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Ronan’s operation finally gets the goes ahead

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AT LONG LAST: Yesterday (Thursday) Ronan Foley finally had his spinal operation after waiting almost three years.

 

"He'll have a lovely Christmas now"

By Michelle Crean

It took almost three years - but yesterday (Thursday) was a day the family of Ronan Foley will never forget - as the 15-year-old finally had his life-changing spinal operation.

Described as "the best Christmas present" they "could have ever asked for", Ronan's father Tony told the Killarney Advertiser that "it's a major relief" to now be on the other side and that it'll mean huge changes to Ronan's quality of life going forward.

After waiting two years, eight months and 25 days in constant pain with his spine progressively getting worse until eventually it reached a 90 degree curve - it was a long day for Ronan and his family as the operation began at 9am and lasted until the early evening.

Tony and his wife Caroline Foley had fought hard publicly for the last year to help get a surgery date for their son after it was cancelled on more than one occasion.

"It will be his first pain free Christmas in years," Tony said.
"He's waiting nearly three years. We're delighted and it's a major relief, he was a long-time waiting."

A NEW START

The former St Oliver’s National School pupil can look forward to a new start back in school in 2021 and spending quality time with his friends once he has healed.

"We're hoping he'll be home by next weekend but hopefully maybe sooner. The operation now means he will be able to sit up for as long as he wants without being in pain. He can go back to St Francis Special School. He had no quality of life at school or with his friends, for example he couldn't go to the cinema as he was in too much pain. He'd tire easily. He was always energetic and this was wearing him down. He'll have a lovely Christmas now as he'll be well on the road to recovery."

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Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

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O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan is set for a busy season as he returns to the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) while also preparing for a record-breaking attempt on home soil.

O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine have signed with the Swedish team JC Raceteknik for a full campaign focused on asphalt events. Their season begins this week at the Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena in Spain. O’Sullivan remains the only Killarney-based co-driver competing at this level for a full season.
He brings significant international experience to the team, having previously worked with WRC driver Jon Armstrong during his early European outings. O’Sullivan and Devine recently proved their pace against top European crews with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Rali Ceredigion in Wales.
Devine said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the ERC. It’s always great for a driver to compete against Europe’s best on some iconic events. We’ve had great success back home in Ireland over the past few seasons, winning two Irish Tarmac Rally Championships, and we feel now is the right time to come back and take on some ERC events. Starting with Rally Sierra Morena, I’m delighted to be joining JC Raceteknik. I know they are a very professional team with a wealth of experience, and I’m looking forward to working closely with them.”
The European schedule will not interfere with O’Sullivan’s local plans. Following the rally in Spain, the pair will return to Kerry for the Rally of the Lakes over the May Bank Holiday weekend. They are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in Killarney as they look to move back into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The move to the European stage follows a successful week for O’Sullivan, who was recently named the International Motorsport winner at the Kerry Sports Star Awards.

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June


A new heritage motoring event, the Killarney Classic Tour, has been confirmed for June 26–27, 2026. The two-day tour is designed to celebrate the iconic rally stages of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.


Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel, the event is non-competitive and open to a wide range of vintage and historic cars. Organisers are placing a particular focus on period-correct rally cars and recreations that reflect the history of the Circuit of Ireland, the Circuit of Munster, and the early years of the Rally of the Lakes.
The tour is the work of two well-known figures in Irish rallying, Mike Marshall and Micheal O’Mahoney. Marshall, a founding member of the Rally of the Lakes and Clerk of the Course for over 20 years, has designed a route that allows drivers to experience famous stages like Moll’s Gap at a relaxed pace. O’Mahoney, a long-term supporter of the sport through Rentokil and a historic car owner himself, joins Marshall in the venture.

Co-Founder O’Mahoney said:
“This event is about bringing people back together – the cars, the stories, and the friendships that have always been part of rallying. It’s a chance to step away from competition and simply enjoy these roads.”



The Saturday itinerary includes a lunch stop in Castletownbere before the field returns to Killarney for a gala dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel. The evening will feature guest speakers and a focus on the shared history of the sport.
“This event is about bringing people back together — the cars, the stories, and the friendships,” added Micheal O’Mahoney.
Registrations are now open at www.KillarneyClassicTour.ie.

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