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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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Regatta Queen crowned at annual dance

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The annual Killarney Regatta Dance took place on September 25 as rowers, families and supporters came together to celebrate their successful year.

The racing was cancelled in September due to bad weather.

The Killarney Regatta is one of Ireland’s oldest rowing events, having first begun in 1788.

The dance took place at the Killarney Oaks Hotel where there was a lot of excitement and fun. Six rowing clubs, Fossa, Workman’s, St Brendan’s, Commercials, Flesk Valley, and Muckross, came together to celebrate the community and its shared history.

Amelia Counihan was crowned as the Regatta Queen.

The Queen represents the spirit pride and grace of the rowing community and has been a tradition in the club for generations.

Workman’s Rowing Club congratulated Amelia and described her as a woman who embodies everything that their tradition stands for.

The club said: “Queen is more than a title — it is a celebration of history, community, and the spirit of Killarney rowing.”

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Killarney Looking Good competition celebrates community pride

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The annual Killarney Looking Good competition took place at the Great Southern Hotel on Wednesday night where Kerry GAA captain Gavin White presented the awards to the deserving recipients.

Killarney Park Hotel came out on top with the overall prize being awarded to the newly refurbished five-star hotel.

The judges were impressed by the stylish new entrance and driveway and their spectacular display of flowers and window boxes. Killarney Park won the same award back in 1992.

The best large commercial premises award went to Killarney Racecourse, and the best small commercial premises was awarded to Sheahan’s Pharmacy.

Charlie Foley’s won the best public house; best restaurant was 40 Main and Walsh Bros Shoes was named best retail.

In the residential categories, the best private residence was Tomies View, Ross Road, best large estate went to Countess Grove, and best small estate was won by Coolgreane Park.

The winner of the 2025 Fr Michael Murphy Memorial Pride of Place Award was presented to the Killarney Asylum Seekers Initiative while the Yvonne Quill Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award winner went to Margaret Curtin.

The Killarney Looking Good competition is organised by Killarney Municipal District Council and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and sponsored by MD O’Shea’s & Sons and O’Mahony Media.

The competition aims to encourage residents and business owners to keep the town looking well through the use of flowers, hanging baskets, colour schemes.

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