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Little Alexis gets surprise Garda visit

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MINI GARDA: Alexis O'Mahony from Woodlawn lit up when she received a visit from local Gardai and will later this year become an honorary member of the Force.

By Michelle Crean

A four-year-old little girl will be the first Killarney child to graduate as an honorary Garda after receiving a surprise house visit by the local members of the Force on Friday last.

Alexis O'Mahony from Woodlawn lit up with excitement when local Gardai paid a house call as part of their Little Blue Heroes (LBH) charity work which helps children who are ill or have special needs.

Garda Gillian Mac Eoin, Sharon Maybury, Michelle Reddy, Emmet Flanagan, John Crowley and Mark Foley called by in a Paddy Wagon and two patrol cars and handed her a Garda jacket and hat to wear.

Alexis, daughter of Steve and Teresa, suffers from Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Deficiency (PDHD) a condition that affects her ability to breakdown food to fuel the body which results in side effects that include Cerebral Palsy and epilepsy.

Her dad Steve told the Killarney Advertiser that she really enjoyed it - as did the neighbours once they knew why their estate was surrounded by Gardai.

"She was smiling right throughout when we were outside with them. She seemed to enjoy all the stimulation as she's been inside for the last few months."

Over the last few months Alexis received a number of gifts from the Gardai including an Easter egg, Gardai beanie hat, and a Tesco voucher was kindly given to her parents.

She'll later be given a specially made Garda uniform which is currently being made, her liaison officer Garda Gillian Mac Eoin told the Killarney Advertiser.

"We put on an extra small Garda jacket on her on Friday and her face just lit up as soon as did it. We're getting her little uniform made."

Gillian explained Little Blue Heroes is a lovely way to help distract children who are sick or may be going through difficult times.

"It something different for the kids to distract them. They go through enough. It's great to give them some extra special attention.

LBH are brilliant. They send toys and financial assistance to families and if the family needs anything like a Garda escort in an emergency they know we're there and who to contact."

And later this year Alexis will become a mini Garda graduate, she added.

"We don't know when yet due to COVID but it'll be in the next few months all going well."

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“Without supporters this club is nothing,” Kerry FC’s Darragh Foley

If so, who?Since I grew up a Man United fan I loved watching both De Gea and Romero. Both were amazing goalkeepers and I definitely idolised both for their amazing […]

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If so, who?
Since I grew up a Man United fan I loved watching both De Gea and Romero. Both were amazing goalkeepers and I definitely idolised both for their amazing shot stopping abilities.
What do you believe Colin Healy has brought to both life and football at Kerry FC Colin has changed the club in it’s entirety. Everyone has belief in the team that he has built and he is progressing the club both on and off the pitch. We are lucky to have him.
What strengths do you believe Kerry’s new signings can bring to the club as chemistry on the pitch and people off the pitch?
All the new boys are great. They’re very positive and have increased the quality of our squad. They have raised the intensity within training and brought us to another level.
During the 2025 season, Tim Oliver-Heimer was out for a huge majority of the season. In this time you gained a lot of first team experience. How do you believe this helped you and boost your career?
Firstly I’d like to say while Tim was injured he was the person who helped me the most. Always giving me advice and helping me whenever I needed it. I appreciate all that he did for me. In regards to the experience of playing, i loved it and now that i have gone through those 7 games, I now understand what is expected of me in this league and what it takes to perform.
Early in your career you spent some time at the Treaty United Academy. How do you believe they helped you early in your career?
The first year and a half I had at Treaty were amazing. I’m still friends with a lot of my teammates and loved the experience. The goalkeeper coaches I had there were brilliant with me and the improvements I made there and the experiences I had were vital for my development to where I am now.
What do you believe Kerry FC can push for this season?
I believe for us, it’s always about being better and aiming for more. We have improved season on season and I believe we can do more again this season. We shouldn’t be scared of any team going into the season ahead and after that as well.
What do you believe is the best way to motivate your team pre-match and throughout a match?
The best way to motivate anyone is to encourage and guide someone, particularly when they aren’t playing well. My teammates and the coaching staff do that well and there is always constant reminders of each players abilities and how good they should be doing and what they are capable of.
As a goalkeeper you’re role is vital. Describe o me your sort of playing style.
I love getting involved, which I think is more of a modern style. I don’t like letting the game come to me (even if sometimes it’s necessary), I usually like to get on the ball early and get a few touches before anything major happens so that I’m comfortable throughout the game.
What has been a stand-out moment so far in your career?
For me it’s going to be winning the U20 Shield Final against Rovers. Best day of my life, nothing will beat the feeling of the winning goal going in or the final whistle. Being able to win Kerry’s first silverware with so many of my friends is an experience I’m so grateful for.
In years to come, is there a legacy you would like to leave at Kerry FC and Irish football?
It’s a big question as I don’t like looking too far in to the future, in my opinion the short term creates what happens in the long term. But I would like to make an impact while I’m here, whether that’s performing on the field, or inspiring young keepers throughout the county or even if life takes me elsewhere, I would like to bring the skills I learned and am still learning with Kerry with me.
What do you want the Kerry supporters to know at full time?
That their support means everything. They make playing for Kerry so special. Without them this club is nothing. It was nice knowing that they had our backs every time we stepped on the pitch and that they have faith in both us and the coaches.
What do you believe is something football has taught you in life?
That things can change so quickly. When the draw was made for Shamrock Rovers semi-final, I still hadn’t even made my debut yet. But all of a sudden on a Friday night in UCD, I was quickly thrown in for my first game just like that. Things never stay the same whether good or bad.
If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
To just trust the process. When things get bad, don’t get too low when things get too comfortable. It’s a long journey, so every second counts. I’m glad I am where I am, and I’m happy with what I’ve achieved so far.

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Killarney Ploughing Match a success

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The annual Killarney Ploughing Match was held last Sunday at Coffey’s Farm in Fossa, following several weather-related postponements.

A total of 13 competitors took part in the event, which marked the final match of the Kerry ploughing season.


The competition saw a high standard across various classes, with several standout local performances.

Michael J Donegan secured 110 points to lead the Senior team, while Tommy McCarthy topped the 2-Furrow reversible class with 113 points.

Young member Ryan Wharton also had a successful day, earning 60 points in the Macra class. Ryan is currently vying for a qualification spot at the All-Ireland Ploughing Finals, set to take place in Tullamore this coming September.

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