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St Paul’s set for nostalgic return to Pres gym

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National League: Division 1
Scotts Lakers v Ulster University Elks
Saturday at 7.30pm
Pres Gym

 

Saturday night will be filled with nostalgia for Killarney sports fans as National League basketball returns to the Pres Gym for the first time since 2008.

With Scotts Lakers’ usual home venue, the Aura, being used as a general election count centre, St Paul’s had to find an alternate court for Saturday’s clash with Ulster University and the decision to return to the Pres is sure to prove popular with locals.

St Paul’s first played at the facility on the grounds of St Brigid’s Secondary School in the eighties and over the years it has been the site of some of the greatest moments in the history of Killarney basketball.

 

[caption id="attachment_30144" align="alignnone" width="781"] John Teahan in action for St Paul's/Kerry Spring against the Dublin Bay Vikings in the Pres Gym in October 1998. Pic: Eamonn Keogh.[/caption]

 

“The Pres Gym opened in 1984 and the Gleneagle Killarney team played National League games there from 1984 to 1987,” St Paul’s PRO Eamonn Keogh explains. “St Paul’s, playing under the Revelles and Kerry Spring banner, played senior National Cup and league games there from 1992 until 2000.

“With the formation of the Gleneagle Lakers, many National League matches took place at the INEC during the noughties, while some fixtures also went ahead at the Pres Gym until 2008.”

Coincidentally, this weekend’s fixture comes almost 25 years to the day from one of the most memorable games in the club’s storied history.

“On Saturday, February 11, 1995, St Paul's Killarney enjoyed an incredible 105-104 win over Sligo All-Stars after double over-time,” Eamonn recalls. “It was 86 points each at the end of normal time and 96 each after the first over-time.

“Match MVP Terry Smith gave a monumental performance with a huge 36 points while his American colleague Greg Ford also added 36. The team was coached by the charismatic Joe Coughlan and they also had outstanding displays from local players Pat O'Shea, Brian Clarke, Cormac O’Donoghue and James Fleming.

“Over 700 supporters filled the Pres Gym that night and the victory guaranteed promotion to the Super League.”

St Paul’s are hoping for a big crowd again this Saturday night as Killarney basketball makes its return to one of the town’s favourite sporting venues.

 

Main pic: The St Paul's/ Kerry Spring team from 25 years ago that defeated Sligo All-Stars 105-104 in the Pres Gym on February 11, 1995. Back: Brian Clarke, Joey Sheehan, Terry Smith, Greg Ford, Caoimhín O'Donoghue, Cormac O'Donoghue and Joe Coughlan (coach). Seated: Gerard Coughlan (Kerry Spring), James Weldon, Pat O'Connor, James Fleming and Pat O'Shea. Front: Patrick O'Connor and Tim O'Donoghue (mascots). Pic: Eamonn Keogh.

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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