KERRY Education and Training Board (Kerry ETB) held their annual Christmas Card Competition, where they invited entries from their eight post primary schools throughout Kerry.
With over 220 entries, it was a very difficult decision to select the three finalists. This year the winner’s prize was presented by the sponsor Brendan Culloty of Hugh Culloty Expert.
The winner, Gemma Ó Donoghue, a 1st year student from Coláiste na Sceilge received a Samsung Galaxy Tablet.
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The two runners-up, Iizzy Griffin, 2nd year student from Coláiste na Ríochta and Mary Reidy, Transition Year student from Causeway Comprehensive, both received JBL wireless headphones.
Ann O’Dwyer, Director of Schools, Youth and Music, congratulated the students and added; “Every card submitted demonstrated great artistic talent in our schools. We want to thank every student who entered the competition during this festive season. The winning card will be circulated all over the country as the official Kerry ETB Christmas e-card.”
CEO Colm McEvoy added, “I want to thank every student who took part and their art teachers for their enthusiasm that helped make the Kerry ETB Christmas Card Competition such a success this year and also Hugh Culloty Expert, Tralee for sponsoring the prizes.”
PEIL FAOI 13: The U13 end-of-year medal presentation took place last weekend at the Awards Evening in the clubhouse. An exciting and enjoyable evening drew the curtain down on the boys’ U13 football year.
These young stars of The Rock received their hard-earned and well-deserved Town League Division 3 winners medals. What joy for all concerned….players, parents, fans and mentors! In addition Darragh Moriarty, Joe O’Halloran and Billy Kirby received prizes for attending over 90% of training sessions during the year. That’s dedication!
Many thanks to Lisa and Annette for the food and refreshments, to Martha Kowalczyk for the photos and to our own great William Kirby for presenting the boys with their medals and awards.
We wish the very best of luck to all our boys in their 2024 football endeavours with the U13s or U15s. We wish everyone a very Happy Christmas…Nollaig Shona do chách.
And let’s not forget the men behind the scenes: Ciarán, Dan, Donal, Ger, Kieran, Micko and Tim. The 2023Austin Stack Club U13 boys: Albi Gaxha, Billy Kirby, Blake Bowler, Conor Hanafin, Conor Maguire, Conor Murphy, Danny Lane, Darragh Moriarty, David Ahern, Diarmuid Hennessy, Dylan McEvoy, Ediart Topali, Eliot Calleja, Ethan Cushen, Gearóid Corcoran, Gerard Teahon, Harry Maguire, Jayden O’Dowd, Jack Maguire, Joe O’Halloran, John Riordan, Karol Kowalczyk, Kian Cronin, Liam Swords, Luke Kavanagh, Mark Foley, Mark Riordan, Matthew Murphy, Michael Carmody, Noah Reidy, Oisín Horan, Oran O’Regan, Ryan O’Flaherty, Séamus Keenan, Shane Carey, Shea Horan, Tadhg Lucey, Tadhg O’Regan, Tom Dawson, Zac Moore. (Dan Ahern)
LIKE TO BE PART OF THE ROCK TEAM? If you’d like to be an Austin Stack Club helper/mentor/administrator/coach ….just contact Tim McMahon on 083 1190323 now. Our club coaching committee would welcome newcomers. Join The Rock!
PRIMARY SCHOOL CLUB MEMBERS: Calling all Rock primary school pupils to enter Scór na bPáistí. Can you sing? Play music? Dance? Like to be in a quiz team of four? Tralee District finals will take place in February.
The county final will take place on March 23rd 2024. Now is the time to prepare for Primary School Scór (Scór na bPáistí ’24). Anois do sheans! Give Carmel Quilter-O’Neill a shout if interested.
MOUNTHAWK – College Football: ‘Well done’ to the Mercy Mounthawk footballers who challenged and defeated their old rivals, Coláiste Bréanainn Chill Airne, in the final of the Kerry Colleges senior football competition in Austin Stack Park.
With Rockmen in almost every line of the team they won a first Corn Uí Shúilleabháin competition for their school. Their winning margin was 0-6 and the scoreboard read 2-14 to 1-11. What a mighty effort/performance!
Champions of Kerry: Michael Tansley (AdeS); G.Riordan (Ardfert), O.McGibney (C/hill), James Fisher (AdeS); Jack Murphy (AdeS), Ben Murphy (AdeS)(0-1), Pádraig O’Halloran (AdeS); Daniel Ó Ciarba (AdeS), Cian O’Gara (C/hill); N.Collins (B/mac)(0-1), O.Ferris (Ardfert)(0-1), S Corkery (JM); Paddy Lane (AdeS)(1-9; 6 frees, 1 ‘45), T.Ó Cinnéide (K-O’R)(0-2), Noah Townsend (AdeS)(1-0); B.Ó Géaráin (B/ville), J.Hoare (K-O’R), O.Murphy (C/hill), K.Sheehan (Gaeil). Is é Corn Uí Mhuirí atá go mór in aigne acu anois! (ii) The following U16½ Mounthawk Rock lads are hoping to win the Dunloe Shield (Kerry Colleges): Ben Litchfield, Harry Murphy, Ben Murphy, Alex Touhy, Cormac Bastible, Eoin Murphy, Liam Sweeney-O’Connor, Jay Sweeney-O’Connor, Jayden Moriarty, Jack Shanahan, Jack Diggin. This Corn Uí Shúilleabháin competition victory will give them great encouragement as they prepare for a quarter final game in January!
AN GAELCHOLÁISTE: (i) Ba mhór an díomá a bhí ar ár ngaiscígh Dé Máirt na seachtaine seo caite! Battling tough conditions i gCathair Sailí buachaillí Faoi 17 an Ghaelcholáiste were bitterly disappointed not to come out trumps against a hardy Tarbert side.
Rory Ó Loinsigh (0-2) and Gavin Ó Cathasaigh (0-4) were disappointed to be on the wrong side of a 5 point loss! Mí-ádh oraibh, a leaideanna, ach coimeádaigí bhur bhfuinneamh don iománaíocht atá romhaibh an tseachtain seo! Beidh lá eile againn!
(ii) Táimid fós ag tnúth leis an gcluiche leathcheannais iománaíochta (Munster semi-final…Corn Uí Chinnéide) faoi stiúir an Mháistir Uí Mhurchú, former Rock/Kerry hurler. GCC Abú! (D.Ó Loinsigh)
THE GREEN – College Football: The Green CBS U19As were successful v Bandon High School in their recent Corn Uí Mhuirí competition (Group 4) encounter. We wish them well as they prepare for a quarter final game in January. The Rockmen on the team: Thomas Deregee, Fionnán Ryan, Ronan Carroll, Olivier Lata, Ryan O’Driscoll, Donnacha Horgan, Seán Óg Ó Brosnacháin.
PEIL FAOI 17: Laochra Faoi 17 na Carraige: Steven Conway, Olivier Lata, Ryan McMahon, James Fisher, Daniel Kirby, Rory Lynch, Paddy Lane, Adam Johnson, Seán Heaslip, Thomas Deregee, Ben Murphy, Jake O’Connor, Donnacha Horgan, Jack Barrett, Fionnán Ryan, Jack Diggin, Ryan O’Driscoll, David Lucid, Seán Óg Brosnan, Ciarán Kavanagh, Liam O’Connell, Tomás O’Connell, Pádraig O’Halloran, Alex Touhy, Ronan Carroll, Gavin Casey, Cormac Bastible, Barry Nagle.
CLUB LOTTO: Thanks to all supporters and sellers of our club lotto tickets: (i) Siopa Chaoimhín de Barra, An Charraig; (ii) Paudie Commane’s Bookshop (PC Books), Rock Street; (iii) O’Flynn Interiors, Rock Street; (iv) Hussey’s Deli and Newsagency, Prince’s Quay; (v) The Burger Shack, Monavalley (vi) Kirby’s Brogue Inn, Rock Street.
CLUB GEAR: For club gear go to www.oneills.com
1973: What great memories of ’73 were shared at an enjoyable celebration evening/night in the clubhouse on Saturday last. Happy days! That was the year in which our heroes defeated the John Mitchel Club boys by 0-8 (1-13 to 0-8), the Dr Croke Club boys by 0-21 (3-18 to 0-6), Seamróga Neidín by 0-7 (0-13 to 0-6) and Na hÁghasaigh by 0-5 (2-8 to 1-6). History! We’re due another such achievement and, maybe, the first step in that direction was taken with the winning of the recently played District League final i bPáirc Aibhistín de Staic!!
.Garda Cathy Murphy with Caroline, Megan and Erin O’Sullivan at the Kerry Little Blue Heroes Christmas Party at Ballygarry Estate on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean
A WONDERFUL event was held at Ballygarry Estate on Sunday for the first ever Kerry Little Blue Heroes Christmas Party.
The event celebrated boys and girls with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and there was a great atmosphere with music, treats, a visit from Star Wars characters and of course Santa, who dished out some gifts to the children.
The Little Blue Heroes Foundation, established in 2017, is a not-for-profit registered charity voluntarily led by Garda members, retired Garda members and civic minded people from communities.
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Its vision is to support families of children with serious illnesses in Ireland while empowering the lives of children through positive community engagement.
“All the children here are Kerry-based Little Blue Heroes and they’ve come from Tralee, Cahersiveen, Killarney, Kenmare, all over the county to be with us today,” said Garda Gillian MacEoin.
“I’ve been involved since 2018 and there were just six children involved then, now we have 24 in total with around 20 families at the party today. It’s lovely to be able to spoil them and it’s great way to spend our day at work too!” she added.
The party was made possible thanks to the support of local businesses and groups including Tralee Lions Club, Ballygarry Estate, Lee Strand, Garveys Supervalu, Divanes Volkswagen, Adams of Tralee. Scroll down for photos…
Garda Patrick Harrington and Garda Mary Gardiner with Alannah and Adam Foley at the Kerry Little Blue Heroes Christmas Party at Ballygarry Estate on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean.Garda Aidan O’Mahony with Grace and Adam Roche at the Kerry Little Blue Heroes Christmas Party at Ballygarry Estate on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Dermot CreanTeresa and Francie Mahon with John Callinan of Tralee Lions Club and Corinne Evans at the Kerry Little Blue Heroes Christmas Party at Ballygarry Estate on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean.Garda Mary Gardiner and Garda Aidan O’Mahony with Cillian Fitzgerald at the Kerry Little Blue Heroes Christmas Party at Ballygarry Estate on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Dermot CreanSergeant Eileen O’Sullivan with Siún, Naoise, Oisín and Aisling Daly at the Kerry Little Blue Heroes Christmas Party at Ballygarry Estate on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean.Sergeant Eileen O’Sullivan with Sharon and Kate Lehane at the Kerry Little Blue Heroes Christmas Party at Ballygarry Estate on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Dermot CreanSanta arrives at the Kerry Little Blue Heroes Christmas Party at Ballygarry Estate on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean.Santa and friends at the Kerry Little Blue Heroes Christmas Party at Ballygarry Estate on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean
.The winter solstice wall to ‘The Paps’ takes place on Saturday, December 23, in memory of Johnny ‘the Rock’ O’Brien. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
PEOPLE are invited to take part in a trek to the ‘Paps’ before Christmas in aid of the Kerry Hospice Foundation.
As the astronomical calendar gets closer to the Winter Solstice – the shortest day of the year – this year the ancient trek takes place on Saturday morning December 23, departing at 6.45 am.
Having a Saturday Solstice will allow people to travel and have time to savour the day, marking the first day of the Christmas holidays.
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This year the charity walk will be in memory of Johnny ‘The Rock’ O’Brien, who sadly passed away on St. Stephen’s Day, 2022.
Johnny was the heart and soul of Glenflesk, a caring farmer and neighbour who lived his life on his own terms.
The Late Johnny ‘The Rock’ O’Brien, from Glenflesk Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
Waving to everyone who passed his house, with a return beep from lorries and locals. He tended to his animals with such compassion, and made sure they were safe during storms and floods.
Carpooling is encouraged parking at the Kerry Way Inn, Glenflesk, and with the kind permission of local landowners, the walk departs at Garries Bridge – the first bridge after St Agatha’s Church, Glenflesk, Meeting at 6.45am.
The long walk in darkness to the summit, has two strenuous inclines, leading to the Western Pap at 690 Metres.
At approximately 8.45am sunrise and craic begin, with Glenflesk’s finest musicians Derry and Rosie Healy, setting the pace for a Kerry polka set, followed by a rendition of ‘For these are my Mountains’ Johnny ‘The Rock’ O’Briens favourite song. Mountaineer Donie Mulcahy and crew will guide the walker to and from the summit.
These ancient sacred summits, ‘The Paps of Anú’, are in the Derrynasaggart Mountains close to the Cork-Kerry border. The Paps have long been associated with mythology, mysticism and majesty.
Donations will be collected on the morning of the walk. It is compulsory to wear a head torch, a level of fitness is required. Proper walking boots and rain gear is advised. Guides will be on duty for gear check before departure.
.Tralee Warriors BIDL Squad. Back Row L to R: Adam O’Keeffe, Jack Tobin, Daniel Bowler, Daire Kennelly Capt., Brian O’Leary, Aaron Fleming. Front Row L to R: James Fernane, John Feely, Olaf Michalczuk, Padraig Fleming, Zigi Kaletka.
Alan Cantwell reports on the Basketball Ireland Development League – Round 4 at the Complex on Sunday evening…
Tralee Warriors 94
Fr. Mathews 85
Tralee Warriors made it four from four in the Basketball Ireland Development League with a deserved 94-85 win over Fr. Mathews from Cork in a keenly contested clash at the Tralee Sports Complex on Sunday evening.
The teams were level six times with a dominant final quarter the key to victory for the Warriors who made it four wins from four in the League.
The Warriors certainly did not have their own way and the Cork outfit came to Tralee determined to challenge the hosts unbeaten record.
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Fr. Mathews stormed into the contest with an early volley of scores that saw them quickly build a 17-6 lead with Colm Blount, Gillaume Periera and Emmanuel Anaba sharing the scores and brothers Steven and Dan Bowler keeping the Warriors flame alight.
The hosts cut the advantage late on through Padraig Fleming and James Fernane either side of Zigi Kaletka’s first major score of the night before Anaba added to give Fr. Mathews a 20-13 lead at the end of the first.
Adam O’Keeffe gave the hosts a perfect start to the second from beyond the arc and when Aaron Fleming did likewise either side of scores from Fernane and Josh Osayanrhion the Warriors had cut the gap to a single point.
Blount, Anaba and Periera were all on the mark again for Fr. Mathews but Steven Bowler added a brilliant quick fire 10 points before another Aaron Fleming three saw the Warriors right back on terms.
However baskets from Blount, Cillian O’Connell and Periera with two major efforts gave the visitors a 49-45 half time lead.
The Warriors decisively turned around the Fr. Mathews lead and within three minutes of the restart had fired their way to a 57-50 lead with Zigi Kaletka hitting his second and third threes and James Fernane and Dan and Steven Bowler all on the mark.
It got better for Warriors when Josh Osayanrhion’s dominance in the paint allied to a three from Fernane and another inside score from Aaron Fleming pushed the advantage out to 68-56.
To Fr. Mathews credit they regrouped and a late charge saw Anaba, Periera, Blount and Thomas Murphy combine to haul the visitors right back into the contest to level at 70-70 going into the final quarter.
Fr. Mathews late third quarter charge continued into the fourth and when Blount added a double and Anaba another they led 74-70. Kaletka fired down the fourth of his five majors before James Fernane levelled the game for the sixth time with a floated effort from inside.
Aaron Fleming gave the Warriors the lead before the momentum swung the way of the home side with a hat trick of threes, one from Kaletka with his fifth and Fernane with two to dramatically turn the game in the Warriors favour 88-79.
Dan Bowler and Daire Kennelly put further distance between the teams as they now led by double digits but in the final acts of the game Murphy and O’Connell from inside and outside added for Fr. Mathews to leave the final scoreline reading 94-85.
Scorers:
Tralee Warriors: James Fernane 20, Zigi Kaletka , Steven Bowler 16
.Margaret O’Donoghue of the landmark Gleneagle INEC Arena was inducted into the Order of Inisfallen by Cairde Chill Áirne at a reception in the historic Muckross House in Killarney National Park on Monday evening. Pictured here with her children sitting from left; Maurice Owen, Aine, Shellagh, Aoife. Back row, Eamonn, Patrick and John O’Donoghue. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
THE matriarch of an entrepreneurial family that has made an enormous contribution to business and community life in Killarney over many years has been awarded the highest honour the town can bestow.
Margaret O’Donoghue of the landmark Gleneagle INEC Arena was inducted into the Order of Inisfallen by Cairde Chill Áirne at a reception in the historic Muckross House in Killarney National Park on Monday evening.
The award was created in 2005 to allow Killarney to recognise, celebrate and say thank you to a select number of people who have, in a variety of different ways, brought good to Killarney’s name and image around the country and around the world.
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Margaret follows in the footsteps of very distinguished previous recipients including former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, international industrialist Isolde Liebherr, Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender and entertainer Daniel O’Donnell.
She becomes the first lady to receive the honour since 2018 when the recipient was Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall and now the Queen of England.
Margaret and her late husband, Maurice, who passed away in 2001, transformed an eight-bed guesthouse into the successful entertainment complex that is now the Gleneagle INEC Arena which has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors to the town over the years.
They were the guiding hands in the push to develop The Brehon Hotel, The Gleneagle Apartments and Scott’s Hotel as well as top class indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities and a concert band and the O’Donoghue family has been to the forefront of several other major developments which have been of huge benefit to Killarney, to Kerry and to Ireland.
The Order of Innisfallen award – a joint initiative between Kerry County Council and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce – was presented to Margaret by Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Brendan Cronin.
“Margaret has been the guiding hand in all that the family has achieved and, given her enormous contribution over so many years, it is wonderful that she is being officially recognised with this very important award,” the mayor said.
Event host and Muckross House Trustee, Geraldine Rosney, said the award reflected the enormous contribution Margaret and Maurice O’Donoghue have made to Killarney.
“They were a couple with a dream, a couple with a vision and a couple with get-up-and-go determination to pick up the ball and start running and running and running.
“Margaret, Maurice and their family’s achievements with the creation and building and expansion of their enterprises over the last 59 years is nothing short of monumental,” she said
Margaret said it was an honour to accept the Order of Inisfallen on behalf of both herself and the late Maurice and, indeed, their seven children, Patrick, Maurice, John, Eamonn, Áine, Shelly and Aoife.
