.
Aidan O’Mahony, Timmy O’Dowd, Mick Galwey and Alan Kennedy at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE sun shone down on the walkers and runners at an event to remember a much-loved John Mitchels stalwart on Friday evening.
The Robert O’Dowd Memorial Walk/Run drew a crowd of 650 people, the most for an event of its type for quite some time in Tralee, as they took off from the Aquadome on the 5k/10k route.
There were some high profile participants among them, including Liverpool FC legend Alan Kennedy, rugby’s Mick Galwey, John Leahy of Tipp hurling fame and Aidan O’Mahony.
Alan Kennedy, a two-time European Cup winner with Liverpool, spoke on the phone with Robert before he passed away earlier this year and was delighted to come over to support the event.
Continued below…
.
Organiser Eoin Kelliher, speaking later that night at an event in Benners Hotel, said he was overwhelmed with the response and thanked the whole of Tralee for their support.
“It’s unreal. I know deep down Robert is looking down with pride tonight. He would have loved every bit of it. He is sorely missed but he’s with us all the way and whenever there’s a difficult time in the GAA family we always rally around,” he said.
The event was held as a fundraiser for Kerry Hospice so thousands of euro was raised for the palliative care unit where Robert received amazing care during his illness.
The after party at Benners drew a huge crowd and saw a very entertaining panel of sports legends in Alan Kennedy, Mick Galwey, John Leahy and Aidan O’Mahony talking all things sport. Scroll down for photos…
Marie Hickey, Jean O’Sullivan, Eileen Brennan, George and Joan Glover at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
The sporting greats with organising committee members at Benner’s Hotel after the Robert O’Dowd Memorial Walk/Run.
Kate O’Dowd and Jean Connors with ‘Stephen’ at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
.
Stephen Walsh, Dan O’Connor and Mark McEvoy at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Dan McCarthy, Anna Marie Ward and Giles Hoffman at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Some of the participants at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
.
Roisin Kearney, Anne Condon and Breda Nolan at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Bogna Kuleszewsz and Tracy Moriarty at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Bridget Moynihan, Grace Healy and Claire Galvin at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
.
Isabel Ryan and Eoin Porter at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Tommy Horan and Jack Moriarty at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Cllr Toireasa Ferris, Mags Kissane and Jennifer Kissane at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
David Griffin with Alan Kennedy signing a Liverpool shirt for Nick Lacey with Timmy O’Dowd at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Kerins O’Rahillys brigade Trish Moran, Frank O’Connor, Ger Moran, Dolly Molloy, John Nix, Philip O’Connor and Catriona O’Sullivan at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Loran White and Fiona O’Connor at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Tim O’Keeffe, Michelle Greaney, Aidan O’Mahony and Martin Allen at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Aidan O’Mahony, Timmy O’Dowd, Mick Galwey and Alan Kennedy at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mike Griffin and Sean Kissane at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Andrea O’Donoghue, Cllr Terry O’Brien and John Creagh at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Setting off on the 10k at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Taking off on the 5k at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Taking off on the 5k at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Taking off on the 5k at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Taking off on the 5k at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Taking off on the 5k at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Taking off on the 5k at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Taking off on the 5k at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Taking off on the 5k at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Taking off on the 5k at the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k Run/Walk from the Aquadome on Friday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
