Tag Archives: Robert O’Dowd

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Robert’s Run Raises Thousands For Palliative Care Unit

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At the presentation of the proceeds of the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5/10k event were, front, Eoin Kelliher, Sandra O’Dowd, Fiona O’Dowd and Joe Hennerbery. At back; Karl Keohane, Linda O’Connor, Ellie Laverty, Timmy O’Dowd, Michelle Greaney, Martin Dennehy, Lorraine McCarthy, Eileen Horan, Matt Moloney and Tommy O’Dowd. Photo by Dermot Crean

IT was a night when the community of Tralee came together to remember a much-loved Tralee man and the Palliative Care Unit at UHK was the big winner.

Back on Friday, August 3, around 650 people hit the road for the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k walk/run and the upshot of it all was that it raised over €12,000 for the facility that cared for Robert during his illness.

Robert was a prominent sportsman and great family man who was John Mitchels through and through. He passed away in March after a battle with cancer.

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Some high profile participants were among the runners, including Liverpool FC legend Alan Kennedy, rugby’s Mick Galwey, John Leahy of Tipp hurling fame and Aidan O’Mahony.

The sports stars also took part in a panel discussion later that night in Benner’s Hotel that drew a large crowd and proved a fitting end to the day.

Eoin Kelliher and other members of the organising committee were on hand to present the cheque for €12,070 to Joe Hennebery of Kerry Hospice on Wednesday night.

“The community of Tralee came out in force and we’d like to thank them. I want to thank the committee and the sponsors. It just shows what the people of Tralee can do when they put their mind into it. Hopefully we’ll organise another fundraiser in the future,” he said.

Joe Hennebery thanked Eoin and the committee for their efforts and said any fundraisers in aid of the unit are welcome.

Also attending the presentation were members of Robert’s family, brothers Tommy and Timmy, wife Sandra and daughter Fiona.

“We just like to thank everyone for showing up,” said Tommy O’Dowd. “It was a fabulous turnout for the run and the event in Benner’s and we want to thank them for their kind donations to the unit.”

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PHOTOS: Incredible Turnout For Walk/Run To Remember Robert O’Dowd

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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.

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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…

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
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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
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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
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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
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Liverpool FC Legend To Walk In Memory Of Late John Mitchels Stalwart

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Looking forward to the Robert O’Dowd Memorial Walk were, front from left; Mary O’Dowd, Fiona O’Dowd, Sandra O’Dowd, Ciara O’Dowd, Mary O’Shea and Mary Shanahan. Back from left; Aileen Foley, Jordan O’Shea, Jean Connors, Joe Hennebery, Trevor O’Shea, Tommy O’Dowd, Timmy O’Dowd, Andrea O’Donoghue and Bláthnaid Buckley. Photo by Dermot Crean

A LIVERPOOL FC legend won’t be walking alone when he joins friends and family of the late Robert O’Dowd at a special event during the August Bank Holiday weekend

Alan Kennedy, who scored the goal to win the 1981 European Cup final for Liverpool against Real Madrid, will fly over for the Memorial 10k Run/5k Walk on Friday, August 3. Kennedy also scored vital goals in League cup finals and scored the final penalty for Liverpool in the shootout against Roma in 1984 to win another European Cup final.

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Alan Kennedy.

He will then be interviewed later that evening at a post event barbecue party in Benners Hotel where he’ll be joined by rugby legend Mick Galwey and former Tipperary hurling star John Leahy, while Seamus Moynihan will also make an appearance.

Robert O’Dowd of Lee Drive and formerly of Marian Park, passed away in late April after battling for some time against cancer.

Speaking at the launch of the event, Robert’s wife Sandra said she was touched by the kindness of Robert’s friends who are organising the run which is in aid of Kerry Hospice as Robert spent time in the palliative care unit during his illness.

“Robert was a big Liverpool fan so it’s great to have Alan Kennedy there. Hopefully there’ll be a big turnout. Everyone in the palliative care unit was fantastic to Robert,” she said.

The walk/run takes place at 7pm and will start and finish at the Aquadome.  The 5k Walk is €10 and the 10k Run is €20 to register. There are prizes for the first three home in the male and female categories.

There will be post race refreshments and a barbecue afterwards at Benner’s Hotel from around 9.30pm. You can register online for the walk/run by clicking here or on the Friday evening before the walk/run from 5pm to 6.30pm.

Robert O’Dowd

Coming from a well-known Boherbee family, Robert was hugely popular in the community and was a keen sportsman, playing with John Mitchels, at Juvenile, Minor, U21 and Senior level.

He was a member of the Mitchels U21 team that won the County Championship in 1983 and played with the Mitchels Senior team at half back from 1982 to 1990, after which he emigrated to the US. After returning he also managed the Junior team that won the Molyneaux Cup in 2011.