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Cahersiveen man’s eye catching photo wins world award

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AWARD: Sportsfile photographer Stephen McCarthy has won an award in the 2021 World Press Photo Contest. Photo: Philip Bromwell/RTÈ

By Michelle Crean

 

Sportsfile photographer Stephen McCarthy has been announced as a winner in the prestigious ‘Sports, Singles’ category in the 2021 World Press Photo Contest with his image. The Cahersiveen man took the photo ‘Home Training’ in May last year when he visited the home of 87-year-old masters athlete Pat Naughton in Nenagh, County Tipperary.

During the lockdown Pat maintained his daily training regime in his living room and Stephen, who went into the house in full PPE and kept a safe distance says it's a moment he won't forget.

The win for Stephen comes just three years after securing second place in the 2018 contest for a photograph entitled 'Steaming Scrum' which features The British & Irish Lions and Maori All Blacks packs engaging during a match at the Rotorua International Stadium in New Zealand.

Being recognised by the World Press Photo Foundation is an honour and the pinnacle of any photographer's career, he told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

"I am humbled to have had the opportunity to capture a unique example of how humans have adapted in these unprecedented times. I think the photograph has captured the determination of athletes in particular, in this case Pat, to maintain their training schedules in pursuit of normality in the most abnormal of times.”

Dublin-based Stephen, whose first love is sport, took up photography while involved with his local St Mary's Club as a teenager. Following a week's work experience, which he says he was surprised to secure with Sportsfile, he was offered a summer placement and set off on his new adventure a day after his Leaving Cert exams finished in 2007.

"After the week's work experience I was hooked. It's my dream job which has taken me all over the world."

Since then he has covered thousands of events around the world from rugby to soccer, athletics and boxing and captured some of the best sporting moments. And last year should have seen him covering the Olympics and 2020 Euros amongst other events but COVID put paid to that. However, Stephen is now looking forward to covering soccer events for the Irish men and women's teams in the coming weeks which includes trips to Serbia and Hungry.

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

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