, Sharon Dineen and Eamon O Donoghue of The Brehon Hotel & Spa, K.D Evans of The Wine Buff Killarney, Karen Coakley of Kenmare Foodie.

No funding for Fossa Way walkway to Tomies Wood

Hopes for the development of a walkway along the Fossa Way to Tomies Wood have been dampened by news that no funding has yet been secured for the project.

At a recent Killarney Municipal District meeting, Councillor Brendan Cronin inquired about the progress of the walkway and when the public would be able to access the fenced-off pathway through lands on the Gap Road.

In response, a Kerry County Council engineer acknowledged that the Council is ac-

tively pursuing numerous Greenway and Active Travel projects across the Killarney Municipal District and the county.

While many of these projects have secured funding, the Fossa Way - Gap Cross to Tomies Wood route currently lacks financial backing.

The engineer explained that the Municipal District Office is actively seeking funding sources for the project and continues to engage with landowners to identify and agree on potential routes in anticipation of securing funding.

Charity walk to remember popular Muckross man

This coming Saturday, January 25, a memorial walk will take place in memory of Hugh Murhill, a wellknown figure in the Killarney jarvey community.

The walk, which will see participants choose between a 5km route to Muckross Abbey, is being organised in aid of the Kerry Branch of the Irish Kidney Association.

Hugh Murhill, who sadly passed away in

January 2020, was a popular jarvey.

Registration for the walk will take place at 2pm in Tigh Mary Donal's (formerly White Gates Hotel) ahead of a 2.30 pm start time.

The registration fee is €20 for adults, with children participating for free. Following the walk, refreshments and live music will be enjoyed at Tigh Mary Donal's, along with a raffle with a variety of spot prizes.

Pictured from left to right: Stephen and Ann-Maria of Brú Colombanus, Sharon Dineen and Eamon O Donoghue of The Brehon Hotel & Spa, K.D Evans of The Wine Buff Killarney, Karen Coakley of Kenmare Foodie.

Enjoying his 70th birthday celebrations with his family at the International Hotel on Saturday, James 'The Wedge' Arthur, pictured with his wife Margaret and (L-R) daughter Frances, son James, daughter Amy and son Jason. Picture Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan.

Gaelscoil has 245 pupils.

Calls for additional parking at Gaelscoil

At the recent Killarney Municipal District meeting Independent Councillor Martin Grady called for additional parking for the playground and Gaelscoil utilising the overgrown lands that currently serves no purpose,

“While the Gaelscoil only has 20 spaces, it now has 245 students and 18 staff, this needs to be addressed, it is great to see

the student numbers increasing but it is now getting dangerous during drop off and pick up times,” he told the meeting.

“The playground was developed without a single car parking space provided.”

In response, a council official stated that the Killarney MD Office will investigate the feasibility of this proposal, considering current and future needs, as well as other infrastructure projects that have received statutory approval.

Could town councils be back under new government?

The proposal by the incoming government of the return of town councils to Irish politics, has been warmly welcomed by Kerry’s newest TD, Michael Cahill.

The Fianna Fáil Deputy said that the Town Councils had been an enormously important part of local democracy, a vital organ of the body politic.

“In Kerry we had Town or Urban Councils in Tralee, Killarney and Listowel and they served their local residents in an amazing way, that only local politicians can for their own people. Urban and Rural Ireland are different, with different requirements in many fronts. It makes sense then that they have their own representation and a voice at the table on their respective behalves,” said Deputy Cahill.

"I had previously lobbied for the return of town councils and I was delighted to have been given the opportunity as a government TD to make a strong submission to the Programme for Government for their

return," added Deputy Michael Cahill. “I, for one, will be delighted to see their return, for the absolute betterment of local politics. It may not be in the exact same format as before, but more local autonomy is essential for the efficient and smooth running of our political institutions.”

Pa Daly slams Independent TDs' government support

Sinn Fein TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has called out attempts by Independent TDs to represent themselves as any sort of opposition when they have agreed to support the government.

“Any notion that a TD can commit to backing the government and then seek to use opposition speaking time is ludicrous. Frankly, it is an insult to people’s intelligence. You cannot support a government and oppose it at the same time.

“Lead negotiator Micheal Lowry made it clear last week that Independent TDs would support Fianna Fail and Fine Gael 'in good days and in bad days'. That was bad enough. But to attempt to bluff their way into opposition benches is even worse.

“This is a duplicitous move on behalf of independent TDs, including Danny Healy Rae. They want to distract from all the commitments they are willing to break and to dilute the ability of the opposition to hold them and government more generally to account.

“The impact would be very serious as it would serve to reduce amount of actual speaking time the opposition has, as well as additional opportunities to table motions and or become members of and chair committees.

“It is an affront to democracy and transparency and should not be allowed to take place.

“To add insult to injury, this is all taking

place in the context of news that not only will there be a record number of Junior Ministers and they will be the best paid in the history of the state following the negotiating efforts of the same Regional Group, including Kerry TDs Micheal and Danny Healy-Rae.

“They managed to secure a boost to expense allowances for those taking up junior and super-junior ministerial roles.

“TD’s are already in the top 6% of earners in this country. Given how many workers and families are seriously struggling to make ends meet, it feels like a slap in the face.

“The people of Kerry elected TDs to represent their interests not to water down democracy while negotiating salary bumps for themselves.”

MEP Kelly welcomes return of 9% VAT rate for hotel sector

Killarney Seán Kelly, MEP for Ireland South and leader of Fine Gael in the European Parliament, has warmly welcomed the Government's decision to reduce the VAT rate to 9% for parts of the hospitality sector.

"This is a tremendous boost for the hospitality industry, which has faced immense challenges in recent years," said Kelly.

"For years, I have called for the reinstatement of the 9% VAT rate, and I am delighted to see it finally included in the Programme for Government. This decision demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting small businesses and safeguarding jobs across the country."

"Coming from Killarney, it's clear as day that the hospitality sector is an important pillar of our economy, employing hundreds of thousands of people nationwide. Lowering the VAT rate to 9% will provide these businesses with the

breathing space they desperately need to recover, grow, and thrive in a competitive market," he said.

Highlighting the broader economic impact, added: "This measure is not just about helping businesses—it’s about protecting livelihoods. Families, communities, and local economies all benefit when we support our hospitality sector. By reducing costs for businesses, we can also help keep prices down for consumers, which is especially important in the current economic climate."

"This decision sends a clear signal that the government is listening to the needs of business owners and workers alike."

"Business owners need certainty. While this is a significant step, I hope to see further efforts to maintain and strengthen the industry in the years to come. A consistent approach is key to building resilience and ensuring the sector’s sustainability.”

Third time's a charm for Kilcummin's Pink Ladies Night at Klub

After several false starts due to weather warnings, Kilcummin Ladies Gaelic Football Club finally enjoyed a successful Pink Ladies Night at The Klub Bar.

The parish turned pink in support of Comfort for Chemo, with the event raising funds for the third consecutive year.

"A huge thank you to the local media for their flexibility in rescheduling the event," said committee member Geraldine Pigott. "The vibrant sea of pink and favorable weather conditions created a fantastic atmosphere as everyone danced the night away."

Pigott praised the generosity of John

O'Sullivan, proprietor of The Klub Bar, and the businesses that donated spot prizes. The band Next Generation kept the energy high throughout the evening. "We're thrilled with the turnout and can't wait to see how much we raised for Comfort for Chemo," she added.

Julie Egan and Eoin Moriarty, both from Dunrine, were crowned Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Man, respectively.

Chaotic parking prompts call for Park and Ride

Chaotic parking on the Muckross Road during recent Citizenship Ceremonies at the Gleneagle Hotel has prompted Killarney Municipal District Councillor John O’Donoghue to call for the introduction of a park and ride service.

At a recent Killarney Municipal District meeting, Councillor O'Donoghue tabled a motion stating:

"That in light of the chaotic parking on Muckross Road recently during the Citizenship Ceremony, that the Council would examine the possibility of providing a Park and Ride service from other carparks and that the Council would

contact the relevant Minister (Justice) regarding same."

The motion highlighted the significant traffic congestion and parking issues caused by large-scale events like the Citizenship Ceremonies before Christmas.

In response, a council official stated that Citizenship Ceremonies are organised and administered by the Department of Justice and take place on private premises, making them the responsibility of the event organisers.

The official further clarified that any formal communication to the relevant Minister on this issue would require a resolution by the elected members of the Killarney Municipal District.

Pretty in Pink at the Klub Bar, Kilcummin, for Pink Ladies night, in aid of Comfort for Chemo, on Saturday evening, the organising committee - (left to right) Geraldine Pigott, Brid Fleming, Kathleen Ryan, Irene O'Donoghue, Marie Brosnan, Breda Duggan and Kate Fleming. Photo:Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan.

Teresa Casey, Sheila McCarthy and Niamh Dwyer, pictured at the Klub Bar Kilcummin on Saturday enjoying Pink Ladies evening in aid of Comfort for Chemo. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan.

Ladies night at The Klub Bar, Kilcummin on Saturday night supporting Comfort for Chemo were (left to right) Patricia Moynihan, Teresa Casey, Louise O'Sullivan, Sheila McCarthy and Bridget Egan. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan.

Chaotic parking during the recent Citizenship Ceremonies has prompted calls for the introduction of a park and ride service. Photo: Don McMonagle

Siamsa Tíre launches new screen film club in partnership with KIFF

Siamsa Tíre is proud to announce the launch of its brand-new Siamsa Screen Film Club, developed in partnership with the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF).

Starting February 4th, film enthusiasts will be treated to a diverse lineup of cinematic gems in Siamsa Tíre’s theatre every month throughout 2025. From heartwarming dramas to thrilling mysteries, the carefully curated selection by KIFF highlights the rich tapestry of genres, languages, and storytelling mediums, ensuring there’s something for everyone. The collaboration with KIFF comes at a time when Siamsa Tíre aims to deepen its engagement with the local arts community and expand its cultural offerings. By joining forces with KIFF, the Screen Film Club brings both acclaimed international films and celebrated Irish cinema to audiences in Kerry, fostering an appreciation for the art of filmmaking sure to appeal to a diverse cross-section of new audiences.

FILM LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS

• February 4: The season starts with the bold new Irish film Swing Bout, directed by Kerry filmmaker Maurice O’Carroll. This gripping story blends sports drama and crime thriller as rookie boxer Toni Gale navigates a tumultuous journey from the dressing room to the ring.

• March 4: As part of Seachtain na Gaeilge, Tarrac offers an uplifting Irish-language feature shot on the Dingle Peninsula. The film follows Aoife, who finds healing and connection in the competitive world of rowing Naomhóg boats while grappling with the loss of her mother.

• April 22: Italian cinematic gem La Chimera, directed by Alice Rohrwacher, brings audiences to 1980s Italy. This vi-

brant comedy-drama stars Josh O’Connor as an archaeologist entangled in the misadventures of graverobbers.

• May 6: Pat Collins’ That They May Face the Rising Sun will be shown at 11 am, accommodating schools and daytime audiences. This poignant film chronicles a year in the life of a rural Irish community, exploring themes of belonging and return.

• June 3: To mark the 55th anniversary of Ryan’s Daughter, the iconic film shot in Kerry will feature in a special afternoon screening, celebrating its enduring legacy.

• July 27: A Grandparents Day treat, Robot Dreams, 2024’s Oscar-nominated Best Animated Feature, will charm audiences with its bittersweet tale of friendship between a lonely dog and a robot in 1980s New York City.

Siamsa Tíre CEO Angela Ryan Whyte added, "We are delighted to partner with KIFF to bring this unique series of films to audiences in Kerry. The Screen Film Club represents a shared vision to celebrate the power of cinema and its ability to connect us through storytelling, in the comfort of our welcoming theatre. We are passionate about opening our doors to connect with all generations, nationalities, and interest groups and meet the demands of film enthusiasts from all walks of life. Film offers us a lens to see and understand worlds that we both recognise and aspire to see and it has immense value as an access point to the arts.”

FOSTER CARE

A positive change for Una

In an effort to address the growing and urgent need for foster carers in Kerry, the Killarney Advertiser has teamed up with Tusla to run a three-part series over the next three editions.

The series will explore the challenges and rewards of fostering and highlight the experiences of children in care.

Our first story features Una (names are changed to protect identities) who was placed in emergency care after the loss of her father.

UNA’S STORY

Una came into foster care at eight years of age, alongside her siblings. Now, in her early twenties, she wants to share her experience of Foster Care in her own words and describe how it changed her life.

“When I was eight years me and my siblings’ lives changed completely, but in the best way possible. In 2009 my dad sadly passed away due to a terminal illness. A month after he passed away, we were put into emergency care. Thankfully for us, our uncle and aunt took me and my siblings in. It was always going to be a long term/ forever that we would live with them but at the start, there were ongoing court cases to see if it would be.

“At the start, I can’t lie I wanted to go back ‘home’, but I was an eight-year-old girl who didn’t realise the full extent of what was happening. It was hard at the beginning even for me. As much as my uncle and aunt were family and I had been to their house before, this was a very new environment for me. It’s like having one way of living and overnight it changed but in the best way possible.

“I will say that from living with my uncle and aunt, I have realised and realised early on that this was the best thing that could’ve happened for me.

“Certain things that happened when I was young before going into care, I thought they were normal, I thought ‘yeah this is how everyone lives, what happens in our home must happen in everyone else’s home’. But it wasn’t.

“Certain things that happened should not be how a kid grows up, I shouldn’t have had to deal with what I dealt with so young, but because that was my life I did, and after only a couple of weeks

even living in care, I realised that. I found it foreign not having to deal with everything I was dealing with and as I got older it hit me that no child should have to go through anything where a parent isn’t caring for them properly.

“All this changed living with my uncle and aunt. They showed me the way a child’s life should be lived, being free and having fun and not having any burdens a much older person may have.

“Of course, as I lived in an estate, I missed just being able to go out to my friends, but that wasn’t taken away from me as my uncle and aunt made sure the good parts of my life stayed the same as best as possible. Being in care it has benefitted my life hugely. One example of this positive change is my education. I’m now in university which I don’t think would ever have happened before. I was pushed in the best way possible encouraging hard work.

“I got into playing basketball roughly when I was in fifth and sixth class and I carried on playing competitively throughout secondary school. I carried on because I had people surrounding me now cheering me on, making sure I was able to attend training sessions and show up to my matches.

“So, for me being in foster care has been the best thing that could’ve possibly happened to me. It changed my life massively for the better and I couldn’t possibly imagine a life where I wasn’t living with my uncle and aunt. This is my life now, so much more positive and I hope that so many other unfortunate kids can have their lives changed for the better like mine was.”

START YOUR FOSTERING JOURNEY TODAY WITH TUSLA Tusla holds regular information online session for anyone interested in becoming a foster carer.

To register or to find out more information about fostering, visit fostering.ie call freephone 1800 226 771 or e-mail tusla.fostering@tusla.ie

FLEDERMAUS BY IRISH NATIONAL OPERA

SAT 1ST FEB 7.30PM

TICKETS €30/27

Showcasing Killarney soprano Meghan O’Neill and other outstanding Irish talent this ensemble presents this comedic opera of mistaken identities and heavy flirting at an extravagant masked ball.

ROCK RISINGCLASSIC ROCK SHOWCASE

FRI 7TH FEB – 8PM

TICKETS €27.50

This high octane, classic rock show takes the audience on a journey through the evolution of classic rock. This 7 piece band features music from legendary acts Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Journey, Toto, Thin Lizzy and more.

HEALING, FIRE AND SONGLÁ FHÉILE BRÍDE 2025

SUN 2ND FEB 7.30PM

TICKETS €25

St Brigid’s Festival celebrating the extraordinary women of Ireland past and present, bringing together generations of women through poetry, prose music and song, hosted by Cór Siamsa Tíre.

THREE SHORT COMEDIES BY SEAN O’CASEY DRUID THEATRE

SAT 15TH FEB – 2.30PM & 8PM

TICKETS €30/27

Druid Theatre presents Sean O’Casey’s classic rip-roaring one act tales of misadventure - A Pound on Demand, Bedtime Story, The End of the Beginning. Be prepared for a night of side-splitting laughter.

OUT &

ABOUT

PHOTOS: ANASTASIIA HARBERA

Sirus Kashefi from Toronto.

Catriona and Neil Morgan with Quinn O’Sullivan.

Maria O'Donoghue with dog George. Victoria and Phylyp.

Margaret Scahill

Tatiana waiting for a friend.

Ines Dora Katy Jacobi walking in the park.

Community College student making waves as a game developer

Fionn Daly, a second-year student from Killarney Community College is making waves in the world of online gaming.

His Roblox game, ‘Earthquake 2’, has surpassed one million views. ‘Earthquake 2’ simulates the devastating effects of a major earthquake.

Fionn created the game to highlight the powerful impact of natural disasters while providing an immersive and engaging experience for players.

Fionn's passion for game develop-

ment extends beyond English.

He has a keen interest in Japanese and has even developed a Japanese version of his game, showcasing his language skills and expanding his reach to a wider audience.

What is Roblox?

Roblox is an online platform that allows users to create and play games. It provides a vast library of user-generated games, covering a wide range of genres and themes. Roblox is popular among young people and has become a significant platform for creativity and social interaction.

St. Brendan's College Student makes history with Ireland U18 debut

A fifth-year student from St. Brendan's College in Killarney made history on Saturday by making his debut for the Republic of Ireland U18 Schools' soccer team.

Luke Doolan's appearance against Australia marked the first time a player from St. Brendan's College has represented the Republic of Ireland

at this level.

Playing as the lone striker, Doolan showcased his strength and determination, contributing to a 3-1 victory for Ireland.

The Ireland U18 team now prepares for the Centenary Shield, a prestigious annual competition featuring teams from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, England, and Scotland.

Students bring home the bacon with beef video

Two Transition Year students from St. Brigid's Secondary School have successfully progressed to the second stage of the Teagasc 'Beef Schools Competition.'

Liadan Coleman and Sinead O'Leary impressed the judges with their innovative video entry, which focused on raising awareness about environmental sustainability in Irish agriculture.

This week, the students partici-

pated in the second stage of the competition, which involved an interview at Teagasc, Moorepark, in Fermoy.

The interview was based on their video entry and allowed them to further elaborate on their ideas and answer questions from the judges.

The 'Beef Schools Competition' is a national initiative aimed at promoting awareness of sustainable beef production practices among young people.

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INSPIRED BY DANNY CASEY

Trump inaugurated as the 47th US president

On Monday last, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, marking the commencement of his second term in office. The ceremony took place inside the US Capitol Rotunda due to severe cold weather, a rare occurrence in US history.

In his inaugural address, President Trump proclaimed the onset of a 'golden age of America', emphasising a renewed focus on national pride, prosperity, and security. He reiterated his commitment to an 'America First' agenda, pledging to reclaim national sovereignty and restore the nation's global standing.

President Trump outlined several key policy initiatives aimed at addressing pressing domestic issues. He announced plans to declare a national emergency

at the southern border to halt illegal immigration and expedite the deportation of criminal aliens. Additionally, he emphasised the importance of energy independence, declaring a national energy emergency to lower prices and bolster the economy. This includes ending the Green New Deal and revoking the electric vehicle mandate to support the American auto industry.

The President also highlighted his intention to reform trade policies by establishing the External Revenue Service to collect tariffs and duties, aiming to enrich American citizens. He proposed the creation of a new Department of Government Efficiency to enhance federal operations. Furthermore, Trump pledged to sign an executive order to end government censorship, reaffirming his commitment to free speech.

Addressing social policies, President Trump declared that the official stance of the US government would recognise only two genders, male and female, and announced plans to reinstate service members expelled due to objections to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, with full back pay. He also expressed a desire to send US astronauts to Mars, signalling ambitious plans for space exploration.

The inauguration was attended by former Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Biden, as well as tech industry leaders such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg.

The event marked a significant political shift, with President Trump outlining a vision aimed at unifying the nation and embarking on a new era of American greatness.

Knocknagoshel hosts inspiring philosophy and wellness festival

Knocknagoshel is set to host the Body and Mind: Philosophy Festival this Saturday 25 January.

Taking place at the Knocknagoshel Community Centre from 2:00pm, the event offers a day of thought-provoking discussions, mindfulness, and music. Highlights include:

• The Stories and Philosophy of County Kerry with author Mary McGillicuddy, filmmaker Brenda Ní Shúilleabháin, and philosopher Kevin Power.

• The Body, exploring endurance and the mind-body connection, featuring athletes like Nuala Moore, John Lenihan, Lorraine Scanlon, and David Keohan.

• Mindfulness and Sound Bath, a workshop by Renata Day.

• Exploring the Idea of Truth with Professor Vittorio Buffachi and journalist Jennifer Horgan.

In the evening, O’Connor’s Pub will host a lighthearted Pub Chat titled 'Everything is Sh#t: I’m Delighted' with Dr. Julie Reshe, followed by live music from Splann at 9:00pm.

Don’t miss this inspiring celebration of culture, wellness, and philosophy in the heart of Kerry!

Red weather warning

Met Eireann have issued a red weather warning for the county of Kerry from 2am until 10.00am Friday.

The duration of the warning may change as the storm approaches landfall Friday morning.

The rarely issued warning for Storm Éowyn has locals battening down the

hatches this Friday.

According to the Met Eireann website locals can expect gale to storm force southerly winds becoming westerly with extreme, damaging, and destructive gusts more than 130km/h.

IMPACTS:

• Danger to life

• Extremely dangerous travelling conditions

• Unsafe working conditions

• Disruption and cancellations to transport

• Many fallen trees

• Significant and widespread power outages

• Impacts to communications networks

• Cancellation of event

• Structural damage

• Wave overtopping

• Coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas

The advice to locals is to shelter in place until the red weather warning passes.

Festival Speaker John Lenihan, 19 time winner of the Carrauntuohil mountain race.

Ibec predict growth despite challenges

Ibec, the employers' group, has projected continued economic expansion in 2025, with employment expected to grow by 2.4%.

Domestic demand is forecast to rise by 3% this year and 2% in 2026. Consumer spending is predicted to grow by 3.1% in 2025, and investment by 4.2%.

The projections come amid significant policy shifts in the US under Trump, including its withdrawal of support for the OECD's global tax pact. Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec, acknowledged the OECD corporate tax rate had been a major advantage for Ireland but described the pact as "dead in the water," regardless of who held the US presidency.

"We anticipated this outcome," McCoy stated. "There’s no need for panic. Much of what drives our economic performance remains within our control." He emphasised the need for Ireland to enhance competitiveness and prioritise essential infrastructure projects to sustain growth. By the end of 2025, Ibec forecasts that employment will be nearly 500,000

higher than in 2019, though domestic growth is showing signs of slowing. GDP growth is estimated at 1.7% this year and 2.1% in 2026. McCoy pointed to critical infrastructure—such as water, housing, energy, and transport—as the main obstacles to economic progress.

Despite global uncertainties, Ibec’s report indicated that the Irish economy remains robust. However, concerns over project delays and budget overruns are impacting investor confidence. Conflicting economic policies under the Trump administration could increase global instability, including tariffs on imports and significant US fiscal deficits, both of which are likely to drive inflation higher.

Domestically, Ibec highlighted that basic pay grew by 4.1% in 2024 compared to 2023. Consumer spending, fueled by credit and debit card usage, reached an average of €8.3 billion monthly in 2024.

Ibec remains optimistic but cautioned the need for strategic focus on infrastructure and competitiveness to navigate both domestic and global economic challenges.

Tragic ski resort fire: 76 dead, dozens injured

Turkish authorities have detained nine individuals, including the owner of a hotel, following a devastating fire at a ski resort in western Turkey that killed 76 people and left dozens injured, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced.

Minister Yerlikaya also stated that the remains of 45 victims had been returned to their families. DNA testing is underway at a forensic institute to identify the remaining victims.

The blaze erupted at the Grand Kartal Hotel, located in the Kartalkaya ski resort in the Bolu mountains. The fire started on the restaurant floor of the 12-story hotel around 3:30am (12:30 am Irish time). The hotel had 238 registered guests at the time.

In a statement, the hotel expressed profound regret over the tragedy and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. "We are working with authori-

ties to uncover every detail of this incident," the statement read. "Our hearts are with those affected, and we share their pain deeply."

Survivors recounted scenes of chaos as they fled through smoke-filled corridors and, in some cases, jumped from windows to escape the flames. Many reported that no fire alarms went off during the incident, forcing them to navigate in complete darkness. These reports have intensified criticism of the hotel's safety protocols.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared a national day of mourning in response to the disaster, which occurred during the height of the winter tourism season. The ski resort is a popular destination for families from Istanbul and Ankara.

Authorities are now investigating the circumstances of the fire, including the hotel's compliance with safety regulations.

Immigration to Ireland rises by 5%

Immigration to Ireland increased by 5% in the year leading up to April 2024, according to new figures. Despite this growth, the number of immigrants remains slightly below the peak recorded in 2007, as highlighted by the European Migration Network (EMN).

A detailed review of migration and asylum trends in Ireland during 2023 reveals that 58% of the increase was driven by immigration from outside the EU and the UK. However, the EMN also noted persistent challenges in Ireland's migration landscape, including forced migration flows, limited processing and

accommodation capacity for international protection applicants, labour market shortages, and an expanded list of sectors eligible for employment permits.

The International Protection Office faced substantial challenges in processing cases. At the end of 2023, 21,850 applications remained pending - a 359% increase compared to 2022.

Reception accommodation also faced significant pressure, with a 42% increase in the number of people accommodated through the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). Despite this, over 2,000 applicants were not offered accommodation upon arrival.

In 2023, Ireland issued nearly 34,000 Personal Public Service numbers to Ukrainian arrivals, around half the 2022 figure of 67,000. Women accounted for 48% of these arrivals, while 28% were children. Counties such as Tipperary, Sligo, and Offaly saw the largest increases in the number of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, while Dublin experienced the smallest increase.

The number of third-country nationals refused entry at Ireland’s external borders decreased by nearly 20% in 2023 compared to 2022, with 7,405 individuals denied entry. This figure mirrors pre-pandemic levels. The most com-

mon nationalities refused entry were Georgian, Somali, and South African. Meanwhile, emigration from Ireland continued to rise, with 69,900 people leaving in the year to April 2024. This represents a 9% increase from the previous year and the highest level of emigration since 2015.

Killarney and District Motor Club crew second in West Coast Rally Championship

Killarney and District Motor Club driver and navigator Dave Slattery and Denis Coffey have been awarded second place in Class 13 of the 2024 Top Part West Coast Rally Championship.

The prizegiving ceremony for the championship took place in Loughrea, Co. Galway on Saturday night.

Slattery and Coffey contested all six rounds of the championship, facing chal-

lenges with mechanical issues in the early rounds. However, they recovered with strong performances in Munster and Stonethrowers, culminating in a top finish at the Kerry Winter Stages. This consistent effort earned them the runner-up position in Class 13.

The 2024 Championship comprised of six rounds held across various locations, with the best four scores contributing to the final standings.

John Tynan (Top Part) Dave Slattery (Glenflesk), Denis Coffey (Brennan’s Glen) and Senan Ragget (Top Part). Photo: Dermot Kelleher.

Kelliher's wins Munster Best Social Media Award

Kelliher's Toyota in Tralee has been recognised for its outstanding social media presence, winning the Munster region award at the CarsIreland Dealership Awards.

The awards ceremony, hosted by RTÉ Sports commentator Des Cahill, took place on Tuesday at the Clayton Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin. The CarsIreland Dealership Awards celebrate excellence in online automotive marketing across Ireland

and are proudly supported by PTSB Asset Finance.

Kelliher's Garage is well-known for its creative and engaging social media presence.

In addition to traditional car sales and service posts, they regularly share quirky memes and local news stories, building a strong connection with their online audience.

Their recent snow storm photos attracted a large social media audience.

At the launch of the 2024 Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel were Dermot Healy, Liam Cronin, Noel O’Sullivan and Jean Sparling. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Dermot Healy elected Clerk of the Course for Rally of the Lakes

Local business man Dermot Healy was elected as the Clerk of the Course for the upcoming Rally of the Lakes on Tuesday night.

Killarney and District Motor Club (KDMC) held an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) in an effort to fill this role within the club. Healy brings a wealth of experience to the position; this is his tenth time taking charge of the county’s biggest motorsport event.

His first outing was in 2011 and he continued every year except for a break in 2016 before returning in 2017. He continued as Clerk of the Course from then until the 40th anniversary rally in 2019, a memorable event that saw Hollywood actor Michael Fassbender take part.

After another break he helmed the 2023 event before serving as Deputy Clerk of the Course to Cormac Casey in 2024. This year’s rally will take place on May 3 and 4.

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FRI JAN 31ST - FRI FEB 14TH

*ADVANCED FACIAL PROCEDURES*

⌘ MEDICAL MICRONEEDLING (MESOTHERAPY)

Premium Facial procedure to instantly stimulate New Skin cells making fine lines, wrinkles, scarring & pigmentation lessapparent.

Buy 3 Get 1 FREE €360

⌘ SRNS GLOBAL ANTI AGE

Customised Anti ageing Face, Neck & Eye Treatment

Buy 3 Get 4th FREE €240

⌘ CLINICARE SKIN PEEL

AAA Medical Grade Skin Peel. Instant results in the treatment of wrinkle reduction, acne scarring, dull pigmented skin.

Buy 3 Get 4th FREE €270

⌘ NEW GLASS FACIAL

Intensive skin hydration at a deep level. Enhances skin texture and tone, smoothes wrinkles and boosts collagen.

Buy 3 Get 4th FREE €255

⌘ DELUXE SPA PEDICURE

Relax in our Jacuzzi Spa Pedi chair, Includes full leg and foot sugar scrub, nail & cuticle work, hard skin reduction, massage & regular paint

Buy 2 Get 3rd FREE €100

⌘ SHELLAC

Buy 3 Get 4th FREE €96

*removals €10

⌘ GLO N GO FULL BODY EXFOLIATION

Buy 2 Get 3rd FREE €140

⌘ UNIVERSAL CONTOUR WRAP

Immediate & Effective inch loss, detox & cellulite reduction.

Buy 3 Get 4th FREE €240

⌘ LASHLIFT & CURL

Buy 2 Get 3rd FREE €110

⌘ HENNA BROWS

Buy 2 Get 3rd FREE €90

⌘ EARCANDLING WITH INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE

Buy 2 Get 3rd FREE €100

*BUY 2 GET 3RD FREE*

⌘ MANICURE

⌘ SPRAY TAN

⌘ BACK MASSAGE

⌘ INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE

⌘ FULL BODY MASSAGE

€60

€80

€80

€90

€140

FINANCE

FINANCESECTION

| FINANCIAL ADVISOR DIRECTORY FOR KILLARNEY

McGuire Liston Lewis Road, Killarney, Co. Kerry liam@mcguireliston.ie 064 6632255

Dermot Cronin Old Market Ln, Killarney, Co. Kerry kerrymortgagecentre@eircom.net. 064 662 2775

Motor Insurance levy reduced

The motor insurance levy to the Motor Insurers Insolvency Fund (MIICF) has been reduced to nil from January this year.

This fund was established in 2018 to collect contributions from motor insurers in order to cover third party claims where an insurer is insolvent.

In the years following the Setanta Insurance collapse the Law Society of Ireland took a case arguing the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) should be liable to pay the full compensation for third party losses and not the Insurance Compensation Fund (ICF), which was capped

CLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE

FOR SALE: SALE on various fuels, seasoned dry Ash, Oak and Beechwood firewood. Truck Lorry loads. Contact 087 4475230.

AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE: MUSIC LESSONS - piano, fiddle, and guitar. Garda vetted. Leaving Cert Music grinds and Online Option also available. Tel John: 087-6801392 or Maggie: 0876961681.

AVAILABLE: Milltown Guitar School now enrolling. Professional, experienced and Garda vetted. Call Jane on 085 1731766.

AVAILABLE: “Raise those grades” with the PhysMaths Tutor Killarney, 1-on-1 maths and physics grinds (LC & JC). Organised by local STEM award-winning engineering student. Contact by email at PhysMathsTutorKillarney@outlook.com

AVAILABLE: Jumpstart your resolution with HEALTHY HYPNOSIS Superglue, that healthy weight plan. Now available once a week in Killarney. Contact Marie, your local Hypnotist/ nutritionist on 085 1367488. www.naturalhealthsolutions.info

AVAILABLE: Community Helping Hands. Childminder, baby sitting, house cleaning, laundry, ironing, cooking, shopping etc. All staff Garda vetted. Affordable prices. T: 089 9752855 or E: adukeb498@gmail.com.

at 65% or €825,000 (whichever was less) of any claim. The case was successful and the 2018 Act required motor insurers to contribute a set percentage of gross written motor insurance premiums annually to the MIICF until the Fund reached €200 million. Initially the levy was 2%, reducing to 1% in 2024 and now to nil in 2025.

The contribution rate is subject to annual review by the Minister for Finance,

and can be set between 0% and 3%.

Minister for Finance Jack Chambers commented:

“The Motor Insurers Insolvency Compensation Fund is an important protection mechanism for Irish motorists. It ensures that in the event of a motor insurer going into liquidation, outstanding claims can still be funded. Since its initiation in 2018, the fund has now reached a level where it can be suspended. Therefore, I am pleased to have signed the order confirming a reduction in the levy from 1% to 0%.”

ANIMALS

TO GOOD HOME: Collie pups free to a good home. Microchipped and vaccinated. Mom and dad good working dogs and beautiful good natured puppies. Contact Brian on 087 2884504.

JACK RUSSELL PUPS: Looking for good homes for 8-week old Jack Russell cross puppies. Contact 086 2633112 for more details.

ANIMALS: HUG: Homes for Unwanted Greyhounds. For further details please contact us on 087 6932090 or email info@homesforunwantedgreyhounds.ie

ANIMALS: Adopt, Don't Shop - Rescue pups and kitties are looking for loving homes at KLAWS. Visit our website: www.klaws.ie or contact us by phone: 087 9704480, or email: klawskenmare@gmail.com

MOTORING

FOR SALE: 161 AUDI A1 Sport TFSI, 1.0, Automatic 5Dr – Low milage, only 77,400KM. €15,000. Immaculate condition. Call 087 6774424.

WANTED

WANTED: Childminder in Killarney town centre. Includes school collections and looking after children in their own home. Experience and Full driver’s licence is essential. Please email jillodonoghue1@hotmail.com

TO LET: Multipurpose storage available in Milltown. Various sizes available, ranging from small (36ft x 23ft) to large (60ft x 20ft). Please contact 087 6542366 for more details.

TO LET: Double room to let in woodlawn, Killarney. Looking for one person, preferably male. Telephone 087 7639545 or 083 1085237.

TO LET: 2-Bedroom luxury apartment, 8km from Killarney town, on the Cork Road. Telephone 086 1923204.

TO LET: Two bedroom house to rent, close to Killarney town, Suitable for professional couple or single. Contact. 087 4140828. TO LET: 5-Bedroom house in Whitebridge, Killarney. 4-Bedroom house In Lisbabe. 1-Bedroom apartment, 4km from Killarney town centre. Also, 3-Bedroom bungalow in Killorglin. Contact 086 8136888.

WANTED: Houses and apartments to rent in the Killarney area. Contact 086 8136888.

John Healy of Healy Insurances.

IF YOU’D LIKE TO ADVERTISE

1 THREE ARCHES, COOLCORCORAN, KILLARNEY, CO KERRY, V93 N2D1

Luxury detached family home set in an exclusive private development of only 4 houses situated within minutes of Killarney town.

Bright spacious accommodation extending to 323 Sq.M. approx consisting of 4 en-suite bedrooms and well-appointed living spaces with a fully converted attic.

The property also boasts a large, detached garage.

Generous private site extending to approximately 0.81 acres

Enjoy the stunning interior spaces, fully-converted attic, and the elegant surroundings this home offers. This is a superb detached family home with

accommodation – Viewing highly recommended.

and

VIEWING: BY APPOINTMENT PRICE:

Property prices will increase by 6% over next year

The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI)annual Residential Review and Outlook Report predicts that property prices will increase by an average of 6% over the next 12 months, an increase of 4.5% compared to the figure forecasted for the summer.

61% of respondents believe prices are rising but expect them to level off soon with more balanced growth expectations and less emphasis on rapid price increases. 76% of estate agents reported low stock levels—up slightly on last year—and the majority of agents indicated that the lack of supply was the main factor influencing expectations around house price movements.

The lack of supply of available stock will continue to be the dominant issue this year.

76% of agents surveyed are continuing to report low stock levels.

Other influences include the onset of lower interest rates, availability of credit and access to schemes supporting house purchases such as Help to Buy.

Improvements in credit conditions have been a factor impacting the high-

Interestingly, last year, 40% of agents identified the lack of supply as the main issue affecting price movements – that number has now increased to close to 60%.

er-than-anticipated price movements in late 2024. If the current affordability gap is to be moderated the supply of new homes needs to be increased.

SCSI Vice President Gerard O Toole has highlighted deficits in water infrastructure, electricity and sewage as issues curtailing new housing supply as zonedland cannot be developed without these essential connections.

OUT &

ABOUT

Gretta and Cian O’Connor from Australia.

David and Maureen McCarthy on the road to Ross castle

Martha and Luna Fleming vacationing in the National Park.

Michael Doyle cleaning before planting flowers.

Ciara Brosnan on a stroll.

Brid O'Callaghan on a walk with dog Teddy Griffin.

Cian Lenihan and Fiona McCarthy.

About The Course

During this classroom course, you will learn about

and learning in children with special needs and about the role of an SNA You will learn about child

Details

Starting Thursday 6th February

Duration; 1 evening a week for 20 Weeks

Choose to pay in full, or sign up with our Finance Instalment plan

TRALEE

Randles Brothers is on the lookout for a talented and experienced

MOTOR SALES EXECUTIVE

to join our enthusiastic and committed team.

We understand the value our Sales Executives bring to the business, and we’re proud to reward their contributions with a comprehensive benefits package.

At Randles Brothers, we offer you the chance to:

• Enjoy a highly competitive salary.

• Participate in official branded training programs.

• Achieve bonuses through realistic performance goals.

• Thrive in a welcoming and supportive work environment.

What you’ll be doing as a Sales Executive:

• Delivering structured and effective sales presentations to maximise every opportunity.

• Building strong customer relationships through follow-up and prospecting efforts to secure repeat and new business.

• Managing a daily, weekly, and monthly sales call schedule in collaboration with the Sales Manager.

• Developing a thorough understanding of all products, accessories, pricing, and the strengths of our competitors.

• Handling customer inquiries and concerns efficiently, ensuring the best outcomes for both the customer and the business.

• Providing regular sales activity reports.

• Performing precise appraisals on vehicles presented for trade-ins, covering mechanical, electrical, and cosmetic assessments.

• Negotiating effectively with customers to close deals, ensuring valuations are agreed upon with the Sales Manager.

What we’re looking for in a candidate:

• A full, clean driver’s license (mandatory).

• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.

• A customer-first mindset and strong commercial awareness.

• High levels of enthusiasm, motivation, and ambition to excel.

If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been searching for, we’d love to hear from you!

Senior welding instructor

The role

Reporting to the Steel Construction Manager, the successful applicant will be responsible for the practical and theoretical training of both apprentices and existing employees. This role will also be involved in developing new and innovative ways of improving the welding processes, will work closely with Welding Engineers/Works Dept./Design and Production to problem solve and find new solutions across the factory in a bid to maintain and improve welding quality standards. Researching new technologies and automation developments. Further professional development at third level will be required on an ongoing basis.

Key elements of the role

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

– Ensure all trainees receive training in the various welding skills, basic and advanced - MMA, MAG, TIG to certified standards as required.

– Prepare lesson plans, course notes, presentational material, and handouts as appropriate.

– Supervise trainees and ensure that correct methods, quality standards and safety procedures are observed.

– Presentation of topics to a group of trainees or coaching on a one-to-one basis.

– Assessments and performance reviews for apprentices.

– Coordinating and testing of company weld tests for both new and existing employees.

– Giving constructive feedback to all trainees.

– Carry out welds for testing for new weld procedures.

– Other duties which may arise.

Qualifications & competencies

– Ability to read, interpret and explain complex drawings.

– Ability to weld to a high standard and explain different processes (MIG, MAG, TIG, MMA, Gas welding, submerged arc, orbital, soldering and brazing).

– A relevant welding qualification.

– Minimum of 5 years post qualification welding.

– Knowledge of AutoCAD and / or Pro-Engineer is an advantage.

– Recognised trainer / instructor qualification desirable.

– Computer literate with a good knowledge of MS Office applications.

– Excellent communication and presentation skills.

– CSWIP Inspector qualified desirable.

Location: Killarney

Reporting to: Steel Construction Manager

To apply for the role, please email a CV & cover letter to fiona.darby@liebherr.com by 10th Feburary 2024. HR Department

FOR ALL OF YOUR: Plumbing, Heating and Mechanical, Oil boiler servicing and maintenance

CALL OR EMAIL

DENNIS O’SULLIVAN 087 3916860

dennis.osullivan@amaltd.ie

ACROSS

1. Reside

6. Competent

10. Lovers' quarrel

14. Track events

15. Entrance

16. Lingerie edging

17. Build

18. Middling (hyph.)

19. Poker fee

20. Overseas

22. Newspaper issue

24. Narrowed

27. Weep

28. Sham

32. Briny deep

34. Teller of falsehoods

35. Hearing organs

37. Off kilter

41. Water mammal

43. Mouth part

44. Yule visitor

45. Old hat

46. Track competition

48. Buck

49. Family mem.

51. Florida city

53. Plant seeds

56. Atom part

58. Nabs

60. Render harmless

65. Object of adoration

66. Thump

69. Excessive excitement

70. New Jersey team

71. Carson's successor

72. Zeal

73. Lumber source

74. Greek god of love

75. Shopping aids

DOWN

1. Space

2. Insult

3. Bakery worker

4. Art ____ ('20s movement)

5. Manor

6. Paid notices

7. Halloween shout

8. Defeated candidate

9. Eats away

10. Narrow board

11. Sudden fright

12. Movie star

13. Very small

21. A Scandinavian

23. Notions

25. Sacred song

26. Spookiest

28. Drop heavily

29. Pinup ____ Hayworth

30. Dines

31. Lock of hair

33. Accumulate

36. Pointed weapon

38. Get ____ trouble

39. EMT's word

40. Epic

42. Bridle straps

47. Trampled

50. Decide

52. "____ House"

53. Holy person

54. Command

55. Authored

57. Theater attendant

59. In addition

61. Delhi dress

62. Ampersands

63. Public disorder

64. Scratches

67. One (Sp.)

68. Roberto's "two"

50 IN MEMORIAM

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & 1ST ANNIVERSARY

FITZGERALD

In loving memory of Catherine Fitzgerald Arbutus Grove, Killarney who passed away on 27th January 2024.

On Catherine’s first anniversary, we her family, husband Jerry (Jeremiah,) daughters Emma and Jennifer, son-in-law Kieran, Jennifer’s partner Tom, loving grandson Finley, her sisters and brother, would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone that sympathised with us at this difficult time.

We would like to thank everybody that called to our house, sent flowers, mass cards and condolence messages. Thanks to everyone that travelled long distances to be with us. To all that attended Catherine’s removal, and funeral mass and burial.

A big thanks to Fr. Kieran for calling to our home, and for a heartfelt requiem mass and graveside prayers. Thanks to Helen Kerins and Denis Crowley for the wonderful music at Catherine’s Mass.

Thanks to O’Shea’s Funeral Directors, and a special thanks to my brother Gerard for all his help in the arrangements and organisation of the funeral.

Thanks to all the palliative care team at UHK. Thanks to all the public health nurses who attended to Catherine during her illness.

A special thanks to all the staff of the Muckross ward at UHK for the professional care and attention they gave to Catherine, especially care and attention they gave Catherine in her final hours, and also for the care they showed to us, her family, afterwards.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgment as a token of our sincere gratitude and appreciation. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions.

The tears in our eyes we can wipe away

The ache in our hearts Will always stay.

Catherines First Anniversary Mass will take place on Friday 24th January at 6.15pm in St. Marys Cathedral, Killarney.

1ST ANNIVERSARY

FITZGERALD

In loving memory of Catherine Fitzgerald Arbutus Grove, Killarney who passed away on 27th January 2024.

Those that leave us don’t go away. They wait beside us every day Unseen, unheard, but always near Still loved, still missed, and very dear.

Love you always.

Sadly missed and remembered by her loving daughters Emma and Jennifer, son-in-law Kieran, Jennifer’s partner Tom, and grandson Finley.

First Anniversary Mass on Friday 24th January at 6.15pm in St. Marys Cathedral, Killarney.

1ST ANNIVERSARY

FITZGERALD

In loving memory of a dear sister Catherine Fitzgerald (nee Cotter) Arbutus Grove, Killarney who passed away on 27th January 2024.

Kate, another day goes by without you Another day to reminisce About all the times we shared together And everything we miss.

Flowers by your graveside Your photo in a frame We still feel you around us But nothing feels the same.

If we could see you for a minute I know what we would do We would freeze that moment in a heart beat So we could stay with you.

We know some day we will all be together In a place not far away And our hearts will not be broken Like they are today.

Missed and loved every day by her heartbroken family, sisters Mary, Eileen and Margaret, brother David, sister-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

Anniversary Mass on Friday 24th January at 6.15pm in St. Marys Cathedral, Killarney.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & 1ST ANNIVERSARY FOLLIN

In loving memory of Maureen Follin Killarney, Co. Kerry and Tallow, Co. Waterford 24th January 2024.

On the 1st Anniversary of Mum’s passing, her daughters Carmel and Susan, grandchildren Muireann, Mike and Ciara, and son-in-law Ciaran, would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the kindness and support shown to us by our extended family, good neighbours and many friends at the time of her passing.

To all who travelled to attend the removal, funeral Mass and burial, who sent Mass cards, texts, flowers, messages of condolence, and who provided Guards of Honour, we extend our profound thanks.

Our sincerest and deepest gratitude to all of Mum’s Home Helps over the years, and most of all to her friends in Killarney Nursing Home, and the outstanding staff who cared for her with so much kindness and showed such compassion in her final days.

Grateful thanks to Fr. Joe Begley for making the funeral mass a special celebration of Mum’s life. To Maura Reen and Anita for the lovely music, and also to Pauline O’Shea and the Sacristan.

To O’Shea Funeral Directors for their compassion, consideration and professionalism.

A special word of appreciation to Martin Sheahan, gravedigger and to Fr. Pat Condon for his friendship, support and oration at the graveside. Our thanks also to James Clancy for his hospitality.

As it is impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our sincere thanks and deep appreciation. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions.

First Anniversary Mass will be held on Saturday 1st February in Holy Cross Church, Kilwatermoy.

1ST ANNIVERSARY

FITZGERALD

In loving memory of Catherine Fitzgerald R.I.P. Arbutus Grove, Killarney who passed away on 27th January 2024.

God saw you getting tired And a cure was not to be So he put his arms around you And said ‘come to me’.

With tearful eyes we watched you And saw you pass away Although we loved you dearly We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating Hard working hands have a rest God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best .

Loved and missed every day by Gerard, Kathleen, Gillian, Laura, Kieran, Grainne and Ciaran. xx

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & 1ST ANNIVERSARY

AHERN In loving memory of Henry Ahern late of Farranfore, Co. Kerry who passed away on 27th January 2024. May his soul rest in peace.

On the occasion of Henry’s First Anniversary, Maureen and the Ahern Family. would like to acknowledge the many gestures of kindness and sympathy shown to us throughout the difficult days around his sudden death and his funeral.

We are deeply indebted to Dr. Eamonn Shanahan, to the Medical Team, and to the Gardai, who attended the sudden emergency. We thank them for their remarkable kindness and care.

A particular word of gratitude for our parish priest Fr. Pádraig Kennelly who attended to Henry and for all the Clergy who concelebrated Henry’s Requiem Mass, this was a source of strength for all of us.

Thanks to the sacristans Michael O’Sullivan and Liam Fell, and to all who prepared the funeral liturgy, and to all who participated in it. A special thanks to all who travelled long distances to be with us, and who supported us.

To our wonderful relatives, neighbours and friends who shared in our grief. Thanks to Firies GAA who organised parking and arranged the guard of honour.

The mass cards and the numerous messages of condolences we received have been a huge consolation, and all are gratefully appreciated.

To Michael Sheehan, undertaker and friend, we are most grateful for your professionalism and personal touch. And also to the staff of Kilnanare Cemetery.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgment as an expression of our thanks and appreciation. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions.

Henry’s First Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Saturday 25th January at 7.30pm in St Gertrudes Church, Firies.

15TH ANNIVERSARY COURTNEY

In loving memory of Michael Courtney “Avanti”, Ardshanavooly, Killarney who died on 26th January 2010.

You always had a smile to share Time to give, time to care Someone to talk to, kind and true

One in a million, that was you.

Forever remembered by your loving family, sons Paddy, Gary, Mike, Hugh, daughters Nancy, Kathryn, Shelanne, sons-ln-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sister, relatives and friends. Always in our hearts.

Anniversary Mass on Saturday 25th January at 6.15pm in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney.

In loving memory of our dear Mom Hannah Moriarty (nee Griffin) Upper Tullig and late of Fossa who died on 23rd January 1999.

you.

memory

Liz Foley

West, Killarney who died on 20th January 2023.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & 1ST ANNIVERSARY

O’CONNOR In loving memory of Jeremiah (Jerome) O’Connor Cloonteens, Kilcummin, Killarney who passed away on 23rd January 2024.

As we lovingly remember Jerome on his first anniversary, we, his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to our relatives, neighbours and friends, who supported and sympathised with us on the sad loss of Jerome.

We are truly thankful to everyone who visited our home, provided food and refreshments, and attended the funeral. We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to those who called, sent mass cards, and shared messages of condolence online.

We are incredibly grateful to O’Shea’s Funeral Home for their professionalism.

Thanks to Fr. Jim Linehan, Deacon Thady O’Connor, Fr. Paddy O’Donoghue and Fr. Denis O’Mahoney, who officiated at Jerome’s funeral.

While it is impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our appreciation for all your kindness, thoughtfulness and support. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has been offered for all your intentions.

Forever loved and dearly missed by his loving family.

Jerome’s 1st Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Saturday 25th January at 7.30pm in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kilcummin.

1ST ANNIVERSARY

O’CONNOR

In loving memory of Jeremiah (Jerome) O’Connor Cloonteens, Kilcummin, Killarney who passed away on 23rd January 2024.

God looked around his garden

And he found an empty place

He then looked down upon the earth

And saw Jerome’s tired face.

He put his arms around him

And lifted him to rest God’s garden must be beautiful

He always takes the best.

He saw the road was getting tough

And the hills were hard to climb

So, he closed his weary eyelids And whispered, “Peace be thine”.

It broke our hearts to lose you

But you did not go alone

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.

Sadly missed, loved and remembered today and every day by Seán, Sheila, Mary and Michael. Anniversary Mass on Saturday 25th January at 7.30pm in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kilcummin.

1ST ANNIVERSARY

O’CONNOR

In loving memory of Jeremiah (Jerome) O’Connor Cloonteens, Kilcummin, Killarney who passed away on 23rd January 2024.

You were always there When we needed you No task too great or small With loving heart and helping hands For us you did it all.

Sadly missed, loved and remembered, today and every day by Vincent, Geraldine, Emily and Vicky.

1ST ANNIVERSARY

O’CONNOR

In loving memory of Jeremiah (Jerome) O’Connor Cloonteens, Kilcummin, Killarney who passed away on 23rd January 2024.

We hold you close within our hearts And there you shall remain To walk with us throughout our lives Until we meet again Unseen, unheard but always near Still loved, still missed, still very dear. Rest in Peace Jerome.

lan, Rena, Christopher and Dara.

2ND & 4TH ANNIVERSARIES

CAHILLANE

In loving memory of Teresa and Bertie Cahillane Scrahan Mews, Killarney and late of Lakeview, Fossa Teresa who died on 31st January 2023 and Bertie who died on 23rd January 2021.

When nights are cold and stars are few We close our eyes and think of you A silent hope, a silent tear A silent wish that you were here.

Our memories of you are precious Your presence missed so much You will always be remembered And loved by all of us.

And when old times We do recall Its then we miss you

Most of all.

Always loved and remembered by your loving family.

Anniversary Mass on Tuesday 28th January at 6.15pm in St Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & 1ST ANNIVERSARY BARRON

In loving memory of Mick Barron late of Rock Road, Killarney and formally of Donegal who died on 24th January 2024.

As we remember Mick on his 1st Anniversary, we, his family, wish to express our sincere thanks to all who sympathised with us on our recent sad loss.

Our heartfelt thanks to all who called to our home, sent mass cards, mass enrolments, letters of sympathy.

Thanks to all who travelled long distances to show their respect, especially everyone from Donegal and Athlone and Dublin.

Thanks to all our relatives, neighbours and friends who comforted us during our bereavement, and continue to help and support us. A special word of thanks to Mick’s friend Jerry Lyons.

We would like to thank Mick’s doctors, nurses and all staff. A special word of thanks to Nurse Elaine Mulvihill and the staff of the Carraig Ward.

Thanks to Father Sean Jones for saying the rosary and saying the funeral mass. Thanks also to the musicians and singers who provided music for Mass.

Thanks to O’Shea’s Funeral Directors for their help and professionalism. Also thanks to the grave diggers.

A special word of thanks to Margaret Scannell who sang during the mass and Pa Scannell who waked him well.

Thanks to Martina Tangney and Síle Courtney for their invaluable help before, during, and after the funeral. Finally, to everyone who helped with refreshments during the funeral, thank you.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgment as a token of our sincere gratitude and appreciation. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has been offered for your intentions.

First Anniversary Mass for Mick will be on Sunday 26th January at 12 noon in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney.

16TH ANNIVERSARY LYNCH

In loving memory of a Husband, Dad and Granddad Tim Lynch late of 31 O’Kelly’s Villas Killarney who passed away on 27th January 2009.

You’ll remember me When tthe west wind moves Among the fields of barley

You can tell the sun In his jealous sky When we walk in fields of gold.

Sadly missed but always remembered by his wife Catherine, son James, daughter Jennifer, son-in-law Micheàl, and his grandchildren Rachel, Jessica, Conor and Nicole.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & 1ST ANNIVERSARY

CROWLEY

In loving memory of John Chris Crowley Knocknacopple, Rathmore.

As we lovingly remember John Chris on his first anniversary,We, his family, would like to thank all those who called to the house and attended the funeral. Those who supported and sympathised with us during the days of the funeral.

Thank you to John’s work colleagues in Eircom who travelled down for the funeral.

We would like to thank those who cared for John during his illness. Millstreet Medical Practice for there kindness shown to John when he attended. Dr Brambury and his team in tralee for there excellent care when John was diagnosed. Patricia Sheehan and the palliative care team who were always available with kindness and compassion.

Thanks to Helena Moore also for her kindness when John attended with her.

To the Nurses and Staff of Killarney Community Hospital who provided excellent care to John, and the family during his final days.

Thanks to O’Keeffes funeral directors for their professionalism and kindness.

To Fr O’ Donnell for his support and kind words on the day of John’s funeral. And thank you to Fr Lenihan for concelebrating. Thank you to Laura and Johnathon O’ Keeffe for the beautiful singing.

A special thanks to John’s Neighbour Cynhtia, who always looked out for him, and especially during covid where she provided great care for John. We will be forever greatful.

Please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our appreciation.

John Chris’s Anniversary Mass will take place on Friday 24th January at 7.00pm in St. Joseph’s Church, Rathmore.

3RD ANNIVERSARY

O’DONOGHUE

In loving memory of Tom Joe O’Donoghue Knocknageeha, Gneeveguilla who died on 28th January 2022.

Those we love don’t go away They walk beside us everyday Unseen, unheard, and always near Still loved, still missed, and always dear. Suaimhneas síoraí i dteannta Dé.

Sadly missed by your wife Peggy, sons and daughters Niall, Josephine, Sheila, Denis, Brigid, Tomás, Padraig and Michael, and their families.

Anniversary Mass on Sunday 26th January 2025 at 9.30am in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Gneeveguilla.

52 IN MEMORIAM

3RD ANNIVERSARY

O’SHEA

In loving memory of David O’Shea Springfield Lodge, Rookery Close, Killarney Whose 3rd anniversary occurs on 22 January.

Looking back with memories

Upon the path you trod We bless the years we had with you And leave the rest to God.

Lovingly remembered by your loving wife Kay. x

Anniversary Mass on Saturday 25th January at 6.15pm in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney.

3RD ANNIVERSARY

O’SHEA

In loving memory of our Dearest Dad David O’Shea Rookery Close, Killarney who died on 22 January 2022.

Dad

We lost a father with a heart of gold And how much we miss him, could never be told. He raised us with love and helped us along If we follow his footsteps, we’ll never go wrong.

Loved and missed every day, your loving daughter Colette. xxx

3RD ANNIVERSARY

O’SHEA

In loving memory of David O’Shea late of Rookery Road, Killarney who died on 22 January 2022.

God called your name so softly

That only you could hear

And no one heard the footsteps

Of angels drawing near.

The golden gates stood open God saw you needed rest

His garden must be beautiful

He only takes the best.

Sadly missed and always remembered by your sister Mary Bridget.

TO

Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask you this special one, (mention favour). Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your Father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your favour not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never known to fail. Must promise publication of prayer. RF

3RD ANNIVERSARY

O’SHEA

In loving memory of a Special Dad David O’Shea Rookery Close, Killarney who died on 22 January 2022.

Dear Dad and Grandad Those we love don’t go away They walk beside us every day Unseen, unheard, but always near Still loved, still missed, so very dear.

Loved beyond words, missed beyond measure, your daughter Caroline and grandsons Conor and Aaron.

3RD ANNIVERSARY

O’SHEA

In loving memory of a special Dad David O’Shea Rookery Close, Killarney who died on 22 January 2022.

Thinking of you dear Dad and Grandad But that is nothing new We thought about you yesterday And the day before that too.

We’ll think about you tomorrow And as the years come and go We’ll think about you forever Because we love you so.

Rest in Heavenly peace Dad. Your loving daughter Aine, son-in-law John, and grandchildren Daniel and Sarah Louise.

8TH ANNIVERSARY

O’SULLIVAN

In loving memory of Donal (Donie) O’Sullivan late of Droumadeesirt, Kilcummin, Killarney who died on 29th January 2017.

If we could visit heaven Even for a day

Maybe for a moment

The pain would go away.

I’d put my arms around you And whisper words so true That living life without you Is the hardest thing to do.

No matter how we spend our days No matter what we do

No morning dawns or evening falls When we don’t think of you.

Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by your wife Noreen.

Love says little, but means so much

Love is a feeling, a look, a touch

Love is a gift and I give it to you

From a daughter whose heart is broken in two.

Sadly missed and deeply loved by your daughter Helen.

Anniversary Mass on Sunday 26th January at 11.30am in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kilcummin.

3RD ANNIVERSARY LOONEY

In loving memory of Timmy Looney Coolgreane Park, Killarney who died on 25th January 2022.

A light is from our household gone A voice we loved is still A place is vacant in our home That never can be filled.

Lonely is the home without you Life to us is not the same All the world would be like heaven If we could have you back again.

How dearly we loved you And prayed you might live But Jesus just beckoned And we had to give.

God gave us strength to bear it And courage to fight the blow What it has meant to lose you God alone will ever know.

Our family chain is broken

Nothing seems the same But as God calls us one by one The links shall join again.

Always remembered and forever loved, your loving wife Nuala, Joanne and Tony, Paudie and Margaret, Timmy and Sharon.

Granda If heaven had a number I’d call you on the phone

To say how much I love you And tell you to come home.

So rest in heaven dear Granda And thanks for all you’ve done We trust that God has given you The crown you’ve truly won.

Remembering and loving you always, your grandchildren Stephen, Makaela, Chloe, Padraic, Keelan and Alex.

Anniversary Mass for Timmy on Saturday 25th January at 6.15pm in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney.

3RD ANNIVERSARY FORAN

In loving memory of Dominic Foran late of Dromin, Fossa, Killarney who died on 3rd February 2022.

Tenderly we treasure the past Memories that will always last When we cease to think of you Will be when God has called us too.

Within our store of memories We hold a place apart For no one else can ever be More cherished in our hearts.

Wonderful memories of one so dear Treasured still with a love sincere In our hearts you are living yet We loved you too dearly to forget.

Dearly missed and forever loved by Mom, Dad, John and Marie. xxx

Anniversary Mass on Saturday 1st February at 7.30pm in the Prince of Peace Church, Fossa.

3RD ANNIVERSARY

O’CONNELL In loving memory of Ders O’Connell Curragh, Aghadoe, Killarney who died on 25th January 2022.

Those special memories of you Will always bring a smile If only we could have you back Just for a little while.

Then we could sit and talk again Just like we used to do You always meant the world to us And always will do too.

Always loved and remembered by your wife Mary and family.

Anniversary Mass will be on Sunday 26th January at 10.00am in the Prince of Peace Church, Fossa.

4TH ANNIVERSARY

CREMIN

In loving memory of a dear son, brother and uncle Garda Aidan Cremin Adrigole, Co. Cork and Dunloe, Beaufort, Co. Kerry who died on 19th January 2021.

When tomorrow starts without me Please try to understand That an angel came and called my name And took me by the hand.

And said my place was ready In Heaven far above And that I’d have to leave behind All those I dearly love.

So when tomorrow starts without me Don’t think we are far apart For every time you think of me I’m right here in your heart.

Always loved and remembered by your mother Eileen, and all the family.

4TH ANNIVERSARY MC GILLICUDDY

In loving memory of Catherine Mc Gillicuddy (Nee O’Keeffe) Bounard, Gneeveguilla who passed away on 27th January 2021. May she rest in peace.

Along the road to suffering ou found a little lane

That took you up to heaven

And ended all your pain.

You may be out of sight

We may be worlds apart

But you are always in our prayers And forever in our hearts.

Always loved and fondly remembered by your sister-in-law Laura and family. Miss you. xxx

NOVENA

THE SACRED HEART

5TH ANNIVERSARY

MURHILL

In loving memory of Hugh Murhill Killegy Lower, Muckross, Killarney who died on 21st January 2020.

We hold you close within our hearts

And there you shall remain

To walk with us throughout our lives

Until we meet again.

So Rest In Peace, dear loved one And thanks for all you’ve done

We pray that God has given you

The crown you’ve truly won.

Your life was a blessing

Your memory a treasure

You are loved beyond words And missed beyond measure.

Sadly missed and never forgotten by your loving wife Susan, daughters Jemma and Kaylyn, your sons John and Hugh Daniel, and grandchildren Amelia and Thomas. xxxx

5TH ANNIVERSARY

MURHILL

In loving memory of Hugh Murhill Killegy Lower, Muckross, Killarney whose anniversary occurs on 21st January.

We will always have memories

To cherish and hold

Of a wonderful brother

More precious than gold.

Sadly missed by your brothers John, Donie and Frank, sister Margaret, and their families.

A beautiful memory dearer than gold

Of an uncle whose worth can never be told.

Fondly remembered, your nieces and nephews. xxx

7TH & 5TH ANNIVERSARIES O’BRIEN

Loving

of our dear parents Pa and Nora O’Brien late of Glounacopple, Kilcummin who died on 29th January 2018 and 29th January 2020.

When nights are cold and stars are few

We close our eyes and think of you

A silent hope, a silent tear

A silent wish that you were here.

Always loved and fondly remembered by daughters Betty, Maura and Áine, sons Séamus and John Joe, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.

Anniversary Mass on Saturday 1st February at 7.30pm

In Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kilcummin.

7TH ANNIVERSARY

CORBETT

In loving memory of Mary Corbett late of Holy Cross, Firies who died on 23rd January 2018.

You can shed tears that she is gone

Or you can smile because she lived

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back.

Or you can open your eyes and see all she has left Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her.

Or you can be full of the love that she shared You can remember her and only that she is gone.

Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what Mom would want Smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Sadly missed, we think about you every day Mom.

Your daughter Maria, son-in-law Malcolm, and granddaughters Clara and Saoirse.

Anniversary Mass on Wednesday 5th February at 7.30pm in Firies Church.

7TH ANNIVERSARY CORBETT

In loving memory of a special mom Mary Corbett late of Holy Cross, Firies who passed away on 23rd January 2018.

Dear God, please hold my Mother in your loving embrace and grant her eternal peace. May she know how much i love and miss her every day.

Lovingly remembered by Niall and granddaughter Emilia.

9TH ANNIVERSARY

O’SHEA

In loving memory of Bridie O’Shea Woodlawn Park, Killarney who passed away on 25th January 2016.

God called your name so softly That only you could hear And no one heard the footsteps Of Angels drawing near.

The golden gates stood open God saw you needed rest His gardens must be beautiful He only takes the best.

Sadly missed by Joe, Oli, Joann, Bríd and grandchildren.

13TH ANNIVERSARY CRONIN

In loving memory of a dear brother Dermot Cronin late of 4 Marian Terrace, Killarney who died on 13th January 2012.

Brother When last we saw your smiling face You looked so bright and well Little did we know that day It would be our last farewell.

If we could only see you for just a little while To tell you that we miss you And see your lovely smile.

We know you walk beside us And when our life is through We pray to God to take our hand And lead us straight to you.

Sadly missed by his sister Maria, and all the family.

21ST & 4TH ANNIVERSARIES

O’ LEARY

In loving memory of Gerry O’Leary late of Dooneen, Kilcummin and Ballydribeen, Killarney who died on 21st January 2004 and Sheila O’Leary Elm Grove, Ballydribeen, Killarney who died on 31st October 2020.

Those we love don’t go away They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near Still loved, still missed and very dear.

Sadly missed and always in our thoughts, your sons Keith and Nigel, daughters-inlaw Elaine and Sally, and grandchildren Muireann, Aideen and Lily. xxxx

30TH ANNIVERSARY LANDERS

In loving memory of Orla Landers late of Ard Carraig, Lewis Road, Killarney who passed away on 27th January 1995.

Time and years slip gently by But love and memories never die No longer in our lives to share But in our hearts you are always there. Just a prayer from the family who loved you

Just a memory fond and true In our heart’s you will live forever Because we thought the world of you.

Fondly remembered and forever in the thoughts and prayers of her parents Gerald and Peggy, brothers Billy, Gary, Patrick and Kevin, sisters Evelyn, Deirdre and Aoife, and their families.

Suaimhneas Siorraí Da hAnam Ionrac Lach. Anniversary Mass on Sunday 26th January at 10.30am in St. Mary’s Cathedral.

9TH ANNIVERSARY

KELLIHER In loving memory of Sheila (Mac) Kelliher Clash, Killarney who died on 31st January 2016.

Lonely is the home without you Life to us is not the same All the world would be like heaven, If we could have you back again.

A light from our household gone, A voice we loved is still, A place is vacant in our home, That never can be filled.

May the God of Love and Mercy,

Care for our loved one who is gone, And bless with consolation, Those left to carry on.

The happy hours we once enjoyed, How sweet their memory still, But death has left a vacant place, This world can never fill.

How dearly we loved you, And prayed you might live, But Jesus just beckoned, And we had to give.

God gave us strength to bear it, And courage to fight the blow, What it has meant to lose you, God alone will ever know.

Sadly missed and never forgotten by Tomás, Stephen and Ryan.

Anniversay Mass for Sheila on Friday 31st January at 9.30am in the Church of the Ressurection.

9TH ANNIVERSARY KELLIHER In loving memory of Sheila Kelliher (McGillicuddy) Clash, Lissivigeen, Killarney who died on 31st January 2016.

A silent thought A gentle prayer For a special sister In God’s care.

Sadly missed by your brother and friend Sean.

9TH ANNIVERSARY

KELLIHER

In loving memory of Sheila Kelliher (McGillicuddy) Clash, Lissivigeen, Killarney who died on 31st January 2016.

Those we love don’t go away

They walk beside us every day

Unseen, unheard, But always near

So loved, so missed, so very dear.

Dear fond memories linger every day of my beautiful sister. Noreen. xx

www.killarneyadvertiser.ie

In

Memory

| By Adam Moynihan

E: sport@killarneyadvertiser.ie

SEE OUR COLUMNISTS’ COVERAGE OF THE WEEK IN SPORT

EAMONN FITZGERALD & SEAN MORIARTY ADAM MOYNIHAN

New year but it’s the same old dream

Can Kerry bounce back and capture Sam for the

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIV 1

Kerry v Donegal

Sunday 1.45pm

Fitzgerald Stadium | Live on TG4

Kerry are set to be without a number of regular starters when they get their 2025 campaign up and running at home to Donegal on Sunday.

With David Clifford, the Dr Crokes contingent, and the Austin Stacks contingent all being rested for now, and with Paul Geaney and Dara Moynihan nursing injuries, Jack O’Connor

GOAL: Jack O'Connor is aiming for his fifth All-Ireland as Kerry manager. Photo: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile.

will be fielding an understrength team in Round 1. Captain in 2024 Paudie Clifford is also working towards full fitness and is not expected to play.

On the plus side, the absence of these established squad members will open the door to fringe/new players hoping to make an impression and force their way into the manager’s plans for the championship. Donegal come into the new season on

the back of a much-improved showing in 2024. With highly regarded manager Jim McGuiness back at the helm, they won the Ulster Championship following a penalty shootout victory over Armagh before making it all the way to the All-Ireland semi-final, where they were defeated by Galway.

The return of legendary forward Michael Murphy makes for an interesting subplot. As a former member of the Football Review Committee, Murphy was partly responsible for introducing the radical new rule changes that will be used in competitive intercounty matches for the first time this weekend. The 35-year-old,

39th

who retired in 2022, will now be hoping to use those rules to his advantage.

Gaelic football fans worldwide will be curious to see if the new rule enhancements, such as the two-point arc, the three up/three back stipulation, several laws aimed at stamping out ill-discipline, and the hooter will, in fact, enhance the spectacle as promised.

The other three games in Division 1 take place on Saturday with Galway taking on Armagh (5.15pm – RTÉ), Tyrone hosting Derry (6pm – BBC iPlayer), and old rivals Dublin and Mayo squaring off in Croke Park (7.30pm – TG4).

Fans will be curious to see if the new rules will enhance the spectacle.

PRIZE: The Sam Maguire Cup, last held by Kerry in 2022. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.

Follow Adam on Twitter @AdamMoynihan

Squad depth must be Jack’s main goal

| By Adam Moynihan

“Well, how are we fixed this year?” It’s a question I’ve been asked several times this week and to be completely honest, I haven’t a clue. Haters will say that’s par for the course but it’s especially true ahead of the 2025 campaign which, for a couple of different reasons, is surely one of the toughest-to-predict seasons in years.

First of all, anything could happen with the new rules. They are so significant and so numerous we are basically going to be witnessing a different sport to the one we saw in 2024. Who knows which team ‘Gaelic Football 3.0’ will suit, or which coaching ticket will find the winning formula fastest? Not me, anyway. Secondly, there is very little separating the top teams vying for the Sam Maguire. Any one of five or six counties could have won the All-Ireland last year and not much has changed – in fact, you could argue that the number of genuine contenders will increase this time

around. Naturally, Armagh and Galway are in the mix. Donegal will be dangerous. Dublin haven’t gone away. Derry should get a bounce from their new manager, ex-Kerry coach Paddy Tally. And Tyrone, who are also under new management in the form of Malachy O’Rourke, also have the players to make a real go of it.

Kerry are undoubtedly in the conversation as well. It’s very hard to say where exactly they rank at this minute but I

must say I was surprised by comments made by Oisín McConville during the off-season. Speaking on the Irish Examiner Gaelic Football Show, the Armagh legend claimed that “four or five” teams are ahead of Kerry (and former Mayo boss James Horan agreed, if we’re keeping track).

It's not that I think Kerry are ahead of the pack, either. But they are the only county to reach the last four in each of the last four seasons, they reached the

Can some fringe players push on and really find their feet in this environment?

final twice (winning once), and they were never beaten by more than a kick of a ball in any of the knockout games they lost.

Plus, I just don’t think you can confidently say that there are four or five teams better than any of the genuine contenders. Maybe a gap will emerge somewhere as the season progresses but for now, you could throw a blanket over most of them.

Before we get to the serious business of the championship, Jack O’Connor will be focussing on the league and his priority must be to bolster his squad and build a dependable rotation of 22 or 23 players, all of whom can make an impact when it matters most in June and July.

Several new faces have been drafted into the panel and some have real potential but it’s a big ask for any of them to come straight in, make their debut, and immediately find the pitch of high-level intercounty football. I would be more inclined to keep an eye on fringe guys who have at least one year under their belts, the likes of Dylan Geaney, Seán O’Brien, Donal O’Sullivan Down, Conor Geaney, Mike Breen… Can they push on, really find their feet in this environment and complement the core of the team?

Because as good as the Cliffords and Seánie O’Shea and Tom O’Sullivan and Gavin White and all these star players are, it will take a deep and dependable squad to go all the way.

GROUP PHOTO: The Kerry senior football team assemble for a photo before last year's All-Ireland semi-final. Photo: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile.

Mighty Dublin giants prevail in Croke Park

| By Eamonn Fitzgerald

It was very much the Culchies versus the Jackeens in the All-Ireland Hurling and Football Club finals last weekend, and modern-day versions of David versus Goliath to boot.

The small parish teams of Sarsfields and Errigal Ciaran dared to dream, but too often in life dreams don’t merge with reality, or a reality that one prays to happen. Johnny Crowley’s Sarsfields, the Cork representatives, were no match for Na Fianna in the hurling, losing by nine points (2-23 to 0-20). Of course, they also lost the Cork final.

Then history was made when Cuala won their first-ever All-Ireland Senior Football title. They were very much a hurling club in South Dublin, the wealthy, elitist, rugby-loving area brilliantly captured in satirical fashion by author Paul Howard, who invented Ross O'Carroll-Kelly. There is a lot of reality in that character.

In my early days in the city, North Dublin was the heartland of St Vincent’s GAA and south of the Liffey, which included D4, was rugby. However, demographic changes have turned that on its head and the GAA has leapt into prominence. I believe the other key factor was the am-

| By Eamonn Fitzgerald

All roads lead to the Fitzgerald Stadium for next Sunday’s opening National League game as Kerry play host to Donegal.

The last time I saw these two teams play in the league was also in The Park. The hill is my favourite vantage point but that day the majestic mountain panorama was enveloped in clouds and rain. Down below the clash of the green and gold offered no solace.

Pulling teeth from the proverbial hen was so boring as Donegal continued to have practically the whole team behind the ball, thwarting Jack O’Connor’s men. Even when they were well behind on the scoreboard, they refused to mount an attack, just passing the parcel. It was awful and we have had so many awful, boring games since then at club and county levels.

I have appealed to the GAA to make the game of football more entertaining and regain the confidence of its regular match-goers so they return to the games in person.

ateur rugby scene at the time was of such poor quality and boring to watch that many spectators switched their allegiances to the thrilling game of hurling, which Cuala promoted, in turn leading them to All-Ireland club titles.

Now they have secured the great double. I often had this discussion with Des Cahill of RTÉ. He was the Killarney-based reporter with the Kerryman newspaper for several years before returning to his native Dublin. Cuala, Kilmacud and other GAA clubs south of the Liffey have grown enormously and their biggest headache is to secure extra rented playing pitches for their juvenile numbers of well over 1,000 young players, probably double the cumulative numbers of underage GAA players in the Killarney parish of Spa, Legion and Crokes, outnumbering the little area of Errigal by how many percentages?

Cahill was chairman of the fast-developing Cuala (Dalkey area) for several years and he was spared the Hobson’s choice of a Crokes v Cuala final when the Canavan brothers combined to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Newbridge eight days before the All-Ireland final. I forecasted an Errigal win in last week’s issue and the biggest factor which would deny them victory was that almighty effort of unbelievable intensity in the

semi-final, which included a nail-biting extra-time period that was bound to take its toll. Cuala were fast out of the traps. Errigal were leaden-footed while the Dubs dominated the first half, hitting them for three goals to lead 3-6 to 0-1 after 27 minutes.

That was a whopping 14-point deficit to make up and remember they lost half of the brilliant Canavan brothers’ scoring power when Darragh was taken off injured in the 21st minute. Wave after wave of Cuala tides overcame Errigal who surely had crossed their own nightmare of a Rubicon.

After the game Ruairí Canavan joined his brother in the War Zone emergency shelter, both treated for concussions. Final score: Cuala 3-14 Errigal Ciaran 1-16. No doubt about the winning Cuala team, deserving winners with Con O’Callaghan the chief playmaker for his brothers and others. This class player has bulked up a lot since I saw him first in action with the Dubs. That strength complemented by his undoubted skill and alertness contributed so much to Cuala’s deserved win. Fair dues Errigal Ciaran who have emerged and thrilled so many on their run.

New rules might be overkill

FORGETTABLE: The last Kerry v Donegal league game in Killarney (back in 2022) was a dull affair. Will the new rules make for a more entertaining spectacle? Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile.

Genuine fans voted with their feet, shunning the game, and it has all been exacerbated by the saga of cashless admission, the GAAGO controversy spawning Clubber, and all that malarkey.

Our old friend on the terrace summed it up so well. “Yerra why would I go to watch such a bastard game of possession at all costs, taking the worst aspects of soccer and indeed basketball? I wouldn’t cross the road to a GAA game nowadays and God knows I’m only a stone's throw away.”

Eventually the hand of the GAA was forced, and now the new rules come into play on Sunday. I welcome the initiative but have outlined in previous issues why I believe it is overkill and unworkable. It is too much too soon, confusing for all, and totally ignoring the reality of implementation at club level, especially in the unglamorous lower division games in rural areas where the referee is on his own. God help him, and the referee on Sunday next. However, prejudgment is unfair. I hope to be proved wrong for the sake of the game we love so much.

TRIUMPH: Cuala players Luke Keating and Con O'Callaghan celebrate after their side's victory in the All-Ireland Club final. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile.

LEADER: Dynamic forward Niamh Carmody who captained Kerry to glory in 2024. Photo: Ray McManus/Sportsfile.

Back to the grind for All-Ireland champs Kerry

The Kingdom may be down bodies from last year but they will still have high hopes

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIV 1

Kerry v Armagh

Saturday 1.30pm

Austin Stack Park | Live on TG4

All-Ireland champions Kerry return to the grind this weekend as they get their National League campaign up and running against reigning league champions Armagh. The Kerry line-up will be missing some familiar faces for 2025. Of course, losing the great Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh to retirement is a blow. The West Kerry woman was the team’s leading light for the better part of two decades – it is almost hard to imagine a Kerry ladies’ 15 without her in it. Her departure did not come as a big surprise, however, and in fairness to her teammates, it’s not as though she carried them to last year’s momentous All-Ireland triumph on her own. It was a real team effort and even accounting for Louise’s absence, the squad of 2024 should have been strong enough to challenge for honours again this time around.

Unfortunately for new manager Mark Bourke, it’s not just Louise who he (and

the rest of us) will be missing. All-Ireland final Laoch na hImeartha Kayleigh Cronin is AFL-bound, though she will line out for Kerry in the league, while several players are taking a year out, among them goalkeeper Ciara Butler, corner back Ciara Murphy, veteran midfielder Lorraine Scanlon, and sharpshooting forwards Emma Dineen and Hannah O’Donoghue.

There is still loads of ability left in the squad but having to face into the new season without so many key players will make things far more difficult than Bourke would have liked. Half back Cáit Lynch of Castleisland Desmonds will captain the side in 2025 and she along with the likes of Anna Galvin and Niamh Carmody will provide leadership. Bourke will need new stars to emerge and fill in the blanks, starting at home to Armagh on Saturday.

The Orchard County have made excellent progress in the last two seasons in particular and it took a strong performance by Kerry to account for them at the semi-final stage of the 2024 championship. They beat the Kingdom in the Division 1 final earlier in the season. Elsewhere in Division 1 this weekend, Dublin play Mayo (Saturday 2pm), Tyrone play Meath (Sunday 2pm), and Kildare play Waterford (Sunday 2pm).

Bourke will need new stars to emerge and fill in the blanks, starting at home to Armagh on Saturday.

Ramblers edge cup thriller at Mounthawk Killarney woman Emer refs National Cup final

MUNSTER SENIOR CUP (LAST 16)

Kerry FC 3 | Cobh Ramblers 4 AET

Kerry FC exited the Munster Senior Cup last Friday night following a dramatic 3-4 defeat at the hands of Cobh Ramblers in Tralee.

The Boys in Green raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals by the influential Seán McGrath but Cobh responded in impressive fashion in the second half, netting three times to turn the tie completely on its head.

A late, late equaliser by Kerry’s Oran Crowe forced extra time but the hosts were unable to push on and find the crucial seventh goal, instead allowing the Cork side to steal in for a 111th-minute winner.

It was a disappointing way to lose a game but manager Conor McCarthy is still in the process of preparing his team for the serious business of the 2025 League of Ireland First Division season, which gets under way in February.

In other local soccer news, Killarney Athletic’s impressive run in the FAI Junior Cup came to an end at the last 32 stage as they fell to a 3-1 defeat to Ringmahon Rangers of Cork, despite taking the lead early on through Josh Bowler.

| By Eamonn Fitzgerald

On Sunday last, TG4 presented live coverage of the Paudie O’Connor Cup final as the Liffey Celtics outscored Killester.

We would dearly love to have seen the local Utility Trust St Paul’s team in that final, lifting the cup that pays tribute to Killarney’s basketball supremo, the late, great Paudie O’Connor from O’Sullivans’ Place. His near neighbour James Fleming came within a whisker of making it to the final with his team but, unfortunately, they lost by a galling point.

However, there was a strong Killarney representation in Sunday's final with top-class referee Emer Buckley in charge. Emer featured in these pages in 2024. I spoke with her on Monday as she reflected on her performance, which was televised live.

She said there was great pressure on her, but she is a composed and competent lady. Was it tense? “Yes,” she said, “but I relied on my long experience and educa-

tion in my training to get the calls correct and apply the rules.”

She also refereed last year’s cup final, one of this year’s cup semi-finals and a host of Super League games.

Congrats, Emer. You did Killarney proud, once again.

Top eight finish for Killarney Valley at National Indoor League

The talented athletes of Killarney Valley AC delivered superb performances at the National Indoor Arena in Dublin last weekend with the club’s men’s and women’s teams both finishing in eighth place at the Athletics Ireland National Indoor

League. There were 19 clubs in total competing on the day.

Sprinter Sarah Leahy led the way with a terrific showing in the 60m, crossing the line in first place with a time of 7.48 seconds.

Teammate Dominik Wasila finished third

in the long jump with the experienced Bríd Stack taking fourth place in the 1500m walk.

With representatives in all eight events (60m, 400m, 1500m, 1500m walk, 4 x 200m relay, high jump, shot put and long jump), the Killarney Valley women’s

team racked up 77 points in total while the men collected 67.

“This outstanding achievement highlights the strength of our Track & Field programme, placing us proudly among the best in Ireland,” the club said. “We’re now gearing up for the next round of the National League in Athlone on February 8th. Let’s keep the momentum going! “A huge thank you to our dedicated coaches, the supportive culture we’ve built together, and the passion that drives our athletes in this challenging sport.”

SQUAD: The Killarney Valley AC team who competed at the National Indoor League in Dublin.

BOSS: Kerry FC manager Conor McCarthy. Photo: David Corkey.

REFEREE: Local basketball official Emer Buckley. Photo: Brendan Moran/ Sportsfile.

Photo by Photography_design_bymolly

Can Scotts Lakers make it third time lucky in Galway?

MENS BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Titans vs Scotts Lakers

Saturday 7pm

Ballyfoyle Community School

| By Enda Walshe

With only one game so far in 2025 due to the National Cup weekends, January has the feel of a mid term break for Scotts Lakers.

As with all breaks it can be a time for reflection before you look forward and there's no doubt that the opening twelve games of the season have the Lakers in rude health. They sit second in the Southern Conference with nine wins and should they occupy that position come season's end they will be guaranteed a home league semi final . But there's many a slip between the cup and the lip so it's probably best to take each game on its merits . What the next two months hold for Manuel Suarez's side is six home games and that could yet play a huge part in any potential playoff chase. League newcomers Carrick Cruisers visit Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre on Saturday February 1st but before that the Lakers must travel along the West road to play the Titans in the City of the Tribes . It will be the third meeting

REMAINING FIXTURES

of the sides with the Titans holding the advantage on both of the previous occasions. They came to Killarney in mid October and returned with a 93-84 win. The two sides met again in early November in the National Cup and the win was even more emphatic in the Ballyfoyle Community Centre.

One thorn in the Lakers side in those wins was Charles Pepin and it may come as a relief to them that the towering presence of Pepin is no longer a factor. But his loss hasn't unsettled that much with the prolific Michael Hayes still leading the charge. The Titans are a big side with Irish underage international Declan Gbinigie particularly effective and point guard Matthew Sweeney a wily playmaker . Joseph and Eoin Coughlan are part of the club fibre in a season where they are sitting third behind the Lakers.

The Lakers will have built up a big head of steam from that last second Malahide win on January 4th and another win in Galway would be a serious leg up. February will see them make trips to Moycullen on Bank Holiday Monday and Donegal on February 8th. Thereafter they have a Valentines Night date with Limerick Celtics and the next four Saturday nights will see Ulster University, Killarney Cougars, Tolka Rovers and Limerick Sport Eagles all visit the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre.

Ladies looking to bounce back after narrow cup defeat

WOMENS SUPERLEAGUE BASKETBALL

Utility Trust St Pauls vs Brunell

Saturday 4.15pm

Pres Gym

| By Enda Walshe

Utility Trust St Pauls will be looking to put their cup heartbreak behind them and finish the season as strong as possible, starting with a home game against Brunell this Saturday January 25th.

What cannot be lost in that narrow defeat to Killester in the Cup semi final was the performance which was probably their best of the season . In an epic battle it took the reigning league champions all their game nous to come out on top and the objective for James Fleming now is to extract the last drop out of his squad and use the momentum of the performance going forward.

The week has been one of farewells as Megan Ormiston has moved to Phoenix Rockets for the remainder of the season. With the signing of Alex Wittinger bringing the American contingent to three, and only two allowed to play in any game, it's a good move for all parties as it

REMAINING FIXTURES

ensures Megan gets deserved game time. Her stats measure up against anyones, she sits inside the top ten in scoring, rebounds , field goals and free throws . Much respected amongst her teammates and coaches Megan will be wished well for her future.

The Brunell game will take place in the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre at 4pm on this Saturday and if the first fixture between the sides is anything to go by, we're in for a cracker. St Pauls held the whip hand in the first half but a strong third quarter from the Leesiders swayed the momentum. Trinity Hudson and Deaja Lynn Richardson are a high scoring American duo who have helped them to six wins in the league. The team are of course boosted by the return of Irish International Edel Thornton who is the conductor of the orchestra. Thornton has bounced back from an ACL injury and alongside Lauryn Homan , the O Learys, Megan and Danielle and the Sextons, Kelly and Rebecca they have a strong local feel.

St Pauls have three further home games, Galway Mystics on February 15th, Trinity Meteors on March 1st and Fr Matthews on March 15th with trips to cup conquerors Killester, Portlaoise Panthers and Waterford Wildcats pencilled in on the other weekends.

Saturday January 25th 4pm vs Brunell (H)

Saturday February 1st 4.45pm vs Killester (A)

Saturday February 15th 4pm vs Galway Mystics (H)

Sunday February 23rd 3.30pm vs Portlaoise Panthers (A)

Saturday March 1st 4pm vs Trinity Meteors (H)

Saturday March 8th 5pm vs Waterford Wildcats (A)

Saturday March 15th 4pm vs Fr Matthews (H)

Saturday January 25th 7pm vs Titans (A)

Saturday February 1st 7.30pm vs Carrick Cruisers(H)

Monday February 3rd 3pm vs Moycullen (A)

Saturday February 8th 5pm vs Team North West(A)

Friday February 14th 7pm vs Limerick Celtics(H)

Saturday February 22nd 7.30pm vs Ulster University (H)

Saturday March 1st 7.30pm vs Killarney Cougars (H)

Saturday March 8th 7.30pm vs Moy Tolka Rovers (H)

Saturday March 15th 7.30pm vs Limerick Sport Eagles (H)

Utility Trust St Paul's are looking to finish the season strongly, starting with a home game against Brunell on Saturday.

THE WEEK IN PICTURES

SOCCER: The Killarney Celtic U16B squad who defeated Castlemaine.

ROSS GOLF CLUB: At the presentation of prizes for the Frank Doran/Safeguard Security Backstakes competition were (back row) Mike O'Leary, Maureen Beecher Crowley, Patrick Crowley, Ivo O'Sullivan, Peter Wickham, Tony Fagan, MJ Casey, and (front row) Donie Broderick, Frank Doran (Safeguard Security) and Anthony O'Mahony.

GEEHA: The Mastergeeha U13 girls' team.

SWIMMING: Killarney Swimming Club members Cathal Larkin, Evan O'Donoghue, Cathal Mackey, Lily Larkin, Ella Cremin, Sarah Quirke and Elaine O'Donoghue (coach) at the Gerry Ryan Memorial Gala at UL.

NEW GUY: Kerry FC have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Connal Doran ahead of the 2025 LOI First Division season.

BASKETBALL: The Killarney Cougars boys who competed in the U13 Blitz at the Pres Gym.

Killarney Athletic

U17 LEAGUE: Killarney Athletic 7-0 Castleisland. JJ O’Donoghue x 3/Alex Doolan x1/Leo Allen/Ryan Kissane/Darragh O’Sullivan x 1 each. Our u17s kickstarted their league campaign with a win vs Castleisland Sunday morning. We started the game well with Leo Allen getting us off the mark to make it 1-0. The switch to push JJ further up the field paid off as he was in fine form getting the next 3 goals of the game. The next 2 goals came from our ever-reliable u16s Alex Doolan and Ryan Kissane before Darragh O’Sullivan added his name on the goal sheet after a hard-working display. Our back line of Ryan Kissane, Kalen Browne, Finan Blackwell and Donnacha Vaughan along with Fionn in goal kept their concentration to keep a clean sheet. The well-balanced midfield of Evan Doona and Bryan O’Connor who complement each other perfectly kept things ticking over to ensure a well-earned 3 points. Thanks to Castleisland for a sporting contest.

U16 DIV 2: Killarney Athletic 2-1 Ballyheigue. Conn McGlynn x 2. The blues welcomed Ballyheigue to Woodlawn this morning. The boys started strong causing problems and creating chances. Conn kept up his form in front of goal as he opened the scoring for the blues in the first 15 minutes. The blues pushed on from here and conn was put through again and got his second of the day after getting to the bouncing ball before the keeper. Half time 2-0. Ballyheigue never gave up and came out firing in the second half putting us under pressure throughout the half. They got a goal back to make it a nervy end to the game. Our boys dug deep and defended incredibly to see it out as 2-1 winners. Thanks to Ballyheigue for a sporting game.

U14 PREMIER: Killarney Athletic 2-0 Killorglin. Max Moynihan x1 Sean Quill x1. An excellent performance from our young Blues in Woodlawn this morning against Killorglin. A goal in each half, one in the first half from Max Moynihan after a pinpoint pass from Goalkeeper Leni Rujevcan, Max found himself through on goal & lofted the ball over the advancing keeper to put us in the lead. Midway into the second half, Sean Quill scored our second from a free kick, a lovely strike into the top corner to seal the three points. Thanks to Killorglin for a good, sporting game. Well done to all the squad. A very solid performance and clean sheet to keep us top of the table. Well done lads.

U14 DIVISION 2 NORTH: Killarney Athletic B 5-0 LB Rovers B. Dylan O’Connor/Dylan Treimut/Malachy Audley/ Robert Sychta/Nathan Jordan x 1 goal each. MOTM - Dylan O’Connor. Our U14Bs were back in action this afternoon for their first game of 2025. Well, the lads didn’t disappoint, picking up

exactly where they left off last year. They took firm control of the game from the very first whistle and maintaining it throughout the whole game to earn themselves another convincing win. Big well done to all the lads today, very impressed with your efforts to date and thanks also to the ref and LB Rovers for a sporting game.

Killarney Celtic

LOTTO: Numbers drawn 13, 15, 22, 26. No jackpot winner. Match 3 winners received €50. Next jackpot €15,000 on Monday January 27th. Jackpot is capped at €15,000 with the additional €200 going on to the 1st jackpot after the next jackpot win. Tickets available from The Dungeon Bookshop, Amber Shop (Top of Ross Road), club members and online through Clubzap.

CHARLEVILLE CHEESE PREMIER A: Listowel Celtic 1-5 Killarney Celtic. Matt Keane 2, Chris O’Leary, Cillian Coffey, Sean Lovett. Killarney Celtic maintained their good league form with an away win last Sunday. Killarney were 2 to the good by half time through Chris O'Leary and Matt Keane. Listowel did respond but Killarney weathered the pressure and finished out clear winners.

FRIENDLY: Killarney Celtic 2-0 Kerry FC. Matt Keane, Stephen McCarthy. Killarney Celtic defeated Kerry FC in a friendly played in mid-week. Matt Keane gave Celtic the lead going into the break. Stephen McCarthy doubled the advantage in the 2nd half as Celtic ran out winners on the night. The proceeds from the game go to the family of the late Philip O'Sullivan. Many thanks to Kerry FC for their help and support with this game. Many thanks to all who attended on the night and many thanks to our volunteers who gave of their time to run this worthy event.

U16 PREMIER: Killarney Celtic 1-1 St Brendan's Park. Luca Mosca. Celtic and Park played out a draw in difficult conditions last Saturday. The wind made good football difficult but both teams gave of their best. Park led early before Celtic through Luca Mosca came back to take a point.

U16 DIV 2: Killarney Celtic B 2-1 Castlemaine Utd. Andrew Sheahan. Castlemaine led 1-0 at the break but Celtic came back in the 2nd half to claim the points.

U14 PREMIER: Killarney Celtic 1-2 Castleisland AFC. Emmanuel Iheme. Celtic lost out in a tight game against Castleisland. 0-0 at half time Celtic hit the front through Emmaneul Iheme but Castleisland came back to gain the honours on the day.

U12 PREMIER: Killarney Celtic Green 2-1 Killarney Athletic. Sam Fleury 2. Celtic came from behind in this local derby to keep in touch at the top of the table. Athletic led 1-0 at the break after playing well. Celtic sprung to life in the 2nd half and Sam Fleury grabbed the

equaliser before he nodded home the winner. Athletic tried valiantly to come back but Celtic were strong at the back and held on for the win.

U12 DIV 1: Killarney Athletic 0-6 Killarney Celtic White. Eryk McGrath 3, Maksym Opala, Adam O’Sullivan, Erik Dominguez. A fine performance by the White team from start to finish capped by a 2nd half hat trick by Eryk McGrath ensured all 3 points last weekend, Maks Opala put the team on their way before Erik Dominguez doubled their lead. Adam O'Sullivan made it 3-0 before Eryk McGrath fired in 3 to leave it 6-0 at the end.

U12 DIV 2: Killarney Celtic Hoops 3-1 Killarney Athletic. Cian O’Connell 3. Celtic hoops triumphed over Athletic as they came from behind. 0-0 at half time, Athletic struck for the lead early in the 2nd half but Celtic turned the game around and Cian O'Connell hit a hat trick to leave Celtic in front. Athletic responded with great pressure but the Celtic defence stood tall and ensured that the victory would stay with the home side.

GIRLS CHARLEVILLE CHEESE SENIOR: Dingle Bay Rovers 0-6 Killarney Celtic. Amber MacIndoe 2, Ellie Mai Nugent 2, Katie Doe, Clodagh Moriarty. Celtic gained a clearcut win in Dingle last weekend. Ellie Mai Nugent opened the scoring before Amber MacIndoe got 2 to leave Celtic 3up at the break. Dingle came out with renewed energy in the 2nd half, but Celtic held firm and Ellie Mai Nugent stretched the lead before Katie Doe and Clodagh Moriarty finished off a good day's work for the Celtic squad.

U16 PREMIER: Killarney Celtic 1-2 Inter Kenmare. Michelle O'Connor. Celtic came out on the wrong side of this vital encounter. Kenmare led 2-0 at the break. Celtic pulled 1 back in the 2nd half but the spoils went to Kenmare. Celtic drop their 1st points of the season but continue to lead the table.

U13 PREMIER: Dingle Bay Rovers 0-6 Killarney Celtic. Jaylinn O'Leary 2, Caoimhe Darmody, Leah Mannix, Olga Kumor, Clodagh O'Connor. Aided by the wind Celtic put in a strong performance in the opening quarter but were unlucky with their finishing. Eventually Celtic hit the front and were worthy leaders at the break. Despite playing against the wind Celtic continued on the front foot and sealed their win with some more goals. Celtic lead the table 7 wins from 7 games.

CONGRATS to Eryk McGrath who made the KSBGL Team of the Week.

Mastergeeha

GIRLS U13 PREMIER: Listowel Celtic 0-2 Mastergeeha FC. Mastergeeha secured an excellent away victory in sunny Listowel in a well-contested game between two evenly matched teams. Goals from Éabha Moynihan on her

debut & the second goal came via Lucy Devane. Well done to all involved in a great team performance.

LOTTO: There was no winner on Friday 17th January 2025 of the Jackpot €3,800. Numbers drawn were 06, 16, 19, 20. Consolation prizes of €50 went to Ken Bruton ~ online; Tina Reen c/o Patie Nagle; Darren O’Regan, Ballinamanagh; Sinéad Collins, Aghadoe. The next draw will be on Friday 24th January for Jackpot of €4,000.

Killarney Legion GAA

CLUB HALL OF FAME: Mike Murphy will this year be inducted into the Killarney Legion Hall of Fame and few could argue with his contribution to the club over the years. Originally from Rathmore he moved into town where he hooked up with Derry O’Keeffe, Diarmuid O'Donoghue and Paddy Griffin in the Presentation Monastery. Obviously, his playing career came first, and he was noted for his versatility where he could line out in any position up the middle. It wasn't only on the football field that Mike stood out. He was the envy of every student in St Brendan’s College as he travelled to school in his mother’s car, a mini, the only student to go by such means. Mike played for the club’s senior team and was an outstanding performer with many noting that but for injury he would have almost certainly worn the county jersey, in a time when Kerry were in their pomp. He did line out for the Kerry minor team in 1977 where he started at centre forward in their defeat to Cork. Unheard of in this day and age Mike actually managed the Legion senior team at the tender age of 23. His unique management style often saw him hold court in the pub afterwards rating the players performances. It had the effect of bringing the best out in everyone. Mike then turned his hand to coaching juveniles alongside his great friend Pat Moynihan. He originally started at U12 with the late Mickey Culloty and then became involved with Pat in their sons, David and Adams teams. Conscientiously they stepped away to allow their sons have the benefit of other coaches. Together Mike and Pat gathered many titles for the club at underage level. Finding it more difficult to convert that success at older levels they did manage a club u21 team to a County Final, where they were pipped by Austin Stacks in Listry. Spending close to twenty years coaching juveniles he eventually stepped up to Senior level again, where he served as a selector under two managers, Frank Walsh and Donal Culloty. When Pat Moynihan became club chairman in 1999 one of his first acts was to bring Mike into the Club Executive, a role he filled for the next ten years, always making a valuable and constructive contribution to everything he was involved in.

And while he never held any club officership that should not mitigate against the positive role he has played in the club. Married to Mary, they have two kids, Sandra and David with his grandkids Indiyah, Aria and Poppy being the apple of Mike's eye. Mary’s daughter Linda has three kids, Kate, Emma and Dara and they affectionately call Mike Grandad also... He is a very worthy recipient of the Vincent Doyle Cup and will receive the Award at the Killarney Heights Hotel on Friday January 31st.

Dr Crokes GAA

LOTTO took place January 20th. Numbers drawn were 2, 7, 15, 22. Jackpot of €8,000 was NOT WON. 13 patrons matched 3 numbers and received €35 each. Jackpot for draw on January 27th will be €8,300. Play online.

SOCIAL will take place on February 14th in the Gleneagle Hotel. Tickets are €55 and will be on sale in the clubhouse on Wednesday 22nd of January from 6pm7:30pm. They are also available in the Tatler Jack or from executive members.

FR. PADDY'S CARDS NIGHT will continues every Wednesday from 8pm in the clubhouse.

GENTLE YOGA for men and woman returns on Thursday January 16th until February 6th from 6:15pm-7pm. It is €40 for 4 weeks.

DR. CROKES SHOP: You can shop worldwide on our online shop.

BINGO: Dr Crokes Bingo continues every second Sunday in St. Mary's Parish Hall. Doors will open at 7pm with the first game commencing at 8pm. Next game is January 26th.

BEST OF LUCK to Kacper, Adam, Cian, Mark, Ben and the Sem in the Corn Uí Mhuirí Semi Final on Saturday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Sheila Naughton who celebrated a special birthday recently.

CONDOLENCES to the O'Sullivan Darcy Family on the recent passing of both Christopher and Sean Moynihan. Condolences also the Kiely Family on the resent passing of Hillary Kelleher, Rathmore. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.

NOTES: If anyone has anything they want to add to our club notes please email pro.drcrokes.kerry@gaa.ie.

Fossa GAA

LOTTO: The numbers drawn on 19/01/2025 for a jackpot of €7,800 were 5, 16, 22, 23. There was no jackpot winner. The €40 consolation prize winners were Peter O’Brien, Siobhan Kissane, Shauna Murphy, Pat and Norma Talbot, Tim Foley Barleymount. Tickets are available from our sellers and can also be bought online.

LAST MAN STANDING: We are pleased to announce the Fossa GAA Last Man Standing Fundraiser for the Allianz League. Last Man Standing Rules; Pick

a winner for each of the 7 league matches. Win = progress, lose or draw = out. No picking the same team more than once. €750 to be won plus a chance to win a signed Paudie and David Clifford Jersey. Massive thanks to our sponsors The Golden Nugget and The Old Killarney Inn. Selections can be submitted via Google form which can be found on our Facebook page or Instagram page. We will also have a handful of hard copy sheets available in The Nugget, The Old Killarney Inn and Foleys shop. The deadline for entering the competition is Friday 24th Jan. €10 entry (cash or Revolut). Can be paid to Fossa Senior Team or Club Member or Revolut to @ danieln2ff.

AWARDS NIGHT: On next Friday, the 24th in the Golden Nugget Lounge starting at 8, we will be presenting our player of the year trophies: The Donie Kissane trophy for Minor player of the year. The Marie Murphy trophy for Senior Ladies player of the year and The John Kelly trophy for Senior Men’s player of the year. Also, the medals will be presented for the Co League Division 6, the Molyneaux Shield and the Bill Tangney Cup. All are welcome to this awards night.

WELL DONE: Well done to the Sem team and the Fossa boys involvedTed O’Gorman, Mark Kennelly, Cathal Breen, Dylan O’Meara and Fionn Doyle who defeated CBS The Green, Tralee last Wednesday in the quarter final of Corn Ui Mhuirí. They now play Iver Sceine Kenmare in the semi-final next weekend.

HEALTHY CLUB: Any Fossa club members looking to get January off to a healthy start, My Life Every Step Counts Challenge- commenced on January 8th but it’s not too late to start now! Download the My Life App and choose, Every step counts, challenge.Fossa GAA can be found in Munster section just click on Fossa to join the group. A chance to get fit and possibly win some money for the club if the challenge target is reached.

Kilcummin GAA

ANNUAL AWARDS NIGHT will be held on Saturday February 1st at 8pm in the clubrooms. Come along and support the stars of 2024.

LOTTO: There was no winner on Monday 13th January of the Jackpot for €15,500. Numbers drawn were 02, 10, 16, 21. Consolation prizes of €50 went to Esther Dwyer, Eamonn John O’Donoghue, Lynch O’Doherty family, Rachel Clifford. The next draw will be on Monday 27th January for Jackpot of €15,750.

KILCUMMIN LGFA: Kilcummin LGFA welcomes the “Brendan Martin Cup” to Kilcummin on Sunday evening 26th January at 6.30pm. Award ceremony for U14s & U16 players. Presentation to Ailbhe O’Callaghan & Rhea Kate Devane

for making the 2024 Kerry U14 training squad. Presentation of Bronze Award in Club School Links Programme to Coolick NS, Kilcummin NS & Kilcummin LGFA. Finger food provided, all welcome.

Glenflesk GAA

SCÓR NA NÓG: The very best of luck to our talented ballad group of Clíona Moynihan, Aoise O’Donoghue, Patrick Mullane, Muireann Healy, Abby Cronin and their coach Rosie Healy in the All-Ireland Scór na nÓg Final in Monaghan this weekend. We are very proud that you are representing our club and county on the national stage. Sing your hearts out!

AGM: The Annual General Meeting of Glenflesk GAA will be held on Wednesday 29th January at 8pm in the Hall. There will be mass beforehand at 7pm. All members are invited to attend.

CAR PARK: The car park of Glenflesk GAA Grounds was fully resurfaced recently. This marks a significant milestone in enhancing our clubs’ facilities. The Club would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to the project. We would also like to acknowledge and thank Kerry County Council and The Department of Rural & Community Development for their financial assistance in providing funding for this work under the Clár Scheme.

LOTTO: There was no winner of Glenflesk Lotto which took place on 13/01/25. Numbers drawn: 1, 13, 23, 26. Consolation prizes of €50: Jim O’Mahony, Headford, Jim O’Mahony (Sellers Prize), Betty Dennehy, Artigallivan (Yearly Ticket) & Diarmuid Furlong, Knockanimirish.

WHATSAPP GROUP: The Glenflesk GAA WhatsApp Group is useful for keeping up to date with the various events going on in the club. If anybody would like to be added to the group, please WhatsApp your name to 086 6052054.

EVERY STEP COUNTS: It’s been another great week for everyone taking part in the GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge. With over 2,000km already on the clock, we are well placed in the Munster clubs. We will reach the 4,000km in no time and be in with a chance to win €2,500 for Glenflesk GAA so keep tracking those steps! And It's still not too late to sign up, so please let anyone interested know how they can do so on the My Life App. ‘Ireland Lights Up’ walking on Glenflesk GAA track continues on Wednesday night at 7pm.

BT YOUNG SCIENTIST: Congratulations to the BT Young Scientist winners Saoirse, Laoise and Ciara Murphy of the Presentation Secondary School, Tralee and to their teacher and Glenflesk club member, Helena Madigan Fitzgerald. CORN UÍ MHUIRÍ: Well done to the Glenflesk players Jamie Moynihan

(captain), Diarmuid Furlong, Jack Rudden, John Merry O'Sullivan and Liam O'Brien who played with the Sem in their quarter final victory over Tralee CBS.

DANCE CLASS: 4 week dance class commencing 4th of February in Spa GAA Clubhouse. Waltzing, Line Dancing, Quickstep, Jiving, Foxtrots & Social Dancing. €50. Great atmosphere and fun. No partner required. All welcome! For booking contact 087 7541631.

MEMBERSHIP: Club membership is now due and can be purchased on the Clubforce App.

Listry GAA

LOTTO: Jackpot €6,750. Winning Numbers 4, 5, 16, 21. Not Won. €100 Sheila O'Donoghue, 2 Mile. €50 Kieran O'Donoghue, Rockfield. €50 Elizabeth Sullivan, Scart. €25 Lou & Eimear. €25 John Kearin, Faha Court. Jackpot next week: €6,900. Next Draw: January 26th.

East Kerry GAA

EAST KERRY SUPER LEAGUES 2025: First team named will be at home. All games Sunday February 2nd 1pm. Division 1A - Round 1 - Legion v Spa. Listry v Kenmare. Firies Bye. Division 1BRound 1 - Kilcummin v Rathmore. Gneeveguilla v Dr Crokes. Glenflesk Bye. Division 2 - Round 1 - Currow v Fossa. Scartaglin v Kilgarvan. Cordal Bye.

Beaufort GAA

LOTTO: There was no winner of Beaufort G.A.A. Club lotto jackpot of €4,200 on Sunday, 19th January. Numbers: 1, 15, 16, 27. Consolation Prizes €80 Brendan Fogarty, Cappaganeen, €50 Jim Kennedy, Gap of Dunloe, Emma O'Connor, Brookhill, Peter Keane, Ballymalis. The next draw for a jackpot of €4,400 will be on Sunday, 2nd February. Tickets are available from usual sellers, shops, and public houses and online at beaufortgaa. com. Please note that the online lotto closes at 7pm on the night of the draw and tickets sold after 7pm are entered into the following draw. Thank you to everybody who support our lotto. It is greatly appreciated.

IRELAND LIGHTS UP is continuing from 6.30pm to 8.30pm weeknights in the G.A.A. pitch.

GOOD LUCK to our Scor na nÓg team of Cormac and Fionán O’Sullivan, Darragh Doyle and Calum Galvin in the All-Ireland Scor na nÓg quiz final in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan on Saturday, 25th January.

MEMBERSHIP: Club membership for 2025 is now open. Prices are Family with 2 Adult family members using gym is €100. Individual gym and Club is €100. Senior player €100. Student €60. OAP couple from same family €60. Ladies LGFA membership prices will be available shortly. Membership

can be paid on www.foireann.ie or www.beaufortgaa.com or by cash. For more information, please contact Patie at 087 2515311.

Killarney Golf & Fishing Club

RESULTS: Killarney Golf & Fishing Club 13 Hole Single Stableford. Club Sponsored. Played on Mahony’s Point Course, on 19th January 2025. Winner Breda Duggan 32pts (20), 2nd Máire Murphy 31pts (13), 3rd Geraldine Collins 30pts (17). Congratulation to Lady Captain Máire Murphy with a Hole in One on the 12th Hole on Mahony’s Point Course on 19th January.

NEXT FIXTURE will be 26th January 2025, 11 Holes Scotch Foursomes event on Killeen Course (Club Sponsored).

Deerpark Pitch & Putt Club

SUNDAY DRAWS: We had our first competition since New Year's Day last Sunday morning which produced the following results: Two Ball Betterball- First Nett: Aidan O'Keeffe & Niall O'Loughlin 37½ (B9), Gross: Gearoid Cronin & Noel Moynihan 47, Second Nett: John Murphy & Betty O'Brien 37½ Hole-In-One: Bobby Kelly (4th Hole). While there will be draws as normal this Sunday, we ask members to note that access to the course may be restricted due to the staging of the Kerry v Donegal League match in Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

MEMBERSHIP: A note to everyone that membership for 2025 will be due as of March 1st. Further details in the weeks ahead.

Killarney Rugby Club

MINI RUGBY: Our mini rugby players were back in action last weekend with great energy and enthusiasm. The U8s, U10s, and U12s enjoyed their first training session of the year, working on their skills and having lots of fun. Huge thanks to all our dedicated coaches and volunteers for their support.

YOUTH RUGBY: The U14, U16 and U18.5 boys and girls U16 & U 18.5 teams have returned to training as they prepare for a busy season ahead. Both squads have been putting in the hard work on the pitch, and their commitment is clear to see. Best of luck to them in their upcoming matches!

SENIOR RUGBY: Our men’s senior team continues their campaign in the Munster Junior Cup round 3, with a home game this weekend against Cobh Pirates. Kick-off is at 2:00pm on Sunday, and we’d love to see a big crowd out to support the lads.

FUNDRAISING AND EVENTS: A huge thank you to everyone who supported the club over the Christmas period, including our raffle fundraiser and other events. Your support makes all the

difference in keeping rugby thriving in Killarney.

GET INVOLVED: We’re always looking for new players, coaches, and volunteers. Whether you’re a seasoned player or completely new to the game, Killarney RFC welcomes you with open arms.

INFO: For more updates, visit our website at www.killarneyrugby.com or follow us on social media.

Killarney Cougars

Basketball Club

BUSY WEEK: A busy week of games home and away with the Juveniles & Seniors all in action. The Cougars hosted 6 teams in a U13 Blitz Day at the Presentation Gym with St Bridget's Currow defeating Cougars in the final.

KERRY U14 BOYS LEAGUE: Tralee Magic 47 Killarney Cougars 51. The Cougars had to work to continue their winning run and overcame the Tralee side in Mounthawk. Dara O'Sullivan and James Rooney again impressed to secure the important win.

KERRY U18 GIRLS PLATE: Cobras 19 Killarney Cougars 51. Cougars travelled to Castleisland on Sunday to play the Cobras and the Cougars produced a strong performance, leading throughout to go through to the next round. Good performances from Kate McCann, Mia Lucy, Amy Fitzgerald and Kate Lyons.

KERRY U14 GIRLS LEAGUE: Killarney Cougars 21 Cahersiveen 18. A low scoring contest saw Cougars just hold on in a close contest, good scores from Ada O'Leary and Emma OConnor helped Cougars to edge out Cahersiveen on this occasion.

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME: email: secretarykillarneycougars@gmail.com for further information.

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE: Killarney Cougars 88 Mater Private Malahide 110. Top scorers: Joshua Strongman 31, Gerdas Malukas 23, Iyan Hristov 18. Malahide: Roman Nelson 27, Mathew Harper 27, Evan Blackmon 15, Sean Fitzpatrick 12.

FIXTURE: Saturday January 25th. Killarney Cougars v Moycullen Galway. Presentation Gym at 7.30pm.

Killarney Valley AC

NATIONAL LEAGUE: Killarney Valley AC had both a men’s and women’s team in the Senior National League last Sunday at Day 1 in the National Indoor Arena in Dublin. Both teams finished in 8th place out of 19 elite teams across the country placing them proudly among the best in Ireland. The next round of the National League is in Athlone on 8th February. A huge thankyou to Coaches Tomas, Connie and Maureen for their support.

ROAD RACE: Spaces are filling up fast in our ‘Streets of Killarney 5 Mile Road Race 2025’ on Friday, 18th April at 7pm.

Whether you’re an experienced runner chasing a PB or a newcomer looking to take on a fun challenge, this event is for you. Don’t miss your chance. Sign up now! You can register now on our website www.killarneyvalleyac.ie All proceeds of the race will assist the club with maintaining the Track facility for the young athletes and school children in the locality.

INFO: Please email killarneyvalleyac@ gmail.com if you are interested in joining the club.

Killarney Swimming Club

GALA: Killarney Swimming Club attended the Gerry Ryan Memorial Gala over the weekend at UL. This Gala ran for 3 days and is the first gala of the season where swimmers can qualify for Irish Summer National Age Group, Youth and Senior Championships, which will take place in July. The club had 16 swimmers swim in 46 events over the 3-day weekend. Ella Cremin finished 1st in the challenging 400 IM event and has achieved qualifying times in 5 events for Summer Nationals. She also had 3 top 10 finishes. Sarah Quirke finished 4th in the 400 IM with an excellent swim. Cathal Mackey had 3 top 10 finishes and has achieved times for Summer Nationals. Evan O'Donoghue achieved a time for Summer Nationals in the 100 breast and Emily Brosnan in the 50 free. The club had 30 PBs overall and of course a fantastic weekend! Well done to our swimmers.

TRAINING CONTINUES for upcoming galas and meets.

Killarney Badminton Club

FINALS: Ladies and Men’s Kerry League Finals took place this week. A huge congratulations to Killarney Div 4 men who won their final on Tuesday night against a strong Tralee team. Next up is the Killarney Div 5 ladies who take on Annascaul in Ballybunion on Thursday night, also on the Killarney Div 3 ladies take on Moyvane. All support appreciated.

MUNSTER: Well done to Alvin Rahman who reached final in Munster F. Well done to all Killarney members who took part on the day.

Killarney Salmon & Trout Angling Club

COLLECTION: On behalf of the Club, we would like to thank all those who contributed so generously to our annual collection last weekend. It was greatly appreciated by the club and will be used by us to continue our environmental campaigns and promote the interest of Killarney Anglers.

AGM: Our AGM took place on Monday the 13th of January and a great turn out got a synopsis of the year’s activities, discussed the prevalent issues facing us and elected a strong committee

for the coming year to carry out the club activities. The elected panel is as follows: DJ O’Riordan as Chairman, Vice Chair Pat O’Callaghan, Secretary Mike Doody, Treasurer Tommy Johnston, Committee of Tony Sugrue, Liam Buckley, Anthony Griffin, Aidan O’Callaghan, Pat Casey, Stuart Steadwood, Frank O’Sullivan, John O’Callaghan. Our competition calendar will be set in February.

Fossa Bridge Club

RESULTS: 16th of January. N/S - 1st Anne Looney & Ciaran Broadbery. 2nd Ger McSweeney & Conor Dwyer. E/W1st Breda Counihan & Michael McHugh. 2nd Joan King & Miriam McFarlane. Congratulations to all.

MORNING BRIDGE continues every Thursday at 10am sharp at The Killarney Golf & Fishing Club.

Kilcummin

JUNIOR SET DANCING: Junior Set Dancing classes will commence on Friday 24th January in the Recreational Hall. Beginners and Intermediate are from 7-8pm. Advanced are from 8-9pm. These classes provide a great opportunity for young children to enjoy a social night of fun while learning the art of waltzing and set dancing. Contact Mary on 0879620135 for more info.

ANABLA PLAY 'N' LEARN PRESCHOOL: Enrolment forms now available for Anabla Play 'n' Learn Preschool, Anabla NS, Kilcummin. ECCE places available for children aged 2 years 8 months. Subsidised NCS places available for children aged from 2 years 6 months. Please contact Ann-Marie on 087 6666196 or email anablapreschool@ outlook.com to request an enrolment form or for more information.

31 CARD MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT: 31 card memorial tournament in memory of Dermot “Brady” Moynihan will take place on Sunday 2nd February in Klub bar @ 4pm. All proceeds on the day will be donated to Comfort for Chemo.

KILCUMMIN GAA AND LGFA: Ireland Lights Up sees the club offering access to our walking tracks, lighting up the routes for walkers, joggers, and families alike. All welcome, just show up at the track at any time between 7-8pm each Tuesday and join in! Irish Life Every Step Counts Challenge - the challenge offers participants the chance to win a share of €30,000 in club funding that Irish Life has made available for the ‘Every Step Counts Challenge’ donation fund for clubs. The goal for our club team is to collectively track 4,000km. Please note that the only dogs permitted on the GAA grounds and walkway are assistance dogs in line with Health & Safety guidelines from the GAA. Let's get walking! Every step counts!