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.
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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…