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John Lenihan calls time on Fitzgerald Stadium role
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John Lenihan calls time on Fitzgerald Stadium role
Event Safety Manager at Fitzgerald Stadium John Lenihan has called time on his role by announcing his retirement from the job.
He was one of the best-known faces at the Killarney venue over the last decade.
Over his ten and a half year stint the role changed dramatically with Lenihan responsible for all safety aspects on the big and not so big days including sell out Munster Senior football clashes and Kerry v Tyrone and Kerry v Mayo games.
Lenihan was just 16 years old when he landed his first stewarding job at Fitzgerald Stadium as he took the bib at the 1971 Munster Hurling final between Tipperary and Limerick.
Over the years, Lenihan has been a constant part of the GAA family in Kilcummin and East Kerry. Having played with Kilcummin up to under 21, He later became a referee and enjoyed long stints in official roles within the club and the district.
Having worked his way up to the Fitzgerald Stadium assistant safety event manager’s role he replaced another Kilcumminman Billy Doolan in the role and settled in quickly.
“It certainly got busier over the years with preparations for big games starting up to three weeks before the main event. There was so much that had to be got right and in the times we live in now, paperwork is key and having it right is fierce important. Indeed the file of paperwork was a couple of inches thick by the end,” he said.
With thanks to Kilcummin’s Donal Barry of the Kerry Sports Hub.
€1m EuroMillions win at Centra The Reeks
Anthony O’Connor, Ciaran Culloty, Conor Healy, Elizabeth Nagle, and representatives from the National Lottery
Celebrations are underway in Killarney after Centra at The Reeks Gateway on Tralee Road sold a EuroMillions ticket worth €1,005,000 in the Friday, August 21 draw.
The lucky winner secured the life-changing sum through the special Ireland Only Raffle event after purchasing a Quick Pick ticket on the day of the draw.
Store owner John Bowler, who has operated the shop for over 20 years, expressed his delight after receiving the news from the National Lottery.
“There’s a great buzz around the store and we’re absolutely delighted,” Bowler said. “We have a mix of local customers and visitors coming through our doors every day, so the winner could be anyone. While we’ve sold fantastic prizes over the years, this is by far the biggest. It’s wonderful news for Killarney.”
National Lottery spokesperson Emma Monaghan urged anyone who bought a ticket at the store on Friday to check their numbers carefully. The ticket holder is advised to sign the back of the ticket, keep it safe, and contact the National Lottery prize claims team to arrange collection.
All photos: Eamonn Keogh
Pig’s Lane crowned Bar of the Year
Killarney’s subterranean venue Pig’s Lane emerged as a triple winner at the Bar of the Year 2026 Awards in Dublin on Monday night.
The College Street venue was named overall Bar of the Year, alongside taking Gold for both Cocktail Bar of the Year and Best Designed Bar / Inside Space. The announcements were made at a gala ceremony hosted by Anton Savage at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road.
Operating under the family-run O’Donoghue Ring Collection, the underground cocktail bar and whiskey parlour opened in 2023. The venue previously secured Innovative Bar of the Year in 2024 and Best Designed Bar in 2025 before taking the top national prize this year.
Judges praised the venue for its “unmatched excellence across the board”. The broader O’Donoghue Ring Collection earned eight finalist nominations across three properties, including Café du Parc and The Kenmare Rooms.
“We are so proud to be crowned Ireland’s Bar of the Year 2026,” said founder Gemma Ring. “A huge amount of work, creativity, and passion goes into everything we do”.
Pig’s Lane derives its name from the historic 1800s designation for the thoroughfare connecting College Street to Railway Road. On September 11, the bar will host a collaborative evening featuring Michelin Bib Gourmand tapas from Dingle’s Solas paired with bespoke cocktails.
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