IRELAND women’s rugby team captain Ciara Griffin, will retire from international rugby following Saturday’s Autumn Test against Japan at the RDS.
The 27-year-old Ballymac woman, who teaches in CBS Primary in Tralee, has captained Ireland since 2018 and will win her 41st cap this weekend.
She made her test debut against Wales in the 2016 Women’s Six Nations, and since then she has become a standard bearer on and off the field.
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Commenting on her decision on the Irish Rugby website, Ciara said: “It has been a childhood dream come true to play for my country. Being afforded the opportunity to captain the National Team has been the highest honour. It has been an incredible journey filled with many highs and lows and I am very grateful for all the life skills I have developed through my involvement in High Performance sport.
“It is a decision I have not come to lightly and after discussing it with my family ahead of the Autumn Tests, it is now time for me to turn my focus to my life outside of rugby and begin a new chapter. I would like to thank everyone for their unwavering support, and I look forward to supporting the team going forward.”
Ireland Head Coach, Adam Griggs, commented: “Ciara stood out to me right from our first training session as a genuine leader and someone that players respect and listen to. She wears her heart on her sleeve and it is that leadership style along with her passion and dedication to making people and the team better that has always been so effective.
“Ciara has led the way with her standards and what it takes to be a first class international, and I know in doing this has inspired so many young players to take up rugby and try to emulate her own journey. Irish Rugby will miss her, and we wish her all the best in retirement and the next chapter of her life.”
Some of our juvenile teams finally got to get back to competitive games.
U12 Girls T1
St. Mary’s 18 – 15 Tralee Imperials
The girls were unlucky to lose to St. Mary’s Castleisland but they played extremely well for their first ever competitive game.
U12 Girls T2
TK Cougars 18 – 17 Tralee Imperials
(HT TK Cougars 8 – 7 Tralee Imperials)
The girls played very well for their first outing showing great determination and fight and were unlucky to lose by a single point. Their confidence grew as the match went on and they are looking forward to their next game. All the girls played very well.
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U14 Girls T2
St. Mary’s 17 – 28 Tralee Imperials
(HT St. Mary’s 9 —18 Tralee Imperials)
Our U14 Girls Team 2 began their season against St Mary’s in Castleisland on Saturday. It was brilliant to see both teams take to the court for competitive basketball. We had our 1st score on the board after 48 seconds, a great pass from Aoife O’Connell found Penny Costello, who finished superbly. 2 further scores from Penny and a brilliant effort by Lauren Foley left the score 8-5 at the end of Q1.
The 2nd quarter began at an electric pace. A fantastic 8 points in this quarter from Evelyn Moriarty, and a great score from Niamh Fitzgibbon extended the Imperials lead to 18-9 at half time.
The 3rd quarter was very evenly contested with both defences on top. 2 baskets from Sarah Slattery kept the scoreline ticking over with a Q3 score of 22-13.
The 4th quarter began with some great turnovers on both sides. Baskets from Juliette Gleeson and Caoilainn Culloo kept Imperials in front. The final score of the game, came from Niamh Fitzgibbon, a brilliant individual effort, collecting a rebound under her own basket and finishing majestically to the delight of the Imperials bench. A fitting score for Niamhs performance.
All players got valuable game time on the court and showed great effort and enthusiasm. Our teamwork was fantastic and we look forward to the year ahead.
Well done to both teams on a very sporting game. Thanks as always to St Mary’s for the wonderful facilities.
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U14 Boys T1
KCYMS 48 – 29 Tralee Imperials
Q1 KCYMS 7 – 8 Tralee Imperials
Good driving and scoring by Conor McGibney with KCYMS getting in to foul trouble early on. There was a good defensive effort at the other end of the court by Jamie O’Keeffe.
Q2 KCYMS 20 – 8 Tralee Imperials
A very strong quarter for KCYMS as they outscored the Tralee side 13pts to 0.
Q3 KCYMS 37 – 18 Tralee Imperials
The third quarter got underway with nice cuts to the basket by Ródhan Culloo but unfortunately it didn’t result in scores. There was also nice play by Jack Conway as Imperials tried to make a dent in KCYMS’s lead.
Q4 KCYMS 48 – 29 Tralee Imperials
Tralee Imperials pressed up in the final quarter and got a few scores off it but just not enough in the end.
Top scorers : Conor McGibney 23, Jack Noonan 3, Eoghan Crowley 2, Rodhan Culloo 1.
LEE Strand welcomed Anthony Clifford and his father Pat from Glenbeigh to Lee Strand on Friday afternoon to be presented with €1,000 as the grand finale winners of the Lee Strand Doorstep Challenge.
To celebrate one year since the launch of Lee Strand’s 100% renewable 2 litre cartons, Radio Kerry presenters travelled across the county to see who made the environmental switch and had the 2 litre cartons in their fridge.
On lucky day thirteen Radio Kerry’s Alan Finn called to the Clifford household in mid Kerry.
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Anthony spoke on Radio Kerry, saying; “Thanks a million it’s great, we are all big Lee Strand milk drinkers for years and the new 2 litre carton is fantastic for the environment.”
Anthony’s father Pat who is 92 years young mentioned that he has been drinking plenty of Lee Strand for over 70 years in his tea, at school and recommended it highly to anybody.
A total of fourteen daily finalists were delighted to receive a hamper full of Lee Strand products when Radio Kerry called to their home. The grand finale took place on Kerry’s Full Breakfast when Andrew Morrissey drew Anthony Clifford’s name from the 14 finalists.
Speaking at the presentation, Gearoid Linnane, CEO said “We were delighted with the return of the Lee Strand Doorstep Challenge on Radio Kerry. The response has been very positive a year on since we launched our new 2 litre cartons. We would like to thank our customers for their continued support and for making the switch from plastic.”
.Cian O’Connor, Principal at Scoil Réalt na Mara receiving a €500 donation from Aldi Charity Champion and Deputy Store Manager Eoin Finnegan at the Aldi Kenmare Store.
A TOTAL of seven Kerry-based charities and community organisations have become the latest beneficiaries of Aldi’s Community Grants programme, with each receiving a €500 grant from the Aldi store teams in County Kerry.
€500 grants were presented to Scoil Réalt na Mara, KDYS Tralee, St Francis Special School, Enable Ireland Kerry, Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland, The Grove and Knocknagoshel Over 55’s Social Club and Women’s Club.
Aldi’s Community Grants programme helps fund local charities and community organisations that contribute vital work and services in their local communities.
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Each local charity supported is chosen by Aldi employees, enabling them to help the good, local causes they are passionate about.
The Community Grants programme has supported 850 donations to local charities to date. By the end of the year, the programme will have donated over €450,000 since its inception in 2016.
Commenting, John Curtin, Group Buying Director, Aldi Ireland said: “We are proud to continue supporting local charities across the country through the Aldi Community Grants programme and we’re pleased to see the impact of our donation in the local communities for County Kerry.”
.Launching Christmas In Tralee on Tuesday morning in The Square were Santa Claus with Mayor Of Tralee Johnnie Wall and Isabelle Lynch of John Dough’s. At back is Niamh Hanley of Effigy with Brendan Culloty of Hugh Culloty’s and Jean Foley of Tralee Municipal District with David Scott of Tralee Chamber. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE town square is set to be a winter wonderland this December as ‘Christmas In Tralee’ will create a fun-filled atmosphere for all the family.
Tralee Chamber Alliance in partnership with Kerry County Council will kick off Christmas in the town on Saturday, November 27 with the switching on of the Christmas lights.
The Square will be transformed into a mini North Pole, with its giant Christmas tree, magical lights and from 12pm throughout the afternoon right up until 6pm.
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Hollywood style snow machines will be blowing snow across the street. MC Brian Hurley will be there chatting and giving away some fantastic prizes sponsored by local businesses.
Entertainment will be provided by some of Tralee’s outstanding local buskers along with carolling from local choirs.
There will be festive drinks, nibbles and treats and a few surprise guests ahead of turning on the lights by the Mayor of Tralee, Cllr. Johnnie Wall at 5pm.
Following the official switch on, a festive atmosphere will continue in Tralee with Tralee Farmers Market (opposite the Brandon Hotel) who will have up to 20 stalls festively decorated over the two weekends right before Christmas, (Saturday 11th, Sunday 12th, Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th of December).
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Stalls will be decorated in festive cheer with lots of seasonal treats along with live music.
The town centre will have carol singing on Thursdays and Fridays and there will be a surprise or two which will be announced ahead of December 1st.
“The emphasis is on fun and safety with the event operating under strict Covid guidelines to ensure everyone’s enjoyment in a safe environment. The local businesses have worked hard to create a memorable experience for shoppers this year and are looking forward to welcoming everyone into the town over the coming weeks,” said Kevin McCarthy, President Tralee Chamber Alliance.
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“Tralee is at the centre of Christmas shopping traditions for many families across the county, there are people making the journey in throughout December coming from all areas of the county from Ballinskelligs to Tarbert and even further afield across the borders over into West Limerick and North Cork,” said Colette O’Connor, CEO Tralee Chamber Alliance.
“We are looking forward to continuing that tradition this year and welcoming everyone into Tralee as they look forward to welcoming their loved ones home. Christmas 2021 is about reconnecting and rediscovering what Christmas at home means to us, we are inviting people from across Kerry who are both living here and abroad to get in touch with the Chamber and tell us what makes Christmas in Tralee special to them. Email us at info@tralee.ie or tag us on social media @traleechamberalliance”
Mayor of Tralee, Cllr. Johnnie Wall said: “It has been another challenging year for local businesses and retailers and I am encouraging everyone in Kerry to support local when doing their shopping.
“Businesses here in Tralee have done a huge amount of work to make their shops safe and to adhere to the restrictions so they deserve every support. Every year, the Council provides a limited number of parking concessions which is a small but significant initiative to encourage people to come into our towns to shop, dine and enjoy the festive season.
“I hope that people will avail of the concessions over the coming weeks and enjoy what Tralee has to offer, while staying safe,” said Johnnie.
Tralee Chamber Alliance echo that and are encouraging everyone to support local where possible, give the Kerry gift card this Christmas which can be purchased at post offices across the county and remember that every euro spent locally is not only great for jobs and the economy but also for the environment.
TRALEE Tidy Towns is holding its annual general meeting this Thursday and they are welcoming new members.
It comes in the wake of Tralee being awarded their ninth Gold Medal in a row last week.
Joe Moynihan of the Tralee Tidy Towns committee said: “We are thrilled to retain our Gold Medal Status and be highly commended for our Think Before You Flush campaign at the Tidy Towns National Awards.”
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“This was a team effort by our committee and by hundreds of other people and their actions and we thank all our amazing volunteers, the Tralee Tidy Towns CE Scheme team, residents’ groups, schools, clubs, businesses, organisations, colleges, university and of course our Tralee MD and Elected Members of Kerry County Council for being our partners in this effort. We also thank Irish Water, Clean Coasts and our local secondary schools for supporting our Think Before You Flush campaign and making it such a success!”
It was also a first for Tralee Tidy Towns in entering the Tidy Towns Ireland Special Awards Last year, Tralee Tidy Towns with support from Irish Water and Clean Coasts, produced a short film to raise awareness of the problem of flushed litter such as hygiene wipes, sanitary products and cigarette butts in Tralee waterways.
Well known Tralee people Kieran Donaghy, Gillian Wharton Slattery and Betesaida Hailegeorgis took part in the project and the film was shown in all Tralee second-level schools to coincide with the UN World Toilet Day on 19 November 2020.
The AGM will take place on Thursday, November 18 online on Webex. You can register online on the following Eventbrite and you will receive a link to the meeting. https://www.eventbrite.com/…/tralee-tidy-towns-agm…
You can apply to become a member of Tralee Tidy Towns and have an input into the running of this effort by filling out an application form here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JPF979T
In recent times, the Tidy Towns competition has aligned itself with the UN Sustainable Development Goals which has required the Tralee Tidy Towns application to evolve to show how the group’s activities help to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
.Listellick NS Principal Annette Dineen with Fr Amos and pupils at a special blessing of the construction site of the new school on Friday.
THE weather gods were not smiling down on the site of the new Listellick school building on Friday, but nonetheless, spirits were high for a special blessing ceremony.
Cahalane Brothers construction company began work at the site — just metres up the road from the current school building — back on August 9.
Fr Amos Surungai from Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church, braved the wind and the drizzle to give a blessing in the presence of a few pupils, Principal Annette Dineen and members of the board of management.
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The construction is expected to take a year and it’s hoped teachers and pupils will be in situ in their new surroundings by October next year.
The building, which will be a single storey structure, will include eight classrooms, resource rooms, a library and a sports hall.
TRALEE Tidy Towns is holding its annual general meeting this Thursday and they are welcoming new members.
