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Killarney coach at the heart of Paralympic Games

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By Sean Moriarty

An Irish sprint runner looking to secure his sixth gold medal at the Paralympic Games - is being guided by a Killarney man.

Jason Smyth, who is is legally blind, is competing in his fourth Paralympics in Japan in the 100m and 200m sprints.

However, it is Killarney Valley Athletic Club coach Tomás Griffin - there to support Killarney’s Jordan Lee - who was called in to support Smyth as travel restrictions limited the number of coaches Team Ireland could bring to the event.

Speaking from Team Ireland’s training camp in Tokyo on Wednesday morning, Griffin explained his role to the Killarney Advertiser.

“My speciality is sprinting," he said. "I have been in touch with Jason’s coaches from the outset. Today we are practicing his starting block procedure. He is legally blind and there are many other athletes training here so part of my job is to secure a clear lane for him. I am wearing my Killarney Valley Athletic Club top, its bright colours help him to see me and where he needs to be. There are blade-runners on the track too and I have to make sure he is aware of their presence – you do not want to collide with them.”

He will be feeling the pressure on Sunday as both Smyth and Lee are in action on the Track and Field at the same time.

He is also helping Dubliner Orla Comerford who is competing in the T12 100 metre and 200 metre sprint races. She took home two bronze medals, one for each category, from the 2018 European Championships in Berlin. She competes with Stargardt disease, a hereditary condition that affects her eyesight.

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Glenflesk GAA hosts cardiac screening clinic

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Glenflesk GAA hosts cardiac screening clinic


Glenflesk GAA Healthy Club recently welcomed the Dillon Quirke Foundation to run a cardiac screening clinic for its young members.


A total of 45 club players aged 12 to 18 underwent vital heart checks designed to promote early detection and heart health awareness among young athletes.
Medical personnel from Advanced Medical Services conducted the screenings with professionalism and care, while the club’s Healthy Club Team oversaw the smooth operation of the event.
The Dillon Quirke Foundation operates without government funding, relying entirely on public support to raise awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) and provide non-cost cardiac clinics to sports clubs across Ireland.
Glenflesk GAA encourages anyone wishing to support the foundation’s ongoing screening work to consider making a donation online at dillonquirkefoundation.com.

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Traditions past and present meet at Muckross School House

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Two distinct eras of Irish storytelling collided at Muckross School House last week, showcasing how traditional culture adapts across generations for National Heritage Week 2026.

Representing the classic lineage of Irish folklore, renowned local historian, musician, and seanchaí Dáithí Collopy delivered an authentic masterclass in old-school storytelling.

Performing alongside his children Sadhbh, Siún, and Daithí Óg, Collopy relied on the ancient oral tradition to captivate the audience through spoken word, presence, and music.


Contrastingly, social media creator Eoin Reardon brought traditional heritage into the modern digital age.

Known for sharing his traditional green woodworking craft with millions online, Reardon hosted a hands-on workshop demonstrating traditional utensil crafting techniques while engaging attendees through the lens of modern storytelling.


The events brought together two completely different methods of preserving Irish heritage—one rooted in the timeless art of the fireside seanchaí, the other leveraging modern platforms like TikTok to keep historic skills relevant for a global, digital audience.


Photos: Valerie O’Sullivan.

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