News
David Kenny arrives in Japan for Olympic debut
By Sean Moriarty
The wheels of the plane have finally touched down in Tokyo as a Kerry Olympian undergoes final preparations for his 20km Race Walk debut next Thursday.
22-year-old David Kenny from Rusheen, Firies, arrived yesterday (Thursday) following in the footsteps of Glenflesk athlete Gillian O’Sullivan who walked for Ireland in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
David finished second in the U23 European Championships in Estonia last month but in Olympic terms he is ranked 54th in the world. Race walkers, like other endurance athletes, tend to come into better form in their late 20s or early 30s.
At home in Rusheen, the excitement is building ahead of his race which is scheduled for 8.30am next Thursday.
His father Noel, a postman in the Kilcummin area, mother Mary, and three sisters Sarah, Laura and Rebecca can’t wait for Thursday’s event.
“I have taken the whole week off,” Noel told the Killarney Advertiser. “He is ranked 54th in the world, but if he finishes 53rd I will be a happy man.”
CAREER
Kenny became a race walker almost by accident. As a youngster he played soccer for Ballyhar Dynamos, football for Firies and hurling for Dr Crokes. He was also an accomplished cross-country runner through the winter months.
Farranfore-Maine Valley AC members Mike O’Connor and Jerome Crowley – both former champion race-walkers – encouraged him into the discipline so he could compete at the Track and Field events during the summer months.
His career took off and already this year he has competed in Estonia and has attended warm-weather training events in Spain and South Africa.
“The day after St Stephen’s Day he was on a flight to South Africa for training, that’s the dedication and I don’t know any other 22-year-old who has travelled so much,” Noel added.
David has been mentored by Cork athlete Rob Heffernan, who participated in five Olympic Games and took bronze in London in 2012.
“Rob keeps telling David that he is better than him at the same age,” Noel said.
Kenny’s personal best for the 50km walks is 1 hour 23 minutes and 6 seconds. The expected race-winning pace is in the region of 1 hour and 19 minutes.
TFI Anseo demand-responsive transport pilot extended
The National Transport Authority (NTA) and TFI Local Link Kerry have announced an extension of the TFI Anseo pilot service in Killarney following a successful first year of operation.
Funded through the Climate Action Fund as part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, the demand-responsive bus service has supported over 82,000 passenger journeys since launching on August 11, 2025. The extension will allow the service to continue operating while a final evaluation report is compiled for December 2026.
The pilot allows passengers to book flexible trips for work, healthcare appointments, shopping, and social visits across the Killarney area.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien welcomed the extension, stating:
“I am very pleased to see the TFI Anseo pilot service being extended following its highly successful first year. The sheer number of passenger journeys recorded shows that the local community have embraced this innovative service, which truly puts the passenger at the heart of the journey. Extending the pilot allows us to continue learning how to provide practical transport solutions that encourage sustainable and inclusive travel.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer, noted that local feedback from business owners and residents demonstrates a strong vote of confidence in demand-responsive transport for rural communities.
NTA CEO Anne Shaw confirmed the pilot has operated within budget while providing key insights into future rural public transport. Over the autumn months, the NTA will conduct customer satisfaction surveys to gather further feedback from local passengers.
RTÉ News appoints new Cork and Kerry reporter
RTÉ News has announced that Barry Gallagher will take up the role of regional news journalist for Cork, Kerry, and the wider Southern region starting this August.
Gallagher will work alongside RTÉ News’ Southern Editor Paschal Sheehy, reporting across television, radio, online, and social media platforms. He succeeds veteran broadcaster Jennie O’Sullivan, who retired in May following a 25-year reporting career with RTÉ in the region.
Gallagher joined RTÉ in 2023 as a presenter for news2day before moving on to report across flagship programs, including the Six One News, Nine O’Clock News, and Morning Ireland. His coverage has spanned major national stories, including the 2024 Olympic Games, All-Ireland Hurling Finals, and Storm Chandra.
Originally from Gartan, County Donegal, Gallagher studied journalism at D
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