(click to enlarge photo) Mr. John Roche (Assistant Instructor), Sarah Wynroe, Melanie Pierce (16), Daniel Carton, Jordan Dalton, Diarmuid Murphy, John Wynroe and Master Don Dalton (Chief Instructor) who will travel to Hungary this week.
STUDENTS of Master Don Dalton’s Tralee Taekwondo Club will be aiming for gold when they travel to the 2016 Open European Championships, which is being held in Budapest, Hungary from February 3-7.
The students will also participate in the International Instructor and Referee Course, which runs from February 8-9.
This will be a historical Championships and International Instructors Course, which sees a return to the host city of the 19th ITF World Championship.
The IIC will cover such areas as Self Defence- ground fighting, sparring strategy, sine wave and five motions explanation/practice, public speaking, etc.
It will be instructed by some of the world’s most famous Masters and will be a must for any instructors or aspiring instructors.
There will be a Dan testing on Wednesday, February 10, under a panel of Masters (8th and 9th Dan).
Mr. Jason Moriarty, who is a member of the Tralee club and teaches in Killarney, will be testing for the 7th Degree Master Level. He has been a student of Master Dalton for more than 30 years.
With many countries currently living in difficult economic times, the goal is to provide a world class event which will be affordable and fair to all competitors. There is also an aim to have a global Taekwondo Family.
ARDFERT & District Community First Responders attended 42 emergency callouts in 2015 after going live with the National Ambulance Service on February 23.
In the time the scheme was live in 2015, it attended 10 stroke calls, seven cardiac arrest calls and 25 chest pain calls. The busiest month was November. It has already attended six callouts in 2016.
The scheme, which was setup after a number of cardiac arrests in the area, attends 999 calls in tandem with the National Ambulance Service for patients with chest pain, choking, stroke and cardiac arrest.
The scheme has 20 volunteers on its books, all of whom are trained to provide early medical intervention until the arrival of the ambulance service.
The scheme has a 7km coverage radius which covers as far as Ballyheigue village to the north, Barrow and parts of Fenit to the west, as far as Mounthawk roundabout and parts of The Kerries to the south and as far as the crossroads in Abbeydorney to the east.
All callouts are coordinated by the NAS National Emergency Operations Centre in Ballyshannon, Donegal and Tallaght, Dublin. The scheme covers approximately 8,500 people within its area.
The group works on a pager system which alerts the responder on call of the incident type and location. The scheme received a massive funding boost in 2015 thanks to Kerry County Council. €4,000 was received through the Community Support Fund which has allowed the group to purchase a TETRA digital radio system for use on callouts.
The group is on call 24/7/365 and the scheme’s website is available at www.ardfertresponders.com
KERRY County Council is advising everyone to take heed of a Status Orange wind warning for counties including Kerry which has been issued by Met Éireann.
Met Éireann is forecasting strong winds for the county from 10pm tonight as Storm Henry arrives.
Southwest to west winds will reach mean speeds between 65 and 80 km/h with gusts between 110 and 130 km/h during Sunday night and through Monday. Winds will peak during Monday afternoon and evening and will be at their strongest along the coasts.
The warning is valid from 10pm tonight until midnight on Monday.
The council is advising motorists to drive with care on roads and to watch out for debris and fallen branches and is asking all property owners to secure any items or structures liable to damage during strong winds.
.Chairwoman of Austin Stacks Ladies Club Noreen Power, senior hurling team captain Danny Maguire, senior ladies team captain Karena Slattery, senior football captain in 2014 Barry Shanahan and Chairman of Austin Stacks GAA Club Liam Lynch in front of silverware won by the teams in the past year, at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
AROUND 190 Rockies gathered at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night for the annual Austin Stacks GAA Club social.
Despite not having as good a year as 2014 (that would be near impossible!), there was a lot of silverware on show from the various teams in all codes.
The hurling team were especially successful winning the South Kerry League, the South Kerry Championship, the County Junior Championship and the Trevor Barrett Memorial Shield and the ladies football team finished runners-up in the Kilmacud Crokes Sevens tournament.
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“We had a pretty successful year,” said Danny Maguire, captain of the hurling team. “We’re not at the level of our footballers, but we’re dominating a lot at our level,” he said.
Any chance of stepping up to the senior championship at some stage in the future?
“It’s something that would have to be worked on. The foundations are there and need to be built on, but it’s very hard to compete with the north Kerry teams and their tradition,” said Danny.
The senior footballers at the club won the 2015 Town League and Town Championship and the County League 2014 final which was held last May.
The players received medals for their endeavours and Barry Walsh was awarded Player Of The Year Award.
Chairman of the club Liam Lynch said the club is in fine fettle and looking to the future with great optimism.
“The club has had a great year, both on and off the field. The senior team winning the County League for the 11th time is the first time a Kerry club has achieved this and hopefully we’ll repeat the win in three months time against Dr Crokes in the 2015 final,” he said.
“From a juvenile perspective, we won the Féile Under 14 competition for the first time. That was phenomenal for us and shows the strength coming up.”
“The club is about as much off the field as on the field and we’ll be opening our new Nun’s Field soon, with new floodlights installed this year. The success of our Jobmatch initiative among other things has been spectacular and we’re very conscious that we provide a social outlet for people. All in all, I can say the club is in rude health but there is a lot more we can do in 2016, our 99th year. 2017 is our centenary year and we’ve big plans,” he said.
There was also a Best Dressed Lady and man competition and against stiff competition, Maura Shanahan took the ladies prize with William Kirby proving the most dapper man.
Those attending enjoyed a great meal, followed by music from Celebration and DJ Francie Breen taking the crowd into the wee hours.
It was a chance to look back on success but you get the feeling the club is always, always looking forward.
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.Wayne Guthrie with Daniel and Sinead Bohane at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Binah Linnane, Tracey Kearney, Bernie Somers and Teresa Carroll at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.William Kirby, Maura and Neil Shanahan, Stephen Stack and Alan Griffin at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanAnne Riordan and Ger Breen at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Ronan and Caroline Gilsenan at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Nicholas Gogarty, Savannah Miller, Sean Purcell, John Purcell, Mary Purcell and Shannon Lonergan at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanDavid O’Sullivan and Sarah Lynch at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Lorraine Kelly and John Connolly at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanKatie O’Mahony and Fiachna Mangan at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Linda Pototzki, Kristin McKenzie Vass, Sarah Hobbert, Kayleigh Quirke and Aisling Ryan at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanAndrew Morrissey, Terry Desmond, Tadhg Meehan Connolly and Shane Fitzgerald at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanCiaran Breen, Eddie Barry and Joe Brennan at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanAngela Fitzgerald and Nicole Sugrue at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanShane Carroll and Carrie Lonergan at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanMaura and Neil Shanahan at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanNoreen Power, Mary McQuinn, Siobhan Power and Deirdre Power at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanBarry Healy, Danielle Bodell, Toni Tuite and Tony O’Shea at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanGemma O’Connor, Ciara Rogers, Karena Slattery, Gemma O’Connell and Ellen O’Connell at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanJacqui, Ed and Yvonne O’Brien at the Austin Stacks GAA Social in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
THREE Kerry properties will go under the hammer at the next Allsop Auction in February.
An apartment in Tralee, a house in Listowel and land in Cordal are the Kerry lots month the other 198 properties going to auction at 12 noon on Thursday, February 25 at the RDS in Dublin.
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An apartment in Parklands Tralee is to go under the hammer in February.
Apartment 302 The Parklands, Tralee, has a reserve not to exceed €30,000. It’s a fourth floor one bedroom apartment extending to approximately 44 sq. m (474 sq. ft).
This Listowel house will go to auction in February.
Riverlodge The Powerline, Listowel, has a reserve not to exceed €50,000. It is a detached three bedroom house extending to approximately 135 sq. m (1,463 sq. ft).
The land for sale in Cordal.
Finally land at Knockatee, Cordal, Castleisland, has a reserve not to exceed €5,000. It contains two parcels of land extending to approximately 0.28 hectares (0.7 acres) in total. To see all the properties in the auction, click here.
.At the Kerry Hurling All Star Awards 2014 in Parkers Bar Kilflynn in December 2014 were, from left: David Moran, Dara Shanahan (Young Hurler of The Year), Declan Lovett, Tom Murnane (Player of The Year), Denis Moran. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
THE stars of Kerry hurling will be honoured at a special event in Ardfert next weekend.
The Kerry Hurling All Stars on Saturday, February 6 in The Abbey Tavern, Ardfert, with a pre-awards reception at 7.30pm.
Special guest is Sean Kelly MEP while Andrew Morrissey of Radio Kerry – a huge hurling enthusiast – will also speak on the night.
The concept of The Kerry Hurling All Stars was the idea of Mike O’Halloran and is now in its third year.
Mike and Timmy Sheehan have put the package together since the beginning and the event is funded by the hurling clubs of North Kerry, along with Finbar Canty of The Blasket Traleee and Garveys SuperValu.
The nominees are chosen from players who played in the county championship and no other competition.
There was huge enthusiasm for the Garveys SuperValu sponsored championship this year as it was played in North Kerry.
There is always great debate on the decision of the judges. Who will be player of the year, who will be young player of the year?
The fashion from the ladies present for the past two years at the event has been from amazing and again this year there is a prize for the best dressed lady.
The awards ceremony is for invited guests but everyone is invited to join them after in the bar from 9.15pm onwards.
Kerry Hurling All Stars 2015 Nominees.
1. John Mike Pierce, Aiden McCabe, Martin Stackpoole
2. Sean Murnane, Jason Casey, Cathal Kearney.
3. Trevor McKenna, Sean Dowling, Aiden Healy.
4. Rory Horgan, Mike Hannafin, Tom Cronin.
5. Flor McCarthy, Stephen Leen, Brendan Brosnan.
6. Dougie Fitzell, Daragh Shanahan, Sean Weir.
7. Stephen Power, Tom Murnane, Kevin Orpen.
8/9. Fionan Horgan, James Godley, John Griffin, Darren Dineen, Daniel Collins, Fionan MacKessy.
.At SciFest in IT Tralee last year were from left: Lorraine De Nais, Ursula Ni Mhochoir and Janine Ni Chonchuir from Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
ALL the best young scientific minds in Kerry are invited to enter SciFest 2016, which takes place at the IT Tralee, on May 5.
Now in its ninth year as a national project, SciFest is an all-inclusive, all-island science competition where second-level students showcase science, technology, engineering and maths projects at a series of one day science fairs locally in school and regionally in 14 Institute of Technology, DCU and St. Mary’s College, Derry.
SciFest is funded primarily by Science Foundation Ireland, Intel and Boston Scientific, and urges students to put their knowledge to the test as well as pushing the boundaries of science.
The winners from each regional science fair go on to compete at a national final in November 2016 with the national final winner of SciFest 2016 representing Ireland at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
Speaking about Kerry’s participating at SciFest last year, Sheila Porter, SciFest CEO, said: ”Kerry was very well represented in 2015 and we expect that even more students from the county will participate in SciFest this year.”
“SciFest gives students an excellent opportunity to develop their interest in STEM and inquiry-based approaches to learning, while developing their creative and problem-solving skills and learning to work in a team.”
Students wishing to enter can log on to the SciFest website (www.scifest.ie) and enter online or download a paper entry form. Completed entries must be submitted by Friday, March 11.
PICTURE, if you will, a large ship with many sailors on board in heavy storm conditions heading for the rocks off the Southwest coast of Ireland (not too difficult to picture with the weather we have been experiencing recently!).
The sailors are terrified as disaster seems imminent, when suddenly a heavy anchor is dropped and the ship begins to stabilise.
All is well, even though the seas are still quite violent; nevertheless the inevitable destruction has been avoided. The still-terrified sailors celebrate but know that eventually that terror too will fade.
The above scene is like a metaphor for the Monkey mind. The sailors are like our thoughts – frightened and scattered all over the place, thus being out of control and heading for disaster.
Instability is rife! (To get the full picture I would suggest you read last week’s article …Here about the Monkey Mind).
When we focus our mind on our breath our thoughts (the sailors) begin to calm down which in turn brings stability and clarity to any given situation – can you see the connection?
Thus our breath is again like a metaphor for the anchor. The more we use it and connect with it stability and calm will never be far away.
The stormy seas can represent the times in our lives when there is turmoil and constant trouble, but there is great comfort in knowing that calmness and tranquillity can be accessed at any given moment as the one thing that we all have access to at any given moment is our breath.
What is the first thing you did when you were born? Breathe. What is the last thing you will do before you die? Take your last Breath.
It is always there waiting to be accessed and when we focus on our breath, concentrate and breathe slowly then the ‘rocks’ will be avoided and safety ensured. What a gift The Breath is, but like many the gifts we receive in this life a) do we value it? And b) do we use it? If not it is such a pity as it is always there ready and waiting.
To keep on the sailing analogy I suppose we could say that the breath is a ‘porthole’ into the present. There are many other portholes available also like our senses – connecting with what we see, hear, taste touch and smell. Remember the old adage “come to your senses”.
This has many names like mindfulness, meditation, being present etc… It was what Jesus meant and asked us to do when He said “Be still and know that I am God”.
It was also what He meant when He said “I Am the Way The Truth and The Life” Note : He didn’t say ‘I was’ or ‘I Will Be’! – He was directing us into to the stability and calm of the present moment by using the present tense “I Am”. It is very helpful to note also that the ancient Hebrew name for God is Yahweh meaning ‘I Am Who I Am’.
Every person Christian or otherwise, believer or nonbeliever has access to the breath and thus the present moment. Our breath does not belong to anyone but ourselves and it doesn’t matter what our beliefs are, but if used properly will bring calm and peace to everyone.
Just like the words of John Lennon in his wonderful and deep meaning song ‘Imagine’, what a wonderful world that would be to live in if there was peace all around.
To come to realise that ultimately we all share the same thing in common – ‘Our Breath’.
To quote the late and great Jimi Hendrix – “When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power – The World will be at Peace”.
• Next week I am going to write about – Mindfulness
The crowd at the launch of Martin Ferris’ election campaign on Friday night in The Meadowlands Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
A CROWD of 300 people gathered in the Meadowlands Hotel on Friday night for the launch of Martin Ferris’ election campaign.
Ireland South MEP Liadh Ní Riada was the guest speaker on an evening when the Kerry Sinn Féin TD accused both Fine Gael and Labour of betraying the people of Kerry.
Ferris said they had failed to deliver on what they promised before the 2011 election and don’t deserve the trust of the people.
“In 2011, many in this county put their trust in Fine Gael and The Labour Party. Here we stand, five years later, and that trust is in smithereens. The government has utterly betrayed the people of Kerry,
“There has been no democratic revolution. The cronyism remains as strong as ever, all while the ordinary people of Kerry have been subjected to five years of cuts, chaos and hardship.
“Frankly, I think Fine Gael and Labour Party TDs have a nerve to stand before the people of Kerry, claiming to have delivered stability, when they have broken nearly every promise that they made on entering government. That betrayal will not be forgotten or forgiven,” he said.
“Despite the spin from our opponents, Sinn Féin has developed comprehensive and costed policies in healthcare, housing and childcare. We have the proposals for creating a fairer society in which a home is a right, health care is accessed on the basis of need instead of income, and people can find decent work with decent pay. This is not fantasy. It is basic decency.”
The election is expected to be announced this coming week with date expected by many commentators to be Friday, February 26.
WE all woke up to the sad news this morning that Terry Wogan has died and many Tralee people will have fond memories of the broadcasting legend from his time as Rose of Tralee host.
The 77 year old broadcaster passed away surrounded by his family after a short battle with cancer.
A short statement was issued by his family: “Sir Terry Wogan died today after a short but brave battle with cancer. He passed away surrounded by his family. While we understand he will be missed by many, the family ask that their privacy is respected at this time.”
The Limerick native was presenter of the Rose of Tralee selection from 1968 to 1970 when the festival was entering its golden decade of the 1970s.
As well as being loved by Irish people, he is regarded as a British national treasure thanks to his charm, wit and fantastic broadcasting skills.
He really shot to fame during the 1980s when he presented his own prime time chat show on BBC1 days a week as well as being host of Blankety Blank.
His BBC2 radio show was a national institution for decades.
Cancer has claimed yet another much moved, high profile figure this month after the deaths of David Bowie and Alan Rickman. Another reason we’ll be glad to see the back of January.
Celebrations after the game on Saturday. Photo from St Brendan’s Basketball Club Facebook Page
BASKETBALL is back with a bang in Tralee with St Brendan’s winning the Mens Hula Hoop’s National Intermediate Championship Cup in Tallaght this afternoon.
The Tralee side beat Leixlip by 78 points to 60. Kieran Donaghy was named MVP for his dominant contribution and his teammate Darren O’Sullivan was top scorer with 21 points, pulling off some spectacular shots in a great all-round team performance.
.Launching the Blennerville National School Night at the Dogs Fundraiser, were in front: Wiktor Kopec and Lily Mae Mullins. Back: Mike O’Connor, Tom Cronin, Nora Corridan, Johnny Kelly, Terry O’Sullivan, Maura O’Donnell and Denise Shanahan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
BLENNERVILLE National School are gearing up for a night at the dogs.
The fundraiser, to assist the on going work in Blennerville following the completion of a brand new school, takes place at Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Saturday, April 23.
The family event will feature a cash prize of €500 along with bouncy castle and face painting for the kids and music through the night.
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Admission for U16’s is free and there will also be a raffle.
Tickets cost €10 and that includes entry for the €500 draw, plus admission and a free race card. The night is expected to get underway at 7:50pm.
For more information and tickets please contact Blennerville National School on 066 7120207 or drop an email info@blennerville.ie.
Tickets are also available from O’Shea’s Texaco. Blennerville and Rock Street Post Office.
.John McCormick, runs ‘Top of The Rock Video’ on Rock Street. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
THE closure of Xtra-Vision in Manor West this week means that there is only one DVD rental store left in Tralee.
That store is ‘Top of The Rock Video’ which has been an institution on Rock Street since the dawn of the video rental days back in the early 80’s.
TraleeToday.ie, spoke to John McCormick who has run ‘Top of The Rock Video’ for the past 12 years. The closure of 80 Xtra-vision stores nationwide is yet another sign of a dying industry.
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“I know I was in competition with them, but it’s sad for them really,” said John McCormick.
A journey to the ‘video’ shop was once a ritual carried out the world over, but now in the face online streaming sites, internet piracy and iTunes, rental sales have been plummeting year on year.
“Downloading off the internet and Netflix all those things has effected business. We still have a certain amount of regular customers, whether it’s enough to keep us operating for another while I do not know to be quite honest with you.”
“It’s sad, but it’s the way of the world at the moment,” said John.
Many movie lovers will have happy memories of heading off on a Friday or Saturday night to pick out the latest release, classic piece of cinema, or some complete rubbish you picked out only because you liked the look of the cover. Changing times…
.Ben Sharp (top left) in a scene from 1916 Children.
A TRALEE boy was selected from hundreds of young people to appear in an RTE documentary in connection with the 1916 rising commemorations in the coming months.
Nine-year-old Ben Sharp, a pupil at Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn, was selected from hundreds of youngsters to be one of the six child actors in the programme, ‘1916 Children’, which was filmed yesterday in St. Enda’s (Padraig Pearse-founded School) in Dublin.
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The programme invited the youngsters to spend 24 hours in the lives of their 1916 ancestors with actor Simon Delaney starring alongside them.
The participants undertook the typical tasks and challenges faced by a 1916 child.
Well done Ben and we all look forward to seeing the finished product in couple of months.
Gavin O’Connor looks forward to the Kerry v Dublin Allianz National Football League clash this evening…
Action from the All-Ireland final in September. Photo by Dermot Crean
LAST year’s league win over Dublin as All-Ireland champions may have given the impression Kerry had turned the tide on a poor record against the Dubs.
70 odd minutes in September reinforced the often prescribed notion, “it’s only the league, you can’t read anything into it”, which again makes this game hard to read.
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Kerry are without a host of regulars and Dublin have shuffled the pack so often in the lead up to this game it’s hard to know what side the champions will put out.
You won’t find many people backing Kerry in this match. But as we’ve seen so often in the past, an All-Ireland win can soften a side. Dublin may think they’re pushing as hard as last year only to find that fire in the belly has gone from a 12th of July bonfire to a strike of a match.
There’s loads of incentive for Kerry, as new captain Bryan Sheehan has said in the lead up, beating Dublin is the ideal way to “right the wrong” of the All-Ireland.
But, as we all know, revenge is a dish best served in September not in February.
Kerry have named just eight players who started that ill-fated final. Tommy Walsh, has got arguably his best opportunity yet to prove himself.
Experiments in midfield just haven’t worked out, now he’s back in his most natural position of full-forward.
The Dublin full-back line is without two All-Stars, Philly McMahon, is serving a one match suspension – for you know what – and Rory O’Carroll left the panel for work in New Zealand. Tommy Walsh could do some harm to that depleted Dublin line.
With these games, there is a sense both sides are keeping their cards close to their chest. The result is important of course, but maybe the teams had a tendency to not show their full hand.
The last two times Kerry played Dublin in Croke Park have finished with a win a piece. In 2012, Kerry won by seven points against the then champions and in 2014, Dublin once again as champions saw out the match with a familiar late sting in the tail to edge it by a point.
I’m going to buck the trend and say Kerry can get something out of this, it could be cagey like last year’s final, but above all it’s the first match of the league so God knows what will happen.
.At the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left. Dylan, Denise, Darren, Michael and Devin Burns. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
OVER 270 people from across the county attended the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2015 in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel in Tralee on Friday (photos below).
The celebration commenced with dinner and was followed by a presentation of 32 awards, accompanied with an inspiring citation of each winner’s achievements. Twenty six Merit Awards, four Distinction Awards, the Voluntary Group Award and the Overall Winner Award were presented on the night.
Tralee winners included Darren Burns, Ross Sugrue, Leanne Hannafin, Jebin John, Eabha Mc Carthy, Alan Mc Loughlin, Ryan O’Donnell and Robbie O’Sullivan.
Assistant Commissioner John O’Mahoney commended 18 year old Brendan Coppinger from Muckross in Killarney who was announced as the Overall Winner of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2015.
Brendan was presented with a specially commissioned crystal trophy and the Overall Winner Certificate to mark his achievement. Brendan, a 5th year student at St Brendan’s College in Killarney completed many tasks as part of his transition year, including the ECDL Programme, the log-on-learn programme and also received a Bronze Gaisce.
Brendan also volunteered to train Killarney Celtic U11s. At a training session Brendan along with Coach Eugene Cosgrave saved the life of his fellow Transition Year Student Tom Geaney who had gone into cardiac arrest.
As a result of this incident a new local project in Killarney has been set up called Operation Resuscitation.
The plan will offer specialist life-saving training to schools, sports clubs and individuals and aims to train hundreds of people in the locality, thereby increasing survival rates by up to 26%.
Brendan’s courage has been recognised locally and nationally and he has appeared on Morning Ireland and The Afternoon Show on RTE 1 with Dáithí Ó Sé and Maura Derrane.
The four Distinction Award Winners were: Darren Burns, Tralee; Clodagh Curran, Valentia; Sarah Finnan, Glenflesk and Ross Sugrue, Tralee. The four distinction winners each received a Children of Lir bronze trophy and a Distinction Award Certificate to mark their achievement in this year’s awards.
The Voluntary Group Achievement Award 2015 was presented to the Tralee Branch of the Irish Red Cross.
Twenty six Merit Award Certificates were also presented to: Mutaz Almusawi, Killarney; Owen Barry, Killarney; Roisin Casey, Castleisland; Chelsea Coffey, Killarney; Faolán Dáibhís, Ballyferriter; Paddy Flynn, Cordal; Abigail Graham, Fossa; Leanne Hannafin, Tralee; Jebin John, Tralee; Finbar Lehane, Kenmare; Eabha Mc Carthy, Tralee; Alan Mc Loughlin, Tralee; Michael Mc Nabb, Killarney; Diarmuid Mullane, Kilcummin; Bobbi Nic Eoin, Dingle; Tara Nic Gearailt, Ballyferriter; Niamh Ní Laoithe, Ballyferriter; Holly O’Donnell, Clahane; Ryan O’Donnell, Tralee; Casey O’Donoghue, Cahersiveen; Katie O’Neill, Kilcummin; Robbie O’Sullivan, Tralee; Sean O’Sullivan, Kilgarvin; Sinead Roche, Killorglin; Leona Stack, Abbeydorney and Shaun Valentin, Duagh.
Donal Pierse, Chairperson, Lee Strand commented; “Lee Strand is delighted to support the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards since 1998. Lee Strand in association with An Garda Siochana have always been proactive in acknowledging and identifying the positive work by young people and voluntary groups to enhance community life in Kerry. The awards are a fantastic celebration of their outstanding achievements.”
Overall Winner 2015
Brendan Coppinger, Killarney
Distinction Award Winners 2015
Darren Burns, Tralee
Clodagh Curran, Valentia
Sarah Finnan, Glenflesk
Ross Sugrue, Tralee
Merit Award Winners 2015
Mutaz Almusawi, Killarney
Owen Barry, Killarney
Roisin Casey, Castleisland
Chelsea Coffey, Killarney
Faolán Dáibhís, Ballyferriter
Paddy Flynn, Cordal
Abigail Graham, Fossa
Leanne Hannafin, Tralee
Jebin John, Tralee
Finbar Lehane, Kenmare
Eabha Mc Carthy, Tralee
Alan Mc Loughlin, Tralee
Michael Mc Nabb, Killarney
Diarmuid Mullane, Kilcummin
Bobbi Nic Eoin, Dingle
Tara Nic Gearailt, Ballyferriter
Niamh Ní Laoithe, Ballyferriter
Holly O’Donnell, Clahane
Ryan O’Donnell, Tralee
Casey O’Donoghue, Cahersiveen
Katie O’Neill, Kilcummin
Robbie O’Sullivan, Tralee
Sean O’Sullivan, Kilgarvin
Sinead Roche, Killorglin
Leona Stack, Abbeydorney
Shaun Valentin, Duagh
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.At the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left. Tara Fitzgerald, Bobbi Nic Eoin, Faolan Davis and Niamh Ni Laoithe. Photo by Gavin O’Connor..At the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left. Rose McNabb, Michael McNabb and Tony McNabb. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left. Finbarr Lehane, Anne Piggott and Sean O’Sullivan. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorAt the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left. Clodagh Lehane, Aidan Lehane, Finbar Lehane, Joyce Smith and Susan Smith. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left. Der O’Sullivan, Siobhan O’Sullivan and Sean O’Sullivan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left. Karen Curran, Clodagh Curran, Caoimhe Curran and Sarah Curran. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorAt the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left. Sarah John, Jemi John, Jebin John, John Cherian and Breda Murphy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left. Michael Roche, Sinead Roche, Michael Roche and Jane Kissane. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left. Eoin Barrett, Michael McNabb, Sarah Finnan, Kate O’Neill, Abigail Graham, Chelsea Haughey, Mutaz Almusawi. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
At the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left. Seamus, Grace, Alan and Helen McLoughlin. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorAt the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left, in front: Carla and Leona Stack. Back: Luke Stack, Aoife O’Sullivan, Eleanor Stack and Robert Stack . Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left. John Hanafin, Tina Walsh, Leanne Hanafin and Lucy Foley. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorAt the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left. Breda O’Donoghue, Sheila O’Neill, Dermot O’Neill, Katie O’Neill, Kathleen O’Sullivan and Michael O’Sullivan. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorAt the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left. Amber Sugrue, Vera Sugrue, Raymond Sugrue, Caoimhe Sugrue, Eva Sugrue, Mary McAuliffe and Ross Sugrue. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorAt the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left, front: Thomas White, Alexandra Gadong, Aisling Williams, Billy Donovan, Veronica Heaslip. Back: Leah Corcoran, Conor McGrath and Sinead Ryle. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorAt the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were, from left. Robbie and Georgina O’Sullivan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
.Kerins O’Rahillys senior team managers, Micheál Quirke and Morgan Nix, with the trophies that will be presented after the 10k run on Sunday.
KERINS O’Rahillys will have a very special guest to present medals at their 10k event this coming Sunday.
“We honoured to announce that we will have the great grandson of “The O’Rahilly” John O’Rahilly with us for the day on Sunday to present the medal commemorating his great grandfather to all of our race finishers,” said a spokesperson at the club.
“We are also delighted to be able to announce that legendary marathon runner and native Tralee man John Griffin will be our official race starter for our 10K. John famously won back to back Dublin city marathons in 1988 and 1989. He has many honours under his belt and also many miles. We are very honoured to have him on the day,” said the club.
The run starts at 10am. You can still register for the event on Run the Kingdom’s website or at the club, Saturday 12-8pm and Sunday 8-9am.
ARE you a published writer? Well then, this might be of interest to you.
Kerry County Council, in partnership with the Arts Council of Ireland, is seeking a Writer in Residence as part of its Artist Engagement Programme for 2016.
Previous Writers in Residence included Galway’s Maire Holmes, and Tralee’s Noel O’Regan.
The residency this year is themed to focus on Kerry from 1916 – 2016 and the theme can be explored through a wide range of possible approaches, in both the writer’s own work and the groups and individuals that they mentor or assist.
‘‘The writer in residence is always a very popular residency with the people of Kerry – there is a strong tradition of writing in the county and a great love of the written word’’, says Kate Kennelly, Arts Officer with Kerry County Council. ‘‘The old saying that everyone has a book in them is certainly true in Kerry.’’
Applicants are welcome from published writers who have experience in hosting workshops and mentoring emerging writers.
If you would like to be considered, the closing date for receipt of applications is 4pm on March 10, 2016.
More information can be found at www.kerrycoco.ie or from the arts office at arts@kerrycoco.ie or you can phone 066 7183541.
.Manager Frances Clifford with Monica Fitzell and Kerry CIS board member Billy Mullins.
A TRALEE women was among the volunteers from Citizens Information honoured at a recent awards ceremony for five and 10 years voluntary service to their community.
Board Member Billy Mullins and Manager Frances Clifford presented awards to Monica Fitzell from Tralee Citizens Information Centre (CIC), Denis Lane from Listowel CIC, Maureen Long, May McCarthy and Donough Spillane from Killarney CIC for 5 and 10 years’ service.
Frances Clifford said; “We are very proud of the fact that a lot of people volunteer with us for many years. Volunteers contribute so positively on so many levels. We are very appreciative of the time they selflessly give to assisting others. We simply could not provide the service without them.”
Monica Fitzell said; “The comradery of working within a welcoming team of like-minded people, the challenge of learning new information and the sense of doing something which is of value to the community are some of the reasons why I volunteer with Citizens Information in Kerry”.
Volunteers are a key part of the service and work along with a small number of paid staff to deliver information, advise and advocacy to the community.
Those who have used the service have commented that without the professional support of the Citizens Information team they would not have been able to access their rights or deal with the issues which were paramount to them. Last year Kerry CIS responded to over 19,000 callers and over 26,000 queries.
At present Kerry CIS are seeking to recruit new volunteers to join their existing teams across the county. Anyone interested should contact the Tralee office on T: 0761 07 7860 or E.: tralee@citinfo.ie and ask for an application form and additional information.
.Enda Kenny gets to know Conor and Ben Stack with Enet’s Conal Henry. Photo by Gavin O’Connor. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
THE Taoiseach was in Ballyseedy Home and Garden Centre on Friday morning to launch a rural broadband network as part of the The National Broadband Plan.
“The National Broadband Plan is an essential component of the Government’s plan to keep the recovery going by providing the necessary infrastructure for economic growth and job creation” said the Taoiseach.
On arrival at Ballyseedy the Taoiseach, chatted with members of staff along with Minister Jimmy Deenihan and TDs Arthur Spring and Michael Healy Rae.
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It wasn’t all welcomes for Enda Kenny though. About a dozen or so Right2Water protesters were situated on the main road entrance to Ballyseedy Home and Garden. The protesters held up anti-water charges placards on arrival of the Taoiseach.
The Taoiseach launched broadband network Enet who hope to deliver 1 Gigabit-per-second broadband to homes in North Kerry.
“I am pleased to launch enet’s fibre broadband network for North Kerry today which is a welcome service for this part of the country which, like much of rural Ireland, has been lagging behind for too long” he said.
There are four retail service providers – Bbnet, Kernet, Permanet and Ripplecom – offering broadband services to the householders over enet’s network.
Other service providers are also expected to start offering services to local householders and businesses in the coming weeks and months.
At Ballyseedy Home and Garden Centre to the Taoiseach were, from left: Grace O’Donnell (Fine Gael), Nathan McDonald (Ballyseedy Home and Garden Centre), Enda Kenny, Bernie Falvey (Ballyseedy Home and Garden Centre) Conal Henry (Enet), Minister Jimmy Deenihan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.The Taoiseach Enda Kenny speaking at in Ballyseedy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Minister Jimmy Deenihan, Noel Healy TLI Group, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Derek Tobin TLI Group at the Fibre to the Home launch in Tralee on Friday.
FORMER St Brendan’s Park player Jesse Stafford Lacey will be part of the Republic of Ireland’s U18s Schoolboys squad taking on Scotland in Killarney on April 14.
Stafford Lacey, who currently plays with Limerick FC’s U19s, is the only Kerry player on the squad for the Centenary Shield series.
The Republic of Ireland will also play Wales, Northern Ireland and England in the u18 internationals.
The Ireland U18’s are a development side which is often used to give the best young players in the SSE Airtricity League continued experience in international football.
.Lauren Tuite’s painting which impressed judges in the Sightsavers Junior Painter of the Year Awards.
A PUPIL from St. Brendan’s National School, Fenit, has been recognised as one of Ireland’s best young painters after her entry into the Sightsavers Junior Painter of the Year Awards 2016 impressed the judges.
Lauren Tuite’s painting, entitled ‘Nobody’s Homeless’, was inspired by this year’s theme ‘Imagine 2030’, and is the winner of the Highly Commended Certificate in the 5th/6th class category.
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Through the theme ‘Imagine 2030, children were asked to create artwork showing what they think the world will look like in the year 2030.
Competition was tough as ever with thousands of children from 200 primary schools across the country entering the popular annual arts competition.
The competition has grown over the last seven years and gave the children the chance to learn about Sightsavers important work in preventing avoidable blindness and restoring sight for millions in the developing countries.
One of this year’s judges, Artist and Director of Arts and Disability Ireland Padraig Naughton, said: I believe it’s a great way for children to learn about how people live with a disability, both here in Ireland and in developing countries around the world, by using their wonderful imaginations to create an exciting piece of art. We’ve had some amazing entries and it was no easy task to pick these regional winners.”
Well done to Lauren on impressing in such a competitive competition.
If you’d like to find out more information about Sightsavers, you can visit their website at www.sightsavers.ie
.Tralee Chamber Alliance CEO Kieran Ruttledge, Jim Garvey of Garvey Group and Brendan Kennelly of Kerry’s Eye at the CEED event in the Solas Building in IT Tralee on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
OVER 70 family businesses were represented at the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (CEED) Family Business Conference in the IT Tralee on Thursday.
The event was designed to tease out what it takes to make a family business work and look at some successful second generation businesses that are thriving here in Kerry.
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The conference which was titled ‘Design -Plan – Succeed – The Guide to a Successful Transition for Your Family Business, and was organised in association with the EU funded TRADEIT Food Producer Support Network and Tralee Chamber Alliance.
Attendees got the opportunity to learn from thought and family business leaders on their experience of family business, sharing insights and top tips for success during Q&A sessions throughout.
One of the day’s highlights included a panel of local second generation businesses who discussed their experience when taking on the family business and how design, planning and innovation is essential for success. These businesses included The Garvey Group, Ballygarry House Hotel & Spa, C.H. Chemists and Kerry’s Eye.
Twenty-five conference participants also took part in a ‘Design Thinking’ workshop led by Steve Conlon founder of Design Marketing Management to ensure they were armed with the necessary tools to plan for the future of their business and beyond.
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.Lisa O’Carroll, Kerry LEO and Jennifer Scanlon, Coco Boutique in Listowel at the CEED event in the Solas Building in IT Tralee on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean.John Paul O’Connor of Sásta Sausages and Bernice Hoffman of Dowlings Tralee at the CEED event in the Solas Building in IT Tralee on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Melanie Harty, Harty’s Foods, Breeda Hurley and Mairead Hurley, ABC Cleaning at the CEED event in the Solas Building in IT Tralee on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Michael Gleeson from Trade IT and John Crean, Park South Farms at the CEED event in the Solas Building in IT Tralee on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Josie O’Donnell, O’Donnell’s Bakery, Killorglin and Aine O’Dwyer, O’Dwyer’s Mace, Camp, at the CEED event in the Solas Building in IT Tralee on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanMary B Teahan, Irish Drain Services, Brian Looby, Peregreen Energy, Sean Buckley, The Arbutus Hotel, Killarney, John McEnery, JMac Office Solutions and Donal O’Sullivan, Cleaning Doctor, cleaning and restoration at the CEED event in the Solas Building in IT Tralee on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Kate Counihan of Dan Counihan Orthodontists and John Edwards, Wild Water Adventures at the CEED event in the Solas Building in IT Tralee on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanCarol Collins IT Tralee and Noreen O’Mahony, Kerry County Council at the CEED event in the Solas Building in IT Tralee on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
.David Broderick and Roksana Jaglowska at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
MERCY Mounthawk students are currently in the midst of a sell-out run of their latest production in Siamsa Tíre.
Around 70 students in all are involved in the cast an when we visited just before curtain-up on Wednesday night, they were busily preparing for the opening performance.
“We do a musical or play every year, and this year happens to be a musical one,” said Principal of Mercy Mounthawk, John O’Roarke, backstage in Siamsa.
“The team meet at the beginning of the year and they choose which show to put on. It’s wonderful to see it sell-out and shows the reputation the shows have built up over the years. It’s fantastic that people are supporting us,” he said.
Hundreds showed up to see the transition year students – with a mixture of students from other years – tread the boards and do director, Tony Behan proud.
We were there to take some images of the participants and the audience present.
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.Sean Carmody, David Corkery, Sam Boyle, Darragh Clarke and Pierce O’Brien going through last minute preparations at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean.Ryan O’Sullivan and Eleanor Feeley getting ready at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanSome of the cast, in front; Promise Ekwuhama, Lauren Murphy, O’Sullivan, Lauren Barrett and Unity Ankomah. Back from left; Olivia Moriarty, Lauren Griffin, at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean.Cast members Allie Parker and Jane Doyle at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean.Cast members Ian Dillane and Sally O’Mahony at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanDiarmaid Barry, Mark Moloney, Patrick O’Donnell, Cillian O’Brien, Josh Maguire and Robin Porter at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean.Alex O’Meara, Julia Swigon and Jack Duggan at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanLauren Lenihan and Shauna Conway at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Ciara O’Connor, Rachel Deasy and Maura Daly at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanMichaela Chester, Emma O’Carroll, Rachel Bowler, Meabh Buckley, Ava McCarthy, Emma Ryan and Avril Fitzgerald at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanAva Kelliher and Michael Everett at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanChloe Hogan and Katie Ryan at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanEileen O’Sullivan, Geraldine O’Sullivan and Una Harmon at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanAidan Davis, Diarmaid O’Connor, John Holmes and Arhum Rana at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanGeorgia Twomey, Keela Hughes and Kelly Mahony at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanEmer and Catriona O’Neill at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanMegan O’Donnell and Tamila Khussainova at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanMargaret Lowe, Eric O’Brien and Tina O’Brien at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanJune Noonan and Linda Butler at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot CreanDirector Tony Behan gives last minute instructions to cast members at the opening night of Mercy Mounthawk’s production of Les Miserables at Siamsa Tíre on Wednesday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
.Kerry fans will see plenty of the country this year. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
THIS year’s Allianz National Football League has thrown up four away fixtures for the Kingdom.
That means the travelling Kerry support will clock up some serious mileage.
2,576km to be exact and 30 hours on the road in total.
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It’s a good job petrol and diesel prices are plummeting, because there wouldn’t be a whole pile left in the kitty following excursions to and from Dublin, Mayo, Down and Monaghan.
There will have to be a full day’s eating in the sandwiches as well, so hopefully ham and brown sauce prices remain steady.
A breakdown of mileage and travel time for the four away games (round trip).
Jan 30, Croke Park, Dublin
309 km 6 hrs 36 mins
Feb 28, Páirc Esler, Newry
400 km – 8 hrs 18 mins
Mar 13, McHale Park, Mayo
268 km – 7 hrs 16 mins
Mar 27, St. Tiernach’s Park, Monaghan
321 km – 8 hrs 44 mins
To put it into perspective the combined distance to and from all of Kerry’s away fixtures in the league is almost the equivalent of driving from Tralee to Barcelona (2,403km).
Sometimes it’s worth pointing out how far away we really are way from all the other major football counties. Bar one notable exception, Kerry is surrounded by mainly hurling counties and the majority of our opposition is from the midlands up.
There are people who will actually make all of these journeys. Some incredible dedication or madness, whichever way you look at it.
Kerry’s first match in the Allianz National League is this Saturday against Dublin in Croke Park at 7pm. Match will be live on Setanta.
Stephen O’Brien aims for a score in last year’s National League game, while Dublin’s, Philly McMahon, Tomas Brady and Darren Brady look on. Photo by Dermot Crean.
JUST eight of Kerry’s 2015 All-Ireland Final side are named in the starting 15 for Kerry’s Allianz National League opener against Dublin in Croke Park this Saturday at 7pm.
Three Kerins O’Rahilly’s men feature in the team that will look to get one back on Dublin after the disappointment of last September.
Tommy Walsh gets a chance to impress in the full-forward line alongside Barry John Keane while David Moran starts again in midfield.
Kerry are without a number of key players for various reasons.
Colm Cooper (shoulder), Aidan O’Mahony (eye), Anthony Maher (hip), James O’Donoghue (shoulder), Paul Geaney (back), Kieran O’Leary (Achilles), Mikey Geaney (back), Marc Ó Sé (rested), Kieran Donaghy (basketball) and Bryan Sheehan (club).
Brian Ó Beaglaoich of An Ghaeltacht, who won an All Ireland Minor medal in 2014, makes his League debut at corner back.
Philip O’Connor from Cordal gets his first National League start also having been introduced as a sub in a number of league games last season.
Kerry v Dublin will be shown live on Setanta
The team, captained by Killian Young is as follows:
1. Brendan Kealy, Kilcummin
2. Brian Ó Beaglaoich, A Ghaeltacht
3. Mark Griffin, St Michaels/Foilmore
4. Shane Enright, Tarbert
5. Paul Murphy, Rathmore
6. Killian Young, (C) Renard
7. Fionn Fitzgerald, Dr Crokes
8. David Moran, Kerins O’Rahillys
9. Johnny Buckley, Dr Crokes
10. Stephen O’Brien, Kenmare
11. Darran O’Sullivan, Glenbeigh-Glencar
12. Donnchadh Walsh, Cromane
13. Barry John Keane, Kerins O’Rahillys
14. Tommy Walsh, Kerins O’Rahillys
15. Philip O’Connor, Cordal
Subs
16. Brian Kelly Killarney Legion
17. Jonathan Lyne Killarney Legion
18. Padraig O’Connor Killarney Legion
19. Pa Kilkenny Glenbeigh/Glencar
20. Brendan O’Sullivan Valentia
21. Jamie O’Sullivan Killarney Legion
22. Gavin O’Grady Glenbeigh-Glencar
23. Paul O’Sullivan Valentia
24. Marcus Mangan Milltown-Castlemaine
25. Tom O’Sullivan Dingle
26. Conor Cox Listowel Emmets
.Ireland Women’s captain Niamh Briggs with fellow international skippers Sara Barattin, Rachel Taylor, Sarah Hunter, Gaelle Mignot and Lisa Martin.
FOUR Trelee women have been picked in the Ireland 6 Nations squad it was announced this afternoon.
Tralee RFC’s Zoe Grattage, Ciara Griffin and Ciara O’Connor and Ruth O’Reilly, who plays her rugby with Galwegians, were named in the squad of 30 that will defend Ireland Six Nations crown.
The Tralee RFC trio have yet to gain a full international cap.
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Ruth O’Reilly who plays for Galwegians and Connacht, but is from Ballyroe, played a part in Ireland Six Nations championship win last year.
All four have been named in the forwards.
The Ireland Women’s squad, will play their home matches at Donnybrook this season.
They will open their campaign at the Dublin 4 venue when they face Wales on Saturday, February 6.
The side will also take part in a double header in Twickenham when they play England directly after their male counterparts on Saturday, February 27.
.Peggy Fitzgibbon, Mary Fitzgibbon and Sinead Fitzgibbon from Kenmare, with TV3’s Aisling Ni Choisdealbha at the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day launch 2016.
THE Irish Cancer Society has called on the Kerry public to volunteer as support on Daffodil Day is needed more than ever.
The event, which takes place on March 11, raises money for the Irish Cancer Society’s free nationwide services for those with, and affected by, cancer in Ireland.
Daffodil Day is the biggest and longest running fundraising event for the society, which is Ireland’s national cancer charity.
Each year, thousands of volunteers around Ireland sell pins and flowers. To raise much needed funds, the pins and flowers are sold on the street, in businesses, homes and shopping centres.
The charity is looking for more volunteers to contribute, big or small, to the day.
AS if you hadn’t noticed already, it’s pretty windy out there today.
Well it’s about to get worse as Storm Gertrude arrives tonight.
Met Eireann has issued a Status Orange Wind Warning for Kerry from midnight tonight to 9am tomorrow morning.
Southwest winds later veering westerly will increase 65 to 80 km/h overnight and will gust 110 to 130 km/h at times. The strongest winds mainly in northern and western coastal areas.
The other counties affected are Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Dublin, Longford, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, and Waterford.
A TRALEE standup will perform his first hour long show in the renowned Whelans venue in Dublin next month.
It’s a big stepping stone for Oakpark man Ronan Grace, who has been honing his craft in the capital for the past eight years.
Clocking up on average 100 shows a year, his comedy has featured on RTE’s Republic of Telly and its Comedy Shorts series of sketches.
Traleetoday.ie caught up with Ronan for a chat about the new show, funny Tralee people and chips.
“I thought I’d be more anxious about it,” said Ronan Grace.
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“I’m really happy about what I’m going to do, most of it is done so I’m feeling confident about the whole thing. I’m glad I took it on and I should have done it sooner.”
The show, ‘I Think I’m Here Now’, will see Ronan meander through the many “different failures” of his life, tied together with a love of traditional chips.
“I do about 20 minutes on what has happened to the modern chip. It doesn’t sound funny, but when people hear it they really get it!”
“Now, when looking at a restaurant menu you see ‘pomme frites’ or ‘patatas bravas’ or ‘loaded potato skins’. All of this started with wedges, which are really just a spicy chip. It’s all gone a bit ridiculous. I just want a nice plate of chips,” he said.
“The show is a bit of a rant. Stand-up is a good way of getting things off your chest. I think I’m at my funniest when I’m at my angriest.”
Though Dublin is now very much Ronan’s base, the Oakpark native still appreciates the humour of his home town.
“It is a very funny town. There is so many funny people, they are so quick and just basically funny. For a town that has produced so many hilarious characters, there doesn’t seem to be too much uptake for stand-up. Tralee people are probably too smart to do it, they realise it’s a big ball of s**t in terms of a career!”
“I always thought it was because, if you were in town and were to say ‘I’m a comedian’ that’s kind of like saying ‘I’m funnier than the rest of you’ and Tralee is not a good town to stick your head above the parapet!”
‘I Think I’m Here Now’ is on Thursday, February 11, in Whelans, Wexford Street, Dublin.
Here he is featuring in a Republic of Telly sketch recently.
