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Record crowd present as Lakers host big Kerry basketball derby

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THE big Kerry basketball derby between Scotts Lakers Killarney and Keanes Killorglin drew a record crowd to Killarney Sports Centre on Saturday night and it was the visitors who emerged victorious to maintain their unbeaten record at the top of the national league table.

The Killarney venue was full to capacity long before tip-off with almost 1000 people in attendance. With Tralee Warriors also playing at home before another huge crowd, the message went out loud and clear to all other clubs that Kerry is the real hotbed in Irish basketball circles.

Following a closely contested opening half, the Killorglin side stamped their authority in the third quarter with the outstanding three-point shooting of Kevin Gray a significant factor in the victory. Gray was well supported by talented European players Daniel Jokubaitis and Ivan Bogdanovic and Killorglin’s advantage to have three quality foreign players on court at all stages throughout the match was a luxury that Scotts Lakers just did not have.

Exchanges were even from an early stage and a three-pointer from former Neptune Superleague player Ian McLoughlin helped Killorglin to a 7-4 lead after three minutes. However Killarney's Antuan Bootle was making his presence felt at both ends of the court and a three-pointer from him gave Scotts Lakers a 12-9 lead left with three minutes left.

Lakers enjoyed a very productive spell early in the second quarter racing into a 22-14 lead. Mark Greene was in outstanding form but Killorglin's foreign trio of Gray, Jokubaitis and Bogdanovic kept their side well in contention to trail 26-24 midway through the quarter. Ten points from Mark Greene in this quarter alone and notable contributions from Mihail Kapitanov and Justin Tuason maintained the Lakers challenge and it was a tied ball game at 36 points each at the half-time interval.

Not for the first time this season, it was in the third quarter where Scotts Lakers self-destruct button and capitulation kicked into force.
Killorglin duly capitalised with American Kevin Gray emerging as a real hero sinking four huge three-pointers. Gray, who actually failed to make the score-sheet in the first and final quarters, ended up with 14 points in the third quarter alone, the actual difference between the teams at the end of this period when Keanes Killorglin led 60-46.

The game looked effectively over at this stage but Scotts Lakers did manage a strong revival with Bootle, Greene, Kapitanov and Fitzgerald all hitting unanswered baskets as the home side cut the gap to trail 60-54 midway through the final quarter. However Killorglin responded well to the stop the Lakers comeback with the outstanding Jokubaitis leading the challenge. The talented Lithuanian hit 11 points in the final period to maintain a firm grip on Killorglin's advantage to eventually secure victory.

The winning margin was 11 points for Keanes Killorglin to leave them at the top of the table. Scotts Lakers, playing in their first season in the league after an absence of nearly a decade, will be anxious to get back to winning ways again after their recent losses. The Killarney side are free this weekend and are hopeful of strengthening the quality of the squad ahead of their next outing away to Letterkenny on October 28 before returning home again to Killarney Sports Centre on November 4 to welcome Galway Titans.
 


 
Above: Mark Greene, Scotts Lakers, under pressure from Daniel Jokubaitis, Keanes Killorglin, in the national league division one basketball clash in Killarney Sports Centre on Saturday night. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

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Women’s Aid highlights rising femicide figures following Killarney death

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Women’s Aid highlights rising femicide figures following Killarney death

Following the violent death of Jamey Carney in Killarney on Tuesday, national charity Women’s Aid has released a stark update regarding violence against women in Ireland.

According to the Women’s Aid Femicide Watch for the Republic of Ireland, eight women have died in violent circumstances so far this year.

This figure already exceeds the total of seven women recorded during the entirety of 2025.

Sarah Benson, CEO of Women’s Aid, said:

“Violence, abuse, and even at its extremes, death, are still a reality for many women living in Ireland. After the devastating murder of Ashling Murphy in 2022, Ireland said never again. But Ireland has not lived up to that promise.

“Since then, 40 women have died violently in Ireland. That is 40 women with lives, dreams, family, friends and communities.

“Since we started the Women’s Aid Femicide Watch in 1996, 286 women have died violently in Ireland. Every death is an outrage. An absolute tragic loss of life resulting in utter heartache and trauma for those left behind.

“We are thinking today of those who will be deeply impacted by the loss of life in Killarney. Prevention of all domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is crucial and urgent.”

“The Women’s Aid Femicide Watch shows that 87% of women (where the case has been resolved) were killed by a man known to them. We also know that in Ireland, one in three women has been subjected to domestic abuse of some kind.

“Every woman has the right to be safe in her home and in her community, and this is just not the case. We must do the work required to achieve equality and safety for all, to make Ireland a country that truly has zero tolerance for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.”

Support is available on the Women’s Aid 24-Hour National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900, or go to womensaid.ie to use the Instant Message Service or for more information on domestic violence and abuse.”

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Killarney Gardaí await post-mortem results as Muckross Road scene remains cordoned off

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Killarney Gardaí await post-mortem results as Muckross Road scene remains cordoned off

Gardaí investigating the discovery of a woman’s body at a residence on Muckross Road in Killarney are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the direction of their inquiries.

It is understood that a full murder investigation is expected to be launched.

The deceased has been named locally as Jamey Carney, an American national in her 40s and the mother of a 13-year-old girl.

The scene at the domestic residence remains cordoned off today for a full technical examination, with a visible Garda presence continuing at the location.

An incident room has been established at Killarney Garda Station under a Senior Investigating Officer. Local businesses in the area have already begun supplying CCTV footage to assisting officers.

Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser, local councillor Martin Grady expressed the deep sense of shock in the area.

“I want to offer my condolences to the family,” Cllr Grady said. “This is an awful shock to the local community. I encourage anyone to come forward with any information they may have to An Garda Síochána. Whoever committed such a crime is a cowardly person and should get the maximum penalty.”

Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone who was in the Muckross Road area between the evening of Monday, July 6 and the afternoon of Tuesday, July 7 to come forward. They are particularly appealing to road users and business owners who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from the area during those times.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

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