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The Killarney Derby: Celtic to host Athletic under Friday night lights
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Premier A, Killarney Celtic v Killarney Athletic, Friday (7.30pm), Celtic Park
In what promises to be a typically feisty local derby, FAI Junior Cup quarter-finalists Killarney Celtic will play host to league leaders Killarney Athletic under lights in Celtic Park on Friday night.
The Hoops have already achieved a great amount of success on the national stage this season with historic wins over Ballynanty Rovers and Newmarket Celtic, and next week they play Cork City in a friendly before facing off against Janesboro in what is surely the biggest game in their forty-year history.
Domestically they’ve only played seven games in the league but have an impressive record of five wins, a draw and just one defeat. That puts them in fifth place, eight points behind near neighbours Athletic but with four games in hand.
We’ve had a solid first half of the season with Athletic and find ourselves top of the league with twenty-four points from eleven games played. We had a good 3-1 win over current champions Dingle Bay Rovers last Wednesday night so confidence is high, but we know Celtic will be an even bigger challenge. They’re still very much the team to beat in Kerry as far as we’re concerned.
Friday will be a good test of where Athletic are, while Celtic will be hoping to get a massive week or so off to the best possible start. It should be a great game.
Killarney Celtic
Possible starters: Roy Kelliher; Chris O’Leary, Jamie Spillane, Gary Keane, John McDonagh; Pa McGrath, Matt Keane; Wayne Sparling, Conor Randall, Stephen Hayes; Cathal O’Shea.
Form: WWWLL
Top scorers: Wayne Sparling (13), Cathal O’Shea (10).
Killarney Athletic
Possible starters: Brian O’Connor; Conor Farrell, Paudie O’Connor, Eanna Kavanagh, Adam Moynihan; Seán Cournane, Joe Hurley, Mike O’Donoghue, Paudie Clifford; Shane Lynch, William Courtney.
Form: DDWWW
Top scorers: Shane Lynch (11), William Courtney (10).
Last meeting: 2015/16 – Killarney Athletic 0-1 Killarney Celtic
Kilcummin Parish to celebrate golden jubilee of local church
Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Kilcummin will celebrate its 50th anniversary on June 20.
Parishioners and members of the wider community are invited to attend a special anniversary Mass to mark the local milestone. The parish will welcome Bishop Ray Browne to lead the golden jubilee celebrations.
The anniversary Mass is scheduled for 7.30pm, and refreshments will be served for all attendees immediately afterward.
Picture Caption: Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Kilcummin, which celebrates its 50th anniversary on Saturday 20th June. Photo: Sean Kelly
Donal Cremin retires from Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra
Staff at Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra in Rathmore gathered in late May to mark the retirement of long-serving teacher and former ASTI President Donal Cremin at a function held in the Brehon Hotel.
Donal had been a member of the teaching staff since the school opened in 1998, working initially as a metalwork and technical graphics teacher before transitioning into his role as a school guidance counsellor. His career in education spans several decades, including 15 years at Scoil Mhuire gan Smál in Blarney. Prior to entering teaching, he worked as a senior craftsman at the Sugar Factory in Mallow.
Throughout his career, Donal was a prominent advocate for workers’ rights within the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI). He held multiple positions within the union, including school steward, Board of Management representative, and regional representative. In 2023, he became the first Kerry person to be elected as President of the ASTI.
Outside of his professional life, Donal has been a long-standing volunteer within the credit union movement, serving in various local and national capacities over several decades.
The retirement event was widely attended by past and present colleagues. Donal was joined at the celebration by his wife Maureen and their children, Aidan, Maria, and
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