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Killarney fondly remembers the Memory Man

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IT IS hard to believe that he has gone to his eternal reward. He was so full of life which belied his 82 years. We thought he would go on forever. I first met Jimmy Magee in the Fitzgerald Stadium in the mid-80s, where recently retired Kerry players lined out against the Jimmy Magee All Stars.

These All Stars came from the world of show business. Such household names from the showband era as Brendan Bowyer, Dermot O’Brien, Butch Moore, Dickie Rock and Father Brian D’Arcy traded the stage for the football field and lined out for Jimmy Magee in venues all over Ireland. After the match they went to the local dance hall providing entertainment on their night off from the ballroom. In this way the match and the subsequent music raised a very considerable amount of money for charity where no one was paid any fee.

I met him many times in the intervening years and was always glad to meet him to enjoy his infectious good humour and that roguery with the twinkle in his eyes.

JOHN TREACY
His interest was sport in so many codes and he loved to have the freedom to capture those seminal points of so many great sporting occasions. His description of John Treacy coming down the last few hundred metres in the Los Angeles Olympics was and continues to be the icon that perpetuates that very special moment in world athletics. He was so delighted to praise the great Irish women in sport, Katie Taylor, Sonia O’Sullivan and Michelle Smith. Despite all the controversy involving Michelle Smith’s doping allegation he backed her to the hilt. He was an expert on such a wide variety of sport and his recall was legendary. Tony O’Donoghue, his colleague in RTÉ Sport, summed him up well: “In the days before Google and Wikipedia Jimmy Magee was the Internet.”

OUR LAST MEETING
Little did I think that the last time I met him in Croke Park that it would be our last meeting. He spanned six decades of sport and brought his own charm to the events he was covering and to think that the seeds were sown in Willie Lowe’s garden in County Louth. He told me that was where it all started for him. He was born in New York but moved to Ireland when he was very young. He recalled the soccer games he played with his friends in Willie Lowe’s back garden. Using the handle of a brush for a microphone he learned the rudiments of giving a live commentary. Then he pestered Radio Éireann with pleas to give him a job as a sports broadcaster. He had plenty refusals but he persisted and eventually they relented and gave him a job. He never looked back and spent 60 years broadcasting on boxing, his favourite sport, cycling and the annual Tour De France, world Cups and so many Olympic games,

PAUL, RIP
The premature death of his son Paul to Motor Neurone Disease hit him hard. He was a talented soccer player with several clubs including Shamrock Rovers and was also a broadcaster; He also told me he missed his wife Marie, who died in 1989. This caused a great void in his life. His resilience kept him going.
Like his hero the great Maradona, Jimmy was a different class, a class apart. It was an honour to have known him. Duine faoi leith ab ea Jimmy. Go gcutítear a shaothar leis.

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New, smash-hit comedy play by Killarney Theatre Company

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A new comedy play by Glengariff playwright Ray O’Sullivan will come to Killarney next month as part of a regional tour.

Robbed! will be staged at the Gleneagle Club on Saturday, February 7, at 8.30pm, presented by the Killarney Theatre Company.

The production is the group’s fifth in a popular series of homegrown plays and follows the success of The Rise and Rise of the Healy-Raes, A Papal Blessing, Weight Watching and Stones.

The play centres on a failed GAA player who finds himself caught in a series of misunderstandings involving relationships, bingo balls and a robbery that quickly spirals out of control.

As events unfold, nothing goes to plan and the situation descends into chaos.

Rehearsals have been ongoing since October and the cast includes Ray O’Sullivan himself alongside Rosie Healy and DB O’Connor. Robbed! is O’Sullivan’s fifth full-length play and is expected to attract strong audiences across the tour.

Tickets cost €15 and are available from Ray O’Sullivan on 087 2279657 or from the Gleneagle on 064 667155.


The tour begins in Scartaglen Hertiage Centre on January 17, The Ivy Leaf Theatre Castleisland, on January 29, The Glen Theatre Banteer on January 31, Foilmore Community Centre Sunday February 1, Killorglin CYMS, February 5, Abbeydorney Community Centre February 12 and Bantry Westlodge Hotel February 21.

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Kerry FC take unusual step with Killarney friendly

By Luke Managan Kerry FC took the unusual step of playing a pre-season friendly in Killarney during the week as they faced local club Killarney Celtic in a match organised […]

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By Luke Managan

Kerry FC took the unusual step of playing a pre-season friendly in Killarney during the week as they faced local club Killarney Celtic in a match organised to raise funds for Palliative Care.

It marked a rare appearance in the town for the county’s League of Ireland side and drew strong local interest.
Kerry started brightly and were ahead within the opening minutes, setting the tone for an open and competitive contest. Their early pressure was rewarded again in the 21st minute when Ballyduff native Sean McGrath doubled the lead. The game was played at a high tempo, with both sides creating chances and enjoying spells of possession.
Luke Doolan was central to Kerry’s play throughout the first half, linking defence and attack and providing energy in midfield. Kerry continued to threaten down both flanks, while Killarney Celtic responded with a series of corners and set pieces, delivered with pace into the penalty area.
Celtic reduced the deficit in the 25th minute with a well-taken free kick from just outside the box, bringing the score back to 2–1 and lifting the home support. Kerry responded in the 36th minute with a powerful strike to restore their two-goal advantage, but Celtic continued to press and were rewarded again shortly after. Debutant goalkeeper Harry Halwax produced an excellent save, with the ball coming back off the crossbar, but the rebound was turned in to make it 3–2.
Kerry looked unsettled for a brief spell as Celtic pushed forward, but just before half-time Doolan struck again with a composed finish to give Kerry a 4–2 lead at the break.
The second half saw Kerry take greater control of the game, keeping possession well and limiting Celtic to crosses from wide areas. While the home side increased their physical approach, the match remained free of disciplinary issues. Kerry made several changes in the 78th minute, including the introduction of Daniel Okwute, who impressed last season.
Halwax was forced off through injury and replaced by Killorglin native Darragh Foley, who settled quickly. Kerry added a fifth goal late on to seal a 5–2 win, though Killarney Celtic continued to compete until the final whistle.
After the match, both Okwute and Foley spoke positively about the season ahead, expressing confidence in the squad and belief that Kerry FC can challenge any opponent.

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