Tag Archives: Review 2014

Entertainment, News

REVIEW 2014: The News From December

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And finally, here’s the news we brought you in December…

Brian Carlin
Brian Carlin.

• At the beginning of December we told you about a Tralee man who was involved in a shipwreck while taking part in the Volvo Ocean Race.

Brian Carlin from Cloghers, a member of Tralee Bay Sailing Club was with the Danish crew Team Vestas Wind when their vessel hit a reef in the Indian Ocean 300 miles north of Mauritius. The crew had to be rescued and brought to a nearby island and all are safe and well. (click here)

• AFTER an 18 year-long wait for work to begin on a new National School in Blennerville, the day finally came on Monday December 1.

A brand new two storey school will be built on a site next to O’Shea’s Texaco in the village. Planned as a 60 week project, it is hoped pupils and staff will be in the new school by Christmas 2015. (click here)

Continued below…

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rsz_john_foley_77_from_williamstown_co_galway_collected_a_cheque_for_€350000_at_national_lottery_offices_in_dublin_today_006• A BLENNERVILLE native won €350,000 in the Lotto Plus 1 draw last Wednesday and said he’d share his winnings with his children.

John Foley (77), now living in Williamstown, Co. Galway, his daughter Annette Keegan and son Timothy Foley celebrated winning €350,000 at National Lottery offices in Dublin. (click here)

•  SECONDARY school teachers in Tralee joined their comrades all over the country in the one day strike on December 2 over changes to the Junior Certificate.

Thousands of students attending Presentation, Mercy Mounthawk, CBS The Green, Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí and Coláiste Gleann Lí had a day off as members of teaching unions walked the picket line outside the schools. (click here)

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• A FORMER footballer of the year, an inspirational youth movement leader and one of our most well-known landmarks, featured in a video that showcased the astonishing skill of hurling.

And it was all to promote a new organisation which is the brainchild of a Derryquay native, Eamonn Sayers. (click here)

• On December 5, the death took place of the former Independent Deputy for Kerry South, Jackie Healy Rae.

The 83 year old Kilgarvan man had been ill for some time and died in Kerry General Hospital. A post on his son Michael’s Facebook page read: “It is with a sadden heart that I have to inform people of the passing of my father, my friend and my mentor Jackie Healy Rae. May he rest in peace.” (click here)

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Roundy McEllistrim.

• There was more sadness as one of the legends of Irish handball passed away.

Tom ‘Roundy’ McEllistrim from Ballymac, who won several All-Ireland titles in an illustrious career which spanned decades, passed away on Sunday morning, December 7. He was 75. (click here)

• THE building which currently accommodates The Kerryman newspaper and AIB offices sold on December 9 at auction for €960,000. This was €85,000 over the reserve price.

The tenants will not be affected by the sale. It was one of three Tralee properties sold at an Allsop Auction at the RDS Dublin. (click here)

• There was more tragic news when a woman died in a car crash on December 13 at  Ballincrossig Cross near Lixnaw. She was 50 year old Catriona Dowling (nee Boyle) of Ballyduff.

Originally from Dublin, but living in Kerry for many years, Mrs Dowling, a mother of three, was a German teacher in Presentation Secondary School in Tralee. (click here)

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Timothy V Murphy.

• Timothy V Murphy’s stock continued to rise when it emerged he had scored a role in the hugely popular HBO drama ‘True Detective’ alongside fellow Irish man Colin Farrell.

Murphy, a native of Oakpark, is currently filming in LA playing Russian gangster Osip Agranov in the series. (click here)

• And finally, in December, after taking nearly six months to reach the 1,000,000 page view mark on TraleeToday.ie, we achieved our second million in just two months.

On October 8 we passed the magic million mark and on December 8, we went over 2,000,000 views from 190,000 users according to our Google Analytics data.

One wonders what January and indeed the rest of 2015 will bring…

Entertainment, News

REVIEW 2014: The News From November

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Continuing our Review of 2014, here’s what we brought you in November…

stacks_celeb_4• AUSTIN Stacks ended a 20 year barren spell without a senior county championship title in emphatic style against Mid Kerry in Killarney on November 2.

With the light dimming, captain Barry Shanahan lifted the Bishop Moynihan Cup to signal that the biggest prize in Kerry football would be back on the Rock once more. (click here)

protest_pic_2• Sinn Fein Deputy Martin Ferris told a huge crowd in Tralee that he will suffer any consequences, including prison, rather than pay a cent to Irish Water.

The Kerry North/West Limerick politician was speaking in the Square after the protest march in Tralee in which over 3,000 people took part in appalling weather conditions. (click here)

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• There was tragic news when two teenagers, from Tralee and Killarney, lost their lives in a road accident near Glenflesk in the early hours of November 1.

Sixteen-year-old Dylan McCarthy from Cois Coille in Tralee and 17-year-old Anthony Battles from Hazlewood Drive, Ballyspillane, Killarney died when their car hit a ditch on the Killarney side of Glenflesk village. (click here)

• TRALEE Chamber Alliance and the retailers in the town welcomed the decision to introduce free parking in the afternoons  in Tralee during December.

On-street parking and parking in Kerry County Council-operated car parks were free from 1pm-6pm, Monday to Sunday from December 1-31. (click here)

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• THE 28 year-old man accused of the double murder in Killorglin last year,was found guilty in Tralee on November 6.

Aurimas Andruska had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jolanta Lubiene and Enrika Lubyte at their home at 9 Langford Downs, Killorglin on June 16 last year. The 27 year old mother and her eight year old daughter were stabbed to death. (click here)

• THE builder who won €500,000 in a Euromillions draw checked his ticket and immediately went off for a few pints with the ticket still in his back pocket.

The Kerry man who bought a €6 Quick Pick in Spar Express, Castlemaine Road in Tralee on November 4, claimed his prize at National Lottery Headquarters in Dublin and wished to remain anonymous. (click here)

• DRUGS worth over €175,000 and a handgun and ammunition were found in Fenit and Barrow in two searches carried out by gardaí in the early hours of November 8.

As part of an ongoing operation into the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Kerry area gardaí  seized a firearm, drugs and made three arrests. (click here)

• THERE was a double stabbing in Monavalley on November 11.

A 47 year old man and his 18 year old son were stabbed. Their injuries were not  life-threatening an a man was later arrested and charged in relation to the incident. (click here)

• We brought you a video of Austin Stacks and Ballincollig fans on the streets of Tralee before the Munster Club Semi-final in which The Rock side won. The video was later picked up by every online media outlet from The Irish Times to Joe.ie. (click here)

• THERE was tragic news when a woman died in the car accident in Manor West Retail Park on November 18.

60 year old Geraldine Murphy, of Ashleigh Downes, a former teacher at Presentation Primary School died when she was struck by a car at the retail park. (click here)

• THERE was great news from Hollywood that Tralee man Timothy V Murphy, is set to have the lead role in a new TV series where even his character is from Kerry.

The actor from Oakpark, is set to star as Fr Babbot in ‘Holy Roller’, a series which is currently in development. (click here)

• WE gave you the heart-warming story of a Tralee mother got a shock when her son came back from Australia after three years and surprised her at her workplace.

Susan Curran was working in Cassidy’s Restaurant at the time when her workmates, who were in on the surprise, concocted a story to get her upstairs where 21 year old son Daniel was waiting.(click here)

Kieran Donaghy and Daniel Bohane celebrate after their Munster final victory. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kieran Donaghy and Daniel Bohane celebrate after their Munster final victory. Photo by Dermot Crean

• Austin Stacks bridged a gap of 38 years to win the Munster Club title on November 30.

There were great celebrations in Pairc Ui Chaoimh when Barry Shanahan lifted the cup after the Tralee side beat Waterford champions The Nire by 3-5 to 2-4. (click here)

Entertainment, News

REVIEW 2014: The News From October

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Continuing our Review of 2014, here’s the news from October…

• WE reported early in October that drugs with an estimated value of €16k were found in the Ballyseedy area.

Members of the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit, acting on confidential information, uncovered the suspected amphetamines weighing over a kilo, in an area of woodland on the outskirts of town, near a popular walking and jogging spot. (click here)

• Tommy Walsh  confirmed that was leaving the Sydney Swans and coming home to Tralee.

The former Kerry star told Sydney Swans TV he was leaving and returning to Ireland at the end of 2014. (click here)

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Galvin Joe• It was revealed that Paul Galvin was appointed the new style editor for men’s lifestyle website Joe.ie

The former Kerry player was appointed to give style tips to Joe.ie readers the length and breadth of the country. (click here)

• We told you the story of a young Tralee woman who enjoyed the trip of a lifetime when she flew with her family to New York courtesy of the Make A Wish Foundation.

Abbie O’Sullivan, from Ballyseedy, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes four years ago and the 16 year old Mercy Mounthawk student stayed in a beautiful mid-town Manhattan hotel, two blocks from Times Square. (click here)

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• A Tralee Municipal District councillor said that a meeting should take place with members of the GAA county board about the lion’s share of big Kerry games being allocated to Killarney.

Sinn Fein Cllr, Pa Daly, brought up the issue at the October monthly meeting  and said he would like councillors to meet with board officials about the issue. (click here)

Tralee Central Hotel
Tralee Central Hotel

• It was announced in October that the Tralee Central Hotel in Maine Street was now under the ownership of Boyle Brothers.

According to a spokesperson for the company, it’s hoped the hotel will re-open in March 2015 following significant refurbishing and rebranding. (click here)

• It as revealed that former Tralee town councillors shared over €111,000 in retirement gratuities according to figures released by Kerry County Council.

The six who receive the payments are Ted Fitzgerald (FF) €52,623; Johnnie Wall (FF) €28,851; Pat Hussey (FG) €16,650; Gillian Wharton-Slattery (Lab) €13,667; Mairead Fernane (FG) €8,316 and Dan Galvin (Lab) €5,154. (click here)

• We brought you the story of how aerial archive images of Tralee have recently been made available to view on the website, ‘Britain From Above’.

The photos, which were taken in 1933, give a fascinating insight into what Tralee looked like 81 years ago. (click here)

• There was more good news on the sporting front when it was announced that Kieran Donaghy and fellow Tralee man David Moran had won All-Stars.

Legion’s James O’Donoghue, as expected, also won an All-Star as well as Kenmare’s Paul Murphy and Laune Rangers Peter Crowley. (click here)

Kieran Donaghy, bares down on goal against Mid Kerry.
Kieran Donaghy, bears down on goal against Mid Kerry in the county final drawn match. Photo by Oscar Brophy

• Austin Stacks and Mid Kerry played out a draw in Austin Stack Park in the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry SFC final.

They would have to do it all over again in Killarney on November 1. Of course the Rockies fans created an incredible atmosphere on the day. (click here)

Stephen Griffin 2• Veteran athlete Stephen Griffin enjoyed a happy 58th birthday when he came first in the Over 55s category in the Dublin City Marathon.

And the Blennerville man dedicated his feat to his late friend and St Pat’s GAA stalwart, Tony O’Donoghue, who died in September. (click here)

 

 

 

Sport

REVIEW 2014: Ten Sporting Moments To Remember (Part Two)

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Part two of our look back on 10 significant sporting stories we covered around over the past eight months. (click here for part one)… 

Billy and Darren Dennehy put pen to paper for Cork City before the 2014 season. Photo by Cork City FC.
Billy and Darren Dennehy put pen to paper for Cork City before the 2014 season. Photo from Cork City FC.

The Dennehy Brothers Star For Cork City

In a county not in short supply of famous GAA siblings, the two Dennehys, Billy and Darren, have been blazing a trail for soccer success from the county. After Billy was released from Shamrock Rovers last season he signed with Cork City and met up with his brother.

The Tralee men were instrumental in Cork City’s charge for the Airtricity League title this year which went right to the final day against eventual winners Dundalk. Billy, was Cork’s dead ball specialists and netted an impressive 13 times in 2014.

The Rockies Fans Take Over Tralee, Killarney and Cork

The Rock’s famous support  were loud, proud and colourful all through their side’s incredible campaign. What drew most attention was the ritualistic marches to the stadium which were picked up by the national media.

It now isn’t just Stacks fans who want to see these supporters in Dublin on St Patricks Day.

Continued below…

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 Kieran Donaghy and David Moran Win All Star Awards

You have to go back all the way to 1985 to find the last time two Tralee men picked up All-Star awards in the same year. Back then it was Mikey Sheehy and Ger Power while, interestingly enough, Kieran Donaghy’s uncle Plunkett, also won one playing for Tyrone.

The fact that both Kieran and David didn’t start the quarter final against Galway make the awards even more remarkable and shows the huge effort both men put in.

Austin Stacks County and Munster Championship Success

No one predicted they would get this far. The narrative at the beginning of the county championship was that Crokes were unstoppable. Stacks seized on the opportunity of the Killarney men being knocked out and improved with every passing game, so much so, they now are only  two games away from the ‘holy grail’ of club football.

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The Austin Stacks team and supporters unite in celebration after ending a 20 year long wait for the Bishop Moynihan Cup. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Sam Comes Back To Denny Street

Is there a better sight in this town than Sam making its way down Denny Street?

After five years in the wilderness, one of the Kingdom’s most regular visitors was back among an adoring public once again in Tralee. It was the most special homecoming since ‘the famine’ ended in 1997. There was  electricity in the air that night when the town came together, united as one to cheer on our famous footballers.

Entertainment, News

REVIEW 2014: The News From September

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Continuing our Review of 2014, here’s the news we brought you from September…

• September began with the disappointing news that a volunteer with the Tralee Red Cross had €3,000 worth of his belongings stolen from his van while doing work for the Red Cross.

The theft took place from Sean O’Callaghan’s vehicle which was parked outside the Red Cross building in Killerisk while he was volunteering for the organisation. (click here)

Anthony O'Gara
Anthony O’Gara.

• THE Chief Executive of the Rose of Tralee International Festival  hit out at critics of the event in a strongly worded open letter in September.

Anthony O’Gara defended the festival and the Roses from what he saw as “zealous, angry, if perhaps, misguided social commentators” and said our festival is “by a country-mile the best festival in Ireland”. (click here)

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• We brought you the amazing video of a bicycle kick goal scored in Mounthawk.

Scored by Gintaras Paketuras, the ‘worldie’ came in a pre-season friendly match between Tralee Dynamos senior team and Limerick City U19. (click here)

Roisín Murray from Camp is in the safe hands of James O'Donoghue at the Kerry Supporters Open Day at Fitzgerald Stadium on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Roisín Murray from Camp is in the safe hands of James O’Donoghue at the Kerry Supporters Open Day at Fitzgerald Stadium. Photo by Dermot Crean

•  Kerry fans got a chance to wish their heroes well for the All-Ireland final at the supporters open day at Fitzgerald Stadium in early September.

A crowd of more than 1,500 people turned up at the famed venue and  left happy as the players signed jerseys, posed for selfies and chatted with fans just two weeks before the match with Donegal.

• There was great news  in September as Tralee retained its Gold Medal status in the Tidy Towns competition.

Tralee got 303 marks, an increase of five from their 2013 mark of 298. (click here)

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• A bid from IT Tralee to buy Kerry Technology Park was rejected in September.

The bid, thought to be in the region of €3m, was turned down by Shannon New Co., the body which replaced the Shannon Airport Authority and Shannon Development. (click here)

• We brought you reports and photos from the big match in Dublin as Kerry were crowned All-Ireland champions for the 37th time. (click here , here and here)

• Of course, when there’s an All-Ireland victory, there’s inevitably a homecoming and in Tralee it was one of the biggest ever. We were there to capture the atmosphere. (click here )

• We also told you about John Dowling, the Ardfert man who tore up his ‘ticket’ for the All-Ireland so that his club would receive €2,000 from AIB. It ended well thug. (click here)

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Jack O’Connell.

• We also told you about the latest Kerry celebrity fan, Jack O’Connell, who is currently in the cinemas playing the lead role in World War 2 drama ‘Unbroken’.

O’Connell was born in Alvaston, Derby in the UK and his father, John Patrick O’Connell hailed from Kerry. (click here)

• There was fantastic news on September 26 when it was announced that Tralee won the Gold medal, the highest award possible, in the Entente Florale Europewide competition.

Tralee was the Irish representative in the international competition established to recognise municipalities and villages in Europe for excellence in horticultural displays. (click here)

Be brave Marc...Kerry star Marc O Se gets some moral support from Ogie Moran and Eoin Liston while being waxed at the 'Kerry GAA Stars Lovely Legs Competition' at the Fels Point Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Be brave Marc…Kerry star Marc O Se gets some moral support from Ogie Moran and Eoin Liston while being waxed at the ‘Kerry GAA Stars Lovely Legs Competition’ at the Fels Point Hotel  back in September. Photo by Dermot Crean

• Kerry’s great GAA stars felt the pain as they had their legs waxed for a great cause in the Fels Point Hotel, eventually raising €20,000.

Hosted by RTE’s Miriam O’Callaghan, the ‘Kerry GAA Stars Lovely Legs Competition’ was a fantastic occasion attended by over 300 people, who made a great contribution to the Palliative Care Unit at Kerry General Hospital. (click here)

News

REVIEW 2014: The News From August

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Continuing our Review of 2014, here’s the news we brought you from August…

• We reported that the Entente Florale judges were very impressed with the town when they visited.

“It was a great success. It’s very hard to judge because we had 12 different adjudicators from 11 different countries, but we had a very impressive programme for them,” said Kerry County Council Tourism Officer, John Griffin. (click here)

Roxy with her 'Nose of Tralee' sash. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Roxy with her ‘Nose of Tralee’ sash. Photo by Dermot Crean.

• We told you about Roxy the talking Shih Tzu, which represented Kerry in ‘The Nose of Tralee’ national pet competition.

The ‘Nose of Tralee’ was an online competition being run by ‘Pet Sitters Ireland’, so Roxy and her owner, Maria O’Carroll were asking for your votes to fire Kerry to glory once again in a national arena. (click here)

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• Tralee milliner, Carol Kennelly, added another feather to her cap,  when the acclaimed designer won the Best Dressed Lady competition at the Dublin Horse Show.

Carol won the competition in a dress designed by another Kerry woman, Tina Griffin, from Killorglin and of course, her own headpiece. (click here)

Sean O'Sullivan with Rory McIlroy.
Sean O’Sullivan with Rory McIlroy.

• Tralee Golf Club President Gerard O’Sullivan got a nice surprise when the world’s number one golfer Rory McIlroy sent him a video message via Facebook, thanks to his nephew, Sean O’Sullivan

“It was a lovely gesture,” said Gerard.  “I haven’t seen it myself yet, but I’ve been getting loads of text messages, mainly slagging me!” he said. (click here)

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• We reported on the euphoria of Leaving Cert students as they received their results after an agonising wait. (click here)

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Glamorous ladies at the Rose Ball.

• We brought you all the glamour from the highlight of the social calendar in Tralee, the Rose Ball.

The  €125 a head event kicked off the Rose of Tralee festival. (click here, and here for the photos)

Rose of Tralee 2014, Maria Walsh, in the Rose Garden in the Town Park on Wednesday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Rose of Tralee 2014, Maria Walsh, in the Rose Garden in the Town Park. Photo by Dermot Crean

• Maria Walsh from Shrule in County Mayo was crowned 2014 Rose of Tralee.

Representing Philadelphia, the 27 year old, just after it was announced by Daithi O Se, said: “It was very surreal. I don’t think it’s hit me. I’m extremely blessed to be representing them all [the Roses].” (click here)

• The Ice Bucket Challenge swept the country during the summer and we brought you many videos of the soakings from schools, pubs and businesses. (click here)

• Many families in town were struggling to cope with the costs of sending their children back to school according to St Vincent de Paul in Tralee.

With uniforms, schoolbooks and stationery, the costs can be crippling according to the charity group. (click here)

• Kerry won an epic battle against Mayo to claim a place in the All-Ireland Final. It took two games but the Kingdom prevailed thanks to fantastic performances from  James O’Donoghue and Tralee’s dynamic duo of David Moran and Kieran Donaghy. (click here and here)

 

 

 

 

Sport

REVIEW 2014: Ten Sporting Moments To Remember (Part One)

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We look back on 10 sporting stories we covered around Tralee over the past eight months, that were significant in different ways (part 2 tomorrow)… 

Ultan Dillane, in the green of Ireland at underage level.
Ultan Dillane, in the green of Ireland at underage level.

 Ultan Dillane Makes Senior Debut For Connaught

Former Tralee RFC  youth player, Ultan Dillane, was selected in the Connacht squad which faced Leinster in their Pro12 clash in the RDS on December 19.

Growing up only minutes from the Rugby Club in Ballydunlea, Ultan is now the second player from Tralee to make it in the professional game. The other player being former Munster winger, Danny Barnes.

The 21 year old has made all the right noises coming through the ranks, picking up caps for Ireland u18 and u20 sides and turning out for Munster youths.

He came on with over 20 minutes to go and played well on the night. Let’s hope he continues to impress.

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Members of Tralee Rugby Club and Sisters Laura and Emer O'Mahony played on opposite teams in the Inter-Pro final between Munster and Connacht on in Tralee Rugby Club. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Members of Tralee Rugby Club and Sisters Laura and Emer O’Mahony played on opposite teams in the Inter-Pro final between Munster and Connacht on in Tralee Rugby Club. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

Inter-provincial Final Comes To Tralee Rugby Club

On the eve of the All-Ireland final this year, Tralee Rugby Club hosted the Interprovincial Senior Ladies Final between Munster and Connacht. The Inter-pro final featured seven players who play for Tralee Rugby Club across both sides, with Connacht in fact having four players drawn from the Tralee club.

There was also the novelty of two sisters, Laura and Emer O’Mahony, from Ardfert going up against each other for national honours.

Park FC U16’s Make History

Last May, Park FC U16 became the first ever Kerry team to play in a National Cup ‘A’ final. Unfortunately they lost the final 2-0 to one of the institutions of Irish soccer, St Kevin’s Boys of Dublin.

The Park’s National Cup final appearance brought a great buzz to Christy Leahy Park  and provided something to build on for future  Kerry soccer teams.

The St Brendan's Park under U16 Squad that will play The National Cup A Final against Na Fianna this Saturday in Dublin front from left: Carl Mullins, Stefan Okunbor, Segeun Duyile, Luke Moynihan, Jamie Clifford, Fergal Ryan, Ferdia O'Brien. Back row from left: Graham O'Sullivan (Manager), Sean Collins, Emmanuel Abubaker, Conor Hurley, John Carroll, Sam Tarrant, Simon lonergan, Gary Howard, Tommy Lynch, Kieran Carmody, David Magee. Players missing in the photo, but will also travel are, Andrew Phillips, Jesse Stafford Lacey, Gearoid Savage and Alan McElligott. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
The St Brendan’s Park under U16 Squad that travelled to play in The National Cup A Final against St Kevin’s Boys back in May. Front from left: Carl Mullins, Stefan Okunbor, Segeun Duyile, Luke Moynihan, Jamie Clifford, Fergal Ryan, Ferdia O’Brien. Back row from left: Graham O’Sullivan (Manager), Sean Collins, Emmanuel Abubaker, Conor Hurley, John Carroll, Sam Tarrant, Simon lonergan, Gary Howard, Tommy Lynch, Kieran Carmody, David Magee. Players missing in the photo, but also travelled were, Andrew Phillips, Jesse Stafford Lacey, Gearoid Savage and Alan McElligott. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

John DowlingArdfert Man Tears Up His All-Ireland Final Ticket

A Youtube video of  an Ardfert footballer went viral in the days after the All-Ireland Final. John Dowling, who is a teacher in Mercy Mounthawk, tore up his All-Ireland final ticket in order to win €2,000 for Ardfert GAA.

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Tommy WalshTommy Walsh Is Coming Home

2014 was pretty much an annus horribilis for Kerins O’Rahilly’s, the Strand Road team narrowly avoided relegation from senior status after they lost both games in the championship.

The news that one of their most famous sons was returning was music to the ears of the Blues’ faithful, who had suffered quite enough for one year.

News

REVIEW 2014: The News From July

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Continuing our Review of 2014, here’s some of the news we brought you back in July…

• On July 1, we told you about the first All-Ireland title won by the John Mitchels GAA Club with their Under 14 side victorious at the Féile competition in Galway.

The Under 14 side won five games on the way to the final where they were victorious against Kilkenny side, Dicksboro (click here)

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Barry O’Shea.

• We spoke to Barry O’Shea of Kerins O’Rahilly’s who called for an end to county championship football being played in the summertime.

The club was  rocked by the departure of 11 players from the senior panel going to America to work and play football for the summer. (click here)

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• John McCarthy of B Mobile in The Square, the town’s only Ticketmaster agent, told us about the Garth Brooks fiasco and how he was dealing with a lot of disappointed people. (click here)

• It was decided in early July that the new Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Jim Finucane, would get an annual allowance of €12,000.

Sinn Fein Cllr Toireasa Ferris proposed that a figure of €2,000 would be more appropriate.(click here)

rsz_fenit_lighthouse• A spate of vandalism in Fenit and damage to the lighthouse there, prompted some residents to call for the Garda station to be reinstated.

Locals were horrified when it was discovered that vandals had smashed windows and gained entry to the lighthouse where they caused more damage to the interior. Then, the following weekend, tyres of vehicles were slashed on the pier. (click here)

Continued below…

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Tara Talbot 2• A former Rose of Tralee is to star with Kylie Minogue and Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, in a Hollywood blockbuster action movie.

Tara Talbot, who won the Rose title in 2011,  landed a role a new action film called ‘San Andreas’ which has a $100m budget and was being filmed in her hometown of Brisbane and on the Australian Gold Coast. (click here)

• Na Gaeil man, Michael Griffin, was in the news again when he got World Cup winner, Mesut Ozil, to sign his GAA jersey after the final whistle of the biggest game in the world. (click here)

• July 24 was a big day for the Cotter/Kirby families as the Brogue Inn opened its doors again. The Rock Street institution closed in April 2013, but is now back in business. We gave you a peek at what the interior looked like on the morning it opened. (click here)

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Cllr Toireasa Ferris, Martin Ferris TD and Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan at the Sinn Fein organised demonstration against the bombing of Gaza on Saturday in the Square. Photo by Dermot Crean
Cllr Toireasa Ferris, Martin Ferris TD and Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan at the Sinn Fein organised demonstration against the bombing of Gaza in the Square back in July. Photo by Dermot Crean

• There was a huge turnout for a protest against the bombing of Gaza in the Square in late July.

The Sinn Fein-organised demonstration saw about 300 people gather with Palestinian flags and placards protesting against the IDF bombing of civilians in Gaza. (click here)

• It was revealed in July that  the Tralee bypass is now set to cost more than double the original estimate.

In a presentation of an audit of Kerry County Council’s finances at the July monthly meeting, it was found that the builders of the bypass, Bam Construction, had originally estimated the cost at €30m but it is now seeking €76m from the local authority. (click here)

 

GAA

PHOTOS: Telling The Big GAA Stories Of The Year Through Pictures

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WE’VE been taking photos at the big GAA games since TraleeToday.ie went live in April. Here we look back at some of the images we took, which tell the big stories of the year…

Continued below…

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• It’s amazing to think now that back in May, while Austin Stacks were taking on Milltown/Castlemaine in a first round club championship replay, this was the state of play for Kieran Donaghy.

In two short months the star went from roaring encouragement from the sidelines with his shoulder heavily strapped to reviving his glory days and Kerry’s season.

The injured Kieran Donaghy shouting encouragement to the players from the sideline on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
The injured Kieran Donaghy shouting encouragement to the players from the sideline. Photo by Dermot Crean

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• You have to all the way back to May 12th to find the last time Austin Stacks lost a match. They found it tough away to Dingle in the club championship without the services of Kieran Donaghy and Daniel Bohan.

At this point in the year, what would follow for the Rock looked very unlikely.

Matthew O'Flaherty in possession against Austin Stacks is one of the four Kerry minors playing with Dingle. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
Action  from the Dingle V Austin Stacks game in May. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin.

• If ever a photo could some up Kerins O’Rahilly’s season it’s the one below. The blues found it tough in 2014 after losing 13 players from the start of the season.

As a result O’Rahilly’s were left fighting for their senior status having lost both championship matches they played in against South Kerry and Feale Rangers.

What might have been...Kevin Walsh despairs after driving a shot on goal wide of the post from close range in the first half of the Kerins O'Rahilly's V Feale Rangers game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean. Photo by Dermot Crean
What might have been…Kevin Walsh despairs after driving a shot on goal wide of the post from close range in the first half of the Kerins O’Rahilly’s v Feale Rangers game. Photo by Dermot Crean

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• The joy unparalleled…Ogie Moran and Kieran Donaghy rejoice in Limerick after an epic battle against Mayo.

Legends...Ogie Moran and Kieran Donaghy celebrate after Kerry beat Mayo in Limerick on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Legends…Ogie Moran and Kieran Donaghy celebrate after Kerry beat Mayo in Limerick  in August. Photo by Dermot Crean.

• While decked out in Strand Road blue in Limerick, David Moran announced himself as one of the finest midfielders in the country.

Through his own trials and tribulations over the last few years, sustaining two cruciate injuries, he had beaten the odds while Kerry beat the bookies and were in another All-Ireland final.

With his teammate and father alongside him, this photo sums up his delight.

Well done son...Ogie Moran congratulates his son David after Kerry overcame Mayo in a dramatic All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Well done son…Ogie Moran congratulates his son David after Kerry overcame Mayo in a dramatic All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

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• Barry John Keane made it matter when called upon during the championship campaign, none more than with his introduction against Mayo in the replay where he won two extremely important frees that helped  Kerry to victory.

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Barry John Keane in action against Mayo in the replayed All-Ireland semi-final back in August. Photo by Dermot Crean

• Paul Geaney shoots and scores in the early stages of the first half of the All-Ireland final to help Kerry on their way to number 37. The goal was one of the few glimpses of quality in a tactical dog fight against Donegal.

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He shoots…
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…he scores. Paul Geaney’s face tells what the goal means to him. Photos by Dermot Crean

• After securing another All-Ireland title there was nothing left todo but celebrate. The town saw one of its greatest homecomings ever. It was truly a night to savour.

Fans gather at the top of Paddy Mac's Pub in The Mall. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Fans gather at the top of Paddy Mac’s Pub in The Mall during the homecoming. Photo by Dermot Crean.

• Three townies and one ‘blow-in’. David Moran, Barry John Keane, Kieran Donaghy and Marc Ó Sé take in the crowd on Denny Street.

Three townies and one blow-in. David Moran, Barry John Keane and Marc O'Se take in the crowd on Denny St. Marc O'Se who now lives in Tralee later remarked that this year's homecoming was one of the best moments in his career. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Photo by Dermot Crean.

• It wasn’t long before Donaghy was out of Kerry green and gold and into Stacks black and amber. Here he is causing havoc in the Dingle defence in the county championship semi-final.

Pandemonium in the square as Dingle struggle to deal with Donaghy in the semi-final. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Pandemonium in the square as Dingle struggle to deal with Donaghy in the semi-final. Photo by Dermot Crean.

• Mid Kerry were the Rock’s opponents in the county final played in a terrific atmosphere in Tralee. Both sides would have to go again the following week the game finishing in a draw. Austin Stacks 1-13 Mid Kerry 2-10. The photo below was taken just after Kieran Donaghy scored a goal in the drawn match.

Shane Carroll and Stephen Stack, celebrate, Kieran Donaghy's, goal with fans last Sunday. Photo by Oscar Brophy.
Shane Carroll and Stephen Stack celebrate Kieran Donaghy’s goal with fans. Photo by Oscar Brophy.

• Stacks didn’t hang about in the replay in Killarney. They blitzed Mid-Kerry in the first 15 minutes making the rest of the game a bit of a procession.

There was plenty of time for the Rock fans to soak it all in and enjoy bringing the Bishop Moynihan Cup back to Connolly Park for the first time in 20 years.

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Barry Shanahan and friends celebrate after the county final win in Killarney. Photo by Dermot Crean

• So into the Munster campaign the Stacks went, having to deal with a sturdy test against Cork champs Ballincollig. A

After sustaining a bit of a rattle in the first ten minutes and having to playt extra-time, The Rock eventually prevailed. The continued development of youth is one of the reasons Stacks achieved so much this year, chief among them, Shane O’Callaghan and Greg Horan.

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Shane O’Callaghan testing the Ballincollig defence. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Austin Stack's, Greg Horan, is one for the future. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Austin Stacks Greg Horan is one for the future. Photo by Dermot Crean.

• In the Munster Final, 14 man Stacks beat Waterford champions, The Nire, in a tough physical battle, where in truth the Rock had a bit more class to see it out.

Barry Shanahan climbed the steps for the final game in Pairc Ui Chaoimh to lift the Munster cup.

Will the elder of the Shanahan brothers have more steps to climb in 2015?

Captain Barry Shanahan celebrates with the Rockie fans. Photo by Dermot Crean
Captain Barry Shanahan celebrates with the Rockie fans after the Munster final. Photo by Dermot Crean
Entertainment, WHAT'S ON

REVIEW 2014: Our Movie Guy Picks His Films Of The Year

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TraleeToday.ie’s movie reviewer, John Lyons, looks back on the year in film…

Seeing as this is the last article of the 2014, it’s only fitting to do a top ten list. It’s been a pleasure writing these reviews for the website throughout the year, I look forward to it every week and I’m deeply grateful to all of you who read them.

2015 is right around the corner and having looked at the film calendar for the following year, I’m happy to say that there’s something interesting in release almost every week.

Thank you all for your continued support. Enjoy the rest of your Christmas and I wish you all a Happy New Year.

Continued below…

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12 years 312 YEARS A SLAVE

As horrific as it is true, as harrowing as it is uncompromising, and as tragic as it is powerful, ‘12 Years a Slave’ packs a devastating emotional punch.

Steve McQueen’s historical drama goes to great lengths to realistically depict the atrocities committed in the Antebellum South. Chiwetel Ejiofor’s magnificent performance elevates the film to a whole new level.

And Solomon Northup’s story is quite simply unforgettable.

‘12 Years A Slave’ is not just a bitter pill for America to swallow, it’s filmmaking at its finest.

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Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo in "Begin Again"BEGIN AGAIN

My favourite film of the summer was also, unfortunately, the most overlooked.

Even though on paper this may look like an Americanised copycat of ‘Once’ (after all it is from the same director), ‘Begin Again’ explores similar themes but quickly ventures into different territory.

It’s a wonderfully engaging musical fable about two lost souls who bond over their mutual love of appreciating and making music, as well as their failed love lives.

The characters are incredibly vivid, the music is fantastic, and the story has a beautiful, layered structure.

An enchanting, captivating tale of redemption.

rsz_boyhoodBOYHOOD

In what was unquestionably the crowning cinematic achievement of the year, director Richard Linklater cast Ellar Coltrane as the six-year-old star of ‘Boyhood’ in 2002, and filmed him every year for the next twelve years.

‘Boyhood’ chronicles Ellar’s journey from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood.

The impracticality of the idea is so daunting that the fact that ‘Boyhood’ is actually as great as it is, instead of a sloppy mess, is nothing short of miraculous.

But what’s more impressive is how Linklater has managed to successfully make a film that features time as the main character.

The must-see film of the year.

gone-girlGONE GIRL

Gillian Flynn’s bestseller ‘Gone Girl’ gave Director David Fincher a story that allowed him to do what he does best — craft a masterfully constructed psychological thriller.

‘Gone Girl’ is a delicate balancing act between the unraveling of a marriage and a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

The film changes gears, subverts expectations, strikes a constant tone of unease, and consistently keeps the audience on their toes.

All of this culminates in a phenomenal suspense thriller that does nothing short of making your stomach churn and your blood boil.
Precisely as intended.

Guardians 2GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

This should not have worked. All the ingredients pointed towards certain disaster.

“Let’s get a director, who has only directed two low-budget dark comedies, to follow-up ‘The Avengers’ with a superhero movie featuring a walking tree, a talking raccoon and the chubby guy from ‘Parks & Rec’.”

This is the kind of insane decision that would normally result in someone being fired.

But somehow ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ ended up being the most fun and most beloved film of the year.

Nothing has come closer to changing the public’s perception of the modern Hollywood blockbuster since Chris Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight’.

HerHER

In a medium that’s fuelled by recycled ideas, ‘Her’ is a true original.

Spike Jonze’s unique futuristic take on an intimate romantic story seems more emotionally relevant than most modern romance films.

Joaquin Phoenix effortlessly carries the film on his shoulders with his quiet, lonely, bittersweet performance as writer Theodore Twombly.

And Scarlett Johansson’s voice-only role as Samantha has more depth and dimension than most characters in recent cinema.

‘Her’ is thought-provoking, heartbreaking, and bursting at the seams with originality.

Interstellar 2INTERSTELLAR

The biggest film of 2014 was also the most ambitious, and we’ve come to expect no less from Christopher Nolan.

Nolan’s majestic space exploration is epic, emotional and ethereal, sometimes all at once.
The story, the setting, the characters, the visuals, and the journey are, when combined, such a massive vision that it’s almost incomprehensible.

Yet ‘Interstellar’ manages to take it’s big, bold ambitions and translate them to screen in what can only be described as an exhilarating, unparalleled cinematic experience.

The-Lego-Movie1THE LEGO MOVIE

In the wrong hands, ‘The Lego Movie’ could’ve ended up being another ham-handed, money-grubbing adaptation of a popular children’s toy with no artistic merit whatsoever.

But thankfully, Philip Lord and Chris Miller never seem to be the wrong men for the job.

And in their trustworthy and ambitious hands, they managed to turn ‘The Lego Movie’ into something extraordinary.

It’s beautiful, moving, intelligent, and the most outstanding animated film of the year.

roger_ebertLIFE ITSELF

Oddly enough, the best documentary of the year is not one that’s attempting to shine a light on a largely ignored controversial topic.

Instead, ‘Life Itself’ intricately tells the story of the life of famed American film critic, Roger Ebert, as well as his final months and deteriorating health.

‘Life Itself’ is a love letter to movies. It’s a meticulous exploration of a man’s personal life, his growing pains, and the profound impact that he had on others.

But most astonishingly, ‘Life Itself’ is a beautiful memorial to a man whose life and legacy deserves to be celebrated.

wolf 1THE WOLF OF WALL STREET

Excess. Greed. Addiction. Lust. Scorsese.

This expertly assembled film not only acts as a fantastic companion piece to Goodfellas, but it’s almost like a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart.

Jordan Belfort’s career as a criminal stockbroker on Wall Street is as shocking and relentless as it is addictive to watch. At times ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ comes dangerously close to simply being a glorified cesspool of money, power and drugs.

But somehow in the midst of all the chaos, Scorsese manages to illustrate that a gluttonous craving for power is nothing short of repulsive.

‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ is pure cinema. It’s the most entertaining, energetic and enthralling film of the year… and by far my favourite film of 2014.

Follow John Lyons on Twitter on @FireInTheLy0ns

News

REVIEW 2014: The News From June

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Having a great time excavating on Fenit beach was Siun Mulhall Crowley. Photo by Gavin O'Connor
Having a great time excavating on Fenit beach was Siun Mulhall Crowley. Photo by Gavin O’Connor

IN June the sun was out and people were tuning into watch the World Cup. Here are some of the stories we covered over the course of the month…

• Over 300 cyclists set off on the Kingdom Sportive Alliance Tour of Kerry. They came from all over Kerry and far beyond to take part in the three day event which is now in its second year. Click here.

• Exams were in full flow in June, we spoke to Leaving and Junior cert students about how well they coping. Click here.

• Local actor, Tim Landers, was thrilled in June when he appeared in the opening scene in episode 8 of the most recent series of ‘Game Of Thrones’. Click here.

Continued below…

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• Ireland may not have qualified, but World Cup fever came to our doorstep no the less in the shape of Tralee’s Brazilian community. Click here.

• Bon Secours and Kerry General Hospital played a charity soccer in Gallowsfield to remember former work colleagues. Click here.

Micheal Griffin, from Oakpark was having the time of his life in Rio at the World Cup.
Micheal Griffin, from Oakpark was having the time of his life in Rio at the World Cup.

• One of the stories of the summer was the incredible World Cup adventure, Na Gaeil man, Mike Griffin had in Brazil. Here is our first post on his journey which includes his encounter with Diego Maradona. Click here.

• It seems a very long way away now, but the sun was out in force this summer. Here are photos of people soaking it up in Banna and in Fenit. Click here.

Continued below…

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• Here was our reaction to Kerry’s unconvincing championship first round victory over Clare. It’s interesting to see the strides which were made by the Kerry team in a few short months and how wrong we were! We did call out Paul Murphy and Paul Geaney’s quality, so that’s at least something we got right. Click Here.

• 20 years after her mother visited Tralee with the Chernobyl Children’s Fund, Alina Moza, a young Belrussian girl continues the tradition, highlighting the incredible work which is done by the group. Click Here.

• About 200 people turned up on beautiful Banna Beach evening for the ‘Celebration of Light’. The event is one of the Recovery Haven’s biggest fundraisers of the year, it’s held to give people who have been touched by cancer a chance to come together. Click here.

• Tralee Musical Society outdid themselves on Sunday afternoon when they screened a special music video tribute to a member who is suffering from cancer. Click here.

• Quite a stir was created when the FA Cup came to town for Aresnal fans to enjoy , well, we thought it was the ‘famous cup’. For a bit… Click here.

 

News

REVIEW 2014: The News From May

 

We started TraleeToday.ie in late April, so we’re going to begin our review of the news we brought you throughout the last eight months with May…

Tralee Central Hotel
Tralee Central Hotel

• THE Tralee Central Hotel in Maine Street came on the market with a guide price of €1m. The hotel, formerly known as the Abbey Gate, was run by the Carlton Hotel group from 2013 and rebranded as the Tralee Central Hotel. It closed its doors in January of this year.

• THERE was four reported suicides in south Kerry since Donal Walsh came to national prominence in March 2013, down from 28 on the previous 12 months.

The figures came from South Kerry Coroner, Terence Casey, who told Donal’s father, Fionnbar, when he met him in Killarney. Mr Walsh revealed the figures in a speech to students in the CBS The Green gym when the Cycle Against Suicide participants paid a visit to the school in early May. (click here)

• WE brought you the sad news that Liam Heffernan, who had been battling Batten’s Disease died.

His father Tony tweeted the news on the morning of May 4. Liam, from Castlemaine, suffered from the rare Battens Disease and last year lost his sight and began suffering a surge in seizures. His sister Saoirse died of the same condition, at the same age in 2010.

• WE told you about the video of Ballybunion people dancing to the Pharrell Williams hit ‘Happy’ and the media attention since it was uploaded to Youtube. At the time of the story, the video had received 5,000 views. It now has just under 120,000. (click here)

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The tyre marks on the Tralee to Farranfore road.

• BOY-RACERS were blamed for the marks on the Tralee/Farranfore road. We took pictures from  the flyover just before the Currans/Ballyfinnane turn off on the N22 between Tralee and Farranfore.

• ON May 7 we brought you the news that the €11m in funds left in the Town Council coffers will stay in the town.

Tralee Town Manager, Michael McMahon, said he has received assurances from Kerry County Council management, that these monies will remain for use in the town and were “ring-fenced” for projects in Tralee, despite the fact that the accounts will be merged with the Kerry County Council account after the abolition of the Town Council.

• A VISITOR to Denny Street caused some amusement on May 8. A duck decided to take in the sights on the street but after a chase, the feathered friend was caught and put behind bars. (click here)

• SIAMSA Tire members, past and present, enjoyed a fantastic evening of entertainment on Sunday, May 11 to mark the organisation’s first 4o years in existence.

It was particularly special for Fr Pat Ahern, the Moyvane priest, who started it all off back in 1974 and he unveiled a plaque outside the front entrance, marking the anniversary. (click here)

• FORMER Austin Stacks player Mike Finn unwittingly found himself part of a Youtube video that has gone viral around the globe.

In the video Mike, an Australian Rules player, is being interviewed on a football field (still wearing the black and amber). In the background, a man carrying a child tries to catch a ball but instead drops the infant to the ground. (click here)

• MEMBERS of Tralee Town Council came together for the last time on Monday, May 20  and it proved to be an emotional occasion, filled with laughter and tinged with sadness.

Photographs were taken and many memories shared before and after the meeting (click here)

• ON May 23 we brought you the news that a Tralee institution was to reopen in July.

Cotter Food & Catering Limited is made the announcement that the company has purchased Kirby’s Brogue Inn, Rock Street and it would continue to have strong links with the Kirby Family. (click here)

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Kerry Rose, Mary Hickey.

• KERRY’S Rose was crowned in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday, May 23. Mary Hickey was picked out of the bunch of 27 contestants. The 26 year old primary school teacher was shocked and delighted when Daithi O Sé made the announcement. (click here)

• WE brought you all the news from the Kerry County Council elections where veteran politicians Johnnie Wall and Ted Fitzgerald bowed out of politics, while Tom McEllistrim returned to the council.

Sinn Fein were the big winners though. Cllr Toireasa Ferris topped the poll for the Tralee Municipal District with 2,679 first preference votes, followed by her party colleague Pa Daly on 2,122. (click here)